Victory In Jesus Part 2: The Tomb

1. Appearance

A man was flying from Seattle to San Francisco. Unexpectedly, the plane stopped in Sacramento along the way. The flight attendant explained that there would be a delay, and if the passengers wanted to get off the aircraft, the plane would re-board in 50 minutes.

Everybody got off the plane except one gentleman who was blind. His Seeing Eye dog lay quietly underneath the seats in front of him throughout the flight. The pilot approached the man and knew his name and said, "Keith, we're in Sacramento for almost an hour. Would you like to get off and stretch your legs? The blind man replied, "No thanks, but maybe my dog would like to stretch his legs."

Picture this: all the people at the gate area came to a complete standstill when they looked up and saw the pilot walk off the plane with a Seeing Eye dog! The pilot was even wearing sunglasses. They not only tried to change planes, but they were trying to change airlines!

This was a true story. Remember, THINGS AREN'T ALWAYS AS THEY APPEAR

2. Last week – the Victory in Jesus at Gethsemane – Today at the Tomb with His Resurrection

3. The whole scenario was hard for the disciples to comprehend – things did not appear as they had thought.

4. But there is some good news!

5. John 20:1-18

I. The LORD Often is in Unexpected Places

A. Some Thought He was in the Tomb

1. No body – Had the Romans taken Him to a mass grave?

2. Cloths and napkin – a miracle – Lazarus – unbind him (John 11:44)

3. Angels and the Ark of the Covenant (John 20:12)

4. Jesus wasn’t in any tomb or grave He was beginning to appear to people

B. Some Don’t Expect Him to Be with Us

1. His coming at all was unexpected

2. He has always wanted to be with His people

Exodus 25:8 And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst.

3. We feel we are unworthy (“For such a worm as I”)

4. Don’t want Him near – sinful behavior – Immanuel

C. Some Don’t Expect Him to Be with Others

1. Tax Collectors and Sinners – If he knew the woman

2. Exorcist – Mark 9:38ff

3. “Other Sheep” – John 10:16

4. Jerusalem – Judaea – Samaria – Ends of the earth (Acts 1:8)

II. The LORD Often Makes Unexpected Appearances

A. Physical Appearance

1. He was Common in Appearance – Isaiah 53:2b

he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,

and no beauty that we should desire him.

2. Here thought to be a Common Gardener

3. On the Road to Emmaus as a Common Traveler (Luke 24)

4. Apparently there is something different about the resurrected body

a. His

b. Ours – Philippians 3:20-21

20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

5. Recognition by His Voice – “Mary” //Prayer at the meal in Luke 24

a. Shepherd and Sheep – John 10

John 10:3-4 The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.

John 10:16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.

John 10:27 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

b. Power over condemnation and sorrow

B. Physical Location (His Appearances)

1. To disciples behind locked doors without and with Thomas

2. Outside the tomb

3. On Road to Damascus for Saul of Tarsus

C. Spiritual Locations

1. Least of these

2. Hearts of men via Holy Spirit – John 16:7

7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.

D. Glorious Appearances

1. Cross

2. Resurrection

3. Return – 1 Corinthians 15; Matthew 16:27

27 For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.

1. Jesus’ Victories – Gethsemane; Cross; Tomb

2. Victory at Gethsemane – Prayer and God’s Comforting Angel

3. Victory at Tomb by Holy Spirit – Romans 8:11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.