Reading: Matthew 28:1‑10
Text: vs.6 "He is not here for he is risen."
INTRO The great crowds that followed Jesus throughout His ministry are absent on this Sunday Morning. The horrors of the crucifixion had sent the disciples into hiding. Though Joseph & Nicodemus had begged the body of Jesus and laid Him in Joseph's own new tomb (Matt. 27:57‑60 John 19:38‑39), Even Jesus' closest followers have left Him now and He is alone in the tomb. How ironic this particular Sunday Morning is. The greatest moment of history is about to take place, and yet it is being done so quietly that no one realizes it. God often does His greatest deeds in quietness..in a corner of the room where the attention seems not to be focused..in the sinful life of a seemingly hopeless case.. in an unlikely church..an unlikely town in an unlikely way. That is what happened that Sunday Morning. In a quiet little corner of the the world God was working a miracle that would introduce hope into the darkest experiences that life can bring us. Since the resurrection of Jesus Christ, nothing that you or I face will ever be utterly hopeless..no battle will be too fierce.. no hardship will be too intense..no sorrow will be unbearable..no trial will be too difficult..no burden will be too heavy..no situation will ever again be hopeless! Christ is risen! There is always hope! It is this message that makes Christianity different from all of the other religions of the world. It all depends upon the resurrection.
I Cor. 15:07 "If Christ be not raised, your faith is vain.."but Halelujah! vs.20 "But now is Christ risen from the dead!" We can be victorious because Christ was victorious! The women in our text are about to learn this great truth!
‑ Herod was concerned:
Matthew 2:13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
‑His MOTHER was concerned
Luke 2:49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? ‑His mother still doesn'take care of His father's business!
‑The PRIESTS were concerned:
Matthew 26:14 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.
‑Today people give the priests silver to keep Jesus under control in their little metal "tabernacle."
Herod: His mother: the Priests
‑JUDAS was concerned:
Matthew 26:47 And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.48 Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. 49 And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.
‑The SOLDIERS were concerned:
Matthew 28:12 And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, 13 Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. 14 And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. 15 So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
I. A SURPRISING PROCLAMATION
A. About where He is
B. About WHO He is
The angel's first words were aimed at the whereabouts of Jesus. Perhaps this is because WHERE Jesus is has so much to do with WHO JESUS IS.
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Jesus WHEREABOUTS had defined His very nature HeWAS GOD BECAUSE HE WAS WITH GOD.
1. SALV. CALLED FOR INCARNATION
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
2.INCARNATION REQUIRED HUMANITY
Philippians 2:5 -9 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus
Colossians 1:14-18 In whom we have redemption through his blood . .
II. A STARTLING REVELATION - vs. 6 ..HE IS RISEN..!"
1. Startling because This is WONDERFUL!
Isa. 9:6 "His name shall be called WONDERFUL."
‑Earthquake
‑Angel at the tomb
‑Stone was rolled away
‑The brave keepers had fainted
‑The body of Jesus was gone
2. Startling because it was IMPOSSIBLE
Luke 18:27 And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. 18 That by two immutable things, in Which it was impossible for God to lie, we
might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
‑NOW you can see men saved FROM EVERY STATUS OF LIFE!
‑Now you can see men in God's service WHO WERE NOT BORN INTO THE FAMILY OF LEVI!
3. Startling because IT IS REASSURING
John 14:19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
‑God still hears & answers prayer.
‑God seeks & saves the lost.
‑God still heals & helps the afflicted.
III. A SATISFYING PROMISE - vs. 6 "as He said.."
Matthew 12:40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
‑THE LOVE HE SHARES
‑THE FAITH HE BESTOWS
-THE PROMISES HE KEEPS AS HE SAID
ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT HIS WHEREABOUTS?
ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT HIS IDENTITY?
ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT HIS ABILITY?
John 18:11 Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?
- THE CUP OF POVERTY
- THE CUP OF BETRAYAL
- THE CUP OF PAIN
- THE CUP OF BEREAVEMENT
- THE CUP OF DEATH
Mark 10:38 But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?
Where He is, Who He is and What He can do;
Have long been debated, before me and you.
In heaven, He's God and He saves from sin.
You can debate the subject or you can enter in.
His word is True, His work is done
He is unwilling to lose, no not one!
It's up to you, what will you do,
I know Where He is, who He is, and what he can do!
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