April 20, 2014
Evening Service

It indeed has been a perfect Easter Day.  The weather is beautiful and spring has everything in full bloom, coming to life after winter’s sleep (death).  Churches were fuller this morning as we all celebrate Jesus conquering His last enemy; death.  “He arose the Victor from the dark domain, and He lives forever with His saints to reign.”

Our special songs this morning each told a story.  “Watch the Lamb” spoke of the awful price it cost to pay the price for mankind’s sin.  “I’ll Rise Again” reminded us that this was God’s plan all along and we are assured of victory in the end.  “When He was on the cross, I was on His mind” reminded us that Easter is to be very personal, as we realize He paid that price for MY sins.  “My Redeemer Lives” sums up the reason we have hope.  Jesus is alive and sits at the right hand of God making intercession for you and me.

The first point from the message was that the resurrection happened as it is recorded in all four gospels.  The disciples never wavered on this fact; each living their lives devoted to their Savoir and most even dying for Him.  It has to build our faith that none of them ever recanted, they all held true to the fact that Jesus arose from that tomb.  Paul further explained the future resurrection for us in I Cor. 15 and foretold of the Second Coming in I Thess. 4.  Because He was resurrected on that first Easter morning we have all the proof we need to believe that there will be a second resurrection day.

Let’s look at Luke’s account of this day.

 

 Luke 24:1-12 And on the first day of the week, while still very early, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.  (2)  But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb.  (3)  And going in, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.  (4)  And as they were much perplexed about it, it happened that, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments.  (5)  And as they were afraid, and bowed their faces down to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?  (6)  He is not here, but has risen. Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, (7)  saying, The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and the third day rise again?”  (8)  And they remembered His words. (9) and returned from the tomb and told all these things to the Eleven and to the rest.  (10)  It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and the rest with them, who told these things to the apostles.  (11)  And their words seemed to them like foolishness, and they did not believe them.  (12)  And Peter arose and ran to the tomb, and stooping down he saw the linens lying alone. And he went away wondering to himself at what had happened.

• We all can again sympathize with Peter.  He had denied the Lord, and repented for it.  He had to feel the questions of forgiveness and restoration would never go away.  Even if He was alive, how could it ever be the same?

• I love how the angels ask the question, “Why do you seek the living among the dead.”  The grave could not hold Jesus back.  It was only a temporary stop on His way to glory.
• Isn’t that the same for us?  Death may lay its claim on us for a short time, but one of these days it will not hold down us either.  When that trumpet sounds all those who have died will rise together to meet the Lord in the air.
• As this small group of ladies assembled that morning, I am sure it was a very somber event.  They had lost their leader, teacher and friend.  They went to pay their final respects to a man they all loved and there would never be anyone like Him again.  He was dead and gone.
• That is the natural reaction that occurs within all of us with death; a sense of deep loss.  As we attend funerals or visit the graveyards, isn’t that the thought that most dominates our minds?
• What if the ladies had known He had risen?  Would they have come with a different attitude?  Of course, it would have been one of rejoicing and hope.  “He is not here, He is risen!”
• Our point of view of death also needs to change.  A graveyard should not give us the feeling of loss, but one of hope.  Everyone is buried looking to the Eastern skies anticipating Jesus’ return.  There is no greater hope especially in this life.

 

1Co 15:19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

• This life here on earth is NOT heaven.  Enjoying this life is not our hope, heaven is.  We are all born to die, if the Lord tarries.

 

James 4:14 For what is your life? For it is a vapor, which appears for a little time, and then disappears.

• This is one of the few certainties of life, our death.  That however, is not the end.  It too is only for a season until Jesus returns and then we shall live with Him forever!  That hope prevails as Paul writes to the Thessalonians:

 

1Th 4:13-18  But I would not have you ignorant, brothers, concerning those who are asleep, that you be not grieved, even as others who have no hope.  (14)  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will also bring with Him all those who have fallen asleep through Jesus.  (15)  For we say this to you by the Word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord shall not go before those who are asleep.  (16)  For the Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ shall rise first.  (17)  Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. And so we shall ever be with the Lord.  (18)  Therefore comfort one another with these words.

• This is our hope.  Our graves will also one day be found empty.  The living will not sleep among the dead.  This day we celebrate Jesus’ victory over death and the grave.

 

 

 

 

1Co 15:54-58 But when this corruptible shall put on incorruption, and when this mortal shall put on immortality, then will take place the word that is written, "Death is swallowed up in victory.  (55)  O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory?"  (56)  The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the Law.  (57)  But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  (58)  So that, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not without fruit in the Lord.

• Notice the reaction the hope of victory gives us; a desire to live a life abounding with work for the Lord. 
• Today of all days should increase our desire to live a life “worthy of our calling.”  We have a Savior who gave all for us and guarantees victory. 
• How is that for hope?

 

1Pe 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has regenerated us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

 

 

Lord, may we live our lives according to the knowledge that in the end we win.