Our Sermons

Bible Passage: Matthew 28:1-10; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-8
Pastor: Pastor Schlicht
Sermon Date: April 1, 2018 (Easter Sunrise)

I. The Resurrection is Real

[Based on Matthew 28:1-10] The angel, who effortlessly rolled back the massive stone, had clothes of dazzling white and his appearance was like lightning. It must have been terrifying for the two women who came upon this otherworldly being. In fact, his appearance is so spellbinding, that he needs to remind them why they came. “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.” (Oh ya, that’s why we are here!) But then this angel begins to speak to them about the reality of Jesus’ resurrection. “He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.” He wanted them to witness the reality of the physical resurrection first hand. “Come and see the place where he lay.” Come and touch the vacant slab of stone he laid on, come and feel the forgotten grave clothes. Come and see that the resurrection is real.

Have you ever wondered why God sent an angel at the resurrection of his Son? I mean, if you think about it Jesus didn’t need the stone to be rolled away. He could have done it himself. The soldiers certainly wouldn’t have stopped the Song of God himself. Jesus could have appeared to these women and his disciples without any forewarning. Why did God send the angel? So that in years to come the story would sound even more ridiculous? Would you send an angel if you wanted the story to sound plausible? No. But if Jesus really did rise from the dead, and if his followers were too scared to believe it, if the tomb was guarded by Roman soldiers too attentive and well trained to let anyone in, if the stone was too heavy for two women to roll away, if you wanted people to know the truth, then you might send an angel to dispatch the guards, roll away the stone, and invite people to know that truth. “Come and see the place where he lay.” The resurrection is real! It is backed up by prophetic prediction (a feat of impossible odds), the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus to well over 500 eyewitnesses, and the lives of the apostles who were so convinced of this reality they were willing to die for it. If they really had made it all up, do you think they would have died defending it and preaching about it? But even all these amazing proofs beside, most importantly, Spirit-wrought faith knows that the resurrection is real. “He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.” Amen.

II. The Resurrection Reaches Hearts 

[Based on Mark 16:1-8] When someone dies suddenly, the number one lament I hear is how the family members wished they could have said what they wanted to say before it was too late. Perhaps you’ve had that feeling as well. Perhaps you wish you could have told someone that you love them before they died, you wish you could have shared forgiveness or maybe even asked for it. But now it is too late. I imagine that is how Peter felt. The last time he saw his Lord was a silent stare across the priest’s courtyard which reminded him of his denial. Can you imagine how Peter felt that first Easter morning? His Lord, and Savior, his dearest friend, was dead and the last thing he had done was deny even knowing him. But the resurrection reaches hearts. And we see that in Mark 16 through the angel’s specific mention of Peter’s name. “But go, tell his disciples and Peter”. Especially Peter. His heart needs to know that no matter what he has done, there is forgiveness; there is hope; there is life. Jesus is alive.

Do you feel discouraged? Are you, like Peter, dismayed at the extent of your inadequacies, the pressure of living your faith, and those times when you may have denied Jesus through your words or actions? Don’t worry, it’s not too late. Be encouraged because the resurrection reaches out to your heart as well. The angel’s message is as much for you as it was for the apostle who felt he had gone too far to ever be loved again. You can put your own name there: “Tell ________!” Jesus has risen from the dead! No matter what you have done, there is forgiveness; there is hope; there is life. Jesus is alive. Amen.

III. The Resurrection Makes the Word Reliable

[Based on Luke 24:1-12] On Jesus’ first visit to Jerusalem, the Jews asked him for a sign to prove that he was the Messiah. Jesus responded with a startling statement: “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days” (Jn 2:19). The Jews thought he was talking about Herod’s Temple, but John says, “He was speaking of the temple of his body” (Jn 2:21) and adds an interesting observation: “When he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; then they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had spoken” (Jn 2:22). Isn’t it interesting that the resurrection proved to the disciples not only what Jesus said was true, but, as John said, “they believed the Scripture” as well.

You see the disciples understood that Jesus was the fulfillment of the Scriptures. He was the only one who matched the over-300 prophecies of the Old Testament, including Psalm 16 and Isaiah 53 which prophecy of the resurrection. And Jesus was also the one who said, “Scripture cannot be broken.” The resurrection proves that Jesus is who he says he is, the very Son of God, and it proves that all the words of the Bible which he inspired are likewise true and unbroken. The resurrection makes the Word reliable. Did you catch that short phrase in Luke’s account of the resurrection? “Remember how he told you…” Remember that Jesus said he would rise from the dead. This is what he said, this is what he promised. Why did you doubt him? His Word is reliable! Whatever promises of the Bible you hold most dear, know that since your Savior has risen they are true! As the apostle Paul so beautifully said, “no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ (2 Cor 1:20).” Does God forgive me? Yes! Remember how he told you! Can I have confidence in the face of death? Yes! Jesus said, “Because I live you also will live.” Will I see my loved one again? Yes! Jesus has risen! Amen.

IV. The Resurrection is the Rock of Faith

[Based on Joh 20:1-8] When that other disciple whom John does not name, finally walked into the open tomb and views the grave clothes, John tells us very simply. “He saw and believed.” And why not, he had everything to gain, and nothing to lose. I mean, can you imagine what the disciples would have done if Jesus hadn’t risen from the dead? Would there be more than one Judas hanging in a field? All their dreams shattered, all their purpose made meaningless, everything thing they’d given up—all for nothing. But even worse would be the final implication: Death would win. Their lives, their hope, their faith would all be meaningless. As the apostle wrote, “If Christ is not risen from the dead, then our preaching is empty and your faith is in vain… You are still in your sins (1 Cor 15:14-17).” He could not have chosen stronger language. And he wasn’t just talking to the disciples, he is talking to us as well.

The resurrection is the rock of faith. Without it, Christianity crumbles. With it, we have the greatest hope the world has ever known. Without it we will lose everything, with it we have everything to gain! Thank the Lord that Christ has indeed been raised from the dead. Because Jesus lives we know that even the most hopeless circumstance is only temporary. We know that when we stand at the grave of someone who trusted Christ, their eternal life has just begun. We know that even when things look bleak, the story of life ends in victory. We know that some days feel like a dark Friday of death and heartache but Sunday and resurrection are coming! “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?…Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Amen.