He is Risen
The Birth of the Church
Matthew 28:1 New King James Version
28 Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.
Now after the Sabbath…
Thursday evening - priests, elders, and scribes arrest, strike and spit upon their Deliverer hours after commemorating God’s DELIVERANCE
Friday morning - They hand over their Messiah to the Romans to be beaten, whipped, scourged, mocked, and crucified
Matthew 27:45 New King James Version
45 Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land.
The sun refused to shine it’s light from 9am -12pm as THE LIGHT of the world was being crushed
John 9:5 New King James Version
5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
Matthew 27:50-51 New King James Version
50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.
51 Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split,
When Jesus laid down His life; the Temple tore its veil from top to bottom like a man in anguish, anger, and grief, for the glory of God would never again reside within it the same way
The earth quaked as the Creator who pulled it from the waters and held it together entered the place of the dead
The rocks that would have cried out in the worship at Jesus’ triumphal entry now split in mourning at Christ’s death
Saturday - Priests, elders, and scribes visit a devastated temple for their Sabbath services
They read aloud the scriptures after rejecting and spitting upon the author of those scriptures
They sang hymns glorifying the God they beat and betrayed the day before
Are we not guilty of the same?
How many times have we celebrated His deliverance and then moments later rejected His leadership?
How many times have we silenced the voice of Holy Spirit on Saturday yet worship His presence Sunday
How many times have we rejected His ways on Saturday and then celebrate His word on Sunday
How many of us would not also rather silence Him than submit to Him?
As the first day of the week began to dawn
I believe Matthew was intentionally drawing a connection, between
The literal rising of the sun
The first day of creation - Genesis 1:3-5 New King James Version
The resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Light of the world
On this first day of the week, God would once again command light to shine in the darkness
2 Corinthians 4:6 New King James Version
6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Two disciples (Mary and Mary) go to see the tomb
Matthew 28:2-3 New King James Version
2 And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.
The Earth quakes once again as the glory of God returns to it after three days
Heaven responds with a heavenly angel (messenger) descending to deliver a message to these two
The Why Behind The Resurrection Message
I would be surprised if I met someone who didn’t know what we are remembering and celebrating this morning, but I want to make sure we all understand why it’s so important
Matthew 28:5-7 New King James Version
5 But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7 And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”
Since the garden, the enemy has wielded sin and death as a weapon against those who would walk in the purposes of God
Adam and Eve
Genesis 3:4-6 New King James Version
4 Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.
This original rebellion against God’s determination of good and evil resulted in mankind's sin nature and death
Cain and Abel
Genesis 4:6-8 New King James Version
6 So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.” 8 Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.
The serpent also overcame Cain with sin, and through him devised a new type of death; murder
For thousands of years the serpent devastated men and women of God sin and death as devastating weapon against every man and woman of God, and during the 400 years of silence it seemed as if all hope was lost
But then JESUS showed up
Matthew 23:33-35 New King James Version
33 Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell? 34 Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city, 35 that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.
Do not be afraid, I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified
Jesus paid for all of our rebellion with His life, body, and blood
Isaiah 53:4-6 New King James Version
4 Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted 5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
Romans 6:23 New King James Version
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The serpent tried, but was unable to deceive Jesus like he did Adam
Philippians 2:5-8 New King James Version
5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
Don’t be afraid, we have been made righteous by Jesus and have unimaginable access to God
2 Corinthians 5:21 New King James Version
21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Hebrews 4:14-16 New King James Version
14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Ephesians 2:18 New Living Translation
18 Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.
He is not here; He is risen, as He said
Jesus’ death atoned for our rebellion, His resurrection won the war against the serpent
Colossians 2:13-15 New King James Version
13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.
Revelation 1:18 New King James Version
18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.
Three ways Jesus disarmed and made a public spectacle of the enemy:
1. No longer can they hold your sins against you
1 John 1:8-9 New King James Version
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
2. No longer will death separate you from God
Philippians 1:21 New King James Version
21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
3. No longer do they have claim to your life
1 John 3:8 New King James Version
8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.
Come and see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell the others where to find Him
See for yourself, don’t just take my word and then go and tell others
Luke 24:11-12 New King James Version
11 And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them. 12 But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying by themselves; and he departed, marveling to himself at what had happened.
Walking in the Fear and Great Joy of the Finished Work
Matthew 28:8-10 New King James Version
8 So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.9 And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.”
Priority - They were on mission, but when Jesus showed up, His presence was the priority
Prioritize His presence and your daily secret place
Posture - They fell before and held Him by the feet
Remember often His sacrifice and the price with which you were purchased
Praise - They worshiped Him
Thank Him for the holes in His feet and hands, the wound in His side, for His great love for you, and His mercy and grace toward you
Purpose - As wonderful as His presence is, it is never to be an excuse for disobedience
Testify of your encounters with the risen Jesus Christ and tell others where and how to encounter Him for themselves
SECRET PLACE || Five More Minutes
When we set apart a time and place to meet with God, Holy Spirit responds to our expectancy with His presence. When we make the secret place our priority, we become the place where Heaven touches Earth.
A Pastoral Caution against Hardening Your Heart
It is easy to take something for granted, or treat something as common, when you have heard it multiple times
Do NOT be like the guards
Matthew 28:4 New King James Version
4 And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.
Matthew 28:11-15 New King James Version
11 Now while they were going, behold, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all the things that had happened. 12 When they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, 13 saying, “Tell them, ‘His disciples came at night and stole Him away while we slept.’ 14 And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will appease him and make you secure.” 15 So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
Don’t stay back in, and guard, your tombs
Don’t allow yourself to be deceived by offense/the past and kept from encountering the RISEN Jesus of your future
Don’t allow fear to cause you to become like dead men
Unable to think about, experience, or respond to Heaven touching Earth
Don’t run away and find some religious person who will tell you that can dismiss the whole experience as a bad dream and exchange your testimony for the praise, protection, and provision of man
