Sunday Service: 09/04/2023
Supporting Scripture: Luke 24 1:~
Title of Message: Good News From The Graveyard
Delivered by: Pastor Mercy
Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. 2. But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. 3. Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4.And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. 5. Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6. He is not here but is 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”.(Luke 24 1:7)
We live in a world where all you hear and see is bad news. Tragedies, murders, natural disasters, and nations against nations in war. Many people experience troubles in their relationships. Some experience financial and business struggles and health problems. For some it is a time of loss, hurt, and grief. This is the way the world is – more bad news than good.
Because of the abundance of bad news most of us are always ready and are overjoyed to receive some good news. The women disciples of Jesus could do with some good news as they went to Jesus’ tomb. That was not the place for good news. It was a place for sorrow, grief, and hopelessness, but God has a way of working and bringing good news in the worst possible circumstances. Amidst their sorrow and grief, they heard the greatest news of all.
“He is not here-He is risen!” Jesus is alive!
Wonderful news from the graveyard. In fact, this good news is so great that it supersedes any tragedy or trouble we have ever faced or will ever face.
Why is the resurrection of Jesus such good news? What does it mean for you and me today, some 2000 years later? It was the greatest miracle of all. Isn’t it a marvellous and miraculous thing that a man can be beaten with 39 strikes, have his beard pulled out, struck with fist, nailed to a cross, pierced with a sword in his side, dies and get buried in a tomb for three days and then come back to life? This was indeed a remarkable miracle.
This miracle was also validated as genuine. The eyewitnesses of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, the Roman Guards who supervised that punishment, and the disciples, all attest to the reality of the miracle.
Without the resurrection, the name of Jesus Christ would not be distinguishable as it is today.
When Jesus died, it looked as if that was the end – before he was crucified most of his followers deserted him. Even Peter, one of Jesus’ key disciples crumbled like sand when Jesus was facing death – he deserted him, he denied ever having anything to do with him. He disappeared and went back to his fishing business. When Jesus died, it appeared that his cause would die with him. But it didn’t happen that way. The followers of Jesus didn’t fade into oblivion. In fact, they all came back bolder and more courageous than ever.
What made the difference? The only explanation is the resurrection. The resurrection is not a religious fiction of man meant to inspire us with hope and positive thinking.
The resurrection of Jesus is good news for his followers, because it brings some wonderful assurances that I wish to share with you today.
The resurrection of Jesus assures us that we are truly following the right person. (Romans 1:1-4)
“Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) 3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; 4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.”
The last phrase that says, “(Jesus) was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead.” In other words, God gave us real evidence through His resurrect that Jesus Christ is the genuine person we are to listen to, commit to and follow.
There are many voices out there claiming to know the truth and screaming for you to listen to and commit to them. There is the voice of other religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, there is atheism that says, “there is no God” and its appeal is freedom from the rules. There’s humanism that says, “man is the measure of all things”, which appeals to our human pride. But we know to follow Jesus because only His grave is empty. This one act validates everything He said and everything He commanded.
The resurrection of Jesus assures us that we are truly forgiven. (1 Corinthians 15:17)
“And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!”
Apostle Paul is dealing with the importance of the resurrection of Jesus. He says, “if Christ has not been raised… You will still be in your sins.” Which is another way of saying, “you are not really forgiven.” If Jesus had remained in the grave, it would have meant that God had not found Jesus’ sacrifice acceptable for the forgiveness of everyone’s sins. The resurrection was not only proof of who Jesus was but also of what he had done.
We do not need to wonder or to waiver about the forgiveness of our personal sins because the Judge of the Universe has made His decision. Jesus’ sacrifice was enough to remove the guilt of our every sin and the resurrection is proof that God has fully accepted His payment for our sins. We are fully forgiven! The resurrection of Jesus assures us that we are truly forgiven and are citizens for heaven.
The resurrection of Jesus assures us that we truly have hope beyond the grave.
Death is a terrible and hopeless thing. But Jesus’ death and resurrection assures us that death does not have the final word. We have hope beyond the grave. Jesus proved by His resurrection that the grave need not be the end and that it need not be feared because He has power over death.
Paul’s states in (1Corinthians 15: 18-20, 55) that because Jesus was “indeed” raised from the dead he has achieved victory and shown that He has power over our worst and most dreaded enemy, which is death. Jesus is the “first fruits of those who have fallen sleep”, that is those who died as Christians. This is another way of saying that His resurrection was the first of many. His resurrection is evidence of many more resurrections to come. (1Corinthians 15: 55)
“O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?”
Even though death still occurs it no longer has the “sting” it once had because Jesus has overcome death by His resurrection and given us assurance of hope beyond the grave. Jesus has indeed “broken the chains.” Christ has died and risen again.
He has “shown us” and given us assurance that we will rise again after death and be with Him.