Sermon Central
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The Promise Of Life
Contributed by Brian Credille on Mar 4, 2001 (message contributor)
Summary: As Jesus’ body hung lifeless on the cross on that Friday afternoon, "the promise of life" that He would rise again was a greater reality than anyone then imagined. "The Promise of Life" is still available today!
"The Promise of Life"
INTRODUCTION
Jesus was dead! Those who hated Jesus and sought to destroy Him were relieved--they thought they were rid of Him. But even after Jesus died on Friday, there lingered the promise of Jesus that He would rise again on the third day! This promise is true for all that believe in Him today. Let us see some truths about this promise:
I. THE PROMISE OF LIFE CONQUERS FEAR (27:57-58).
A. Upon Jesus’ death, some men that had followed Jesus secretly came to bury Him -- Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. Both men were members of the Sanhedrin. Having seen what Jesus did, they responded with courage.
B. A life of meaning and purpose over shadowed their fear of publicly following Jesus. Are you openly and unashamedly following Jesus?
II. THE PROMISE OF LIFE OPENS YOUR HEART TO GIVE (27:59-61).
A. Joseph was a wealthy man. But his love of Jesus led Him to give of His time, energy and wealth to help bury Jesus.
B. Joseph had discovered the joy and satisfaction of giving away. The Life Jesus offers redirects our priorities and purposes. What have you done for Jesus lately?
III. THE PROMISE OF LIFE IS A CONSTANT THREAT TO THE WORLD (27:62-64).
A. Jesus had promised that He would rise again. The religious leaders’ hatred and fear of Jesus had not diminished. In Matthew 12:40, they had heard Jesus say that He would rise again.
B. The religious leaders came on the Sabbath to ask Pilate for a guard to keep Jesus in the tomb.
C. People without Jesus are still threatened by the promise of His life, death, and resurrection. They fear that it may be true! As a result, they often respond with hate and anger, trying to stop the spread of the Good News about Jesus’ death and resurrection. So, let us accept that many times people with respond to Jesus’ promise of Life with anger and opposition.
D. Probably, a cord was stretched across the stone and fastened on each side with a guard set at the door. This was an earthly attempt to prevent from coming to pass a settled promise guaranteed by the heart of God Himself! No earthly opposition that you face can prevent from happening what God desires for your life!
IV. THE PROMISE OF LIFE CAN BE A REALITY FOR YOU (27:65-66).
A. You can spend your life hoping that the promise is untrue. You can spend your years setting guards at the tomb of Jesus by -- seeking to disprove the Gospel; trying to fill your life with everything but Jesus. But what if you are wrong?
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B. You can accept His word as true and stake your life on it! He is alive and He desires to live in and through you! Which will it be?
CONCLUSION
The promise of Life everlasting, Life with meaning and purpose, is for you! Allow the promise of Life to become a reality in you today. Come to Jesus! He is alive and He is waiting for you!!
