Easter 2017

Easter 2017

Matthew 28:1-10

Introduction

- HAPPY EASTER! (Tomb background with words)

- I want to share some final thoughts along the topic of Evangelism

-- Easter is a tremendous time to share what you know, don’t be afraid to do it!

- Read Matthew 28:1-10 / Pray

- If you are a Christian … we celebrate one incredible fact today:

-- Jesus was beaten, crucified, and died in our place – and then RAISED to life

Point 1 – Jesus is Alive, Forever! (1-10)

- Upon going to the tomb, these women witness a tremendous sight

-- A blinding light, an earthquake, an angel of God appeared to them (v2)

-- Even the men who swore an oath to guard the tomb could not stand

-- APP: When God makes an entrance; it is always memorable

- The angel tells them to look, and see - Jesus is not there … HE IS RISEN! (v5)

-- It is very important to grasp the RELIABILITY of this promise

-- This resurrection is our foundation; if it’s a lie … then we are living one

- IMP: THIS event is the pivotal point of our faith

-- John 20:29 Jesus speaks to disciples and says, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

- Both Mary’s are given instructions (v7) to tell the Disciples to go to Galilee

-- Why? Because in hiding, these men needed encouragement to GO

- It is the same encouragement we need today – we MUST be going

-- We must be telling – we must be involved in sharing what we know with others

- IMP: The events are precise: Jesus died, He has risen, and now they must GO

Point 2 – There is a response to Jesus

- However, I want us to see something unique … they received the message twice!

-- Re-read verses 8-10 (emphasis on not being afraid)

- When Jesus appears to those who are His, there are two responses:

1) To worship (primary) – to honor who He is in your life

2) To await/receive instruction (this is our response to who He is … Lord)

- Jesus does not make it complicated for them, & He doesn’t make it hard for us

-- The instruction is clear: Tell them to GO, and then they will see me

- When we share the Gospel, we are seeing God at work through us, right?

-- If you say no: Let me ask you: Would you ever do that on your own? Nope!

-- We become servants by obeying what Jesus said … we willingly go and tell

- When we go, we are celebrating who it is that we live for; what He has done

-- It is not a matter of convenience, or of personal preference … but a response

- TRANS: So as we are going, what is the message we convey?

Point 3 – What do we tell others?

- This morning, you must accept the fact that Jesus is alive and He is God

-- It is a matter of submitting to God; giving your life to Him (He died for you)

-- We must also bow down before Jesus Christ; this is God’s message, not ours

- Accepting Jesus is as simple as the A, B, C’s:

-- Accept that you are a sinner and that Jesus died for your sins

-- Rom 3:23, “… for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

- Believe that God loves us and sent His son to die and raised Him from the dead

-- Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

-- Acts 2:24, “But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.”

- Confess that you need Him as your Lord and Savior

-- Rom 10:9, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

- HUGE: The acceptance of Christ as Savior is the ONLY way to enter Heaven

- Easter is a tremendous time for us to share what we know

-- To worship in response to what God has done for us through Christ

-- Jesus told the disciples to go, and there they would see Him

-- What a lesson for us … if we go, we too will see Him!

- My fear is that we will waste it; we will spend time focused on ourselves

-- Encouragement: Don’t worry about the person next to you does