You probably don’t remember or know the name Nikolai Ivanovich Bukharin, nor should you. But during his day he was as powerful a man as there was on earth.
A Russian Communist leader
He took part in the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917
He was the editor of the Soviet newspaper “Pravada” --------which means “Truth”
And was a full member of the Politiburo
His works on economics and political science are still read today
There is a story told about a journey he took from Moscow to Kiev in 1930.
His purpose was to address a huge assembly on the subject of Atheism.
As he addressed the crowd he aimed his heavy artillery at Christianity—
Hurling insults
Intelligent arguments
And what seemed as validated proof against it.
An hour later he was finished.
An hour later he looked out at what seemed to be the smoldering ashes of men’s faith… and said, “Are there any questions?” in gruff tones that would scare the stoutest of men.
Deafening silence filled the auditorium… but then one man… approached the platform and mounted the lectern standing near the communist leader.
He surveyed the crowd from left to right and then from right to left.
Finally he shouted the ancient greeting known well in the Russian Orthodox Church:
“Christ is Risen!”
En masse the crowd arose to their feet – as one man – and the response came crashing like the sound of thunder:
“He is Risen, Indeed!”
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This morning I say to you: “Christ is Risen!” (wait for response)
That is the message of a living faith.
That is the message of your faith, as He lives this morning!
Read it with me: Matthew 28:1-7a
Did you hear the message of the angel?
“He is not here, for he has risen just as he said.”
The message of Easter is “HOPE”
It’s a message of today----Your today!
It’s the message of the future----Your future!
Listen to the message of the angel: “He is not here, He has risen!”
It is not the end…. But the beginning of New Life!
Death has been defeated.
Therefore, because there is HOPE--- the challenge of the resurrection is before us.
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There are 2 parts to the challenge.
I. “Come and see” (verse 7)
This is a message for those who once believed----but had not “nailed it down” in their minds. They were hidden away in a room behind locked doors.
So… The angel said, “Come and see"
Do some investigation on your own.
Experiencing the risen Christ is a personal thing.
Look at the evidence… see if it is real or not!
Make sure you own this one fact of history.
He invites you to investigate
Don’t check your brains at the door---the resurrection is not an emotional plea to the weak-minded ----
but to those who will make a decision based upon a thorough investigation.
“Come and See!”
Read: “Circumstantial Evidence” Breakpoint Chuck Colson
You need to own this fact… for without this fact nailed down in our heart and mind---you will be “hopeless” Death will be a dead end street!
No purpose in life – “eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die.”
No reason to love --- every reason to be selfish – hateful- self-centered
No direction for life - Where did I come from & where am I going?
No sense in all of us wasting our time -- if he’s not alive.
Get all you can---and can all you get – If the resurrection is not real
Investigate it!
The message of the angel is: “Come and see”
But after Investigation… there needs to be --Propagation, Proclamation, Application
The angel did not stop with simply an academic exercise. No! That’s just a beginning…
Once we’ve seen that the tomb is empty – that He’s alive… then the angel says,
II. “Go and Tell”
The apostle Paul says in I Corinthians,
If the tomb is not empty then we have no faith and no message of Hope to share.
But there’s “Good News” this morning: He’s Alive!
It’s not just about Easter eggs and bunnies: He’s Alive!
It’s about the Sin-forgiver and death conqueror who did it just for you!
Death has been conquered forever---- we do have a story!
“Go and Tell,” the angel said.
• Go and tell those beaten down, defeated disciples-who thinks the world has come to an end --- that it has not! He’s alive!
• Go and tell that misunderstood teenager who doesn’t know what to believe. There is hope! The tomb is empty.
• Go and tell the neighbor who thinks a good life is all there is to it. Jesus died for his sins – and lives again to bring real life!
Go and tell them there is hope – death is no longer a wall --- but a door.
You are no longer trapped in a body of death – but Christ now invites you to step into eternity with Him. And he can be trusted!
God’s door doesn’t say “do not disturb” His says, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
God’s door is open 24/7.
The door to the tomb is open for eternity.
Tell them…that
Christ is standing at the door and has a FREE GIFT for you.
Salvation!
But you must accept it.
You see, the death of Christ satisfied the demands of God against your sin and mine. But it is only beneficial to those who accept it.
It is sufficient for everyone, but it is efficient only for those who believe.
Jesus Christ provided the sacrifice, but we must accept it.
In 1829, a man named George Wilson robbed the U.S. Mail and in the act, committed a murder.
He was later arrested, tried and convicted, and sentenced to be hanged.
Some of his friends petitioned President Andrew Jackson for a pardon.
The pardon was granted. But Wilson refused to accept it.
This matter was taken to the Supreme Court.
And in their decision, Justice Marshall explained that in order to be valid,
a pardon must be accepted by the condemned person.
While it is virtually inconceivable that a person sentenced to death would refuse a pardon, that person had the right to do so.
George Wilson was executed while his written pardon lay on the sheriff’s desk.
The problem is--- most people don’t even know they are condemned to death for eternity.
They need to know that without Christ they will not be in heaven when this life is ended. Without the risen Lord – there is no hope!
Satan plays games with people’s lives – He blinds them to hope.
He wants them to feel comfortable with him. But he’s the father of lies
That’s what the resurrection is all about--- Hope!
