Resurrection Series: “Redeemed”
What A Risen Savior Can Do For You
John 20: 11-18
(Sunrise Service 2014)
In recent weeks we have examined in great detail the horrific events of the Cross. Jesus faced the pain and torture and when all things were accomplished “He cried, It is finished, and died” . “’Joseph of Arimathaea, asked Pilate for permission to take down Jesus’ body”. Joseph and Nicodemus “wrapped Jesus’ body with spices in long sheets of linen cloth”. There was a new tomb, near the cross, they placed Jesus in that borrowed tomb. Early that Resurrection morning, “while it was yet dark” Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and “found the stone rolled away.” - She ran to Peter & John and said “They have taken the Savior’s body!”. “Peter & John ran to the tomb” to see for themselves. When they arrived they went inside and “saw the graveclothes”
We find that Mary was standing outside the tomb crying. “As she wept, she stooped and looked in the tomb and saw two angels” -v11
One Angel asked “woman, why are you crying?” ...Mary said “Because they have taken away my Lord,” -v13 As she turned to leave and saw someone standing there, she thought it was the gardener.” - v15 …..Little did she know that it was Jesus! He asked “why are you crying?” “Who are you looking for?” … Mary said - “Sir,” she said, “if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him.” Jesus said “MARY!” ….She turned to him and cried out, “Rabboni!”
Mary was thrilled at the sound of His voice, she was face to face with the Risen Savior! Seeing Jesus did many things for Mary at that very moment. He had changed her life already but I can assure you she was never the same after encountering The Risen Lord.
I want to look briefly at “What A Risen Savior Can Do For You”
i. The Risen Savior Will Call Your Name
ii. The Risen Savior Will Calm Your Fears
iii. The Risen Savior Will Comfort Your Sorrows
iv. The Risen Savior Will Conquer Your Doubts
Let’s begin with the fact that:
I. THE RISEN SAVIOR WILL CALL YOUR NAME - v16 “Jesus saith unto her, Mary”
Jesus had changed Mary’s life, He was her deliverer! Because of what He had done in her life, she became a devoted follower. Mary followed Jesus as He ministered. She followed Him to the Cross, she remained at the cross until after His death. We find that Mary was the first one at the tomb. Jesus called her name here at the tomb, but He changed her life when He called her name and delivered her from her demons and called her unto salvation.
Friend, today Jesus will call your name. He is saying to you that if you will confess your sins, turn to Him, trust in Him surrender your all to Him, He will change your life just like He did for Mary! Jesus will CALL YOUR NAME. But as we move farther we see that:
II. THE RISEN SAVIOR WILL CALM YOUR FEARS - v13 and they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. - Mary was distraught and fearful. She feared that someone had stolen the body of Jesus.She was overwhelmed with sorrow, sadness and fear.
People today live lives filled with fear:
o They fear death
o They fear judgment
o They fear eternity
The lost man should fear these things - Hebrews 9:27 says “it is appointed unto man once to die and then the judgment” - With His resurrection, JESUS HAS CONQUERED DEATH, HELL & THE GRAVE! - 1 Corinthians 15:20 ¶But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
Because of HIS VICTORY, Jesus can help you! … He can CALM YOUR FEARS!
Jesus has accomplished what we could not!
Jesus died so that you might live!
Jesus died so that you could be redeemed!
John 10:10 …I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
JESUS WILL CALL YOUR NAME, JESUS WILL CALM YOUR FEARS and as we move further we see that:
III. THE RISEN SAVIOR WILL COMFORT YOUR SORROWS - v15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.
Mary is standing outside the tomb continuously weeping.Jesus comes up and says “Woman, why are you crying?” She was crying because she thought someone had stolen her Master’s body.Every person here has troubles! Whatever the issue is that you are facing ….IT IS NOT TOO BIG FOR GOD!! You may be blinded by the sorrow that fills your life and trough those tear filled eyes you fail to see God’s hand at work. But if you will give God a chance you will see, (like Mary did) that God is STILL IN CONTROL
Mary had honorable intentions but she couldn’t grasp what God had in store. God had a greater plan working in her life. There was no need to anoint Jesus’ body because HE WAS ALIVE! I encourage you to see JESUS IS NOT IN THE GRAVE AND GOD IS STILL ON THE THRONE! Things may look dark today but remember… JESUS WILL COMFORT YOUR SORROWS …. Finally I would like to see that:
IV. THE RISEN SAVIOR Will Conquer Your Doubt - v16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.
The resurrection never crossed her grief stricken mind. She was focused on the present.All she could focus on was the fact that someone had taken Jesus’ body from the tomb. Many times we become so focused and consumed with the problems of today that we forget about the promises of God?
1) We doubt that God will meet our needs
2) We doubt that God hears our prayers
3) We doubt the promise of His return
4) We doubt the scriptures
5) We doubt the prophecies
6) We doubt the assurance of our salvation
THERE ARE MANY AREAS IN WHICH WE DOUBT! ……..Jesus can remove that doubt. How did He remove Mary’s doubt…. We are back to where we started… HE SIMPLY CALLED HER NAME! You may be here today and Jesus is calling your name.
If you are lost, HE IS CALLING YOUR NAME
If you have turned away from Him, HE IS CALLING YOUR NAME
If you are filled with doubt, HE CAN CONQUER THAT DOUBT!
If you are consumed with fear, HE CAN CALM THAT FEAR!
If you are experiencing great sorrow, HE CAN COMFORT THAT SORROW!
These are just a few things that a risen Savior can do for you!
