Easter/Resurrection Sunday 12 April 2020
BIBLE TIME: Matthew 28:1-8 (NKJV)
[For Annotated Text of Matthew 28:1-8 both Rongmei version and Englsih version, click here ANNOTATED_Easter_Text]
[For Annotated Text of Matthew 28:1-8 both Rongmei version and Englsih version, click here ANNOTATED_Easter_Text]
Theme: Experience the Power of Resurrection
We have been observing Easter Sunday every year! And we have the same message, that Jesus is Alive and Active. That’s the most sobering truth that one can ever realize at any time– that God is watching us. If you are a Christian that’s good news. In fact, the basis for our every Sunday worship is because of the Resurrection. The message of Resurrection is comforting and hopeful for us as it was to the disciples. Jesus rose from the dead, not just for the disciples who were sorrowful in Jerusalem, but He rose for all of us that we may have hope, life and every spiritual blessing in Him. Let’s study the account of Resurrection from Matthew 28:1-8.
This passage recounts the experience of the women who came to the tomb of Jesus (v1). They were sorrowful because the one whom they love, enjoy and was cruelty murdered by the people who despised them. Not only were they sorrowful but they were also in deep disappointment, because the Messiah whom they hope would give them a new life, new dreams, and bring social upliftment was crushed to death. We all have experienced such sorrow and disappointment in some forms– death of loved ones, shattered dreams, and so many things. Surely, Job is right, “Mankind is born for misery.” And then as the women went to the tomb, not to meet Jesus, but to anoint the dead (stinky, rotten smell) body of Jesus, they were met by an angel (v5). And that made all the difference in the history of the Universe. The angel told them what we already know by now, that Jesus was not yet rotten. In fact, their perfume was useless for He rose from the dead. And as you would expect, they were overjoyed. They couldn’t stand still but as excitement would always have us, they ran, quickly to spread the news, at the same time with awe (v12).
That’s the power of resurrection. We cannot experience that physical sight, but we can experience that joy and hope of life. So, today I want to help you realize that experience by showing you 2 power of Resurrection which is real for the women and which is real for us too from this passage. This account has two scenes: 1. Experience of the women before the knowledge of resurrection (1-4), 2. Experience of the women after the Resurrection (5-8). Each scene gives an account of how they were transformed by the reality of Resurrection.
SCENE I: BEFORE THE KNOWLEDGE OF RESURRECTION – Sorrows, Disappointments, Challenges [COMFORT]
Matt 28:1 Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.
Matt 28:2 And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door,[a] and sat on it. [Challenge and Comfort1: Gracious-Mysteriously: Natural]
Matt 28:3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.
Matt 28:4 And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men. [Challenge and Comfort2: Gracious-Mysteriously: Human]
SCENE II: AFTER THE KNOWLEDGE OF RESURRECTION – Joy, Wonderment, Assurance, Hope, Strength, Basis… [CHEERFUL]
Matt 28:5 BUT the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. [Cheerful1: Understands-Sympathetic: Words-Actions]
Matt 28:6 He is not here; for HE IS RISEN, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. [Cheerful2: Assured-Answers] [Lives, Reign, Justice, Life, Future, Power, Glory . . .]
Matt 28:7 And go quickly and TELL His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; THERE YOU WILL SEE HIM. Behold, I have told you.”
[Cheerful3: Commissioned] [Good, Wonderful, Necessary: Sure: Attainable: Trustworthy,]
Matt 28:8 So they went out quickly from the tomb WITH FEAR AND GREAT JOY, and ran to bring His disciples word. [Cheerful4: Obedience-Joy] [Believe, Trust, Cherish, Practice, Persepective]
Let’s employ some helpful questions to understand the passage that we may apply in our life:
Q1. Why were the women going to the tomb on “the first day of the week” (v1. Luke 23:53-56)? What do they want to do there? (Mark 16:1) Apart from Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, who else know the location of the tomb (Mark 15:47; Matt.27:61; Luke 23:55-56; John 19:39-40), and why these bunch of people?
Q2. Did Jesus really need an angel to roll away the stone for Him to escape (refer John 20:19)? If not, why did the angel roll back the stone (v2)? (Hints: v6)
Q3. The women were brave or naïve or crazy to go to the tomb, when the other disciples were hiding in fear. Thankfully, the angel of the Lord appeared and frightened away the guard, but why did the brave guards become like a dead man, yet the weak women remain conscious when they saw that angel? (v3-5) Do you recall any incident in Scripture where man fell down after a holy encounter?
Q4. Why did the angel say, “Do not be afraid” in v5? (Hints: what does “but” suggest?)
Q5. “He is risen” v6, why is it so important for the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead? (v6) [NB: You may unleash your Bible knowledge]
Q6. Why is Jesus going before the disciples into Galilee in v7? (Refer Matthew 26:32). What makes these women the first human to proclaim the news of resurrection?
Q7. Jesus came to earth for us too, He died for us too, He rose for us too, He is our Lord too. Why were the women running to tell the news with great joy? Have you been that excited to proclaim the news or the significance of resurrection to anyone? Do you know anyone who is so excited at the same time so serious (with fear and trembling) to proclaim the gospel?
The emotional scene of this resurrection account is not unfamiliar to us. We all have witnessed death and disappointment to some degree. The resurrection of Jesus is the death of death and disappointment. Many times like the women and the disciples, we are too slow to believe the word of God. Sometimes we seek Jesus for a wrong reason like these women (they were trying to help Jesus by anointing his dead body, when they actually should be going to Galilee to meet Him as He predicted before many times.) However, God remains gracious and works in mysterious ways for our own good to the praise of His glory. He remains faithful and trustworthy. Jesus is alive and He is interceding for us in heaven. And he has commissioned us to proclaim this truth over and over again both to ourselves and to others that they too may know the love of God. The resurrection is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the most comforting news for the sinners and the most cheerful news for the believers to proclaim.
PRAYER POINTS:
1. Praise God for the gift of Life: present life and the Life to come.
2. Pray for the Salvation of Near and Dear ones. Pray for the sinners to know this Grace of God.
3. Praise God for Churches, Missionaries, Evangelist and Preachers for heralding the Gospel.
4. Pray for the Churches, Missionaries, Evangelist and Preachers to herald the Gospel faithfully: Health, Encouragement, Finance, Trust, Opposition, Wisdom, Opportunities. . .
5. Pray for the pandemic and people around the world: That they will seek God and live. That we will be protected – finance, foods, careers, works, plans, charity . . .
6. Pray that we would always live as the citizens of heavens demonstrating the power of resurrection truth: Joy, peace, kindness, goodness, self-control . . .
MAY THE LORD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU!
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Homiletical Outline for Preaching
Theme: Experience the Power of Resurrection
Two life-transforming truth of the power of Resurrection:
I. It is Comforting (v1-4) (God dealt with the stone and the guards)
1. Because God Knows our Weakness. (v1)
2. Because God Works in a Mysterious way. (v2-4)
II. It is Cheerful (v5-8) (God raised Jesus and He reigns)
1. Because God has special Love for His people (v5)
2. Because God’s promise is Sure even when we doubt. (v6)
3. Because God gives us the Greatest Commission. (v7)
4. Because God rewards our Obedience. (v8)
More Applicatory questions you might want to reflect upon:
V1. Do you delight to spend time with Christ, the church, the scripture? Have you pondered how God has helped you in all activities of life, challenges and solutions?
V5. Do you feel sympathetic to sorrowful people like this angel?
V6. Do you trust God for what He says? Who is your source: the self-proclaimed prophets, dreams, philosophy?
FOR THE ANSWERS TO THE 7 QUESTIONS ABOVE, YOU MAY DOWNLOAD FROM THIS LINK ANSWER_Easter_Sunday