Series Big Idea: "There is no more important decision you can make than to accept Christ as Savior"

Sermon Big Idea: "The resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of the entire NT Gospel witness"

Key Scripture (Matthew 28:1-6)

(Matthew 28:1-6)

After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to view the tomb. 2 Suddenly there was a violent earthquake, because an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and approached the tomb. He rolled back the stone and was sitting on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his robe was as white as snow. 4 The guards were so shaken from fear of him that they became like dead men. 5 But the angel told the women, “Don’t be afraid, because I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here! For He has been resurrected, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay."

I want you to imagine with me that it is the third day after the death of Jesus on the cross. His followers were overwhelmed with grief. One such example is in the Book of Luke when Jesus showed Himself after His resurrection to two of His disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35). Scripture tells us this was about seven miles from Jerusalem where He was crucified (v.13). They were so distraught and confused that it had caused an argument between them (v. 15). In their minds they had lost hope of Israel being redeemed because it had been three days since He died (v. 21). They thought this was the end and death had won.

The Bible says that beginning with Moses and all the prophets, Jesus interpreted for them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures (v. 27). Jesus showed them that He was literally the life and the Truth. He is the true Messiah they had been looking for. Their hearts were ablaze within them as He spoke (v. 32).

On that first Resurrection morning, God the Father showed the world that there is love that is stronger than death. That love is His only Son Jesus. His resurrection is the defeat of death. The Apostle Paul calls death an enemy (1 Corinthians 15:24-26). Tyrants and thieves always use the fear of death as a weapon. But with Jesus' resurrection, death no longer holds a sting (1 Corinthians 15:55-58).

At the cross, Jesus died in your place, and He died in my place to become the sacrifice that was needed to satisfy the payment for our sins. He endured our pain and our shame. Jesus took the weight of God’s wrath against evil so that the power of sin could be broken! (Romans 5:8-9) (2 Corinthians 5:21). But He didn’t stay in the grave! He was resurrected! He lives today! It is because of the death and resurrection of Jesus that we see the love of God. When we look at Jesus, we can say with certainty, “This is love.” Why do I need saving? Paul says in (Romans 3:23) that we are all infected with sin. We choose to continue in this sin (1 John 1:8).

Conclusion

How can you and I be saved? No more important question can ever be asked. Paul and Silas told the Philippian jailer when he asked this question, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.” God has already done everything, all we need to do is receive, in faith, the salvation that He offers in His Son Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9). Trust in Him alone for the payment for your sins. Believe in Him and you will not perish (John 3:16). Accept that Jesus is the only way of salvation (John 14:6).

Have you, in faith, received Jesus Christ as your Savior? Do you want to talk more about it? Please let me or another leader here at the church know. You can also go to our website and click on the how to be saved link. I am praying for you.

Pastor Beaver's thoughts and ideas are inspired by:

Holman Christian Standard Bible

English Standard Version Bible

King James Version Bible

Christian Standard Bible

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Brown, Francis, Samuel Rolles Driver, and Charles Augustus Briggs. Enhanced Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon 1977: n. pag. Print.

Vaughan, Curtis. Ephesians. Cape Coral, FL: Founders Press, 2002. Print. Founders Study Guide Commentary.

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France, R. T. Matthew: An Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 1. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1985. Print. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries.

Radmacher, Earl D., Ronald Barclay Allen, and H. Wayne House. Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary. Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers, 1999. Print.

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Smith, Jerome H. The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge: The Most Complete Listing of Cross References Available Anywhere- Every Verse, Every Theme, Every Important Word. Nashville TN: Thomas Nelson, 1992. Print.

Willmington, H. L. The Outline Bible. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1999. Print.

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Brooks, Keith. Summarized Bible: Complete Summary of the New Testament. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009. Print.

Nicoll, W. Robertson, ed. The Sermon Outline Bible: Matthew 1–21. Vol. 5. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1958. Print.

Hughes, Robert B., and J. Carl Laney. Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2001. Print. The Tyndale Reference Library.

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