The Resurrection of Jesus Christ, Investigating The Empty Tomb

Summary

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ, Investigating The Empty Tomb

Preached on 20161120

By Pastor Bryan Walker

John 20:1-18 ESV 

First Day of the Week

• Christians gather on the first day of the week.
• What does the resurrection of Christ mean for us?

 

• Mary Magdalene
  • Cast out 7 demons
  • Described as a sinner
• Peter & ? John, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb”
  • NOT, He has risen
• “We do not know where they have laid him”

 

• Contradiction?
  • What about the other women?
    • “we” do not know…
  • Timeline, confusing to harmonize but no contradiction

 

• Peter & John running…
  • Why were they running?
  • To gain proof of a resurrection?
    • I don’t think so
  • To verify the tomb was empty?
• Why, would someone still a body?
  • Grave robbers would steal artifacts & possessions
• Who had motive?
  • Would the Romans or the Priests want to steal the body? No
• Did the disciples have motive?
  • They were told of the resurrection
  • They didn’t believe it
  • They would have fought back
    • They scattered and hid
  • Could the disciples steal the body?
    • Tomb was sealed
    • Under Roman guard
    • While the guards were sleeping?
      • Rolled away the stone
      • Unwrapped the body
        • Why unwrap the body?
        • The time it takes to unwrap a body?
        • At night, in a dark tomb?
      • What would they bribe the guards with?
      • How much money is a guard’s life worth?
    • What would happen to the guards?
    • Today, if a military troop, was told to guard something…
      • If he fell asleep
      • If the item was missing
      • What would happen to him? Today!
      • It would NOT be a slap on the wrist.
      • What about then?

 

(8)  Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed;

 

• Believed what?
  • Believed the resurrection?
  • Believed the body was stolen?
    • Flip & Flop???
  • Why, Yes, He believed. Grave clothes
    • Written afterwards, believe, most likely means…
  • Why, No…

John 20:9 ESV  for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.

 

• Interesting ### The men leave — Jesus appears to the women
  • The women told them — they still didn’t believe
    • Eat this fruit it’s good – “sure”
    • Jesus has risen – “No way, you’re crazy”
  • Interesting how he appeared to women first

 

• Did the men believe?

 

Mark 16:14 ESV 

• Well… They believe now!  But, receive a rebuke

—————————————————————————

Mary Magdalene

• The angel said “Woman, why are you weeping?”
• Jesus, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?”
  • Notice she doesn’t recognize Him
• Two on the road to Emmaus – don’t recognize him
• They were at the table – “he took the bread and blessed and broke it”
  • Luk 24:31 And their eyes were opened
• Joh 20:16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”
  • She said, “Rabboni!”
  • Her eyes were opened
• Jesus chooses who he will reveal himself to
  • Notice, he was standing with her
  • He walked with the disciples on the road
  • They all knew him intimately
• Why, Mary?
• He could have appeared to Pilate
• He could have appeared to the High Priests
• He could have appeared to everyone
• But he didn’t… Why???

1 Corinthians 1:21 ESV 

Matthew 11:25-27 ESV 

Why, does he “do” one thing?

Why does he NOT do another thing?

 

  “for such was your gracious will.”

 

“Rabboni!”, When does anyone call Jesus, Jesus?  Always a title!

 

————–

 

What does the RESURRECTION mean to us?

 

1. The future glorified body!
2. No more corruption!
3. No more death

 

• When we die, our body goes into the ground
  • It decays
  • It turns back into dirt
• Our spirit goes to be with the Lord

 

2 Corinthians 5:8 ESV 

 

Philippians 1:23 ESV 

 

• The body is in the ground!
• BUT! there is a body resurrection

 

1 Thessalonians 4:13 ESV 

 

• We are not to grieve like the unbelievers
• We have HOPE
• The resurrection of Christ is our HOPE

 

1 Thessalonians 4:16 ESV  (16) 

 

1 Corinthians 15:21-23 ESV 

 

All who are born in Adam die – everyone

All who are born in Christ (Born Again) – “made alive”

How are you born again?  1 Peter 1:3

1 Peter 1:3 ESV 

 

Resurrection Order

1. Jesus Christ
2. Those who belong to Christ
   1. Dead bodies risen
   2. Those who are alive will be changed

 

1 Corinthians 15:50-55 ESV 

 

 

Luke 20:36 ESV 

Joh_11:25 

 

What must I do?  Repent and believe.

 

Sermon preached by Pastor Bryan Walker

One Way Christian Center

A Reformed Baptist Church, in Olustee Oklahoma

Olustee is about 12-15 miles from Altus and Altus Air Force Base

Our service times are Wed @7 and Sun @1030

www.onewaychristiancenter.com

---