Sunrise Service
Notes
Transcript
We are here at sunrise like the women
We are here at sunrise like the women
Our lives may be upside down
We may be uncertain about our future
Even if not, we got up early and made our way to the place where Jesus is supposed to be
The Women Go to the Tomb
The Women Go to the Tomb
Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.
The women have continually positioned themselves to see the amazing
There were also many women there, looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him,
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.
They remain faithful even when everything seems lost
The Amazing Happens
The Amazing Happens
And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men.
God removes every obstacle to belief
The grave is open and the soldiers are incapacitated
God’s sovereignty is demonstrated to the faithful
The Angel Reveals the Location of Jesus
The Angel Reveals the Location of Jesus
But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.”
Because the women were where they were supposed to be, the word of the Lord is confirmed
But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.”
The Women Are Rewarded for Obedience
The Women Are Rewarded for Obedience
So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”
Again the women are in the place they belong
Their obedience leads to an encounter with Christ
The women have to remind the Disciples of where they are supposed to be
The Jews Attempt to Cause Doubt
The Jews Attempt to Cause Doubt
While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place. And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers and said, “Tell people, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story has been spread among the Jews to this day.
Don’t be surprised when the world attempts to slander your testimony
Like the Jews, this slander can come from the one’s who should know better
But the Mission is the Focus of His True Followers
But the Mission is the Focus of His True Followers
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Don’t overlook the doubt present in some of the Disciples
Doubt is a lack of trust, not evidence
Like the women, the proper response to the Resurrected Lord is worship
Jesus reveals His authority
salvation
resurrection
In this authority we share His message
no Christianity without disciples
no disciples without the message
no message without the resurrection