The Resurrection Of Our Lord
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Cycle A, THIRD EDITION
THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: Acts 10:34--43 (C, E); Acts 10:34, 37--43 (RC)
Peter tells Cornelius and his friends that God raised Jesus from the dead. A very devout Roman centurion, Cornelius, sends for Peter to preach to him and his friends. In his sermon, Peter reviews the ministry of Jesus including the crucifixion and resurrection. It is to be noted that Peter says God raised Jesus; he did not raise himself. Note also Peter explains that the risen Christ did not appear to people in general, but a few chosen ones whom he commanded to preach the Good News.
Lesson 2: Colossians 3:1--4 (C, RC, E)
Since Christians have been raised with Christ, they seek things that are above. Paul makes the Resurrection a present existential experience for Christians. A Christian is one who participates in the death, resurrection, and exaltation of Christ. In baptism we experienced the death and resurrection, and, when Christ returns, we will share his glory. Therefore, we are to seek the things that are above - the noble, heavenly, and praiseworthy things of life. The Resurrection, then, is not only an historical event, but a present experience resulting in a Christ--like way of life.
Gospel: John 20:1--18 (C); John 20:1--9 (RC); John 20:1--10 (11--18) (E)
Mary Magdalene has an experience with the risen Lord. According to John, only Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early on Easter day. When she saw the stone at the grave was not in place, she ran to tell Peter and John that Jesus' body was stolen. The two raced to the tomb and found it empty. After the two disciples returned home, Mary Magdalene remained at the tomb. Jesus came to her but she did not recognize him until he said, "Mary." Then in her return to the disciples she had the good news, not only that the tomb was empty, but that she had seen the Lord.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 118 (C, RC, E) - "I shall not die, but live" (v. 17).
"O God, you gave your only Son to suffer death on the cross for our redemption, and by his glorious resurrection you delivered us from the power of death. Make us die every day to sin, so that we may live with him forever in the joy of resurrection."
Hymn Of The Day
"Christ Jesus Lay In Death's Strong Bands"
Theme Of The Day: The Reality Of The Resurrection
Gospel - The empty tomb witnesses to the resurrection - John 20:1--18
Lesson 1 - God raised Jesus from the dead - Acts 10:34--43
Lesson 2 - Believers also experience a resurrection - Colossians 3:1--4
On this Easter day, the resurrection is predominant in the assigned lessons. The Gospel gives negative evidence - the empty tomb. Lesson 1 explains that God raises Jesus from death to the right hand of God. Lesson 2 relates Jesus' resurrection to Christians who are to die to self and rise with Christ in a new life of heavenly concerns. The Psalm emphasizes the special character of the day - the day of the Lord. Hereafter Sunday is known as the Lord's Day, the day of resurrection. The Hymn of the Day deals with Jesus' deliverance from the hands of death. The Prayer of the Day speaks to both the resurrection of Jesus and our resurrection from the death of sin to life with the living Christ.
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
Gospel: John 20:1--18
1. The empty tomb. This Gospel deals with the empty tomb. There is no explanation by an angel. There is no appearance of the risen Christ. Two men and a woman find emptiness and the abandoned grave clothes. The empty tomb in itself is no proof of the resurrection, for anything may have happened to the corpse to cause its disappearance. The empty tomb is a sign of the resurrection. It is a negative witness to the resurrection. It has significance only in the experience of the living Christ, the positive aspect of the Easter account. While our faith in the resurrection is not based on the vacant tomb, it does indicate that our faith is based on concrete, historical reality. It also says that Jesus did not rise only spiritually, but physically. The crucified body became the glorified body.
2. Eagerness. John's Easter account displays eagerness to see what happened. Mary Magdalene cannot wait to come to the tomb - she comes before sunrise. She runs to tell that the stone was rolled away. Peter and John race to the tomb to check out her story. Easter is a time of excitement and eagerness to see and know. It is not an everyday occurrence to have a dead man walk out of his tomb. It is fantastic; could it be true? It reminds us of the shepherds at Christmas. "Let us go to Bethlehem to see this which has come to pass."
3. Lack of understanding. For Mary Magdalene, the empty tomb meant only that Jesus' body was stolen. Peter saw the empty tomb and grave clothes, but he did not put two and two together that Jesus was raised from the dead. He failed to understand the scriptures concerning the meaning of the great events or crises in our lives at the time of their happening, such as our confirmation, wedding, ordination, or bereavement.
4. Faith and facts. We are given in this Gospel only circumstantial evidence - empty tomb, grave clothes, and napkin. These constitute concrete evidence of a risen Christ. The resurrection is not a myth, a faith, nor a figment of the imagination. It is not a story manufactured by disappointment and disillusioned disciples. The faith is grounded in facts.
Lesson 1: Acts 10:34--43
1. Universality. In this lection, the universality of Jesus, together with the cross and resurrection, are emphasized. The life, death, and resurrection have cosmic dimensions. Jesus is the Savior of all humankind, not for any specific group, nation, or race. Though Jesus was Jew, though the Jews rejected him, though the Romans crucified him, Jesus suffered, died, and rose again for the entire world. This emphasis is seen in the Lesson: "in every nation any one" (v. 35)," "Lord of all" (v. 36), "judge of the living and the dead" (v. 42), and "every one who believes" (v. 43). Easter gives an imperative to share, witness, and evangelize - "Go and tell."
2. Kerygma. The importance of Easter is seen in this summary of the kerygma: baptism, public ministry, death, and resurrection. The key to it all is the resurrection to which the apostles testified. Because of the resurrection, the apostles were commanded to preach the cross and resurrection. Jesus is therefore proclaimed as judge of the world. Through him, forgiveness is offered to all believers. Without the resurrection as the keystone, the arch of the Christian would fall. Paul taught that if Christ had not risen, our faith would be in vain.
3. God's word. In this pericope, Luke assures us that God is the one responsible for Jesus: his coming, death, and resurrection. The cross and resurrection were not the work of Jesus, nor of man. This was solely God's work of grace in saving the world. God sent Jesus, the Word, to earth (v. 36), anointed Jesus as Messiah (v. 38), raised him from the dead (v. 40), commanded the disciples to witness to the resurrection (v. 42), and ordained Jesus to be the judge of the world (v. 42).
Lesson 2: Colossians 3:1--4
1. Death and Resurrection. Easter can mean nothing without the cross. How can there be a resurrection without a death from which to rise again to life? The Easter celebration means little to those who do not experience Good Friday. People often talk about and yearn for a new life, but they are unwilling to pay the price - death. "For you have died" (v. 3) is the basis for a resurrection. It, of course, is not a physical death, but a death of the old Adam - the proud, selfish, wicked self. Out of the ashes of the old self comes the phoenix of a new life in Christ. How does one's old self die - of old age? natural causes? We are to put to death the old Adam - we kill the old self by our own hands.
2. Contemporary Resurrection. The Easter experience of resurrection was not only for Jesus as an historical event. Each Christian has a resurrection to a new life in Christ. Because of this, Easter can be not just a celebration of a past event, but of a present experience. "If then you have been raised with Christ" means to duplicate Jesus' rising. This death and resurrection takes place in baptism - a drowning of the old self and the emergence of a new self, rising from death to life. This new life is a life in Christ, a participation in the life of Christ.
3. The Christian dimension of life. Death has a downward direction: We bury the dead. Resurrection is going up from the depth of death. Life calls for an upward motion. Down means doubt, depression, death - all that is negative and sinful. Up is symbolic of heaven, Christ, resurrection, glory, goodness. Because of a resurrection experience, Christians continue to live with an upward look - heaven is their destination. They think of heavenly things - goodness, truth, love, and peace.
PREACHING POSSIBILITIES
Preaching Problems On Easter
1. Short--changing the sermon. The sermon may be sacrificed for the celebration of Easter: special music, holy communion, etc. The temptation is to turn the sermon into a brief meditation to keep the service within an hour. Easter should be the one time of the year when the preacher should have the full amount of time to give the Easter message - a declaration of victory and hope. It is the greatest day of the church year. Many are in church this one Sunday of the year and will not hear the gospel until the same time next year.
2. Creative preaching. What can be said on Easter that is not said year after year? It is a challenge to be creative. How can the resurrection account be given in a fresh and different way? What can be said that was not already said? If all has been said, how can we say the old story in a young way?
3. Faith. The Gospel tells of John's faith in the resurrection resulting from the evidence in the empty tomb. Since next Sunday deals with Thomas' doubt, the preacher may wish to consider faith in the resurrection next Sunday.
4. Celebration. Easter is a time to celebrate the victory of Christ over sin and death. It is the occasion to proclaim the good news of the resurrection. It is the time to blow the trumpet of life after death. It is not the time for the sermon to teach or explain, to deal with discrepancies in the Easter accounts, nor to try to prove the reality of the resurrection. The sermon should deal with affirmation of the reality of the risen Lord and lead people to rejoice in Christ's victory which is also the believer's victory.
Three Lessons: Acts 10:34--43; Colossians 3:1--4; John 20:1--18
The Empty Tomb.
Need: Someday everyone must face up to the problem of a burial place for self or loved ones. Since Jesus had no cemetery lot, a rich man, Joseph of Arimathea, gave his tomb to Jesus. On this Easter we can give consideration to the tomb in Jesus' life and in ours.
Outline: Consider the tomb
a. The empty tomb - Gospel.
b. The reason for the empty tomb - Lesson 1.
c. The believer's empty tomb - Lesson 2.
Gospel: John 20:1--18
1. No jogging on Easter! 20:1--14
Need: Today millions are jogging for their health. It is not uncommon to see a man or woman, singly or in pairs, slowly running alongside a street. The first Easter was not a jogging at a slow pace, and there was no interest in personal health. The first Easter was a foot race from the disciples' home to Jesus' grave. Should we be as anxious to get to Jesus' tomb to see if he is there? We should be, for so much depends on the resurrection. Like Mary Magdalene who could not wait until sunrise to go to the tomb, like Peter and John racing to the tomb, we need to be eager, anxious, and excited to see if the tomb is empty and Christ is alive.
Outline: Why we rush to the tomb of Jesus.
a. To learn if there really was a resurrection.
b. To see if God vindicated his Son.
c. To be sure that there is life after death.
2. The Sign Of The Tomb. 20:1--9
Need: The tomb is no proof of the resurrection. The body of Jesus could have been removed and destroyed. The empty tomb only says, "He is not here." The tomb is a sign of the resurrection. At Christmas a sign was given of the incarnation - "And this shall be a sign to you. You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." Faith in the resurrection is not based on the empty tomb but in the living presence of Jesus.
Outline: What the tomb signifies.
a. Empty tomb - signifies the resurrection.
b. Grave clothes - signifies that Jesus is alive.
c. Napkin - signifies that the resurrection was peaceful and planned.
3. How Close Dare You Come? 20:1--9
Need: There is something scary about death. We tend to keep our distance from a corpse or grave. We proceed with all caution when we tread on unfamiliar or dangerous ground. On the first Easter, three people come to the tomb with three different approaches. How much are we like them?
Outline: How close are you to the Easter tomb?
a. A distant position - Mary Magdalene. She saw from a distance that the stone was rolled away. Assuming that the body was stolen, she rushes to tell Peter and John. We can take the same position - look at the resurrection from afar: doubt, misunderstanding of the resurrection, non--involvement.
b. A close position - John. John stood at the opening of the tomb but was afraid to enter. He looked into the tomb, but he was too timid to enter by himself. In our time, we get close to the resurrected Christ, but we do not enter into Christ. We are content to be spectators of the drama.
c. A direct position - Peter. Impulsive, daring, brazen Peter rushes into the tomb. He is not afraid to enter where angels may fear to tread. He sees the absence of Jesus' body, the grave clothes, and the facial napkin. But, the evidence does not lead him to believe Jesus has risen. His bravado is fruitless. Only timid John, now in the tomb, senses the meaning of the evidence and believes.
Lesson 1: Acts 10:34--43
1. Blame Easter On God! 10:34--43
Need: From beginning to end, from birth to rebirth, Jesus was the work of God. The incarnation was God's work. The cross had to be because it fulfilled the scriptures. God raised Jesus from the dead (v. 44). God was responsible for the resurrection - the faith of the disciples did not create the resurrection. They believed because Jesus was raised by God.
Outline: Consider -
a. What God did - v. 40. God rolled away the stone, sent an angel to explain, raised Jesus.
b. Why God did it.
1. Jesus is to be judge of the world - v. 42.
2. Believers are to have forgiveness - v. 43.
2. The Keystone Of The Arch Of Faith. 10:40--43
Need: Our people need to realize and appreciate the indispensable place the resurrection holds in our Christian faith. If Christ did not rise, there would be no gospel. If Jesus did not rise, our faith would be futile. Preachers need to face the fact that not all believe in the resurrection. In this sermon we see what would happen to our faith if there were no resurrection. The resurrection is the keystone in the arch of Christianity.
Outline: If there were no resurrection -
a. There would be no preaching of the gospel - v. 42.
b. There would be no Jesus to judge - v. 42.
c. There would be no forgiveness of sins - v. 43.
Lesson 2: Colossians 3:1--4
1. Have You Had Your Resurrection? 3:1--3
Need: Like Christmas, Easter can be for some only a celebration of a past event: a stone rolled away, an empty tomb, a folded napkin, frightened women. Easter is nothing for us until it becomes a personal experience. This is the message of this pericope.
Outline: Our text asks -
a. Have you died to sin? - "You have died" (v. 3).
b. Have you been raised? - "If" (v. 1).
c. Are you seeking heavenly values? - "Seek the things that are above" (v. 1).
2. Like Master, Like Servant. 3:1--4
Need: We usually hear it said, "Like priest, like people." In this passage, we can say, "Like Master, like servant." A Christian is one who identifies with Christ and becomes like him in every major aspect. A Christian is one who is "in Christ," and then the Christian participates in whatever Christ is and does. To be a Christian is to be a "little Christ."
Outline: Like the Master, a servant -
a. Has died - v. 3 (Past).
b. Is raised to life - v. 1 (Present).
c. Will share glory - v. 4 (Future).
Lesson 1: Acts 10:34--43 (C, E); Acts 10:34, 37--43 (RC)
Peter tells Cornelius and his friends that God raised Jesus from the dead. A very devout Roman centurion, Cornelius, sends for Peter to preach to him and his friends. In his sermon, Peter reviews the ministry of Jesus including the crucifixion and resurrection. It is to be noted that Peter says God raised Jesus; he did not raise himself. Note also Peter explains that the risen Christ did not appear to people in general, but a few chosen ones whom he commanded to preach the Good News.
Lesson 2: Colossians 3:1--4 (C, RC, E)
Since Christians have been raised with Christ, they seek things that are above. Paul makes the Resurrection a present existential experience for Christians. A Christian is one who participates in the death, resurrection, and exaltation of Christ. In baptism we experienced the death and resurrection, and, when Christ returns, we will share his glory. Therefore, we are to seek the things that are above - the noble, heavenly, and praiseworthy things of life. The Resurrection, then, is not only an historical event, but a present experience resulting in a Christ--like way of life.
Gospel: John 20:1--18 (C); John 20:1--9 (RC); John 20:1--10 (11--18) (E)
Mary Magdalene has an experience with the risen Lord. According to John, only Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early on Easter day. When she saw the stone at the grave was not in place, she ran to tell Peter and John that Jesus' body was stolen. The two raced to the tomb and found it empty. After the two disciples returned home, Mary Magdalene remained at the tomb. Jesus came to her but she did not recognize him until he said, "Mary." Then in her return to the disciples she had the good news, not only that the tomb was empty, but that she had seen the Lord.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 118 (C, RC, E) - "I shall not die, but live" (v. 17).
"O God, you gave your only Son to suffer death on the cross for our redemption, and by his glorious resurrection you delivered us from the power of death. Make us die every day to sin, so that we may live with him forever in the joy of resurrection."
Hymn Of The Day
"Christ Jesus Lay In Death's Strong Bands"
Theme Of The Day: The Reality Of The Resurrection
Gospel - The empty tomb witnesses to the resurrection - John 20:1--18
Lesson 1 - God raised Jesus from the dead - Acts 10:34--43
Lesson 2 - Believers also experience a resurrection - Colossians 3:1--4
On this Easter day, the resurrection is predominant in the assigned lessons. The Gospel gives negative evidence - the empty tomb. Lesson 1 explains that God raises Jesus from death to the right hand of God. Lesson 2 relates Jesus' resurrection to Christians who are to die to self and rise with Christ in a new life of heavenly concerns. The Psalm emphasizes the special character of the day - the day of the Lord. Hereafter Sunday is known as the Lord's Day, the day of resurrection. The Hymn of the Day deals with Jesus' deliverance from the hands of death. The Prayer of the Day speaks to both the resurrection of Jesus and our resurrection from the death of sin to life with the living Christ.
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
Gospel: John 20:1--18
1. The empty tomb. This Gospel deals with the empty tomb. There is no explanation by an angel. There is no appearance of the risen Christ. Two men and a woman find emptiness and the abandoned grave clothes. The empty tomb in itself is no proof of the resurrection, for anything may have happened to the corpse to cause its disappearance. The empty tomb is a sign of the resurrection. It is a negative witness to the resurrection. It has significance only in the experience of the living Christ, the positive aspect of the Easter account. While our faith in the resurrection is not based on the vacant tomb, it does indicate that our faith is based on concrete, historical reality. It also says that Jesus did not rise only spiritually, but physically. The crucified body became the glorified body.
2. Eagerness. John's Easter account displays eagerness to see what happened. Mary Magdalene cannot wait to come to the tomb - she comes before sunrise. She runs to tell that the stone was rolled away. Peter and John race to the tomb to check out her story. Easter is a time of excitement and eagerness to see and know. It is not an everyday occurrence to have a dead man walk out of his tomb. It is fantastic; could it be true? It reminds us of the shepherds at Christmas. "Let us go to Bethlehem to see this which has come to pass."
3. Lack of understanding. For Mary Magdalene, the empty tomb meant only that Jesus' body was stolen. Peter saw the empty tomb and grave clothes, but he did not put two and two together that Jesus was raised from the dead. He failed to understand the scriptures concerning the meaning of the great events or crises in our lives at the time of their happening, such as our confirmation, wedding, ordination, or bereavement.
4. Faith and facts. We are given in this Gospel only circumstantial evidence - empty tomb, grave clothes, and napkin. These constitute concrete evidence of a risen Christ. The resurrection is not a myth, a faith, nor a figment of the imagination. It is not a story manufactured by disappointment and disillusioned disciples. The faith is grounded in facts.
Lesson 1: Acts 10:34--43
1. Universality. In this lection, the universality of Jesus, together with the cross and resurrection, are emphasized. The life, death, and resurrection have cosmic dimensions. Jesus is the Savior of all humankind, not for any specific group, nation, or race. Though Jesus was Jew, though the Jews rejected him, though the Romans crucified him, Jesus suffered, died, and rose again for the entire world. This emphasis is seen in the Lesson: "in every nation any one" (v. 35)," "Lord of all" (v. 36), "judge of the living and the dead" (v. 42), and "every one who believes" (v. 43). Easter gives an imperative to share, witness, and evangelize - "Go and tell."
2. Kerygma. The importance of Easter is seen in this summary of the kerygma: baptism, public ministry, death, and resurrection. The key to it all is the resurrection to which the apostles testified. Because of the resurrection, the apostles were commanded to preach the cross and resurrection. Jesus is therefore proclaimed as judge of the world. Through him, forgiveness is offered to all believers. Without the resurrection as the keystone, the arch of the Christian would fall. Paul taught that if Christ had not risen, our faith would be in vain.
3. God's word. In this pericope, Luke assures us that God is the one responsible for Jesus: his coming, death, and resurrection. The cross and resurrection were not the work of Jesus, nor of man. This was solely God's work of grace in saving the world. God sent Jesus, the Word, to earth (v. 36), anointed Jesus as Messiah (v. 38), raised him from the dead (v. 40), commanded the disciples to witness to the resurrection (v. 42), and ordained Jesus to be the judge of the world (v. 42).
Lesson 2: Colossians 3:1--4
1. Death and Resurrection. Easter can mean nothing without the cross. How can there be a resurrection without a death from which to rise again to life? The Easter celebration means little to those who do not experience Good Friday. People often talk about and yearn for a new life, but they are unwilling to pay the price - death. "For you have died" (v. 3) is the basis for a resurrection. It, of course, is not a physical death, but a death of the old Adam - the proud, selfish, wicked self. Out of the ashes of the old self comes the phoenix of a new life in Christ. How does one's old self die - of old age? natural causes? We are to put to death the old Adam - we kill the old self by our own hands.
2. Contemporary Resurrection. The Easter experience of resurrection was not only for Jesus as an historical event. Each Christian has a resurrection to a new life in Christ. Because of this, Easter can be not just a celebration of a past event, but of a present experience. "If then you have been raised with Christ" means to duplicate Jesus' rising. This death and resurrection takes place in baptism - a drowning of the old self and the emergence of a new self, rising from death to life. This new life is a life in Christ, a participation in the life of Christ.
3. The Christian dimension of life. Death has a downward direction: We bury the dead. Resurrection is going up from the depth of death. Life calls for an upward motion. Down means doubt, depression, death - all that is negative and sinful. Up is symbolic of heaven, Christ, resurrection, glory, goodness. Because of a resurrection experience, Christians continue to live with an upward look - heaven is their destination. They think of heavenly things - goodness, truth, love, and peace.
PREACHING POSSIBILITIES
Preaching Problems On Easter
1. Short--changing the sermon. The sermon may be sacrificed for the celebration of Easter: special music, holy communion, etc. The temptation is to turn the sermon into a brief meditation to keep the service within an hour. Easter should be the one time of the year when the preacher should have the full amount of time to give the Easter message - a declaration of victory and hope. It is the greatest day of the church year. Many are in church this one Sunday of the year and will not hear the gospel until the same time next year.
2. Creative preaching. What can be said on Easter that is not said year after year? It is a challenge to be creative. How can the resurrection account be given in a fresh and different way? What can be said that was not already said? If all has been said, how can we say the old story in a young way?
3. Faith. The Gospel tells of John's faith in the resurrection resulting from the evidence in the empty tomb. Since next Sunday deals with Thomas' doubt, the preacher may wish to consider faith in the resurrection next Sunday.
4. Celebration. Easter is a time to celebrate the victory of Christ over sin and death. It is the occasion to proclaim the good news of the resurrection. It is the time to blow the trumpet of life after death. It is not the time for the sermon to teach or explain, to deal with discrepancies in the Easter accounts, nor to try to prove the reality of the resurrection. The sermon should deal with affirmation of the reality of the risen Lord and lead people to rejoice in Christ's victory which is also the believer's victory.
Three Lessons: Acts 10:34--43; Colossians 3:1--4; John 20:1--18
The Empty Tomb.
Need: Someday everyone must face up to the problem of a burial place for self or loved ones. Since Jesus had no cemetery lot, a rich man, Joseph of Arimathea, gave his tomb to Jesus. On this Easter we can give consideration to the tomb in Jesus' life and in ours.
Outline: Consider the tomb
a. The empty tomb - Gospel.
b. The reason for the empty tomb - Lesson 1.
c. The believer's empty tomb - Lesson 2.
Gospel: John 20:1--18
1. No jogging on Easter! 20:1--14
Need: Today millions are jogging for their health. It is not uncommon to see a man or woman, singly or in pairs, slowly running alongside a street. The first Easter was not a jogging at a slow pace, and there was no interest in personal health. The first Easter was a foot race from the disciples' home to Jesus' grave. Should we be as anxious to get to Jesus' tomb to see if he is there? We should be, for so much depends on the resurrection. Like Mary Magdalene who could not wait until sunrise to go to the tomb, like Peter and John racing to the tomb, we need to be eager, anxious, and excited to see if the tomb is empty and Christ is alive.
Outline: Why we rush to the tomb of Jesus.
a. To learn if there really was a resurrection.
b. To see if God vindicated his Son.
c. To be sure that there is life after death.
2. The Sign Of The Tomb. 20:1--9
Need: The tomb is no proof of the resurrection. The body of Jesus could have been removed and destroyed. The empty tomb only says, "He is not here." The tomb is a sign of the resurrection. At Christmas a sign was given of the incarnation - "And this shall be a sign to you. You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." Faith in the resurrection is not based on the empty tomb but in the living presence of Jesus.
Outline: What the tomb signifies.
a. Empty tomb - signifies the resurrection.
b. Grave clothes - signifies that Jesus is alive.
c. Napkin - signifies that the resurrection was peaceful and planned.
3. How Close Dare You Come? 20:1--9
Need: There is something scary about death. We tend to keep our distance from a corpse or grave. We proceed with all caution when we tread on unfamiliar or dangerous ground. On the first Easter, three people come to the tomb with three different approaches. How much are we like them?
Outline: How close are you to the Easter tomb?
a. A distant position - Mary Magdalene. She saw from a distance that the stone was rolled away. Assuming that the body was stolen, she rushes to tell Peter and John. We can take the same position - look at the resurrection from afar: doubt, misunderstanding of the resurrection, non--involvement.
b. A close position - John. John stood at the opening of the tomb but was afraid to enter. He looked into the tomb, but he was too timid to enter by himself. In our time, we get close to the resurrected Christ, but we do not enter into Christ. We are content to be spectators of the drama.
c. A direct position - Peter. Impulsive, daring, brazen Peter rushes into the tomb. He is not afraid to enter where angels may fear to tread. He sees the absence of Jesus' body, the grave clothes, and the facial napkin. But, the evidence does not lead him to believe Jesus has risen. His bravado is fruitless. Only timid John, now in the tomb, senses the meaning of the evidence and believes.
Lesson 1: Acts 10:34--43
1. Blame Easter On God! 10:34--43
Need: From beginning to end, from birth to rebirth, Jesus was the work of God. The incarnation was God's work. The cross had to be because it fulfilled the scriptures. God raised Jesus from the dead (v. 44). God was responsible for the resurrection - the faith of the disciples did not create the resurrection. They believed because Jesus was raised by God.
Outline: Consider -
a. What God did - v. 40. God rolled away the stone, sent an angel to explain, raised Jesus.
b. Why God did it.
1. Jesus is to be judge of the world - v. 42.
2. Believers are to have forgiveness - v. 43.
2. The Keystone Of The Arch Of Faith. 10:40--43
Need: Our people need to realize and appreciate the indispensable place the resurrection holds in our Christian faith. If Christ did not rise, there would be no gospel. If Jesus did not rise, our faith would be futile. Preachers need to face the fact that not all believe in the resurrection. In this sermon we see what would happen to our faith if there were no resurrection. The resurrection is the keystone in the arch of Christianity.
Outline: If there were no resurrection -
a. There would be no preaching of the gospel - v. 42.
b. There would be no Jesus to judge - v. 42.
c. There would be no forgiveness of sins - v. 43.
Lesson 2: Colossians 3:1--4
1. Have You Had Your Resurrection? 3:1--3
Need: Like Christmas, Easter can be for some only a celebration of a past event: a stone rolled away, an empty tomb, a folded napkin, frightened women. Easter is nothing for us until it becomes a personal experience. This is the message of this pericope.
Outline: Our text asks -
a. Have you died to sin? - "You have died" (v. 3).
b. Have you been raised? - "If" (v. 1).
c. Are you seeking heavenly values? - "Seek the things that are above" (v. 1).
2. Like Master, Like Servant. 3:1--4
Need: We usually hear it said, "Like priest, like people." In this passage, we can say, "Like Master, like servant." A Christian is one who identifies with Christ and becomes like him in every major aspect. A Christian is one who is "in Christ," and then the Christian participates in whatever Christ is and does. To be a Christian is to be a "little Christ."
Outline: Like the Master, a servant -
a. Has died - v. 3 (Past).
b. Is raised to life - v. 1 (Present).
c. Will share glory - v. 4 (Future).
