He Is Risen

Minister:
Date: AM
Text: Mark 16:5-7
Psalters: 58, 16, 130, 29
  1. The women's search.
    1. Certain women disciples went to the grave as soon as possible on Sunday morning.
      1. These women had ministered to Jesus? earthly needs during His earthly needs.
      2. Now they continue to do so as a final act of service to One they loved very much.
    2. They are met by an angel who correctly identified whom and for what the women were searching.
      1. They were seeking ?Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified.?
      2. This describes a conception of Jesus which was only earthly.
    3. We also face the question: Whom or what are we seeking this morning?
  2. The angel was sent by God with a message for the women.
    1. The angel immediately encouraged them not to fear.
      1. The reason for not be afraid was because they One they sought was risen.
      2. Jesus? resurrection is first described as His being ?not here.?
      3. The proof that He is risen and not here is found by looking at ?the place where they laid Him.?
    2. The angel?s message was affirmed.
      1. It was affirmed by what Jesus had earlier said to them: ?as He said unto you.?
      2. And it was affirmed repeatedly by the disciples: Acts 2:24; 3:15; 4:33; 10:40; 17:3; Rom. 1:4: 4:25; 10:9; I cor. 15:4; Eph. 1:20; I Thess. 4:14).
      3. It is affirmed negatively by Satan?s fierce and constant effort to deny it.
  3. The proper response is to cast out fear and to rejoice.
    1. There are many things in this life which cause fear, especially the conscience?s knowledge of our own sin.
      1. The angel wanted Peter and all repentant sinners to know the message of Jesus? resurrection.
      2. The punishment of the sins of all those in Jesus has been fully borne and total forgiveness is given.
    2. The answer to fear and the reason for joy is found in seeking a risen Savior.
      1. First, we must see what your sins deserve: the crucified and buried Jesus (He tasted death, all of it)
      2. But also see that He is no longer in the grave ? it is empty.