He Is Risen
Minister: |
Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: |
4/12/2009 AM
|
Text:
|
Mark 16:5-7
|
Psalters: |
58, 16, 130, 29 |
- The women's search.
- Certain women disciples went to the grave as soon as possible on Sunday morning.
- These women had ministered to Jesus? earthly needs during His earthly needs.
- Now they continue to do so as a final act of service to One they loved very much.
- They are met by an angel who correctly identified whom and for what the women were searching.
- They were seeking ?Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified.?
- This describes a conception of Jesus which was only earthly.
- We also face the question: Whom or what are we seeking this morning?
- The angel was sent by God with a message for the women.
- The angel immediately encouraged them not to fear.
- The reason for not be afraid was because they One they sought was risen.
- Jesus? resurrection is first described as His being ?not here.?
- The proof that He is risen and not here is found by looking at ?the place where they laid Him.?
- The angel?s message was affirmed.
- It was affirmed by what Jesus had earlier said to them: ?as He said unto you.?
- 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).
- It is affirmed negatively by Satan?s fierce and constant effort to deny it.
- The proper response is to cast out fear and to rejoice.
- There are many things in this life which cause fear, especially the conscience?s knowledge of our own sin.
- The angel wanted Peter and all repentant sinners to know the message of Jesus? resurrection.
- The punishment of the sins of all those in Jesus has been fully borne and total forgiveness is given.
- The answer to fear and the reason for joy is found in seeking a risen Savior.
- First, we must see what your sins deserve: the crucified and buried Jesus (He tasted death, all of it)
- But also see that He is no longer in the grave ? it is empty.