INTRODUCTION: The hope and help of the Christian is the death and resurrection of Christ. The hope is in His death (sin put away) and the help is the resurrection (He lives to help us).

I. The Morning Of The Resurrection--verse 1.

There have been some great mornings in world history. It was a real morning when Francis Key penned, "Oh say, can you see, by the dawn's early light." But the greatest morning was when the women found the stone rolled away.

A. It relieved their fears. The crucifixion scared them out of their wits, but the open tomb gave new hope.

B. It revived their faith. They would no longer remain defeated fishermen,     but flaming messengers.

C. It revealed their future. They knew Jesus had died and was alive again,    and if Christ lived beyond the tomb, so would they.

II. The Mighty Messengers Of The Resurrection--verses 2-4. Suddenly there was a great earthquake and the angel appeared and rolled away the stone and the keeper be came as a dead man.

A. Here we see God’s providence--verse 2.

He sent the earthquake at the just time just as He caught a ram in the        thicket for Abraham  at the right time.

B. Here we see God’s program--verse 3.

God used nature and angels to do the super-natural because mortal        men were helpless in this situation. We have one job--get out the Gospel  and leave the super-natural with God.

C. Here we see God’s power--verse 4. Keepers became as dead men.

III. The Message Of The Resurrection--verses 5-6.

A. Hope--verses 5-6.

B. Help--go tell--verse 7.