Dedicated To The Men of God Who Preach the Word of God As It
Is To Men As They Are
"Preach The Word"
What Happened At The Empty Tomb
Used at Sunrise Service-Easter Sunday-1994
Text:Matt. 28:1-15
Introduction: Though you may not visit the empty tomb in this life, you can take a trip through God’s wonderful truth. The empty tomb was a place of happenings. It was located right at the foot of the hill where Jesus was crucified. I know this morning that we are standing in front of three crosses, but the graves around us remind us of a tomb. The body of Jesus was placed in a borrowed tomb, belonging to a rich man, by the name of Joseph of Arimithea.
Our Lord’s body was buried late on Friday afternoon. The women rested on the Sabbath which began at sunset that evening. The purchased anointing oil after sunset that closed the Sabbath or Saturday. Very early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, the women left Bethany , which was about 2 miles from Jerusalem, and arrived at the tomb just after sunrise.The sun had already risen before they reached the tomb.
When they arrived at the tomb they found out some things were happening.
I. DISTURBING EARTHQUAKE
v.2 "There was a great earthquake."
Earthquakes are mentioned several times in the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments. There was an earthquake when Jesus was crucified. Then as well, there was an earthquake surrounding the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
If an earthquake were to happen while we were standing here this morning, it would not doubt bring a disturbance among us.
Earthquakes reveal several things:
1. Reveal God’s power
2. Reveal God’s presence
3. Reveal God’s revelation (Mt.Sinai)--law given to Moses
4. God’s judgments -In Ezek. 38:19 God speaks of a great shaking. It is in the context of a time there when God will judge the earth.
II. DECISIVE INTERVENTION
v.2"The angel of the Lord descended from heaven, came and rolled back the stone."
The stone was not rolled away to let Jesus out, but to let the people on the outside into the tomb.
When they got inside the tomb, there was what appeared to be a young man with a long stately robe, trainlike that was so long that is probably appeared to sweep the ground. Young men on the earth did not wear that kind of robe. It had to be an angel.
III. DISABLING AMAZEMENT
v.5 "Fear not."
IV. DELIGHTFUL DECLARATION
A. About Jesus’ location "He is not here"v.6
B. About Jesus’ resurrection "He is risen"v.6
C.About Jesus’ delegation "the disciples"v.7
D.About Jesus’ visitation " there ye shall see Him"v7
V. DEFINITE WORSHIP
"Held Him by the feet and worshipped Him."v.9
VI. DESIGNATED RESPONSIBILITY
"Go.....tell."v.10
Conclusion:
What a joy to take a trip to the empty tomb through the eyes of the Word of God and through faith!
SERMON FROM DR. TOM WALKER
PASTOR ZION HILL BAPTIST-- MARION, NC-USA
Site created by Tom Walker