Good News in the Graveyard
March 23, 2008
Contact the Web Team for an audio recording of this sermon.Text: Luke 24:1-12
Graveyards - bad news! Relational, vocational, financial, locational, bad news
There’s good news at the graveyard! What’s the good news?
1) God Keeps His Word
V6-8 - Mary Magdalene - saved from a living hell!
The devoted - wondering - Even devoted can be at a loss!
A) Remember the word? Must be - explain God’s love at the cross - then the tomb - Death has been defeated!
B) The flood waters - muddy - Forgetting the word of God! Living in graveyards!
Appearance -getting a buzz on - doing your own thing
Clear - remember it! Jesus said you’ll stand the floods of life! "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” V8 - They remembered the promise! He is the Messiah! The savior!
They leave the graveyard changed! He has Risen!
Living in denial? Self delusion, justification - your graveyard - not facing reality - Noticing a friend’s face – older - Look at this scene - V9-11 - Disbelieving, credibility issue
2) There is Hope
V12 - Peter had denied Jesus! Hope moved Peter! Must see for himself!
A) Submarine story - is there hope? For forgiveness - to see Jesus and say I’m sorry?
The hope of seeing Jesus moved him!
B) Graveyards - What ifs - rear view - Not seeing clearly? Waterloo -Jeremiah 29:11 - God has a plan! Tests - Abraham and Isaac
The hope of God is for you to live!
Peter’s outlook has changed - wondering (means amazed!) Christ has risen!
Conclusion
Will there be good news at the graveyard for you? Where are you today? Life is not a game - it is for eternity! The river of death is muddy and the current strong - The river of life calls you home! God has good news for you! The tomb is empty! You can live!