1997-15

SERMON NOTES

TITLE: THE SUFFERING SACRIFICE - THE VICTORIOUS SAVIOR

TEXT: Mark 15:22-25; Mark 16:1-7

INTRODUCTION: This morning, we are celebrating history's greatest event. Many people will rate the birth of Christ as the world's greatest event, but it is not. Without the events of Easter, the message of the birth of Christ would do nothing for mankind. His death, burial, resurrection and ascension completed the story; it all went according to the script of God.

Great accomplishments are usually celebrated by doing something special. On May 10, 1869, there was a great accomplishment finished; the transcontinental railroad, connecting the east and west coasts of America was completed. To celebrate, a gold spike was driven into the last tie at Promontory, Utah, marking the junction of the Central and Union Pacific Railroads. The crowd cheered as the final blows were struck. This was a great day in American history.

But there was an infinitely greater day in history which happened nearly 2000 years ago. Spikes were hammered that day, not into a tie, but into the hands and feet of Jesus. These were just old rusty spikes, not spikes made of gold, though one would think that the King of kings and Lord of lords deserved better.

The cross has a central place in history, especially for Christians. On that cross, the Son of God died. This was Act 1 of the drama; there was a three day intermission, and then Act II. Act 1 was the death of Jesus; the grave was the intermission; Act II was His resurrection; followed by the Final Act, His ascension into heaven.

I. ACT I - the death of Christ. There are 5 things I want to share with you briefly this morning about the death of Jesus.

1. The death of Jesus was voluntary.

2. The death of Jesus was violent.

3. The death of Jesus was vital.

4. The death of Jesus was victorious.

5. The death of Jesus was vicarious.

Jesus' death was voluntary; it was violent, but vital for our salvation. His death was victorious, death was overcome, and He reigns today. And His death was vicarious, in our place.

Jesus had said that He was going away, to prepare a place for us. His death was the fulfillment of the Father's plan for His life on earth. He has now gone on before us to heaven. Because of the assurance we have due to His death, we can face our own unafraid.

A 7-year old boy was walking down the street one night, and turned into a cemetery. A stranger asked, "Boy, aren't you afraid to walk through this cemetery at night?" To which the boy replied, "Oh, no; you see, my home is just on the other side."

The facts are that because Jesus suffered death here, He paid the price to bring many into heaven. Hebrews 2:9-10 says it like this: "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. (NIV)

This morning, many people do not understand what Easter is all about. They equate it with bunny rabbits, new clothes, parades, spring, and colored eggs. But it is really about new life. New life, not just for the hear-and-now, but for eternity. These seven words mark the greatest event in history: "He has risen; He is not here."

II. ACT II - the resurrection of Christ. Let's take a look for a moment, not only at the event of His death, but other things which had happened during this last week of Jesus' life on earth.

1. He had been hailed as the Messiah.

2. He had eaten with His disciples, the passover meal.

3. He had been betrayed by a close friend.

4. He had been given a mock trial, and found guilty on trumped up charges based on the word of lying witnesses.

5. He had been beaten.

6. He had been crucified.

7. He had died, and been buried.

And now the women came to the tomb. They received the word that He was no longer there; they were told to carry the message to the others, and had been obedient. Some of the others, who were afraid and in hiding, had trouble believing the word. Note:

1. They had left Jesus in the grave.

2. Many are doing that today, making the mistake of their lives.

3. The disciples met the Risen Lord, which resulted in belief.

4. Today, many believe when they meet the Risen Lord, who changes their lives.

There is a personal implication in this story. It is for you. Because in the resurrection of Christ, we have several things.

1. We have a confirmation of our faith; He kept His word.

2. We have our fears calmed because He overcame death.

3. We have our future changed because He arose.

History tells us that the news of the Battle of Waterloo came to England from a sailing ship which sent a message by way of a signalman standing atop Winchester Cathedral. The first word spelled out was "Wellington;" the second was "defeated." But then the fog moved in, and the ship was not seen through it. The word spread quickly through the land that Wellington had been defeated. But when the fog finally lifted, the rest of the message was signaled. In full, it read, "Wellington defeated the enemy." Then sadness turned to joy.

Likewise, on Friday faith was gone, lost in a fog of doubt. But on Sunday, the fog lifted, and the rest of the message was heard. "He is risen! He is not here.!"

Indeed, He was alive. He gave instructions to the disciples: they were given the great commission, to go, to preach and teach, to baptize, to perform signs and wonders; to wait for the gift of the Father, the Holy Spirit, who would be sent to help them be the witnesses they should be. And then it was time for the final act.

III. THE FINAL ACT - the ascension. This was the crowning act of this week. Christ, who had come as a baby, lived through childhood and adolescence, and then as a sinless man, was returning to God the Father in heaven, where He would regain the glory He set aside when He came to earth.

1. Because He ascended, we will also ascend.

2. Because He ascended bodily, we will have a bodily ascension.

3. Because He went to be in the presence of God, we shall do likewise.

Jesus' own testimony was that if He went away, He would return. To this is added the testimony of the angels, that this "same" Jesus would return, just as He had gone away. Jesus is not dead; He is alive. He is not in the tomb, but in heaven, where He awaits the word of the Father to come for us, his bride. We know He made it there, because He said when He returned, He would send the Holy Spirit, who fell on believers in the Upper Room a few days later.

CONCLUSION: Now this morning, all of this is of no value to you if you will not believe. For Jesus said that it is only by believing that we become children of God, heirs and joint heirs of salvation with the Lord Himself, who is the first fruits of the resurrection from the dead.

Have you believed yet? If you have not, what is your reason for hesitating. The Bible tells us that today is the day of salvation, and that now is the accepted time.

Will you join with the rest of us who have already believed this morning? Will you make your decision today? There will never be a better time; tomorrow will not do, for it may never come for you. Accept the Lord this morning. He died for you; He was buried in your place; He rose that you might be resurrected, and He ascended to heaven to prepare a place for you. Will you accept Him this morning?

Osage Gospel Lighthouse, Linn, MO 3-30-97 am