Don’t Stay in the Tomb

March 23, 2008 by PastorMark.

Don’t Stay in the Tomb,

Text: Acts 1:1-3

INTRODUCTION

1. Cemetery in Winchendon
2. The message of the Gospel.
   1. “that Christ died for our sins according to the Scripture, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures …” 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
3. After Jesus did on the cross, the disciples were devastated.
   1. Jesus had prepared them (5 times in Matthew alone), but they didn’t allow His words to “register”.
   2. They were overcome by “shock and fear”.
4. After Jesus rose from the dead. He knew He needed to convince the disciples of His victory.

Text: Acts 1:1-3
“After His suffering, He showed Himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that He was alive.” (verse 3) ~ “He presented Himself alive” (ESV)

1. How do we know Jesus is alive?
   1. The death of Jesus was not enough (no matter how heroic).
   2. How would we know if His sacrifice was acceptable?
   3. How would we gain assurance over sin, death?
   4. God foretold of His Messiah’s mission to rise.
   5. “because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay.” (Psalm 16:10)
   6. He appeared to many after His resurrection.
   7. Over a forty day period He appeared at least 12 times.
2. One of those times was to over 500 people (1 Cor. 15:6)
   1. He offered them “many convincing proofs” (Acts 1:3)
   2. proofs = tekmeriois “demonstratable evidence in contrast with evidence provided by witnesses.” ~ They could touch, see and hear Jesus. (this is the only time the word is used in the New Testament)
   3. We know He’s alive by the affects after the resurrection.
   4. The Roman and Jewish authorities could not produce the body.
   5. The Apostles and disciples were willing to suffer as witnesses for the resurrection.
   6. “He is not here; He is risen just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay.” (Matthew 28:6)
   7. What does the Resurrection of Jesus have to do with your life?
   8. Did you know that your life is supposed to parallel with the life of Jesus?
   9. He has a life … you have a life.
   10. He experienced a cross … you have a cross.
   11. He knew death … you have to know death.
   12. He was resurrected … and you can experience resurrection.
3. How do you know if you’re alive spiritually?
4. You can be alive physically, but dead spiritually.
   1. “You were dead in your transgressions and sin on which you used to live.” Ephesians 2:1
   2. “God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ.” Ephesians 2:4-5)
   3. Jesus presented Himself alive … a believer will also demonstrate evidences of life.
   4. You will have faith.
   5. We are commanded to repent and believe.
5. God would not command what we could not do by His grace.
   1. You must believe on God’s terms, not yours.
   2. Some say, “I’ll only believe if I see physically.”
   3. Some believe about God, but don’t trust in Him.
   4. You must believe there’s more to life than the tomb.
   5. You will have love. (the Great Commandment – love God, love people)
   6. The love of Jesus obeys the commands of God and always does what is right for others.
   7. “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death.” (1 John 3:14)
   8. “Love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” (1 John 4:7)
   9. You will have His Spirit.
   10. A Christian is one with Christ within.
   11. “Christ in you and the hope of glory.”
   12. If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you …” (Romans 8:11)
   13. “If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.” (Romans 8:9)
   14. The Holy Spirit is the continuation of the life of Christ in His church.

CONCLUSION

1. Christ is alive … are you alive?
2. Are you in the tomb or out?
3. Are you in the dark or in the light?
4. Jesus said, “Lazarus, come forth.”
5. Becoming a Christian is not a leap in the dark, but a leap into light.

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