"Empty Tomb or more empty promises?"
Posted by: pastorbob <pastorbob@...>
Easter Message 4-16-2017
"More Empty Promises? Or something more?"
Matthew 12:38-41 "Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, "Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you." But he answered them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." ESV
Jesus had taught the religious Temple Elite a few things He highlights here:
- You are NOT a people of true faith
- You are an "evil and adulterous generation"
- I am the Son of Man
- I will die, be buried and arise on the third day
Jesus knew the plan. He knew exactly what was coming and told everyone who would listen.
Matthew 26:59-61 "Now the chief priests and the whole Council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward and said, "This man said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.'" ESV
A Pharisee taught that we needed to take a "watch and see" approach to Jesus. Jesus would fade into obscurity if He was full of false promises like so many others (Theudas, Judas the Galilean, and more), but if He was real they could be found opposing God! (Acts 5:34 – 40)
So what would the verdict be? Was Jesus the real Messiah, or just another false prophet?
Lets be clear:
- Either Jesus is exactly who He said He was and He did everything His Word says He did; WE BELIEVE AND ARE BORN AGAIN – 1 Peter 1:3 – 5, Revelation 20:4 – 6, others
- OR; He was just another pitchman looking for a quick buck and all religion is vanity and foolishness. (1 Corinthians 15:12 – 19)
We today get the benefit of recorded history, scientist and; most importantly' The Word of God to KNOW Jesus is the Son of God.
Jesus went to His friends – John 20:11 - 18
Jesus went to His Disciples – John 20:19 – 23, John 21…and more
Jesus went to Thomas – John 20:24 – 28
Jesus went to Simon to give him forgiveness, restoration and purpose – John 21:15 - 19
Jesus went to people – 1 Corinthians 15:3 - 11
Jesus went to His Father – Acts 1:6 - 11
Jesus did not "hide and heal"
Jesus immediately went out to be seen – strong, healthy and able – resurrected to newness of life – only the scars remained as evidence.
Jewish historians recorded the reality of Jesus' miracles and resurrection.
More and More the scientists and archeologists are proving the Bible to be TRUE.
God's own Holy Spirit dwells in us to give us FULL ASSURANCE of the truth and reality of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Men like the disciples do not serve a fake to the death…especially if they were part of the fake out.
They were completely sold that JESUS is who Jesus is and they started churches, shared His Word, were persecuted and killed because of their faith and works.
The Word records the reality of Jesus being the prophesied Messiah, every prophesy is fulfilled.
Jesus kept His promise to Rise from the depths of the earth
The temple of God was destroyed and rebuilt in three days.
If a body remained in the tomb on that Sunday then humanity had been duped yet again. MORE EMPTY PROMISES – MORE DISSAPOINTMENT – MORE WAITING FOR GOD'S MESSIAH
BUT, the TOMB was EMPTY, His promises are REAL!
Empty tomb NOT empty promises
If God is faithful in these promises we can trust Him to keep His other promises as well.
Promises like:
John 3:16-18 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God." ESV
John 1:9-13 "The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God." ESV
Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, ands learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." ESV
Hebrews 13:5-6 "Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?" ESV
Matthew 28:19-20 "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, tor the end of the age." ESV
John 14:1-4 "Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also." ESV
Faith, Hope and Love
Eternity with God Eternal Life
I will never leave you or forsake you
I will be with you always... even to the end
These promises and more were confirmed on Calvary
We do not need any more signs and wonders!
We have the sign of the Prophet Jonah and; most importantly, the reality of the Empty Tomb of Jesus Christ!
God KEEPS His Word
The Empty Tomb means there are NO EMPTY PROMISES from God
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