Up from the Grave He Arose - April 4, 2021

Easter Sunday

with Pastor Chuck Ryan

Up From the Grave He Arose

Text: Matthew 27:50-28:7

Thesis: Jesus Christ Destroyed the Power of Death

1. “Low in the grave he lay, Jesus my Savior, waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord!” (Matthew 27:50-56)
2. The death of Jesus brought darkness on the land from noon until 3pm.
3. The death of Jesus was observed by many.

- ‘When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the           earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son of God!"

- “Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee's sons.”

1. The death of Jesus was a reality!

 

1. “Vainly they watch his bed, Jesus my Savior, vainly they seal the dead, Jesus my Lord!” (Matthew 57-66)
2. Joseph of Arimathea, who became a disciple of Jesus obtained the body of Christ from Pontius Pilate.
3. Joseph was a member of the Sanhedrin, and he demonstrated great courage in seeking Jesus’ body.
4. Joseph was wealthy and placed Jesus in a first-class tomb.

Tomb came complete with a large stone to provide proper securement of the body.

“He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance of the tomb and went away.”

3. The ladies observed the secure burial of Jesus.
4. The Pharisees, in fear of Jesus’ body being stolen, went to Pilate and requested Jesus’ tomb be heavily guarded.

- "Take a guard," Pilate answered. "Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how." So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.

III. “Death cannot keep its prey, Jesus my Savior; vainly they seal the dead, Jesus my Lord!” (Matthew 28: 1-7)

1. Even with the confirmation of death, the best of Tombs, complete with a large stone, and an elite Roman guard Jesus could not be contained in the grave!!!

 - “There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.”

1. The women went to anoint the dead body of Jesus but were met by an Angel of God.

“The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.”

“Up from the grave he arose;
with a mighty triumph o'er his foes;
he arose a victor from the dark domain,
and he lives forever, with his saints to reign.
He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!”