April 11, 2004
The Important Face-Off In History
Luke 24:1-12

Introduction

It was the most important face-off in history, God versus Satan, himself. When we left on Friday it looked like Satan had the upper hand. Jesus was dead. We come here this morning to celebrate the fact that God had won. Jesus walked out of the tomb, alive and well. We can ague about all kinds of things in the life of the church but the one thing that we all must agree upon is the resurrection. The four Gospel writers (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) differ in the details of that morning but they all agree that Jesus, once dead, was back with the living! Your belief in the resurrection is not optional. Your belief in the resurrection is a requirement for your own salvation!

Body

Let us look at Luke’s account. It is early Sunday morning. Women appear at the grave of Jesus to pay their final respects. They are going to treat His body with spices. It was the first century forms of embalming. When they arrive at the tomb they receive three surprises. First, the stone is rolled away. Second, the body of Jesus is missing. Third, they are visited by two men, whom in other Gospels are identified as angels. It is these two who have the privilege of announcing the resurrection of Jesus to the world! It was only at the moment that we begin to understand that God won the greatest face-off in history. But what does the resurrection of Jesus really mean to you and me?

We are in the disciple making business and as disciple makers the resurrection is the energy which keeps us going. The resurrection of Jesus is not just an excuse to buy a new hat. The resurrection of Jesus is not just an excuse to get the family together to eat ham. The resurrection of Jesus is not an excuse to buy some flowers. The resurrection of Jesus is not an excuse to celebrate warmer weather. The resurrection of Jesus is so powerful that it effects every moment of your life. If you are a disciple of Jesus then you should know that the resurrection has everything to do with the timeline of your life, past present and future. The resurrection gives you pardon you from the past. The resurrection gives you power for the present. The resurrection gives you promise for the future. Let me look at them one at a time.

Pardon for The Past Has anyone here today every done anything in their past that they regret? Has anyone here today ever had a horrible experience in the past that they just can’t shake? Well then, the resurrection is for you.

In 1992, I received a phone call from a young woman by the name of Pat. She was not a parishioner but she said she needed some help. I met with her. I assumed she needed cash. I discovered she had been sent to me by a local psychologist. She didn’t need money she needed some theological training. Her past involved her uncle, who had gotten her involved in Satanism. I will not tell you the various kinds of abuses she endured. Her doctor wanted her to find a preacher who could help her basic points of Christian theology. Her life was fractured in many ways. She came from an unstable family and suffered from multiple personalities. She was constantly afraid and carried a knife in her pocket for protection. I met with Pat for two years and I learned a great deal from her. During our last session we prayed and asked for the power of God to wash through her soul. When she stood up to leave Pat said, "I want to give you something." She pulled that pocket knife out of her pocket and handed it to me. She said, "I don’t need this anymore. I want you to have it."

There is power in the resurrection. The same power which brought Jesus back to life is the same power which helped Pat. It is the same power which is available to you when you need pardoned from past experiences in your life. If you are thankful that the resurrection power is available to you in dealing with your past then say, "Amen!"

Power for the Present Is anyone here today going through a difficult time? Perhaps, your health is failing. Perhaps, your marriage is failing. Perhaps, your finances are a mess. Perhaps, you’re afraid to confront someone or some situation? Well then, the resurrection is for you.

Dan Selby is a United Methodist pastor in California. He never picks up hitchhikers but he loves to read the signs that they hold. Some hold signs that say, "New Mexico." Some hold signs that say, "Colorado." Some hold signs that say, "New York City." One young man held a sign that said, "Anywhere." Dan Selby couldn’t resist. He pulled his car over and picked the young man up. He wanted to hear the funny story that went with the sign. The problem was the story wasn’t funny. They story was sad. The young man’s home life was horrible. He just wanted to get away. He didn’t care where. He would go anywhere. Dan Selby drove for a while and said to the young man, "I am starved! I have got to get something to eat!" They stopped, order a grand slam and they talked. When they were done talking they got back in the car and Dan Selby started to drive the young man home, he found where he lived during their talk. The young man protested but Dan Selby said, "Listen son, God brought us together for a reason. I never pick up hitch hikers but I picked up you. What are the chances that a preacher would pick you up? I going to take you home and I am going to walk through that front door with you." That is exactly what he did. It was easy. The problems still exist but they are working on them together.

What problems are you facing today? You do not have to face them alone. God is by your side. There is power in the resurrection. The same power which resurrected Jesus is the same power that is available to you in your time of need. If you are thankful that the resurrection power is available to you today, then say, "Amen!"

Promise for the Future Is anyone here today afraid of dieing? Well then, the resurrection is for you.

In the past 12 months I have officiated at 22 different funerals. Ten of those funerals were members of this congregation. The other twelve had no church. They called me to say a few kind words. Can I tell you something? There is a world of difference conducting a funeral for a believer and a non-believer. I am not talking about church membership I am talking about discipleship. You are going to have to trust me when I say this. Spiritually, I can tell the difference. Funerals for non-believers are masked in defeat. Funerals for believer are masked in victory.

There are a lot of things that I do not know. I don’t know what will get me in time, cancer, heart attack or an accident. I don’t how much time I have in this world, only God knows. But I do know that the power that resurrected Jesus is the same power that gives me promise for the future. It is the power that gives you promise for the future. Is there anyone here today afraid of dieing? The same power which resurrected Jesus is the same power that will take all believers to heaven. If that makes you a little happy on this Easter morning, then say, "Amen!"

Conclusion

It was the greatest face-off in history. God won but really we won! Easter is not really about hats, hams, flowers and spring. Easter is about the resurrection of Jesus Christ! The resurrection is a powerful thing! The power of the resurrection can give you pardon for the past. The power of the resurrection can help you face the present. The power of the resurrection can give you promise for the future. Christ the Lord has risen today! And all of God’s people said, "Amen!"