Sermon Title: Into the tomb we go!
Text: John 20:1-10

Point 1: The deeper the despair, the greater the denial and distance.

And they all left him and fled. Mark 14:50

A. Denied: Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” Matt. 26:33

I do not know this man of whom you speak. Mark 14:71

B. Distanced: At the crucifixion: No mention of the disciples being there. Distanced themselves.

But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. John 19:25

And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things. Luke 23:49 There were also some women looking on from a distance. Mark 15:40

C. Locked the door: On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews. John 20:19

Point 2: Sometimes you get way more than what you expect.

Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. John 20:1

“The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.” Mark 9:31

And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. Luke 24:2-3

While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. 5 And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” Luke 24

Point 3: If you’re willing to go check the evidence, you might be surprised!

His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4 And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. 5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Matt. 28:3-6

A. Experientially

See the place where the laid him. Mark 16:6
Come, see the place where he lay. Matt. 28:5

B. Intellectually

Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” Luke 24

As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men, 23 and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.” And they were greatly distressed. Matt. 17:22-23

Point 4: Once we receive good news, it’s hard to keep it to ourselves.

And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. Mark 16:8 – made a bee line to the disciples

Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” 8 So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Matt. 28:6-8

So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” John 21:2

Point 5: Getting out of darkness and despair can be like running a race…to a graveyard.

So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. 4 Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. John 21:3-4

Point 6: Unless you check things for yourself, you may never believe.

And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went back to their homes. John 20:5-10

Application: The powerful resurrection of Jesus gives those who believe in him the hope that they too will rise from the dead and inherit eternal life.