Matthew 28:2 – 4
Resurrection Freedom: Live!
The results of the resurrection of Jesus ripple to our lives
today… not just in joy for the occasion of the day but also in celebration that
because Jesus is alive, we can be forgiven and live!
How is this possible?
I. FACT
A. Because
of what happened at the tomb:
1. Matthew 28:2 – 4: The stone is rolled
away. (The soldiers witness.)
2. Mark 16:4 – 6: The tomb is empty
3. John 20:3 – 9: The grave clothing is
folded (Carpenter’s witness of a finished job.)
B. Because
of the eye witness accounts:
1. John 20:10 – 16: Mary Magdalene
2. John 20:19 – 20: The Disciples
3. John 20:24 – 28: Thomas (doubter or
realist?)
4. Luke 24:30 -- 32: The road to Emmaus
(“burning hearts”)
5. Luke 24:33 – 34: Peter
6. 1 Corinthians 15:3 – 7: The 500, James,
and Paul
II. POWER
[Romans 1:1 – 6]
A. Right
here, right now!
1. [v 2] This event was promised
beforehand (prophets through the Holy Spirit… NOT a made up story.)
2. [v 3] Human nature = descended from
David.
3. [v 4] Divine nature = resurrection.
4. [v 5] BECAUSE of all this we (you) can receive
grace! (God’s “want to,”)
5. [v 6] BECAUSE of all this we (you) are
called (must respond) to BELONG to Jesus Christ.
[Philippians 3:10]
[Philippians 3:10]
B. We
are all one choice away from Heaven or Hell…
III. MYSTERY
[Colossians 1:27]
“Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
A. Colossians
3:1 – 4 (Meaning)
1. [v 1] “Set your hearts on things
above.”
2. [v 2] “Set your minds on things above.”
3. [v 3] You died… “your life is now
hidden with Christ in God.”
4. [v 4] “Christ… is your life.”
B. Indwelling
presence of Jesus (through the Holy Spirit) BECAUSE of the resurrection (He’s alive!)
IV. SKILL
A. Galatians
2:20
1. “I have been crucified with Christ.”
Romans 6:11 “… count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God
in Christ Jesus.”
2. “I no longer live, but Christ lives in
me” (live by faith)
B. Galatians
5:19 – 25
1. Fruit is the excess energy of a mature
life.
2. Transformation = moral behavior + fruit
of the Holy Spirit.
3. Passion and desire of the sinful nature
war against the Spirit. (See Romans 8:7)
4. Live by the Holy Spirit… “keep in step”
is a military image of effective training and attentiveness.
V. CONCLUSION:
A. False
concept of freedom – “I can do whatever I want, whenever I want, however I want… if NOT then I am NOT
free.”
1. Reality: there are consequences to that
idea…
2. Consequences:
a. Connected to God means life lived by
design, in the design of what we were meant to be
and do.
b. Disconnected to God means certain
destruction (eternal).
B. What
are you celebrating today?
1. A family day?
2. A holiday?
3. The life changing results of the
resurrection of Jesus!