Happy Resurrection Sunday!

Our Pastor Scott Mitchell delivered our Sunrise message this year.

Remember that these are rough notes and not necessarily everything said!

Sunrise Sermon

One thing we have in common with Jesus: early riser…
mountain…up – fight against it or work with it…
the mountain is real…and will not be ignored… our only choice is how we respond to it…
the tomb was empty
our only choice is how we respond to it…
did the enemies in the Bible ever deny that the tomb was empty?
28:11 – behold, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place. 12 And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers 13 and said, “Tell people, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ 14 And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” 15 So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story has been spread among the Jews to this day.
they never denied it…because they could not.
no they only attempted to offer another explanation because they opposed him
back to the beginning… Guard

27:62 The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate 63 and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’ 64 Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last fraud will be worse than the first.” 65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard[j] of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.
they opposed Christ – they created a situation where the only way he was getting out of that tomb was a miracle – thus solidifying the evidence that there was a miracle that day – the miracle of our Lord’s resurrection…
God will receive glory through our lives – Pharoah – in abject defeat
Moses – working with Him
today we’re going to look at 2 different responses…
that of the enemy – and that of the women who loved Jesus… at the cross.watching when he was buried…there sunday morn…
the enemy
28 Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 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.
fear – abject paralyzing – cause an accident fear -fear that made them faint…
why – because they had set themselves in opposition to this mighty one and his angelic messengers…
the followers
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[k] lay.
7 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.
9 And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”
why fear –

you hear the Lord you love and came to anoint his body but now he’s gone…its overwhelming…
fear – yes – you see a majestic angel and you freak out – thats the Biblical thing to do…
why great joy –
why do not be afraid …
because the victorious one who has risen is the one you love and He is on your side…
the choice is still real today – the tomb is empty –
our only choice is how we respond…
we see this in acts 17:30
Acts 17: 30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”
3 responses:
32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked.
But others said, “We will hear you again about this.” 33 So Paul went out from their midst.

34 But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.
which group are you in this morning –
mocking – choosing the things of this world over the risen Lord?
fear – terrible gut wrenching fear is in order….
this world is going down – and if you’re clinging to it instead of trusting Christ – you’ll go down with it…
1 john 2:15-17 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires…
wanting to hear more about this? maybe you have questions…that’s ok…
Lee strobel – the case for Christ
Who Moved the Stone? Frank Morison, whose real name was Albert Henry Ross, was a skeptical British journalist when he began his research, but it convinced him of the historicity of the resurrection…
but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
what is the will of God? what does he want us to do?

John 6:28-29 28 Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”
for those who believe…
fear – yes – because this is an awesome God! but also joy –
and victory – 1 John 5:5 Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
this world is going down – but if you believe in the risen Lord – you will rise with Him…its as though you have on a spiritual jetpack….when the ground gives way – you will remain afloat…
what’s your response to the empty tomb?
I pray you believe and find hope in the death and resurrection of our Lord…
1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead

Christ is risen!

Regular Sunday Service

https://www.youtube.com/live/jhgy0LrUzyk?si=BHUD7gg4-6gtyTjB