CHRIST AROSE (EASTER SUNDAY)

TEXT: John 20:1-18

AIM:
That we may believe that the resurrection of Christ is the cardinal article of the Christian faith.

INTRODUCTION:
Christianity is not just a religion. It is an individual's intimate relationship with the loving and forgiving God. God made man and woman in His image and gave them dominion over all the earth. But they fell from grace because of the sin of disobedience. They became estranged from God (Genesis 3). Adam,s sin has two main effects on the human race. First, we are all born into the world with a sinful nature. Secondly, the guilt of Adam's sin is credited to us all (Romans 5:12). Thousands of years later God, because of His love, sent His only begotten Son Jesus Christ to ransom us from sin and reconcile us to Himself through Jesus' death on the cross (John 3:16). Evidences abound to show that, of a truth, Jesus Christ died. He was buried. He resurrected after three days as foretold by the prophets, despite the lies of the enemies of the cross. Therefore believe, confess and accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior if you have not. Then live right by the power of the Holy Spirit.

ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK (v. 1).

• It was Sunday and not Sabbath. The Sabbath is the day Jehovah set aside for His people to rest and to worship (Exodus 20:8-11). Human beings need to spend unhurried time in worship and rest each week. This reflects how much God loves and cares for us. It symbolizes the rest God wants for us on the eternal Sabbath (Hebrews 4:3-4, 8-11).

• Why we worship on Sunday: The week ends on the Sabbath day. Sunday is the day after the Sabbath, and the first day of a new week. It happens to be the day on which Jesus rose from the dead (Matthew 28:1). We worship on Sunday to commemorate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

MARY MAGDALENE AND THE OTHER WOMAN

• Mary helped support Jesus' ministry (Luke 8:1-3).

• She was at the cross of Jesus Christ at His crucifixion (Mark 15:47).

• She and another Mary were the first at His grave on Sunday morning (Matthew 28:1).

• She reported the case of the empty tomb to Peter and John
  (Matthew 28:8).

• She was the first to see Jesus after the resurrection (Mark 16.9; John 20:1-2, I0-18).

Mary Magdalene was "an energetic, impulsive and caring woman. She is a heartwarming example of thankful living, having been delivered by Jesus from seven demons. She acted out her appreciation for the freedom Christ had given her. Her faith was direct and genuine. She was eager to believe and obey, than to understand everything" (Life Application Study Bible). What about you?

PETER AND JOHN ON FOOT RACE (John 20:3-11).

• John outran Peter to the grave but did not enter. Why?

• Peter arrived and entered the tomb to make a careful search.

• Peter and John went home, leaving Mary behind.

Put yourself in their shoes. Discuss the effect that their finding (the empty grave) had on them.

WHY CHRIST'S RESURRECTION A CARDINAL ARTICLE

• Without resurrection, our faith is useless (1 Corinthians 15:19, 20).

• It meant victory for Christ and means victory for those who believe in Him.

• It means victory over death. Death, as the gate way to eternal life, no longer frightens Christians. It has lost its sting (1 Corinthians 15:54-57).

• It guarantees for Christians life beyond the grave (1 Thessalonians 4:13, 14).

• Our justification before God hinges on Christ's resurrection (Romans 4:25).

• It perfects Christ's work of our redemption.

FOR REFLECTION:
Are you a good example of a thankful living like Mary Magdalene? Remember, to whom much is given, much is also expected.

MEMORYVERSE:( 1 Corinthians 15:19, 20
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