GOOD NEWS

On this Easter Sunday morning we are in a similar situation that Jesus’ followers were after the crucifixion. You can read about it in John 20 beginning at verse 19.

John 20:19–20 (NKJV) Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.

They were scattered, locking themselves inside their homes because of fear, some were doubting, thinking that all they had hoped for was shattered and gone, many considering a return to their old life. Then, into that gloom and despair the resurrected Jesus came and said, “Peace be with you.” And gladness filled their hearts.

I want us to hear Him speak that to us today in this situation. “I am here; be at peace.” That is good news. And that is what I want to talk about this morning: Good News. PRAYER

1 Corinthians 15:1–4 (NKJV) Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel (good news) which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,

This is the Gospel, the Good News of Jesus Christ.

1. Jesus died for our sins according to the Scriptures.

His suffering was prophesied in the Old Testament.

Isaiah 53:4–6 (NKJV) Surely, He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions (individual sins), He was bruised for our iniquities (our sin nature); the chastisement for our peace was upon Him (we have peace with God), and by His stripes we are healed (spiritual and physical). All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. Jesus has already paid the price for all sin for all people for all eternity!

The effect is recorded in the New Testament.

Colossians 2:13–15 (NKJV) And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

Four effects of the cross:

A. Resurrection life.

B. Remission of sin.

C. Removal of sin.

D. Reigning in life.

2. He was buried.

Now He didn’t just lay there. Some wonderful things happened while He was in the tomb.

Ephesians 4:7–10 (NKJV) But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.” (Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)

1 Peter 3:18–19 (NKJV) For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison,

While Jesus’ body was laying in the tomb, He went to Hades, the place of the dead, kicked the devil’s teeth in, took the keys to death, hell, and the grave, opened the gates to all who had died in faith waiting on the cross, and led them in a victory procession into heaven!

3. He rose from the dead according to the Scriptures.

Romans 1:4 (NKJV) and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.

The Resurrection sealed the deal. If Jesus didn’t rise from the dead, then we have no faith. Jesus would be like any other human being, living and dying. The empty tomb is the testament to His deity and His Lordship.

It also gives us hope of life after death.

Romans 6:4 (NKJV) Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

2 Timothy 2:11 (NKJV) This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him.

This is taking about more than spiritual resurrection. There is a physical resurrection for all believers.

1 Corinthians 15:51–58 (NKJV) Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

There is coming a day when Jesus will come again to this earth to establish an everlasting Kingdom.

Jesus promised it.

John 14:1–3 (NKJV) Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

Angels prophesied it.

Acts 1:11 (NKJV) The angel also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”

Paul proclaimed it.

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 (NKJV) But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus, we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.

INVITATION

Jesus did all this for you and for me. If you have never received Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, you can this morning. Just say this prayer with me…

Contact us and let us know if you prayed to receive Christ this morning. We want to send you some materials to help you as you begin a new life in Jesus Christ.