Hope for Tomorrow Graphical sermon notes by, Rev. Ed Whitman Easter Sunday, March 22, 2015 Evangelical Congregational Church in Dunstable Massachusetts © Copyright 2015 by the author, Rev. Ed Whitman, with permission to freely redistribute.

John 20: 1-18 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said: They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put Him!

So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head.

He saw and believed. (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) Then the disciples went back to their homes. But Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her:

Woman, why are you crying? They have taken my Lord away, and I don’t know where they have put Him. At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. He asked her, Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?

Thinking he was the gardener, she said: Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put Him, and I will get Him. Mary. Rabboni! Teacher!

Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, “I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that He had said these things to her.

Mary of Magdala

“No I wasn’t, not until four days ago.”

Thankful to God & Hope for Tomorrow

Let’s Pray

Dr Harold J Ockenga Of all the women of the Bible, the highest place, next to Mary the mother of Jesus, must be accorded to Mary Magdalene.

Back Story  Magdala – Mary’s town of birth

Back Story  Magdala – Mary’s town of birth  Mary met Jesus in early summer AD 28

Back Story  Magdala – Mary’s town of birth  Mary met Jesus in early summer AD 28  Luke 8:2 The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out, Joanna… Susanna and many others.

Back Story  Magdala – Mary’s town of birth  Mary met Jesus in early summer AD 28  Luke 8:2 The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out, Joanna… Susanna and many others.  Luke 8:3 These women were helping to support them out of their own means.

Back Story - She was there:  Night of His capture and trial  When word came about Jesus standing before Pilate and Herod  While Jesus was on the cross  Followed when Joseph and Nicodemus carried Him to tomb  Stayed late at the tomb, intending to finish burial details after Sabbath  Before dawn on Easter morning

Christianity: A Rescue Religion

 Jesus lived a sin-free life  Jesus experienced physical/spiritual death  Jesus paid the rescue payment for the sin of sinners like Mary and you/me

Ephesians 2:1-5 (ERV) In the past you were spiritually dead because of your sins and the things you did against God. Yes, in the past your lives were full of those sins. You lived the way the world lives, following the ruler of the evil powers.

Ephesians 2:1-5 (ERV) Like everyone else in the world, we deserved to suffer God’s anger just because of the way we were. But God is rich in mercy, and He loved us very much. We were spiritually dead because of all we had done against Him. But He gave us new life together with Christ.

Bottom Line Questions:  Has Jesus rescued you?  Has Jesus made you alive?  Freed you from __________ ?

New York City Preacher - S.D. Gordon

FREE !

The Rest of The Story “What are you going to do with all those people in your cage?”

The Rest of The Story “How much do you want for them?”

The Rest of The Story  “All of Your tears and all of Your blood. That’s the price!”  Jesus took the cage and paid the price… and opened the door.

An Invitation Sins of the past and present can be forgiven Live a thankful-to- God life Have hope for tomorrow

An Invitation A Take-Away Sins of the past and present can be forgiven Live a thankful-to- God life Have hope for tomorrow

An Easter Prayer Dear Lord Jesus, Thank you for the incredible good news of Easter and the hope for tomorrow that your resurrection provides. I know that I am sinful and I need your forgiveness. I believe that you died to pay the penalty for my sin.

An Easter Prayer I want to turn from my sin nature and follow you instead. I invite you to come into my heart and life. I want to trust you as Savior and follow you as Lord, in the fellowship of your people. I believe you have a good future for all of your followers. Amen.

A Second Take-Away