Sermon Outline Mar 23, 2008 Morning Service

Topic: The Resurrection Changes Things  

Text:   Matthew 28:1-15                              

Introduction

I.        What a wonderful day this is, as all over the world people are celebrating Jesus as the Son of God, resurrected and alive forevermore!

A.       That is not because the world has fabricated a day called Easter.

B.       Christians gather for this celebration every Sunday.

II.       We serve a risen Savior.

A.       We look forward to standing with Him in a glorious home which He has prepared for all who have loved and served Him (John 14:2).

B.       The resurrection changes things.

III.      Since we all have our minds on the resurrection let’s talk about that.

A.       There is no event in history that compares to the resurrection.

B.       Other things have been important but none are nearly as significant.

C.      Let’s consider how the resurrection changes things.

Text

I.        The Inevitability Of God.

A.       You cannot stop the inevitable.

B.       The chief priests and Pharisees found that out (Matthew 27:62-66).

C.      Sometimes we try to seal Jesus up as well.

II.       The Resurrection Changed The World.

A.       We believe that because the tomb is empty and Jesus Christ is alive.

B.       We weren’t there when Jesus rose from the dead, but we believe.

1.       We believe because eyewitnesses tell us it’s true (John 20:30-31; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11).

2.       We also believe it because our world is greatly different because of it (1 Corinthians 15:14).

III.      The Resurrection Changes Us.

A.       The scriptures tell us that we walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4-11; 7:4-6; 8:12-17).

B.       One day we will be called home (Revelation 21:1-8).

Conclusion

I.        That is the message for this morning: The Resurrection Changes Things.

A.       God has planned for us something much better.

1.       He’s preparing us for a new world, a better world, a greater world.

2.       Jesus was the first fruit and His resurrection changes everything.

3.       His church will be the next harvest.

B.       You can’t stop the march of God.

1.       Not with stones in front of tombs or seals or soldiers.

2.       You can’t stop what God is trying to do in our world because God will conquer.

3.       God will be victorious and you will either be on His winning side or you won’t.

II.       God is alive this morning and He reaches out to all who would respond to His invitation.

I.        How would you describe Moses’ relationship with God?

II.       But this isn’t where Moses started out, it’s where he ended up.

Text

I.        Think with me of Moses’ birth (Exodus 2).

A.       The king of the land wanted all boy babies of Israel to be killed.

B.       Moses’ childhood is told in 10 verses.

C.      Seemingly against all odds, Moses grew up with an understanding of who he was (Acts 7:20-23; Hebrews 11:23-27).

D.      What I want you to see here is that Moses had a great start.

1.       He had all the advantages of an Egyptian prince.

2.       He was loved by a mother who went to incredible lengths to be sure he knew his God.

3.       But after he killed the Egyptian he fled to Midian, married and settled into a life of shepherding.

4.       Moses seems to have taken on a humiliation that bordered on fearfulness and self-doubt.

II.       When God called Moses He had to build up his confidence before he would go back to Egypt.

A.       Let’s look in on God’s leadership development school as Moses takes his first class—Leadership Development 101.

1.       Moses’ call begins with an unusual sight.

2.       Having gained his attention God begins his education (Exodus 3:6).

B.       Here, Moses is afraid of God and afraid to see him.

1.       But God tells Moses that he has seen Israel’s affliction in slavery in Egypt and that He has come to deliver them.

2.       Moses heart must have jumped—“How wonderful!”

3.       Then God says, “I’m sending you to Egypt to do it.”

Conclusion 

I.        What a different man we see in Moses later.

A.       If Moses’ life had ended here what would be his defining characteristic?

1.       It certainly wouldn’t be faith.

2.       Fear might come to our minds.

B.       But God was not finished with Moses.

1.       Because God did not give up on Moses, Moses finally gave in to God.

2.       What an incredible difference there was in Moses’ life after he encountered God.

II.       God works for good: He always has and He always will.

A.       Moses learned to listen and lead as God led him.

B.       What about you?

1.       What would you say is your defining characteristic?

2.       What will it take to change you into the person God would have you be?