Introduction: We are living in an age of turmoil. Turn on the News any given day and you are likely to hear some evil tragedy you never thought possible. When you think you have heard and seen it all and nothing will shock you anymore, something new comes along. It used to be adult killed adults in the criminal world. Then we were shocked by teens killing teens in high schools. Now we hear of a six year old, first grader, gunning down a six year old classmate.
This world is starving for something that is good, something positive, something secure in this insecure world. Amidst all the bad, I have some good news from a most unlikely place, from a graveyard !

* Graveyards: Not usually associated as a place of "Great Joy" and "Hope." ( Sadness and Depressing)
* Graveyards: The last place to go to "hear" or "see" something Good !
* Graveyards: Filled with the "dead", nothing moves or speaks ! ( I wouldn't stay to listen !)
* Great Discoveries: That have changed lives are made in many places. ( But NONE in Graveyards !)
* Great Advances: Have taken place in Universities, Hospitals, Medical fields. ( But NONE in Graveyards!)
* Great Battles and Victories: Have been fought on land, air, sea, mountains, valleys, jungles and deserts, ( But NONE)

(1) CHRISTIANITY IS A STRANGE FAITH ! (VERSE 28) "GREAT JOY" FOUND IS A GRAVEYARD!

(A) All others go to Shrines to mourn because their Hope, their Messiah is entombed there.
(B) But Not Jesus! Matthew 28:6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
(C) THE ANGELS ANNOUNCED:

• At His Conception: Luke 1:31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
• At His Birth: Luke 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
• At His Resurrection: Matt. 28:6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
• At His Ascention: Acts 1: 11 Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

(2) WHAT WAS THE "GOOD NEWS" THAT CAME FROM THE GRAVEYARD ?

(A) "Fear Not" ( We have Fear in the Home, Streets, Workplace, and Fear of the Future.) * Matt 28:5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

(B) "He Is Not Here, He Is RISEN: (Egeiro: eg-i'-ro; the idea of collecting ones faculties, to awaken )

 
• He was Lied about, but lies could not hold him--------------------------------- HE IS RISEN !
• He was Hated, but hatred could not hold him ---------------------------------- HE IS RISEN !
• He was Persecuted, but persecution could not hold him --------------------- HE IS RISEN !
• He was Crucified, put to Death, but death could not hold him --------------HE IS RISEN !
• He was placed in a Tomb, but the stones could not hold him --------------- HE IS RISEN !
• Skeptics say it never happened, but he is alive and coming back --------- HE IS RISEN !
• BECAUSE HE LIVES: Truth lives and triumphs over lies !
• BECAUSE HE LIVES: Hope is alive, in this life and eternity !
• BECAUSE HE LIVES: Love lives, and triumphs over hatred !
• BECAUSE HE LIVES: Salvation has come to all who will believe !
• BECAUSE HE LIVES: I have the promise that I shall live also !

  BECAUSE HE LIVES: He will fulfill his promise, " John 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye 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 unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

(C) Our Good News is "Go Tell" Matthew 28:7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

(3) MANKINDS GREATEST DISCOVERY WAS NO THE ATOM, ELECTRICITY, MEDICAL CURES,

• THE GREATEST DISCOVERY ? Matthew 28:1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
  Matthew 28: 5-6 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

THE GREATEST INVITATION WILL NOT COME FROM THE WHITE HOUSE, OR GOVERNORS MANSION. THE GREATEST INVITATION IS "COME AND SEE" !

• John 1:46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.

 

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