Good News from the Grave - Blessed Easter 2011.

“Temporary Residence”

• There’s good news from the graveyard this morning.
• Good news that the tomb is empty.
• Good news that Jesus rose from the dead.
• Good news that the Devil couldn’t hold him.
• Good news that death has lost its sting.
• Good news that the grave has lost its victory.
• Good news that we need not fear death any more.
• As far as I know my heart this morning, I am not afraid to die.
• Not because I am especially brave. For I am not.
• But I know what’s on the other side.
• My Lord has come back and told me what I can expect.
• I don’t have anything to worry about.
• If you hear that I have died tonight, when you bury me,
• Stick up a sign that says, “Temporary residence.”
• I’m coming back up. You can count on it.
• I say that without any sense of pride or boasting. For my resurrection does not depend on me.
• It does not depend on my good deeds.
• It does not depend on any merit in me at all.
• It depends solely and wholly on my Lord Jesus Christ, who rose from the dead on Easter Sunday morning. He promised that if I would trust in him, someday I would rise with him. I’ve staked my entire life on that promise. If it’s not true, I have no other hope.
• But it is true. That’s why I don’t plan on staying dead forever.