#297 FACES Series# 3, Mary M.

#297 FACES Series# 3, Mary M.
By: Pastor D. Karl Thomas

TRUE STORY
A tax accountant talked about a guy who wanted to declare the loss of his Lincoln Navigator SUV on his tax return. The accountant told the man that insurance usually takes care of things like that and wondered what happened.

Here is the story:
In the winter some guys decided to go fishing on the lake. It was frozen, so they parked the SUV at the edge of the lake and instead of going out on the ice to make a hole, they lit a stick of dynamite with a long-burning fuse and threw it out to break the ice open.
• Unfortunately, the dog thought it was a stick and went out after it.
• Fortunately, the dog retrieved it in record time and started back.
• Unfortunately, when they yelled at the dog to drop it, the dog ran under the SUV with the stick of dynamite in its mouth.
• Fortunately, the dog got burned on the muffler, came out from under the vehicle, leaving the dynamite behind.
• Unfortunately, the dynamite went off, transforming the SUV from a useful vehicle into a pile of junk.
That is supposed to be a true story. If you can believe all of that, you won’t have any trouble believing the resurrection of Jesus!

TRUE STORY
Tomb of: Henriette Juliane Caroline von Rüling (1756-1782)
Did not believe in God or the resurrection … Heavy Granite tomb … One little birch seed grew into a tree and burst the tomb open. Inscription  “May this tomb bought for eternity never be opened.”
“The seed of God’s word will trumpet at the second coming of Christ and the dead will rise!!!” 

Mark 16:1-7  “…But he said to them, ‘Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.ʼ”  

Acts 4:1-2  “Now as they spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them, being greatly disturbed that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.”   

Acts 4:33 “And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.”

1 Peter 1:20-21  “He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.”   

1 Corinthians 15:17-19  “And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.”   

1 Corinthians 15:19-20 MESSAGE “If all we get out of Christ is a little inspiration for a few short years, weʼre a pretty
sorry lot. But the truth is that Christ has been raised up, the first in a long legacy of those who are going to leave the cemeteries.”   

That Jesus Christ is risen from the dead is the central theme of the Christian faith.
If Jesus had only lived for us as a good example we would still be in our sin.
If Jesus had only died for us we would still be in our sin.  Jesus is risen from the dead!  

John 20:1-18 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.” 3 Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. 4 So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. 5 And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed. 9 For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went away again to their own homes.
11 But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13 Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” 14 Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him,[a] “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher).17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord,[b] and that He had spoken these things to her.

Observations From Interaction:
1. She Was A Finisher “…went to the tomb early, while it was still dark.” vs.1
She was ready to confront a stone and some soldiers. Finish even when it doesnʼt look like it is going your way.

2. She Was Comforted vs.15 “Woman, why are you weeping?”
In this whole process of cosmic redemption there is still time to minister to the needs of an individual.

3. She Was Challenged vs.15 “Whom are you seeking?”
What are you looking to achieve here today? Did you you come to meet with HIM!

4. She Was Identified “Mary!” vs.16
With an exclamation mark. God is personal. First name basis … intimate!

5. She Was Vindicated vs.17 “Donʼt cling to me.”
Your Alive!  Iʼm not letting you out of my sight.  My hopes are assured.   Everything is alright!!!

6. She Was Included vs.17  “My Father and your Father,…”
You are a child of God.  You really are.  This is all about restoring you to the family!

7. She Was Commissioned “…go to My brethren and say …” vs.17
When you encounter the risen saviour you must tell others.  

Closing Lessons:    God can do anything!     My past/sin is gone!        Gratitude positions you for favour!
Risen Saviour will never let you down!

HAPPY EASTER!!!

297 FACES Series# 3, Mary M, PowerPoint Slides

Podcast: Play in new window | Download