Good News for a Good News for a Grieving WorldGrieving World

Jn 20: 10-18Jn 20: 10-18

Mary is grief strickenMary is grief stricken(Everything is lost(Everything is lost!)!)

Delivered from 7 demonsDelivered from 7 demonsA woman in a world ruled by menA woman in a world ruled by menHe promised to be their “king” (no He promised to be their “king” (no more Roman rule)more Roman rule)He died a criminal’s ignominious He died a criminal’s ignominious deathdeathShe couldn’t even give him a proper She couldn’t even give him a proper burialburial

Now what?Now what?

Only a revelation of a living Jesus Only a revelation of a living Jesus could make everything right:could make everything right: A new & better relationship was now A new & better relationship was now

possiblepossible Evil does not ultimately winEvil does not ultimately win Christ is the answer to our tears over Christ is the answer to our tears over

deathdeath This world is not all there isThis world is not all there is

A new & better A new & better relationship (covenant)relationship (covenant)

Heb 9:15, 10:17 He is the mediator of a Heb 9:15, 10:17 He is the mediator of a new/better covenant…a promise of an new/better covenant…a promise of an eternal inheritanceeternal inheritanceEph 2:13-16 … (we were) once far off, but Eph 2:13-16 … (we were) once far off, but now brought near…now brought near…Rom 10:8 …Word is near you; in your Rom 10:8 …Word is near you; in your mouth/heartmouth/heartCol 1:13 He delivered us from darkness; Col 1:13 He delivered us from darkness; transferred us into the Kingdomtransferred us into the Kingdom

Evil does not win!Evil does not win!

1 Jn 3:8; 4:4 He came to destroy the works 1 Jn 3:8; 4:4 He came to destroy the works of the evil one; greater is He in me than he of the evil one; greater is He in me than he who is in the worldwho is in the world2 Cor 10:4 & 5 The weapons of our 2 Cor 10:4 & 5 The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty in HSwarfare are not carnal, but mighty in HSCol 2:15 He disarmed them, and made a Col 2:15 He disarmed them, and made a show of them openlyshow of them openlyJn 16:33 Be of good cheer; I have Jn 16:33 Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world (& the god of this overcome the world (& the god of this world!)world!)

Victory over death!Victory over death!

Rom 6: 23 Wages of sin is death, but Rom 6: 23 Wages of sin is death, but we have life eternal through Christwe have life eternal through Christ

Jn 8:51 If you keep my Word, you will Jn 8:51 If you keep my Word, you will not see deathnot see death

1 Cor 15:55 – Death, where is your 1 Cor 15:55 – Death, where is your sting!sting!

This world is not my This world is not my home!home!

Col 1:16; 3-1-3 He created the Col 1:16; 3-1-3 He created the heavens/earth – He is seated at the right heavens/earth – He is seated at the right hand of Father in heavenhand of Father in heavenEph 4: 9 & 10 He ascended far above…Eph 4: 9 & 10 He ascended far above…Jn 14:2 In my Father’s house…I go to Jn 14:2 In my Father’s house…I go to prepare a place for you & I will come back prepare a place for you & I will come back for youfor you2 Pet 3:12 & 13…and He will bring forth a 2 Pet 3:12 & 13…and He will bring forth a new heaven/new earthnew heaven/new earth

In the final analysis…In the final analysis…Yes, Jesus died for our sinsYes, Jesus died for our sinsYes, He rose & sealed our own Yes, He rose & sealed our own redemption, reconciliation to the Fr., redemption, reconciliation to the Fr., life eternallife eternalBUT eternal life begins when a lost, BUT eternal life begins when a lost, empty & grieving heart runs to empty empty & grieving heart runs to empty tomb and believes He is alive, tomb and believes He is alive, receives that lifereceives that life

The challenge…

The tomb is empty – Have you had The tomb is empty – Have you had an encounter with the Risen Jesus?an encounter with the Risen Jesus?

The encouragement…The encouragement…

Mt 28:6 – “He is risen as he said; Mt 28:6 – “He is risen as he said; Come, see!”Come, see!”

Jn 10:10 “I have come that you might Jn 10:10 “I have come that you might have life (eternal) and that more have life (eternal) and that more abundantly, abundantly, to the full, til it to the full, til it overflows” (Amp)overflows” (Amp)