OPENING SCRIPTURE:

“Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. HE ISN’T HERE! HE IS RISEN FROM THE DEAD, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.” (Matthew 28: 5-7 NLT)

The evidence of the empty tomb turned their fear into faith.

The empty tomb: our past is not final, our pain is not wasted, our story is not over.

For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through him God RECONCILED EVERYTHING TO HIMSELF. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of CHRIST’S BLOOD ON THE CROSS. (Colossians 1:19-22 NLT)

• Reconcile: bring into harmony or agreement.
• This harmony can only exist because of the blood of Christ.

This includes YOU who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. Yet NOW he has RECONCILED you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into HIS OWN PRESENCE, and you are HOLY and BLAMELESS as you stand before him WITHOUT A SINGLE FAULT. (Colossians 1:21-22 NLT)

• The true message of redemption.
• The Cross- The Blood- The Empty Tomb!

#1: The Empty Tomb Means Sin is Defeated

We are sure of this because CHRIST WAS RAISED FROM THE DEAD, and HE WILL NEVER DIE AGAIN. DEATH NO LONGER HAS ANY POWER OVER HIM. When he died, HE DIED ONCE TO BREAK THE POWER OF SIN. (Romans 6:9-10 NLT)

The power of sin was broken at the cross- the empty tomb today confirms it!

You can read Colossians Chapter 1with full conviction: In HIS PRESENCE we are HOLY and BLAMELESS, WITHOUT A SINGLE FAULT!

God made YOU ALIVE WITH CHRIST, for he FORGAVE ALL OUR SINS. HE CANCELED THE RECORD OF THE CHARGES AGAINST US and took it away by NAILING IT TO THE CROSS. (Colossians 2:13-14 NLT)

The cross did it and the empty tomb confirms it!

#2: The Empty Tomb Means Death is Not The End

Jesus said to her, “I am THE RESURRECTION and THE LIFE. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die (John 11:25 NIV)

• The same Jesus who pulled Lazarus from the tomb would one day walk out of his own tomb.

Physical death is not the end of your story. Life in Christ continues beyond the grave.

#3: The Empty Tomb Means New Life is Available Now

THE SPIRIT OF GOD, WHO RAISED JESUS FROM THE DEAD, LIVES IN YOU. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by THIS SAME SPIRIT LIVING WITHIN YOU. (Romans 8:11 NLT)

• It is the same Holy Spirit that reminds you that in HIS PRESENCE …you are HOLY and BLAMELESS…WITHOUT A SINGLE FAULT.

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become A NEW PERSON. The old life is gone; A NEW LIFE HAS BEGUN! (2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT)

• The old is gone. Not hidden, Not on hold. Gone!
• This new life begins today!

CONCLUSION

What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through this message?