GREAT LOVE

 

4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

 

1.      Paul is writing from prison and what I love about this book that even though he is in man’s prison Jesus Christ has set Him free.  In Vs 4, Paul says, “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy.”  Paul points out to incredible facts.  First, because of His great love for us.  God loves us.  We are His greatest creation, children and work of His hands.  We are created in His image.  His social, moral and spiritual image. 

 

a.      We have an ability to connect with God.  We have a body, soul and spirit.  A will, intellect and emotions.  We also have the capacity to receive and show love.  Love has been imprinted on our DNA.  We can respond and be healed by His love.  It is communicated to us and we can show and heal others through love.  We complete each other when we love in God’s love.  God loves us so completely we don’t need anything else.  God looks at us through rose colored glasses.  He looks at us through the blood of Jesus.  

b.      God is secondly, rich in mercy.  Mercy is leniency, clemency, compassion, grace, pity, and charity.  You have the power to judge and punish and instead you choose to pardon.  Jesus used the illustration of the man who owed a debt and was forgiven but chose not to forgive another.  God richness in mercy is beyond comparison and understanding.  Paul knew this.  He had experienced it first hand.   We have as well.  While we were yet sinners Christ for us.

 

2.      In Vs 5,  Paul says, “made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. “  We have been made alive.  Before we came to Christ we were dead in transgressions.  We were unaware, blind, unable to comprehend, or to receive,  We had no life.  We were the devil’s property and headed to a lost eternity separated from God and all that is good.  Sin is that part of us that wants control, to have freedom on our terms, to do what we want with no thought of consequences or actions.  Remember sin will make us do things we never thought we would do, take us places we never thought we would go and make us into something we never thought we would be.

 

a.      In the Bible transgression means, “ways that people betray or violate someone's trust.”  We violated God’s trust.  We didn’t just violate his trust.  We broke, smashed and destroyed His trust.  We could be trusted to do wrong and not right.  Today we see that which is bad is good and that which is good is bad.  We now know what happens when you take the bible and prayer out of schools. 

b.      Paul then states it is by grace you are saved.  We are all on a race but when you add God to the equation of life you add a g to race and you have grace.  God is God’s, riches, at Christ expense.  It is unmerited favor.  God’s love, mercy, compassion and leniency allows you to be saved.  When Jesus called Matthew from his tax collection booth that was grace. 

 

3.      In Vs 6, Paul says, 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.  We were in the mire and muck.  We were in shackles, chains and fetters.  We have been released and raised up.  We were sinners and now we are saints.  He raised us up from slave to son and daughter.  We were bound and now we are free.  We have been raised from the earthly realm and have been positioned in heavenly places.  We have a new destination.  We can see in the spiritual realm.  Our eyes, ears, mind and hearts have been opened.  We have a new position of authority, power, anointing and freedom.  We are above our enemy.  He has to come up to us we do not have to go down anymore.  We are the head not the tail and above not beneath.  We have been elevated, taken by the hand and placed in a position of authority in Christ.

 

4.      In Vs 7, Paul says, “in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.”  This was done in order for the coming ages.  Through all generations from the writing of this letter till now.  God would show his incomparable riches of His grace.  Grace is such an incomprehensible virtue.  It is love in action.  Grace is precious, priceless and beyond value.  It is beyond anything ever given.  Nothing in all the universe is close to its value.  It is intangible and spiritual in application.  God’s kindness, compassion, mercy and love came to us through Jesus Christ.  Jesus broken body, shed blood, death, burial and resurrection brought this about.  God shows expressed, exhibited this by giving us armor, weapons, anointing, empowerment, gift and fruit.  We have everything we need in and through Christ.  From one generation to the next this is available.  Until Jesus comes we will see this.  The church will never go out of style, fade or die.  The world has declared the church is dead and then God’s moves and once again the world is shown for the liar they are.  Remember we still have the promise of Joel 2:28.

 

5.      I love Vs 8-9 “. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.  not by works, so that no one can boast.  It is by grace and nothing else we have been saved.  It is our faith in the finished work of Christ.  What he did on the cross, in the grave and through the resurrection that we are saved.  We have escaped death, hell and the grave.  We have changed our eternal destination.  We are in the camp of God and not the enemy.  We trusted in a person who lived 2000 years ago, live 10000 miles away and who was a different ethnic background for our salvation. 

 

a.       This had nothing to do with our morals, good conduct, behavior, charity, works, philosophy religion or social standing.  We could do nothing to save ourselves.  Isaiah said our righteousness is as filthy rags.  Since the fall we have been trying to recapture paradise lost.  No amount of money, works or acts of kindness will do it.

b.      This is a gift of God.  Jesus is our gift.  He paid a debt he did not owe I owe a debt I could not pay.  It is a free gift but it cost God everything.  You can do nothing to earn it.  As a gift you just have to receive it to experience the full benefits.  You are drawing on the bank of heaven.  Receive it and be grateful.  Don’t try to add or subtract from it.  Just enjoy it and all the benefits it brings,

c.      This was a direct challenge to the Judiazers and the works people.  The cults do this.  They accept Jesus but then add their own version of works, writings, ceremonies, traditions or secret truth.   Paul says Jesus and Jesus alone.  Not circumcision, law, special revelation or truth.  This grace is because man always likes to take the credit.  No one can boast in a free gift. 

 

6.      Paul closes this paragraph with this thought in Vs 10, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”  You are God’s handiwork, not a product of evolution, a combination of chemicals or your great uncle is not a chimp.  God made you.  You have a purpose.  You were created in Christ Jesus.  You have a new role, destiny, dream, ambition, direction and purpose.  To do good works.  His works which God created in advance for us.  You stay on the path and road created you will not only find your purpose but fulfill it.  God has people, places, things and a will for you.  Your dreams, desires, and destiny is God.  That God shape vacuum will be filled.  The Bible is a compass, guidebook, instruction manual.  Prayer is our communication portal, telephone line and internet connection.  God has bigger plans, dreams and destiny than we ever could imagine.  Remember He do exceedingly, abundantly beyond we can ask or imagine.  It is all prepared in advance all we have to do is step into His plan and be amazed. 

quotes for sept 15, 2026

 

HE IS RISEN

 

When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint Jesus. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. They had been saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back.

 

Open with a seed.  Talk about how it just stays a seed until you plant it.

 

1.      Mark brings to our attention first the time when the women came to the tomb.  It was right after the Sabbath and early in the morning.  The reason they came was because it was forbidden to bury someone, to do this type of work and it just finished Passover the most important feast in the Jewish calendar. 

2.      Next, Mark tells us who the women were.  Mary Magdalene who Jesus cast out demons from.  Mary the mother of James one of Jesus disciples and Joseph.  James is often called the younger and is not the John’s brother.  Salome was wife of Cleopas who was actually the steward of Herod and sister of the mother of James and John.  She actually provided for Jesus and his disciples during their ministry. 

3.      They went their early to anoint Jesus body with spices a tradition done by loved ones.  It was an act of love, honor and devotion.  They were also being practical they knew that Jesus died so close to the Sabbath he had not been buried properly.  They did not know that Joseph and Nicodemus had already done this.  In John gospel Jesus was anointed with 70 pound of spices.   

4.      It was the first day of the week which we know is Sunday.  The sun had risen and they went to the tomb.  As they were walking they had a conversation talking about whom would roll the stone away from the tomb.  It was very heavy scholars say several hundred pounds.  These ladies they knew they could not do it. 

5.      From this account we know that Jesus rose from the dead before dawn on Sunday and from the Gospel of John.   We know that from Matt 28, that there was an earthquake, an angel rolled back the stone and the guards watching over the tomb came like dead men.   When they got there they saw had been rolled away.  The stone was very large and it had already been rolled back. Now from this narrative we know that the stone was round.  Now when they arrived the chaotic scene earlier was over and all was quiet.  The guards had left and went to report what had happened.

6.       From all the gospels let me reconstruct the resurrection moment.  The angel comes down, rolls the stone away.  The guards become like dead men.  Jesus rises removes his grave clothes, leaves them and the napkin that was covering his head but from the gospels it never says that Jesus actually walked out of the tomb.  The guards run away back to the officials to tell them what happens.  Then the women arrive.

7.      I want to leave you with a thought here.  In Jesus’ resurrected body time and space, matter and motion no longer apply.  He can be anyplace or time he wishes.  Also He has a body of flesh and bones.  You say how does this matter to us?  We will have the same body when we are raptured or when the rapture happens.  Our bodies at that time put off corruption and put on incorruption.  We will put off mortality and put on immortality.  Also in that moment our bodies of flesh and blood will become bodies of flesh and bones with resurrection power coursing through us.  No more getting old, sickness, pain or sorrow

 

 

 

 

 

As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.” So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

 

1.      So they enter the tomb.  The tomb was big enough for house all the woman.  They saw a young man dressed in a white robe.  To them he was a young man.  Angels can appear in many forms.  He appeared in such a manner to not completely overwhelm, them.  His attire was white which is of course purity, holiness and righteousness.  Was he the same angel that moved the stone We do not know? 

2.      Now he was sitting on the right side which in biblical terms means he was sitting in a place of power, authority, might and dominion.  Now why were they alarmed.  First, the tomb was empty what did this mean.  Secondly, where is the body of Jesus.  Dead people just don’t get up and walk away.  So in their mind who stole His body.  That question was actually asked in another gospel.  Thirdly who is this guy and why is he sitting in the tomb.  They were alarmed, afraid confused and I would even say angry. 

3.      He then speaks and tells them not to be alarmed.  God always calms our fears, brings clarity to our confusion, answers to our questions and wisdom to our worry.  In the Bible as I have said before there are 365 do not fear or similar sayings.  One for each day of the year. 

4.      He then says five things for them and us to consider.

 

a.      You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth.  That is why they were there.  In Hebrew greetings.  You would either be identified by your name and family or by your name and where you were from.  Now also Mark is written to a Roman audience and to them this was important.  A roman audience would want to know this.  Remember Jesus had told them He would rise but up to this moment He was Jesus from Nazareth.  Their whole understanding of Jesus was about to change.  Their world was about to be rocked to its core.

b.      Jesus was crucified.  This reminds them of what had happened, why they were there and how his body was broken and His blood shed.  A vivid picture probably popped into their minds.  His crucifixion was essential because by his stripes we are healed and by His blood of salvation is claimed.  Good Friday reminds us about this.  Good Friday was the blackest day in human history.  Our sin put Jesus on the cross. 

c.      He has been raised.  Rom 8:11, that same Spirit who raised Christ from the dead dwells in us.  He was raised by the Holy Spirit and the power of God.  So briefly I am going to give ten reasons why the resurrection is important. 

 

1.      The resurrection of Jesus Christ means that we are justified before God.

2.      The resurrection of Jesus Christ shows that Jesus defeated death.

3.      The resurrection of Jesus Christ means that believers are united with Christ.

4.      The resurrection of Jesus Christ confirms the truth of Scripture.

5.      The resurrection of Jesus Christ proves the gospel to be true.

6.      The resurrection of Jesus Christ proves that Jesus is the Son of God.

7.      The resurrection of Jesus Christ means that the Holy Spirit will be poured out into the hearts of those who believe.

8.      The resurrection of Jesus Christ gives Christians a living hope.

9.      The resurrection of Jesus Christ means that we will be raised like him.

10.   The resurrection of Jesus Christ means that Christ will judge the world in righteousness.

 

d.      He is not here.  Folks the tomb is empty.  All the other founders of religions have tombs and places where they are buried.  Like them their religions are dead.  The tomb is empty and our faith is alive,  That is shouting ground.  Wave your bulletin and say Amen,  Gordon’s tomb and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre are empty.  Jesus is alive.  He’s alive and I forgiven, beavens gates are open wide.

e.      See the place where they laid Him.  They were to be witnesses of what had happened.  They saw with their own eyes.  Jesus was not there.  They were told why and how it had happened.  This is tangible and indisputable proof.  This was Jewish law which stated that by two or three witnesses truth and proof was established.  This was incontestable proof.  No court of law would be able to dispute this.

 

5.      They were told to do four things.  First go and tell the disciples and Peter.  Why Peter because Mark was a disciple of Peter and Peter was his mentor, role model and spiritual leader.  Secondly, Jesus would be Galilee.  So they had a little trip ahead of them.  Thirdly, you will see Him.  Jesus would later show Himself for 40 days that he was alive. Lastly, all just as He said he would.  This young man was reminding them of what they had already been told.  They were given instruction to relay to the others.

6.      They have a threefold reaction.  They went out of the tomb and fled.  They ran.  It was not a slow exit.  They booked it.  Next, they were afraid and amazed.  I think this phrase was an understatement.  They had seen something no one had even seen before.  This was a supernatural encounter.  They may have been screaming.  Frightened to their very core and being.  Yet amazed at what had just happened.  Put yourself in their place what would you have done.  Lastly, they said nothing because they were afraid.  How do you explain something like this.  Well we know from other gospels they did tell the disciples.  Peter and John went to the tomb and there were other events that day but we know that what happened that day.

7.      I want to leave you with three reflective thoughts.  First, Jesus is alive, this means because he lives so do we with eternal and abundant life.  Secondly, take time today and sometime this day just say thank you.  Lastly, tell someone, do the great commission and love someone show the great commandment. 

TELL OTHERS

 

When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint Jesus. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. They had been saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back.

 

 

1.      Mark brings to our attention first the time when the women came to the tomb.  It was right after the Sabbath and early in the morning.  The reason they came was because it was forbidden to bury someone, to do this type of work and it just finished Passover the most important feast in the Jewish calendar. 

2.      Next, Mark tells us who the women were.  Mary Magdalene, who Jesus cast out demons from.  Mary the mother of James, one of Jesus disciples and Joseph.  James is often called the younger and is not the John’s brother.  Salome was wife of Cleopas who was actually the steward of Herod and sister of the mother of James and John.  She actually provided for Jesus and his disciples during their ministry. 

3.      They went their early to anoint Jesus body with spices a tradition done by loved ones.  It was an act of love, honor and devotion.  They were also being practical they knew that Jesus died so close to the Sabbath he had not been buried properly.  They did not know that Joseph and Nicodemus had already done this.  In John gospel Jesus was anointed with 70 pound of spices.

4.      It was the first day of the week which we know is Sunday.  The sun had risen and they went to the tomb.   From this account we know that Jesus rose from the dead before dawn on Sunday and from the Gospel of John.   We know that from Matt 28, that there was an earthquake, an angel rolled back the stone and the guards watching over the tomb came like dead men.   When they got there they saw had been rolled away.  The stone was very large and it had already been rolled back. Now from this narrative we know

        the stone was round.

 

As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.” So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

 

1.      So they enter the tomb.  The tomb was big enough for house all the woman.  They saw a young man dressed in a white robe.  His attire was white which is of course purity, holiness and righteousness. 

2.      Now he was sitting on the right side which in biblical terms means he was sitting in a place of power, authority, might and dominion.  Now why were they alarmed?  First, the tomb was empty what did this mean.  Secondly, where is the body of Jesus?  Dead people just don’t get up and walk away.  So in their mind who stole His body?  That question was actually asked in another gospel.  Thirdly, who is this guy and why is he sitting in the tomb.  They were alarmed, afraid confused and angry. 

3.      He then speaks and tells them not to be alarmed.  God always calms our fears, brings clarity to our confusion, answers to our questions and wisdom to our worry. 

4.      He then says five things for them and us to consider.

 

a.      You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth.  In Hebrew greetings.  You would either be identified by your name and family or by your name and where you were from.  Now also Mark is written to a Roman audience and to them this was important.  A Roman audience would want to know this.  Remember Jesus had told them He would rise but up to this moment He was Jesus from Nazareth. 

b.      Jesus was crucified.  This reminds them of what had happened, why they were there and how His body was broken and His blood shed.  His crucifixion was essential because by His stripes we are healed and by His blood of salvation is claimed

c.       He has been raised.  IN Rom 8:11, that same Spirit who raised Christ from the dead dwells in us.  He was raised by the Holy Spirit and the power of God. 

 

D.     Ten reasons why the resurrection is important. 

 

1.      The resurrection of Jesus Christ means that we are justified before God.

2.      The resurrection of Jesus Christ shows that Jesus defeated death.

3.      The resurrection of Jesus Christ means that believers are united with Christ.

4.      The resurrection of Jesus Christ confirms the truth of Scripture.

5.      The resurrection of Jesus Christ proves the gospel to be true.

6.      The resurrection of Jesus Christ proves that Jesus is the Son of God.

7.      The resurrection of Jesus Christ means that the Holy Spirit will be poured out into the hearts of those who believe.

8.      The resurrection of Jesus Christ gives Christians a living hope.

9.      The resurrection of Jesus Christ means that we will be raised like him.

10.   The resurrection of Jesus Christ means that Christ will judge the world in righteousness.

 

E.      He is not here.  The tomb is empty and our faith is alive, 

F.      See the place where they laid Him.  They were to be witnesses of what had happened.  They saw with their own eyes.  Jesus was not there.  They were told why and how it had happened.  This is tangible and indisputable proof.  This was Jewish law which stated that by two or three witnesses, truth and proof was established.  This was incontestable proof.  No court of law would be able to dispute this.

 

5.      They were told to do four things.  First, go and tell the disciples and Peter.  Why Peter because Mark was a disciple of Peter and Peter was his mentor, role model and spiritual leader.  Secondly, Jesus said he would be in Galilee.  Thirdly, you will see Him.  Jesus would later show Himself for 40 days that he was alive. Lastly, all just as He said he would.   They were given instruction to relay to the others.

6.      They have a threefold reaction.  They went out of the tomb and fled.  Next, they were afraid and amazed.  They had seen something no one had even seen before.  This was a supernatural encounter.  They were frightened to their very core and being.  Yet amazed at what had just happened.  Lastly, they said nothing because they were afraid.  How do you explain something like this?  Well we know from other gospels they did tell the disciples.  Peter and John went to the tomb and there were other events that day but we know that what happened that day.

7.      I want to leave you with three reflective thoughts.  First, Jesus is alive, this means because he lives so do we with eternal and abundant life.  Secondly, take time today and sometime this day just say thank you.  Lastly, tell someone, do the great commission and love someone show the great commandment.