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. 

 

A LIFE OF HONOR

 

A Sunday School teacher of pre-schoolers was concerned that his students might be a little confused about Jesus Christ because of the Christmas season emphasis on His birth. He wanted to make sure they understood that the birth of Jesus occurred for real.  He asked his class, "Where is Jesus today?"  Steven raised his hand and said, "He's in heaven."  Mary was called on and answered, "He's in my heart."  Little Johnny, waving his hand furiously, blurted out, "I know, I know! He's in our bathroom!!!"  The whole class got very quiet, looked at the teacher, and waited for a response. The teacher was completely at a loss for a few very long seconds. Finally, he gathered his wits and asked Little Johnny how he knew this.Little Johnny said, "Well... every morning, my father gets up, bangs on the bathroom door, and yells, 'Good Lord, are you still in there?!

 

Today we are looking at the last three qualities of John, who he was and these are qualities we need in or lives.  These last three are very important to recognize because they hit at the core of who we are in Christ and why some things happen we do not understand.

 

11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

 

1.      John first of all was honored by Jesus Christ.  Jesus called him the greatest of all who were born of all women.  Jesus honored John.  Honor comes when you honor the Lord.  Promotion comes when you are faithful in the small things.  Over the years people have asked me quite sincerely, “What do I get for serving the Lord.”  Peter asked the same question in Matt 19:27, some people have called this a silly question but I have a different view because if we are honest we have asked this question especially when tough times come.  So let me list you the rewards of serving the Lord.

a.       The Crown of Life is referred to in James 1:12 and Revelation 2:10; it is bestowed upon "those who persevere under trials."  Jesus references this crown when he tells the Church in Smyrna to "not be afraid of what you are about to suffer... Be faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

 

b.      The Incorruptible Crown is also known as the Imperishable Crown, and is referenced in 1 Corinthians 9:25.  It is therefore given to those individuals who demonstrate "self-denial and perseverance"

c.      The Crown of Righteousness is mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:8, and is promised to "those who love and anticipate" the Second Coming of Christ.  These Christians desire intimacy with God.

d.      The Crown of Glory is discussed in 1 Peter 5:4 and is granted to Christian clergy, who "shepherd the flock in unselfish love being a good example to others.

e.      The Crown of Rejoicing is also known as the Crown of Exultation, or Crown of Auxiliary.

 1 Thessalonians 2:19 and Philippians 4:1, it is given to people who engage in evangelism of those outside the Christian Church.

f.       There are the rewards to the overcomers in Rev 2-3

g.      The greatest reward is when you stand before Jesus and He says, “Well done good and faithful servant enter into my rest.”  You do not want to hear he say the other phrase.  “Depart from ne I never knew you.”  I like you want to be honored by Christ. 

 

2.      Did no miracles.  John did not do one miracle in his whole ministry.  He had disciples and they followed his example but he never did miracles.  He is called the greatest of prophets and yet he did no miracles.  Why am I making this point?  All we are called to do is be faithful.  John was not doing miracles because the miracle worker was coming right after him.  Now I have seen many miracles.  I have seen legs grow, ears and eyes open, people touch from all forms of afflictions.  I have seen provision and Household salvation.  If you have never seen any of this do not worry about it.  John was a great prophet, proclaimer of truth, messenger of God.  He was faithful to what he was called to do.  All God is looking for is faithfulness, obedience, endurance, persistence and commitment.  Billy Graham did not have miracles and was the greatest evangelist is the Western world.  Rhinehart Bonke was the most effective evangelist to Africa and saw many miracles.  There was a difference in calling emphasis and audience.   All we are called to do is reach our world.  To love, accept and forgive them.  So do what you are called to do, stand on the word, pray for people when the opportunity presents itself and leave the results to God.

              

3.      We faithful to the end.  Matt 14:10, John had made an enemy of Herodias and Herod because of their union.  It was not proper in Jewish law.  This made him an enemy of them and led to his imprisonment and death.  Herod’s daughter dance before Herod and her request for reward was the head of John the Baptist at the suggestion of Herodias.  The lesson we learn is the Lord is looking us to be faithful to the end.  There is no guarantee of the end result.  Jesus died on the cross.  All the disciples except John were martyred.  All God is looking for from us is that we end well.  Remember it is not how you start but how you end that matters.  You do not get the prize at the beginning of the race but the end.  You do not win the fight, war or prize until the end.  Now I have alluded already to what we will receive.  You have no control over how your life ends but you trust God that you have lived well.  Life is not a fairy tale with happily ever after.  Life is about living well and being faithful to the end.  We have an enemy who would love to rob, kill and destroy your calling and sidetrack your life.  He will use accusation, temptation and deception to make this happen.  You submit to God and he will have to flee.  You have the power in the name of Jesus to say no and defeat him.  Don’t let him, people or circumstances keep you from finishing well.  Living ready and being ready for the coming of the Lord is living well.  Ever since I have entered in this phase of my life I have been very pragmatic.  I know that life has no guarantee.  My birthday is this month and I will be 39 again.  Every funeral I perform or attend makes me aware of that.  In the news every day we read, hear or see people dying quickly and unexpectedly.  We all know people who have had their lives cut short.  I am not trying to be morbid and I want to make a point.  We must live ready, be faithful and obedient.  God is calling us to be faithful to the end and He will reward you.  Talk about my vision in heaven and the homecoming with Jesus. 

QUOTES FOR SEPT 13, 2026

 

NEW HOPE

 

Jeremiah 29:11

 

My exhortation for you in 2022 from the background of Jeremiah 29:11

 

     The background for this verse is Jeremiah sends a letter to the captives in Babylon. 

 

1.      He tells them to settle down, build houses and plant gardens.  Simply put occupy until Jesus comes.  Be a blessing in your community.  We are called to be light and salt.  We are to go into our world, preaching, living, loving the gospel through our words and actions.

2.      Marry, have family and increase in number.  It is okay to have family and procreate.  We are to use our time, talents, and resources for the Lord.  We are to be exhibit the fruit of the spirit and release the gifts of the Spirit.  We are called to be God consumed.  Prayer warriors, intercessors and fighters in the spiritual realm for the next generation.

3.      Pray and seek peace and prosperity in the city in which have been carried to.  When it is in peace and prosper so will you be.  We are to work that we can have enough for ourselves and others.  The blessing, prosperity, and peace of the Lord follow us.  When we live in a place it is blessed because of our presence.  Remember wherever we go that is our territory.  Our duty is to pray for the peace and prosperity of wherever we are and then do our part to make it happen.

4.      Don’t let false prophets and diviners lie to you.  Simple by their fruit you will know them.  They will promise and not deliver.  Their prophecies and predictions will be wrong.  They will speak what you want to hear not what you should hear.  They will not base their teaching on the word of God and if they do it will sound right but not be right.  We need to walk in discernment, knowledge, understanding and wisdom.  Learn to discern the times you live in. 

5.      They will be in Babylon for 70 years.  There is always a waiting period when God is about to do a work of healing, restoration, breakthrough, victory, and freedom.  You have to battle through.  Great victories are won in the heavenlies by the Lord before they manifest on earth.  Waiting requires faith, trust, obedience, faithfulness, prayer, the word, expectation, grace, love, thankfulness, and worship.  I love this praise.  When I am waiting for God to open a door I will praise Him in the hallway.

6.      The Lord promises to restore them and bring them back after the appointed time.  That is a powerful message of hope to the people.  Like Judah we are waiting.  Jesus has promised to come back.  Here are five things you must do while waiting for the promises of God and for Christ’s return.

 

a.      Keep on Praying.  Keep in touch with Him. Prayer is a form of connection and communication to God.

b.      Keep on Serving.  Even if how many times you fell down in serving God, God says CONTINUE the walk. Continue to run this race with joy in the heart.  Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.  Hebrews 10:25.  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

c.      Keep on Sowing.  While waiting on the Lord, keep on planting good deeds. At the end, you can get big reward in harvesting it.  Praying, going to church are some of the ways of planting..  Paul states in 1 Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”

d.      Keep on Believing.  It is hard to please God without Faith. Faith without action is absolutely dead. Faith is hoping for the things that are not seen.  Hebrews 11:6:  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for He that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

e.      Stay Active.  Be active in serving the Lord. Don't be passive. Get involved in a ministry.

 

 

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

 

1.      There are five things we learn from this verse for 2022.  First, God has a plan for us.  We have already revealed that plan in our previous verses.  So let’s get with the plan.    “A goal without a plan is just a wish.”  “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”   “Good planning without good working is nothing.”  “Plan your work and work your plan.”  The beautiful thing is we have the Bible, prayer, the Holy Spirit and each other.  To help fulfill the plan.

2.      He has plans to prosperity us.  Jesus came to give us life abundantly.  3 Jn 2 tells us health and prosperity begins from the inside out.  Prosperity in mind, will intellect and emotions.  Health in family and friends.

3.      God is not out to harm you.  Every lesson, trial, problem, testing, persecution, hurt, misunderstanding happens for a purpose.  To help us to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ and that all things work together for good.  The reality is God loves us to much to leave us the way we are.   Remember sorrow is for the night but joy comes in the morning.

4.      Plan to give us hope.  Hope believes you have a future.  Hope is based on faith in God’s love.  In the case of the Christian.  Hope is trust.  It is the expectation and desire that certain things will happen because of God’s word and promises.

5.      He has a plan for our future.  We have a future home, eternal life, to be with Jesus, family and friends who have gone on before.  A new body without pain or sickness.  The expectation of Christ’s coming.  An inheritance and legacy.  To reign and rule with him. 

 

God closes off this wonderful prophecy with a series of promises and our application and actions to this wonderful portion of scripture to which we will conclude with these.

 

1.      If we come, call and pray the Lord will listen.  Vs 12

2.      When you seek you will find the Lord with all your heart.  Vs 13

3.      I will be found of you and will bring you back from your place of captivity which the Lord allowed us to go.  Vs 14

 

I close with this story.  As Jesus went along, he saw a man blind from birth.  His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"  "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.

As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.

While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."  Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man's eyes.  "Go," he told him, "wash in the Pool of Siloam" (this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.

 

 

JESUS COMING OUT PARTY

 

Mark 1:4-11, John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” 

 

1.      So we have John the Baptist appearing in the wilderness.  He was preaching forgiveness of sin.  He was talking about am inward change of the heart.  Making a declaration of faith by believing what you hear and receiving salvation in the heart.  Then John used an old standard in the Jewish faith.  It was called the Tvilah and it was used to purify someone who had become ritually unclean.  John adopted baptism as the central sacrament in his messianic movement. 

 

a.      In the Christian faith this is the outward sign of what had happened in the heart.  It is the same

with us.  We are baptized in water as an outward sign of what has happened in our heart.  It is a declaration of our faith that we have forsaken the old life and are going to follow the Lord.  It is an identification, with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  

b.      John was preparing the people for the way of the Lord.  His job was to prepare the people for

the coming of the Messiah.  The people were getting pure for ready for the Messiah’s appearance.  In the same way we should keep ourselves pure, holy moment by moment for the coming of the Lord.  This is our reality, Jesus can come any moment .

c.      People were coming from the whole Judean countryside and Jerusalem.  They were going out

to be baptized by Him.  They were confessing their sins.  The Holy Spirit was doing a work of conviction and many thought that John was the Messiah.  He was even asked if he was.  He said he was the voice crying in the wilderness.  The fulfillment of an Old Testament prophecy.  Remember right from His birth John’s mission was clear. 

d.      The Spirit was getting people ready for the coming of Christ and He is doing the same no. Now John was clothed in a camel hair coat and wore a leather belt unusual attire.  He ate locust and wild honey.   He was a Elijah personality.  Black and white view of things.  He spoke straight and true.  He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” 

 

2.      He proclaimed that there is one coming after me who he was not worthy to untie his shoes.  John had a proper view of his role.  Remember John would say later that He must decrease and Christ must increase.  That is how we must operate.  We need to be like Jesus and want to do the will of our Father.

 

a.      John says, “I baptize you with water but He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit.”  What a promise

that is.  This is being fully immerse in the power, authority, enablement, wisdom, clarity, boldness, and anointing.  You will be possessed by Him.  You will be His temple or dwelling place.  You will receive gifts and fruit from Him.  You will be His vessel.  He will take what He hears and pass it on to you. 

b.      The Holy Spirit is your counselor, guide and friend.  He wants all of you.  Jesus stated in the upper room discourse that because He went away He would send the comforter.  When we are alone, afraid, uncertain, discouraged, frustrated, and overwhelmed, the Holy Spirit comes along to help.  Let Him do His work right now. 

 

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

 

3.      So John is baptizing people some 10 miles north of Jericho at Enon.  Jesus came from Nazareth some 50 miles north and was baptized by John.  Now we know from other gospels that John did not want to baptized Jesus but Jesus told him that it must be done to fulfill all things.  John had also called Jesus the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. 

 

a.      Now what happens after Jesus comes out of the water is significant.  First, the heavens open up

and the Spirit descends on Jesus in the form or like a dove.  Then the voice of heaven speaks and says, “This is my beloved Son in who I am well pleased.”

b.      This is a moment where trinity is revealed.  God is trinity and this is a physical manifestation of

this truth.  The gospels are clear on this.  Jesus was the physical embodiment of the Godhead.  He was 100% man and 100% God.  The perfect union of the divine and natural.  This was such a powerful moment.  Mark does not talk more about this because his gospel is one of action and written to the Roman.  Jesus in Mark’s gospel is a man of action, power and immediacy. 

c.      Jesus immediately after His baptism would be driven in the desert for 40 days and nights.  He would be tempted by the devil and win by using the word.  Through out this year we will be looking at the life of Christ and the lessons we can learn so let me leave you with some lessons we can learn.

 

Conclusion

 

1.      Know what we believe and why.  The two ordinances of the faith we practice are water baptism and the Lord’s Supper and why we practice them.

2.      We need to be preparing like John for the coming of Jesus which could be anytime.   We need to live ready.  We are to bring Christ into our world through telling and loving others.

3.      Be baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit.  Allow Him to empower, enable, and anoint you.  Let Him give you gifts and allow His fruit to develop in you.  Let Him guide and lead you.  You are His temple and with that comes purity and holiness.

4.      John saw the reality of God that day and we should be open to the reality of God working in our lives every day.  So count your blessings, be aware of the small miracles God does, be thankful, watch and pray.