Funeral [ ] 12/18/1998 #209
SEEING JESUS THROUGH OUR TEARS
John 20:11-17
INTRODUCTION: Jesus had been crucified. His disciples and followers were devastated. One of His followers was Mary Magdalene. She had gone to the tomb early that Sunday morning to embalm the body of Jesus. She wept as she stooped to look into the empty tomb. Jesus was alive but grief had blinded Mary from seeing Him. Her eyes were filled with tears. Darkness had flooded her life. Her heart was broken over the death of Jesus.
I. MARY'S LOST
A. THE DEATH OF JESUS WAS A GREAT LOST TO MARY.
1. Jesus had delivered Mary from seven demons.
2. Mary had ministered to the Jesus and disciples.
B. MARY THOUGHT SOMEONE HAD TAKEN THE BODY OF JESUS.
C. MARY HAD FAITH IN JESUS AS THE PROMISED MESSIAH.
II. MARY'S LOVE
A. MARY HAD A DEEP GENUINE LOVE FOR JESUS.
B. MARY WAS PRESENT AT THE CRUCIFIXION AND THE FIRST TO THE TOMB ON SUNDAY MORNING.
III. MARY'S LORD
A. JESUS HAD RISEN FROM THE DEAD.
1. Jesus presence brought joy to Mary.
2. "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning."
(Ps. 30:5)
B. JESUS WAS THERE TO COMFORT MARY.
1. Jesus will be with you.
"I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you. (Jn. 14:18
2. Jesus will help you.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (Ps. 46:1)
3. Jesus will comfort you.
He is "the God of all comfort, Who comforteth us in all our tribulation."
(2 Cor. 1:3 & 4)
4. Jesus will speak to you.
"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them." (Jn. 10:27)
There is a place of comfort sweet, Near to the heart of God
A place where we our Savior meet, Near to the heart of God.
IV. WORD TO THE LOST
A. LIFE IS SHORT.
Job said: "My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle." (Job 7:6)
B. DEATH IS CERTAIN.
"What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death?" (Ps. 89:48)
A time to be born, and a time to die. (Ecc. 3:2)
C. NEW BIRTH IS A MUST.
"Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (Jn. 3:3)
If any man be in Christ, he is a new creation, old things are
passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Cor. 5:17)
D. JESUS IS THE ONLY SAVIOR.
I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh untothe Father, but by me. (Jn. 14:6)