Historical Posts
Proverbs 12:5-6 – Thoughts of Righteous and Wicked – Audio
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Text: Proverbs 12:5-6: “The thoughts of the righteous are right, but the counsels of the wicked are deceitful. The words of the wicked are, “Lie in wait for blood,” but the mouth of the upright will deliver them.”
Thoughts are revealed, not hidden. Are they righteous or wicked?
Sometimes we think before we speak (or so we should); other times words just roll off of our tongues. Based upon what we say, others can tell if we are righteous or wicked. See where your words fall and what they reveal of the thoughts that in your mind.
I. What are the thoughts of the righteous (Philippians 4:8)?
A. Whatever things are true
B. Whatever things are noble
C. Whatever things are just
D. Whatever things are pure
E. Whatever things are lovely
F. Whatever things are of good report
II. What are the counsels of the wicked?
A. Every thought of man’s heart was only evil continually (Genesis 6:5).
B. The imagination of his heart was evil from his youth (Genesis 8:21).
C. They lie in wait to shed blood, lurking secretly for the innocent without a cause (Proverbs 1:10-11).
III. What are the words of the wicked?
A. “Lie in wait for blood (Proverbs 12:6).”
B. The LORD hates hands that have shed innocent blood (Proverbs 6:16-19).
IV. What does the mouth of the upright do?
A. It delivers them (Proverbs 12:6).
B. Jesus prayed, “And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one (Matthew 6:13).”
Wicked individuals think wicked thoughts and say wicked things, leading to wicked actions. Righteous individuals think good thoughts, say good things, and do good deeds. The wicked will enter eternal destruction (Revelation 21:8), while the righteous will enter into eternal life (Matthew 25:46).
What are we thinking, saying, and doing? Where will we spend eternity? Is change needed? Start by aligning your thoughts with God’s Word, then accept His salvation.
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Thoughts and Words
Your Thoughts and Words are Important
It is advisable to “think before you speak.” Many times things have been said without forethought, causing ill will between parties. However, if we just stop for a moment before speaking, we would bring our thoughts and words under control and “let no corrupt word proceed out of our mouths, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers (Ephesians 4:29).” Thoughts and words will show. If we think good thoughts, good words should follow.
Evil Thoughts and Words Destroyed Them
The wise man wrote, “The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD, but the words of the pure are pleasant (Proverbs 15:26).” A good example of thoughts and words comes from the world in the days of Noah. Every intent of man’s heart was only evil continually (Genesis 6:5), and God destroyed them from the earth. Yes, a heart that devises wicked plans is hated by the LORD (Proverbs 6:16-18).
The Bible is God’s Thoughts and Words
On the other hand, good thoughts produce good words! David wrote, “The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom, and his tongue talks of justice (Psalm 37:30).” Those who seek to follow God and study His word know what to say. God knows all, and tells us all we need to know through His word. By studying it, we learn that justice will be served at the end of time; those who are faithful to Him enter into life, while those who are not enter into damnation.
Happy Thoughts and Good Words
Let us dwell on happy thoughts, and speak words of comfort to a lost world. Through Jesus Christ, there is hope of eternal salvation!
Words of a Dying Man
The words of a dying man are very moving.
His words could be of great wisdom and value to those who are willing to listen. Perhaps a hidden secret is revealed; a timeless truth is given; advice is hoped to be taken and used. In some cases, a request is made.
As Jesus was crucified, He said: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do (Luke 23:34).” Imagine that the very ones that put Him on the cross are the very ones He was willing to forgive. They did not know what they were really doing, but Jesus did! He died for them so that their sins might be taken away.
After Jesus was risen, He commanded His apostles to preach the gospel throughout the world (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16). Sometimes that gospel was given, but it was not well received. Stephen quickly learned this as those from the Synagogue of the Freedmen disputed with him, leading to his stoning. As he knew he was a dying man, he cried: “Lord, do not charge them with this sin (Acts 7:60).” Imagine that! Just like Jesus, Stephen was willing to forgive them for what they were doing!
Yes, other last words may be those of forgiveness. After all, Jesus wants to love and forgive others. He said, “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you (Matthew 5:44).”
Sometimes we need to seek forgiveness for ourselves or forgive others. Sometimes we need to give others a blessing. Sometimes we need to do good for people. Sometimes we need to pray. Take action now. Don’t wait until it’s too late! Don’t wait until you are a dying man to save yourself and forgive others.
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
By Thy Words
“For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned” (Matthew 12:37).
You can tell an awful lot about people just by listening to them talk for a few minutes. Consider thy words. What comes out of a man’s mouth will reveal what is in his heart (Matthew 12:34-35).
Words have unbelievable power. Solomon warned: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21). James wrote: “The tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth. And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity“(James 3:5,6).
Christianity demands that we bridle our tongue (James 1:26). The Bible is clear!
- “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers” (Ephesians 4:29)
- “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man” (Colossians 4:6)
- “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor” (Ephesians 4:25)
Consider thy words and ask three questions before speaking.
- Are the words kind?
- Are they pure?
- Are they true?
If our speech doesn’t pass all three tests then we should be silent. “He that keepeth his words keepeth his life” (Proverbs 13:3).
The way we say something is every bit as important as what we say. This is especially true when tempers flare. “A soft answer turneth away wrath” (Proverbs 15:1). And, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver” (Proverbs 25:11).
Our words do reveal the content of our heart. Gossip, lying, profanity, and vulgarity all are symptoms of a diseased heart.
If we are not careful our words may come back to haunt us. “Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned” (Matthew 12:36-37).
Therefore, “Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (James 1:19).
Words – audio
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
As a preacher and as human being, I use a lot of words.
That’s probably part of the reason this passage has puzzled – and scared – me. Maybe it’s bothered you a little as well.
But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the Day of Judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned – Matthew 12:36–37
I’m pretty sure I use quite a few “careless” words, probably every day. Don’t you?
Maybe an off-handed remark to your spouse or child, perhaps an off-the-cuff comment to a co-worker. Some of our words are carefully thought out, while many, probably most, aren’t. What does Jesus mean?
Did he intend to imply that our innocent small talk is wrong, like when we’re talking about last night’s rain or next week’s game? I don’t think so. It helps to read what the Lord said just before:
Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things – Matthew 12:33–35
Jesus is saying that our words matter because they reflect our hearts. Good people say good things, while bad hearts produce evil speech.
There’s an important implication here: we learn more about our hearts from what we say without thinking than we do by looking at our carefully rehearsed speech. This means that you’d learn more about who I really am by hearing how I speak to people conversationally than you do by listening to this invitation. I’ve reworked the words on this page several times, but my “careless” words—the ones I use in normal conversation—more likely reflect the real me.
What about you? Are your words too critical? Do they build up or tear down? Are they positive or negative?
Our words matter, but mostly because they say something about our hearts. We don’t really fix our speech by learning to speak more nicely and be more honest. Our speech gets fixed when our hearts grow closer to Jesus.
God cares more about what’s inside us than he does about what comes out of us.
So we need to work on our hearts by spending time with the Lord. Loving him more, praising him more, wanting to please him more.
What Jesus said should cause us to think before we speak, but it should especially cause us to ask him to take control of our hearts. That’s where the words, good or bad, come from.
As Good As His Word
Do not swear at all.
Jesus taught, “…you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.’ But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ be ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one” (Matthew 5:33-37).
Oaths were common in our Lord’s day.
So common were oaths that they had become worthless. Two serious problems arose in connections with them. First, there was the practice of frivolous oaths. They were used for the most insignificant matters, and therefore became meaningless. Then there was the more dangerous practice of deceptive oaths. The Pharisees (a leading Jewish sect) were especially gifted in their use. Jesus strongly condemned them for their deception (Matthew 23:16-22).
Jesus’ disciples were not to use oaths.
He expected them to always be true to their word. Christians tell the truth, keep their word, and honor their promises. When they say “Yes,” they mean “Yes,” and when they say “No,” they mean “No.” A man is, after all, only as good as his word!
Here is a message our world desperately needs. Speak the truth!
Honor your word! Do what you say! There is not a segment of society which does not need to be reminded of this. Politicians, preachers, and people from all walks of life need to rediscover the importance and power of the simple truth.
Reputation is destroyed by being loose with the truth
Many a man’s reputation has been destroyed because he was loose with the truth and unwilling to keep his word. Often, financial or material gain is the motive for such deception. But, remember the words of Solomon, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold” (Proverbs 22:1).
Are you interested in developing a good reputation?
No man can have a good name if he is not true to his words!
— Roger
James 03:01-12 Let Not Many Become Teachers – audio
Old - G E L N D J J R 1S 2S 1K 2K 1C 2C E N E J P P E S I J L E D H J A O J M N H Z H Z MNew - M M L J A R 1C 2C G E P C 1Th 2Th 1T 2T T P H J 1P 2P 1J 2J 3J J R - Topical - All - Archive
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Text: James 3:1-12
Introduction
1. In our study of “The Epistle Of James”, we now come to the third chapter
2. In James 3:1-12, we find:
a. A WARNING against too many becoming teachers – James 3:1-2
b. A DISCUSION of the untamable tongue – James 3:3-12
3. In a time where “verbal abuse” is often epidemic, and where “self- proclaimed teachers” engage in all sorts of heated religious discussions, there is much we can learn from this passage
Body
I. THE “WARNING” (James 3:1-2)
A. “LET NOT MANY OF YOU BECOME TEACHERS”
1. Note carefully:
a. James does not say, “Let not many of you BE teachers”
b. But rather, “Let not many of you BECOME teachers”
2. This passage is not just a rebuke of those who try to BE teachers before they are ready, but a warning that many should not ever BECOME teachers in the future!
3. It is a mistake to believe that EVERYONE should become a teacher at some point in their service to Christ!
a. Paul illustrated time and again that the body of Christ has many members, and not all members do not have the same function!
1) To the saints at Rome – Romans 12:3-8
2) To the church at Corinth – 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 (Note esp. verse 29, where Paul with a rhetorical question implies that not all are to be teachers)
b. Peter likewise taught that God’s grace toward is “manifold” and that we should exercise our respective abilities accordingly – 1 Peter 4:10-11
4. In view of what Paul, Peter, and James wrote, we should be careful before we apply Hebrews 5:12-14 to mean that EVERYONE should one day be teachers (The author of Hebrews may have been writing to a select audience, whom he knew ought to have been teachers)
B. WHY MANY SHOULD NOT BECOME TEACHERS
1. Teachers shall receive “a stricter judgment”
a. There is a grave responsibility involved in teaching others
b. We can lead people to TRUTH – but we just as easily lead them to ERROR!
c. Just as with elders (Hebrews 13:17), those who teach will be held accountable if they mislead others!
2. Because we all “stumble in many things” – James 3:2
a. Everyone has faults, and with many people the improper use of the tongue is a major one
b. But it takes spiritual maturity (“a perfect man”) not to stumble in word!
II. THE “DISCOURSE” ON THE UNTAMABLE TONGUE (James 3:3-12)
A. THE ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE BIT AND RUDDER (James 3:3-4)
1. Both illustrations are used to demonstrate that a small member (Like the tongue) can control the body
a. A bit controls a horse – James 3:3
b. A rudder controls the ship – James 3:4
2. So our tongue controls the body
a. If you speak a lie, it won’t be long before you find yourself living a lie
b. If you speak suggestively in an immoral manner, it won’t be long before you begin acting immorally!
3. The power of the tongue to direct is easily applied to the dangers of teaching
a. The teacher’s speech can easily set the mood of the class or congregation
b. He can easily direct the congregation in an uplifting way, or just as easily direct the congregation in a discouraging way
4. Should not this power to direct via the tongue humble those who teach, and caution the spiritually immature?
B. THE ILLUSTRATION OF A LITTLE FIRE (James 3:5-6)
1. A small fire can easily cause great destruction (Remember the Great Chicago Fire?)
2. So it is with the tongue!
a. A loose tongue can ruin one’s reputation
b. It can also destroy churches, families, friendships
3. In describing an uncontrolled tongue, James uses very vivid terms to make his point: The tongue is:
a. A fire
b. A world of iniquity
c. So set among our bodies that it defiles the whole body
d. That which sets on fire the course of nature
e. That which is itself set on fire by hell!
4. Should not this power to destroy and defile both ourselves and others caution us in becoming teachers?
C. THE DIFFICULTY OF TAMING THE TONGUE (James 3:7-12)
1. Despite being able to tame wild animals, man is unable to tame the tongue!
a. It is an unruly evil!
b. It is full of deadly poison!
2. I understand James to be somewhat hyperbolic here for the sake of emphasis
a. It is true that no MAN (By himself) can tame the tongue
b. But with GOD’S help, we can tame it (As David prayed in Psalm 141:3)
c. And with GOD’S help, we MUST tame it – Ephesians 4:29-30; Colossians 4:6
3. As a further example of how difficult it is to tame the tongue, James uses a very common (And relevant) problem
a. Blessing God and cursing men – James 3:9
b. Something we are very likely to do, especially on Sundays
1) We spend time in worship, blessing God
2) But in driving home, we might curse men (Other drivers who pull out in front of us)
c. Racists and bigots are often guilty of “blessing God and cursing men”!
4. But with the illustrations of a spring, a fig tree and a grapevine, James shows the inconsistency of this!
a. What comes forth is a true indication of what is inside
b. Just as Jesus taught in Mark 7:20-23
c. Despite all the praises we offer God, it is the curses against man that reveals the true person inside!
Conclusion
1. Again, these examples of the misuse of the tongue should humble and caution all those who would become teachers
2. But they should also serve as a warning for us all, whether we teach or not, that we need to seek God’s help in controlling the tongue!
3. May David’s prayer be our own: Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer – Psalms 19:14
James 03:07-10 Adult Language – audio
Old - G E L N D J J R 1S 2S 1K 2K 1C 2C E N E J P P E S I J L E D H J A O J M N H Z H Z MNew - M M L J A R 1C 2C G E P C 1Th 2Th 1T 2T T P H J 1P 2P 1J 2J 3J J R - Topical - All - Archive
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Text: James 3:7-10
Introduction
-
Recently, purely by coincidence, we have heard several sermons on the uses of the tongue.
-
We’ve talked about:
- Gossip.
- Confession.
- And blasphemy.
-
We need to be exceedingly careful with how and what we say.
-
One way that we can permanently damage our influence on others is to speak in a way not befitting Christ.
-
Today, let’s study together about the topic of profanity.
Body
-
A DEFINITION.
-
Profanity – Blasphemous or obscene language.
- Blasphemous – hurtful speech.
- Obscene – offensive or disgusting by accepted standards of morality and decency.
-
Profane – A person or behavior that is irreverent. To treat with irreverence or disrespect.
- Irreverent – Showing a lack of respect for people or things that are generally taken seriously.
-
Profanity proceeds from a profane person.
- As Christians we are to be reverent (Show proper respect) to God and His word.
- A Christian who continually uses profanity (Which is in contradiction to God’s word), is thus showing a lack of respect for things which God takes seriously.
-
-
PROFANITY AND THE BIBLE.
-
Why doesn’t the Bible give us a list of bad words?
- Some feel that the only type of language that is forbidden is language that profanes God’s name.
-
The Bible does not give a detailed list of words that are considered profanity. Why?
- Words come and go. Some words are curse words today which were not curse words many years ago. There are some words in the KJV that are considered profanity today.
- This hypothetical list would need to be updated about every decade.
- To give a list of words, the Bible would have to give the list in every spoken language in the world.
- If we are honest, we know which words are curse words.
- Even though the Bible doesn’t give us a precise list, it does give us definite principles to use.
-
Filthy language.
-
Ephesians 5:4. Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
- “Filthiness” – obscenity. Filthy talking.
- This is talking about language that is offensive, disgusting, and irreverent.
- Colossians 3:8. But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.
-
-
Lewd language. 2 Peter 2:18. For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error.
-
Corrupt language. Ephesians 4:29. Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
-
An important note:
- One need not use “cuss words” in order for their language to be classified as filthy.
- It is completely possible for our language to be profane without using one single word that we consider to be a “cuss word.”
- We must be careful about the content of what we say as well as the word choice. Both are important.
-
-
PROFANING GOD’S NAME.
-
Another type of profanity (Blasphemous language) is profaning the name of God.
- Remember, to profane something is to treat it with irreverence or disrespect.
- It is to take that which is holy and use it in a worldly way.
- The phrase, “Oh my God!” / “God!” / “Jesus Christ!” is using God’s name in such a way.
-
God has always demanded respect for His name.
-
Exodus 20:7. You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.
- Vain – when used as an adverb (Which it is here), it means false.
- Therefore, this is referring to using God’s name in a falsehood. “Swearing to God.”
- Using God’s name in this way is irreverent.
-
Leviticus 18:21. And you shall not let any of your descendants pass through the fire to Molech, nor shall you profane the name of your God: I am the LORD.
- By associating God’s name with pagan worship, one was profaning His name.
- To use God’s name in any irreverent way is to profane it.
- Jews so respected the name of God that would not write it with a freshly dipped pen, lest it might smear.
-
-
-
EUPHEMISMS AND ABBREVIATION.
-
Euphemism – A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh.
- Sometimes, we want to curse but rather than use the actual word, we use a substitute instead.
- These words mean the same thing as the curse word.
-
Examples:
- Darn – means to mend. Also a euphemism for a curse word.
- Shoot – cause a gun to fire. Also a euphemism.
- Gosh – euphemism for “God.”
- Freaking – a person might say, “This is freaking me out!” to point out that something is making them uncomfortable. However, when you use this word as an adjective, it is a euphemism.
- There are many other words we could add to the list.
- Brethren, we need to be careful about what we say.
-
Abbreviations.
- In our world of texting, abbreviations (Letters substituted for phrases) have become popular.
-
Many are harmless.
- LOL. Laugh out loud.
- ROFL. Rolls on floor laughing.
- However, some abbreviations are abbreviations for curse words or phrases.
- OMG. Means “Oh my God!” As we have discussed, this is using God’s name in an irreverent way. Even though you have not said or written God’s name, you have used it in an irreverent way.
- There are many abbreviations that are used that stand for profane words or ideas.
- Typing an abbreviation is just as bad as saying it out loud or typing out the entire word.
- Brethren, we need to be careful about what we type! Typing is communicating!
-
Conclusion
-
The title of this sermon is “Adult Language.”
- This is a phrase we often see when we are looking at movie or T.V. show ratings.
- It means that profanity is spoken in the show.
- Let me suggest to you that profanity is not “Adult” language.
-
Adult language is described in:
- Colossians 4:6. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
- Ephesians 4:29. Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
-
James 3:7-10.
For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.
Watch Your Words
At one time or another we have all said things we later regretted
No one is immune to the foot-in-mouth disease. James wrote: “We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check” (James 3:2 NIV). The tongue is a dangerous thing when unbridled.
Paul warned against the misuse of the tongue
He wrote: “…rid yourselves of all such things…slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other” (Colossians 3:8-9 NIV). Christians should not slander others, should not use profanities or vulgarities, and should not lie. In a positive way, what we say should be kind, pure and true! Every word we speak should be examined to make sure it passes this threefold test. Is it kind? Is it pure? Is it true?
Say the right things in the right way
It is not only important that we say the right things, but that we say them in the right way. “A soft answer turns away wrath; but grievous words stir up anger” (Proverbs 15:1). When someone shouts at us, “I’m not angry!” we can be confident they are! That is why James also wrote: “every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath” (James 1:19). What we say says a great deal about us. Our words reveal our character or lack of it! It is extremely important that we watch our words. The psalmist prayed: “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14). We would be wise to repeat that prayer frequently!
Seven Powerful Words – Mark 16:1-8
Text: Mark 16:1-8
The seven most powerful words ever spoken didn’t come from the mouth of Jesus.
In fact, they come from someone whose name we don’t even know.
Mark tells the account:
Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him.
Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they said among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?”
But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away—for it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.
But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.”
So they went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. (Mark 16:1-8).
On the way to the tomb early Sunday morning the women remembered a potential obstacle: they had no way to get inside the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body. Perhaps in their grief they just hadn’t planned everything well.
But they soon realized they had no reason to worry. The tomb was no longer sealed.
At this point things started happening really quickly:
- They saw a young man.
- He said something.
- They ran in horror.
At some point in their flight, when their fear subsided, they recalled the young man’s words. What he said was confirmed by what they remember seeing in the tomb:
- Nothing.
- There was no body.
“He has risen. He is not here.”
Seven words that changed the world.
Seven words that changed me, and you, and millions of others.
They became the triumphant cry of the early Christians. In fact, read through a few sermons in Acts, and you might be amazed to see that this simple message was what they preached.
The tomb was empty.
The cross was significant, of course, but crucifixions were relatively common in that world. In one sense, Jesus died the same way thousands of others did.
But one thing was different. Incredibly, remarkably, gloriously different.
All the other crucifixion victims stayed in their graves.
Jesus didn’t stay in the grave, and that makes all the difference.
Sometime, when you get discouraged and wonder if the difficulties of faith are really worth it, think back to the empty tomb.
What it says is that this world isn’t all there is. The same power that raised him will raise you.
A day is coming when everyone will hear his voice
Followers of Jesus will be raised to live with him as God always intended.
Seven words, one powerful message: My tomb will one day be empty too.
He has risen; he is not here.