Easter Imperatives

Matt. 28:1-10

1 Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first {day} of the week, Mary
Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave. 2 And behold, a severe earthquake
had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the
stone and sat upon it. 3 And his appearance was like lightning, and his garment as white as
snow; 4 and the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men. 5 And the angel
answered and said to the women, "Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus
who has been crucified. 6 "He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the
place where He was lying. 7 "And go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the
dead; and behold, He is going before you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have
told you." 8 And they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy and ran to
report it to His disciples. 9 And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up
and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid;
go and take word to My brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they shall see Me." (NAS)

Introduction
I believe the Word of God is precise and accurate. I believe every once in a while you will
run across a significant illustration of this truth you had over looked. This week my mine was
refreshed concerning the credibility of witnesses. Did you know that in Bible times the
credibility of women as witnesses was less than that of a male witness?

Think about that as you note the Bible tells us women were the first to witness the
resurrection. If the Bible were man's doing he would surely have jumped to the record of the
male witnesses.

But God in His Word simply reports truth. In that truth today I want you to notice some
Easter Imperatives.

Do Not Be Afraid.

Come and See.

Go and Tell.

1. Easter Imperatives
First: Do Not Be Afraid. v 5 - 6 a

5 And the angel answered and said to the women, "Do not be afraid; for I know that you are
looking for Jesus who has been crucified. 6 "He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said.

A. Do Not Have A Fear of . . Circumstances. v 1 - 5 a

 1. From the . . Quaking of the Earth. v 1-2
2. From the . . Presence of the Guards. v 4
". . . and the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men."

". . . Fear not ye . . . " KJV - - - - - Don't be like the guards.

3. From the . . Power of the Priest. (Inferred)

4. From the . . Presence of the Angels. v 5 a
5. From the . . Removal of the Stone.

B. Do Not Have A Fear of . . Consequences. v 5 b

". . . looking for Jesus who has been crucified."
1. GREEK = He is Eternally the Crucified One.
2. If God says it is finished in the Crucified One what can you or
I add to it?

C. Do Not Have A Fear of . . Consideration. v 6 a

"He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. . . "
1. In the final months of Jesus teaching on this earth He never talked about
His death without also mentioning the resurrection.

Illustration
My granddaughter awakened from her nap and did not hear anyone. She called out and got no
answer. She started crying. Teri (my daughter) heard her and came, and said honey didn't I
tell you I would not go off and leave you. Savannah said "yes but I thought maybe you
forgot." Jesus did not forget His promises.

Illustration
Most major religions of the world adore some great but dead leader or philosopher.
Christianity alone declares its faith in a living, resurrected Savior.

A missionary was explaining this truth to some people. He said, "I am traveling and have
reached a place where the road branches off in two direction. I look for a guide and find two
men: One is dead and the other alive. Which of the two should I ask for directions, the dead
or the living?" The people responded, "The living." "Then," said the missionary, "why do you
follow a leader who is dead instead of Christ, who is alive?"

If we believe in the actual, physical resurrection of Jesus Christ, then we will have no
difficulty in believing anything else in God's Word.

Application Everyone has some reoccurring Fear.

Adolescence: I know a young boy who liked a little girl. His dad said you will have to tell
the girl's father you like his daughter.

The boy did and the Father said well you are

SOS around our house. Some One Special.

Teens: What will I do in my future? What will I major In? What about boy friend or girl
friend.

Single Adult: Who will I marry.

Young Adult: Can I be a good parent, provider.

Median Adult: Can we provide, am I a good parent?

New Senior Adult: Do we have enough for retirement.

Older Senior Adult: What about my mate if I die first. Will I be able to live alone or go to
Nursing Care?

The message of the resurrection is fear not.

1 Pet 5:7-8 (NAS) casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you. 8 Be of
sober {spirit,} be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion,
seeking someone to devour.

Matt 6:26 "Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, neither do they reap, nor
gather into barns, and {yet} your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more
than they? (NAS)

Matt 6:33 33 "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall
be added to you. (NAS)

A Easter Imperative is "Do Not Fe Afraid"

2. Easter Imperatives
Second: Come and See. v 6 b

6 "He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying.

A. This is an . . Inviting Imperative.

1. We in Missouri are Show Me Folks.
2. I like that. I prefer to see for myself.
3. You are invited to "come and see"

B. This is an . . Investigative Imperative.

1. GREEK See = perceive or know John 8:14
14 Jesus answered and said to them, "Even if I bear witness of myself, My witness is true; for
I know where I came from, and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from,
or where I am going. (NAS)

1. There is nothing hidden.

2. If you want to know you can.
 a. Great Minds Embrace Christianity.
b. Some Great Minds reject Christianity.
1) Why? Morality and a commitment.

Illustration
I am so glad that God's word includes every one on earth. He said: "Whosoever will, may
come and have Life everlasting." All a man has to do is to will to come, and he will be all
right. If a man should go to hell who had never had a chance to go to heaven, I believe there
would be such a commotion raised in the devil's domain that the angels of damnation would
sympathize with him. But no one is going to heaven unless he wills to go, for it is very much
like one old fellow observed, "No one will be elected unless he or she is a candidate."

Application

Are you a candidate? Do you Investigate.

An Easter Imperative is Come and See.

3. Easter Imperatives
Third: Go and Tell. v 7 -10

A. Tell with a . . Priority. v 7 a

". . . "And go quickly and tell . . . "

Illustration
In the Cafeteria at the hospital I saw a Lady, and her boy, and she had ear rings, and necklace
with a cross on them. I asked her why do you wear jewelry with a cross on it. She said
because I am a Christian. Believe me that's the only reason.

I said amen, and she said thanks for asking.

B. Tell with a . . Plan. v 7 b

". . . His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going
before you into Galilee, . . . "

Illustration
30 years ago there was a revival of the God is Dead Philosophy. The Great Negro preacher
in San Diego California S. M. Lockridge said "that can't be true. I am part of the next of kin
and I was not notified"

The angel says tell the disciple first.

C. Tell with a . . Passion. v 7 c

". . . there you will see Him; behold, I have told you."
Illustration
When I went to visit Chuck Rowlett this week his room mate chimed into our discussion. He
said "your a Baptist aren't you." I asked him how he could tell, and told him I was glad it
showed.

I thought I heard him say he was going home on that day, So I asked "are you going home
today", and he said "one home are the other." I asked "what do you mean," and he said " my
heavenly home."

I asked "do you know your going to heaven". He said "well as much as you can know." I ask
"how do you know," and he went all around the world. and then said "well the only way any
body is going is through Christ." Latter Chuck said to me "it took him along time to get to the
right answer didn't it." I said "I think he took the Episcopalian door to get to a Baptist answer,
but I believe he knew the Lord."

D. Tell with a . . Proof. v 8-10

8 And they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy and ran to report it to His
disciples. 9 And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold
of His feet and worshiped Him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and take
word to My brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they shall see Me." (NAS)

1. Proof: Their Joy outweighed their Fear. v 8

"Their joy is due to all that the women saw and heard; and this joy
predominated over the fear, for "MEGALAS" does not modify both
nouns but only the last, the nouns have different genders."
Lenski p 1156

2. Proof: Meeting and Worshiping the Risen Lord. v 9

"Saints running in the way of obedience are likely to be met by Jesus."
Spurgeon p 255

3. Proof: Confirmation of the Angelic Message. v 10

"Christ endorses the Obedient Angels." Spurgeon p 256

CONCLUSION.

OUR DAILY BREAD - Friday 10th April 1998

A little girl was critically injured in an accident and taken to a hospital. She had lost a great
deal of blood and needed a transfusion, but her blood type was rare.

Finally it was discovered that her 7-year-old brother had the same blood type. The doctor
took him into his office and told him, "Your sister is very sick. Unless she gets some blood,
I'm afraid the angels are going to take her to heaven. Are you willing to give your baby sister
your blood?" The boy's face turned pale and his eyes widened in fear. After some agonizing
moments he whispered to the doctor "I'll give my sister my blood."
As the transfusion took place, the boy watched as his blood passed through a tube to his
sister. The doctor noticed that the boy seemed nervous and said, "It will all be over before
long." At that moment, big tears welled up in the boy's eyes and he said, "Will I died pretty
soon then?" He thought he was giving his own life to save his little sister!

There is no greater love. Jesus lay down His life for us even before we were His friends.
"When we were enemies, we were reconciled to God.

We Have the Privilege to participate in these Easter Imperatives.

1. Do Not Be Afraid.
2. Come and See.
3. Go and Tell.