Sermon: No Guilt in Life, No Fear in Death

No Guilt in Life, No Fear in Death (Matthew 27:62-28:10)
Pastor Tony Felich
March 23, 2008

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The resurrection of Christ brings us real victory and attending relief concerning our two greatest earthly burdens - guilt and fear

WHY DID CHRIST RISE?
- For His own Glory and that of His Father (Jn. 17:1, Rm. 1:4)
- To fulfill prophecy (Ps. 16:10, Mt. 12:39-41)
- To manifest His Lordship (Jn.11)
- To carry on His office of Mediator (Rm. 8:34)
- For our Salvation (Rm. 4:25, 1Cor. 15:21,55)

WHAT DID CHRIST'S RESURRECTION ACCOMPLISH FOR US?
- We are declared righteous before God! (Rm. 4:25)
- We are given power for living life now! (Rm. 6:4, Phil. 3:10)
- We are guaranteed of our own resurrection (1Cor. 6,15)

HOW DOES THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST GIVE US RELIEF AND ENCOURAGEMENT TODAY?
- No more guilt in life (Rm. 8:1, Phil. 3:8-9, 2Cor. 5:17)
- No more fear in death (Phil. 1:21-24, Jn. 14:2, 2Cor.5:8)

Matthew 27:62–28:10
62 The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate 63 and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’ 64 Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last fraud will be worse than the first.” 65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.

28:1 Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4 And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. 5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” 8 So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” 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 tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”