Luke 24:1-12 (ESV)

1 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. 5 And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” 8 And they remembered his words, 9 and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, 11 but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. 12 But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.

Intro: What do you personally expect about death?

THE PROBLEM OF DEATH
When have you experienced dissonance?

JESUS’ PROMISE OF VICTORY
How does Jesus’ resurrection display His power and trustworthiness?

OUR PROCLAMATION OF HOPES
What’s the difference between a witness and an author?

YOU CAN PRAY WITH US …
1 - Worship the LORD for His all-surpassing power! Praise and adore Him, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit that He is mightier than our sin, death, and hell.

2 - How have you lived perplexed and afraid because of death’s power? Confess your helplessness to Jesus, asking Him to save you and forgive you – working power out of weakness, life out of death.

3 - Give thanks to Jesus for how He has proven His power and trustworthiness. Thank Him for opening up access to God by His death, and for opening up eternity by His resurrection!

4 - Who do you know that is shaken by the real power of death? Pray for them, asking the Lord to make Himself known to them in His resurrection power – and that He would give them hope as only He can.

5 - Ask the Holy Spirit to bear in you the fruit of joy, especially in light of Jesus’ resurrection! Pray for such a confidence in His power and trustworthiness that you would joyfully bear witness to others of His story.