Sermon Notes

6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also
“1 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.” 3 So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. 4 Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that He must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went back to their homes.” (John 20:1-10)

Truth #1: Jesus is working—even before you might fully understand!

“They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.”

You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You. —St. Augustine

“11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will hear you. 13 You will seek Me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8)

Truth #2: Jesus’ resurrection often looks ordinary, before it looks glorious!

8 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed;

9 for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that He must rise from the dead.”

I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else. —C.S. Lewis

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5)

“Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt 11:28)

“Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” (Ephesians 5:14)