The Victory
Easter 2025 The Mission, The King, the Victory • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 4 viewsNotes
Transcript
Introduction: The Empty Tomb That Changed Everything
Introduction: The Empty Tomb That Changed Everything
1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared.
2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb.
3 They went in but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
4 While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men stood by them in dazzling clothes.
5 So the women were terrified and bowed down to the ground. “Why are you looking for the living among the dead?” asked the men.
6 “He is not here, but He has been resurrected! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee,
7 saying, ‘The Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and rise on the third day’?”
8 And they remembered His words.
9 Returning from the tomb, they reported all these things to the Eleven and to all the rest.
10 Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them were telling the apostles these things.
11 But these words seemed like nonsense to them, and they did not believe the women.
12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. When he stooped to look in, he saw only the linen cloths. So he went home, amazed at what had happened.
“Why are you looking for the living among the dead?” asked the men.
6 “He is not here, but He has been resurrected! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee,
On that early Sunday morning, the women came to the tomb expecting to find a body. They came to grieve, to mourn, to anoint. But what they found was something no one had anticipated: an empty tomb. The stone was rolled away, and the body was gone.
The question we ask today isn’t whether the tomb was empty. Nearly every historian, Christian or not, agrees that Jesus’ tomb was found empty. The real question is: Why was it empty?
Did you know?
Raise your hand if you think it is A.10, B. 75, C.90, D. 50
Up to 75% of historians—regardless of religious background—accept that the disciples sincerely believed they saw the risen Jesus.
Over 500 eyewitnesses are cited in Scripture (1 Corinthians 15), and there are eleven or twelve distinct resurrection appearances recorded in the New Testament.
The tomb wasn’t just empty—something happened that changed everything.
This morning, we walk through five explanations people have offered for the empty tomb—and we will see why only one of them leads to victory.
Illustration: Cracking Open the Egg
[Bring several children on stage. Hand each one an egg.]
These eggs must be handled with care. Just like the tomb—they seem like they hold something important. But let’s see what’s inside.
[Let each child open their egg. All are empty.]
You might expect something sweet or surprising inside—but these eggs are empty on purpose.
Just like the tomb.
[Hold up one egg.]
This empty egg is a picture of something powerful. The tomb wasn’t opened so Jesus could get out—it was opened so the world could see He was already gone.
The emptiness isn’t disappointing—it’s hopeful. The empty egg reminds us that Jesus is alive. That emptiness means new life.
Thank the kids and let them return to their seats.
1. The Swoon Theory: Jesus Didn’t Die, He Passed Out
1. The Swoon Theory: Jesus Didn’t Die, He Passed Out
Some claim Jesus never really died. He passed out on the cross, woke up in the cool of the tomb, and somehow got out.
But consider this:
Roman soldiers were execution experts. John 19 tells us they pierced Jesus’ side, and “blood and water” flowed, confirming His death.
Jesus was beaten, scourged, crucified, stabbed, wrapped in 75 pounds of linens and spices, and laid in a sealed tomb.
You’re telling me a man in that condition rolled away a giant stone, snuck past guards, and appeared to His disciples looking victorious?
This isn’t victory. It’s barely survival.
2. The Stolen Body Theory: The Disciples Took the Body
2. The Stolen Body Theory: The Disciples Took the Body
Others argue the disciples stole Jesus’ body and made up the resurrection story.
But think about this:
The tomb was guarded by Roman soldiers (Matthew 27:65-66).
The disciples were hiding in fear, not planning a heist.
Nearly all of them were later executed for preaching that Jesus rose from the dead.
Would you die for something you *knew* was a lie? Would eleven people?
Liars make poor martyrs.
Consider this:
Of the original 11 disciples (excluding Judas), 10 were martyred for preaching the resurrection.
None ever recanted their story—not under torture, not under threat.
People will die for what they believe is true—but not for what they know is a lie.
3. The Hallucination Theory: They Imagined Jesus
3. The Hallucination Theory: They Imagined Jesus
Some suggest the disciples hallucinated or had visions of Jesus because they were grieving.
But there’s a problem:
Hallucinations are personal and individual. But Jesus appeared to groups of people, including over 500 at once (1 Corinthians 15:6).
He ate with them, talked with them, let them touch Him. These were not fleeting visions.
This wasn’t a dream. This was a risen Lord.
4. The Wrong Tomb Theory: They Went to the Wrong Place
4. The Wrong Tomb Theory: They Went to the Wrong Place
Some say the women and disciples simply went to the wrong tomb.
But again:
The women followed Joseph of Arimathea to the tomb (Luke 23:55). They knew where it was.
If they had gone to the wrong tomb, the Jewish leaders would have corrected them immediately. “Here’s the right tomb. Here’s the body.”
Instead, they paid off the guards to lie (Matthew 28:12-15).
The authorities knew the tomb was empty.
5. The Resurrection Is True: Jesus Rose From the Dead
5. The Resurrection Is True: Jesus Rose From the Dead
This explanation fits all the facts:
The tomb was empty.
The disciples were transformed from cowards to courageous witnesses.
Jesus appeared multiple times over 40 days.
Christianity exploded across the world in the face of persecution.
By 100 A.D., there were an estimated **25,000** Christians.
By 310 A.D., just before Constantine legalized Christianity, that number had grown to over 20 million—with no army, no government power, and constant persecution.
Today, over 2.3 billion people claim the name of Jesus. That’s nearly 1 in 3 people alive.
If Jesus rose from the dead, then everything He said is true.
Sin is defeated. Death is crushed. Hope is alive.
This is the Victory.
Victory Means...
Victory Means...
Victory Over Sin: Jesus paid the price and walked out of the grave to prove the payment cleared.
Victory Over Death: We no longer fear the end. Resurrection is now the beginning.
Victory Over Fear: The same disciples who ran away became bold proclaimers. Why? Because Jesus had risen.
Conclusion: What Will You Do With the Empty Tomb?
17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.
But He has been raised
The tomb is empty. The evidence is clear. The invitation is open.
Will you believe the theories that fall apart—or will you believe in the risen King?
Jesus didn’t just escape death. He conquered it. And now, He offers that victory to you.
Come and see. The tomb is empty. Jesus is alive. Victory is here.
