And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.”
Mark 16:2-7

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The empty tomb speaks volumes, even in its silence. This Easter message invites us to explore the profound implications of Christ's resurrection. The rolled-away stone wasn't just for Jesus to exit, but for us to enter and witness the miracle. This empty tomb declares that death is defeated, sin is conquered, and hope is alive. It's not just a historical fact, but a living reality that transforms our present and future. The resurrection offers us a new life—not just an improved version of our old selves, but a completely new creation. It challenges us to die to our old ways and embrace the abundant life Jesus promises. In this Sunday's message, Pastor Ryan Schlachter invites us to consider: How does the empty tomb speak to our current struggles? Are we living in the newness of life Christ offers, or clinging to our old selves?

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“The stone was rolled away, not to let Jesus out, but to let the world in.”
—Adrian Rogers

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Death is Dead

• The empty tomb speaks something louder to us than any other visitation could have. Jesus gives people the opportunity to come and see for themselves that the tomb was empty.
• We don’t just need an experience, we need a witness. A visitation from Jesus would have witnessed to the people he appeared to, but the empty tomb is an invitation for anyone who wants to experience it.

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For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23

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• The original plan was always that we would be eternal beings, but sin gave way to death.
• What is ultimately being declared by the resurrection of Jesus is that the very thing that causes death, sin, has been defeated. 
• If death is dead, sin has lost its power, fear has lost its grip, and hopelessness has lost its foundation

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Hope is Alive

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"In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
1 Peter 1:3

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• There is no hope that is actually real unless anchored in Jesus. True hope is not wishful thinking, it must be anchored in something. 
  
  • Every other hope is a theory. Every other philosophy is a best guess. Every other religion is advice. But the empty tomb is news.
• If the tomb still had Jesus’s body in it, then there’s no reason to have hope. Because it’s empty, we have something to anchor our hope in.
• This news doesn’t erase our pain, it outlasts our pain. The tomb being empty doesn’t mean the cross isn’t bloody, it means that the cross isn’t the end.

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Life is New

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"We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead... we too might walk in newness of life." 
Romans 6:4

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• The empty tomb changed everything. It shouted that death isn’t final, that hope is alive, and new life is available to us right now 
• When Jesus walked out of the grave, it wasn’t like Lazarus who would eventually see death again. The tomb spoke to the newness of life that had now been made possible in Christ Jesus. The newness of life that is available to us today, right now.
• You are made a completely new creation. Your life is not refurbished, it’s made new.
• Jesus comes to give you something you are desperate for, but cannot obtain on your own.

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Dinner Party Questions:

1. How does the concept of the empty tomb as a witness, rather than just an experience, impact your understanding of the resurrection?
2. How does the idea of having a 'living hope' through Jesus differ from other forms of hope you've encountered in life?
3. In what areas of your life do you need to be reminded of the 'guarantee' provided by the empty tomb, especially when struggling with sin or doubt?

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Put it Into Practice:

1. Reflect on areas of your life where you might be seeking "newness" apart from Christ. How can you surrender these areas to Him this week?
2. Share the hope of the resurrection with someone who needs encouragement this week.