by Ronald E. George Jr.

Matt 28:1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first [day] of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. 2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. {was: or, had been} 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: 4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead [men]. 5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. 6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. 8 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. 9 And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. 10 Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

The purpose of the resurrection is to give us new life and a sure hope. It also gives those who choose to believe in the Lord of the resurrection a new source of joy and power that exceeds any earthly, limited source. The purpose of this sermon is to remind you of that power which exclusively belongs to God and give you the opportunity to share in it.

Kosovo Albanians have been stuck at the border this week because the Yugoslavian Serbians have been using their power to expel them from their homes and their country. They have been burning the paper trail of identity behind so that there is no proof of their existence. Now they are stuck at the border of Macedonia, which has stopped all immigration. So now, they are stuck at the border of safety with no place to go. They are powerless to find safety.

There are three types of Power players in today's message from the Lord. These three types of players are involved in this story. The Powerful, the Powerless, and the Omnipotent.

1.  The Powerful: Are those who have been given temporary power on this earth and abuse it for their own selfish purposes. The Romans including Pilate crucify an innocent man because the crowd demanded it. The Religious leaders call for the death of a man who had committed no crime. But he had given hope and life to the masses. Today these are the local dieties that people give obedience to.

2.  The Powerless: Are the Lost, the Lonely, and the Least of Society. The women who couldn't roll away the stone. The disciples who were cowering for fear of the powers that be. The refugees who have been thrown from their homes. These are the hurting, the abused, the weak, the sick, and the poor.

3.  The Omnipotent: There is only one who is all powerful. Look how the all powerful one uses his power. He sets the captives free. He gives the refugees of society the hope that can be found no where else.

1. He has power over nature. See the earth quake at his touch.
2. He has the power over the Spiritual world. Here the angel say he is not here he is risen as he said.
3. He has power to do the impossible for us by rolling away the stones of fear from our lives.
4. He has the power over Sin to defeat it at it's own game. He beat death.
5. He has the power over the powerful yet he gives them all the same opportunity to believe and follow him.
6. He has the power over life to give it to all those who will follow him and believe in him.

Come and see the place where the Lord was laid. He is not here he is risen as he said.

See for yourself the power that he will give you over sin, death, hell, and the grave.

We are weak but he is strong. To the weak he says I am strong. To the poor he says I am rich. To the hungry he says I am food. To the dead he says I am life.

How do you respond to the omnipotent?

Will you believe in him and follow him? Can't follow him from a distance. Pick up your cross and follow him.

Will you worship him and kiss his feet? Judas kissed him in betrayal. Will you kiss him in love?