The Most Amazing Day

About this sermon

Introduction: Mark’s account of the resurrection of Christ is simple, straightforward, and characteristically abrupt. Our verses today represent the inspired finish to the gospel of Mark. The verses that follow our text, that are included in your translation, are not found in the best manuscripts. They are almost certainly not original. And so, we will end our study of Mark with these verses. I considered taking the time to devote a sermon to the kinds of textual issues that these verses represent, but there are others who have already done that quite well, and if you’re interested in that, I would direct you to their work. In particular, I would recommend that you listen to John MacArthur’s sermon on the verses that follow these, which can be found on the “Grace to You” website. But for our purposes we end on the note of Christ’s resurrection. This has been the best day ever! Sometimes those words or something similar have been in the mouths of children. Sometimes that thought has been in our own minds when a day has especially filled our hearts with joy. “I can’t imagine a better day than this.” But, in truth, when it comes to the history of redemption — when it comes to the hope of ruined sinners — there’s never been a better day in the history of the world than the day we read about in our verses. It is the day when Jesus was raised from the dead. It is the day when the promises of Jesus regarding His own death and resurrection are proven to be true. It is the day that literally changed the rest of human history and put all human history into perspective. It was the day when Christ’s victory, when the open of door of salvation, was declared with power. ESV Romans 1:1 Paul, aa servant1 of Christ Jesus, bcalled to be an apostle, cset apart for the gospel of God, 2 which ahe promised beforehand bthrough his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning his Son, awho was descended from David1 baccording to the flesh 4 and awas declared to be the Son of God bin power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, The resurrection is central to the gospel message. It’s not an afterthought, it’s a necessity. If Jesus was not raised from the dead, then we are still in our sins and the gospel is not really gospel. ESV 1 Corinthians 15:14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. ESV 1 Corinthians 15:17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and ayou are still in your sins. THE FACT THAT HE’S BEEN RAISED FROM THE DEAD DOES NOT JUST SPEAK TO US ABOUT THE FORGIVENESS OF OUR SINS, IT ALSO SPEAKS TO US THE PROMISE OF OUR OWN RESURRECTION WHEN WE WILL LIVE FOREVER, BODY AND SOUL, IN THE PRESENCE OF OUR SAVIOR.