John Chapter 20:10-15

Jesus came to drop the tears and the fears of her life he wants us to come to him as a Jesus on the depressed Jesus said Jesus angry.

Please help me. He longs for us to do and when we run the other things we cheat ourselves of a glorious experience with the war, seek Jesus seek Jesus. Jesus here took notice of her tears didn't just say quicklime why are you weeping? You looking for Jesus cared and were coming to that they in Revelation 21 four and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes be no more death or sorrow in the crime.

There shall be no more pain before things are passed away.

Welcome to cross the bridge with David McGee. David is the senior pastor of the bridge in Kernersville, North Carolina. The good news of the gospel is not only did Jesus come to die for our sins, but he came to dry up our tears and the fears that we experienced during this life today pastor David explains how Jesus does that, as he continues teaching the gospel of John, chapter 20 now here's David McGee with part three of his teaching is turn with me to the gospel of John we are in chapter 20 begin work on in these last couple chapters are kind of taken her time to really think about what's being said in the personal application here because a very important these are the high holy ground. If you will, of the whole Bible in the crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus. Verse 10 then the disciples went away again to their own homes. I really understand this, but I think the disciple still thought it was over and I think they thought well it did more know we were going up they had in their minds.

Well, you know, working to overthrow the Roman government and restore Israel to the to an independent nation. It didn't happen and and all their dreams and all their hopes in that sense were – and they knew something it happened think they knew what just sway some people are about God and that's why some people are about to cross its way some people are probably Baptist Church relish.

Some happen, I'm just not sure what's going or something. Something happened with Jesus.

I'm just not sure what it is and it's important that you go from that curiosity, if you will, to know what would happen in doing how that can change your life. We need to be careful not believe me phrases correctly so nobody freaks out. I believe in being sensitive to the seeker now I have a serious problem with being seeker sensitive. If my goal is to make sure that everybody feels comfortable in here spiritually. I can't do that. There are some people in here right now. They should not feel comfortable spiritually because they're not at a good place with the Lord.

I have to present the word of God so they can move from just thinking something happened and that curiosity in seeking the Lord to moving to believe in Jesus and the way that happens is I need to challenge them to the word of God and so these guys go back home and so farther miss you realize that.

I mean, they're not.

They been to the tune now they're not dancing in the streets like we saying they're not going to visit Leon to go back to what should they have been doing going until what did they do. Went back to the house where should we be doing going until what do we often do go back to the house.

This is interesting because if this was a normal biography to understand. It would've closed with chapter 19, there would be a chapter 20 or 21 but this is not a normal biography.

This is the story of Jesus and it doesn't end with death. Romans 811 says, but of the spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you interesting with that saying that resurrection power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to you to serve them. Now it's not just you know so you can stand around and show how spiritually strong you are, it's for actually doing things for the Lord and that's kind of that's kind of the line in the sand. I guess between a believer and a disciple of a believer believes a disciple does he serve see ministers the people in and more able everyone in here is able to do that one, because if you know the Lord, you have the power rest of the resurrection available to you to not only can it raise you from the dead. It can like get you up to get here Sunday morning and all kinds of things so that power resurrection is available to us in verse 11. But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping and she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb we read this verse and we get a wrong picture that picture is that you know Mary's got outside the tomb and she's it's it's like that that's weeping.

That is not weeping to a Jewish woman. Some of you know that when we were over in Israel last year coming down the Mount of olives. There's a cemetery layer and I heard a Jewish woman weeping and man about the hair on the back of my neck because it wasn't since it was wailing as loud as she could go. She was grieved. That's more than likely the type of weeping that she was engaged in an authentic or comical purchases. I don't want to take a comical approach.

This because look at the team but Jesus chose here the disciples of gone back home. Mary's outside the tomb wailing because she thinks he's gone forever, and this is who Jesus is using that's encouraging me because you know what we think we think back to that yeshiva system. We think God only uses the cream of the crop MME we've bred that mentality into our churches now with all the doctorates and then I'm not anti-education at all, but I don't think you can ever assume simply because somebody has a certain amount of education that they understand God and know God and are necessarily anointed to teach the word I said hundreds of people that were highly educated that I just had nothing and I'm set under people who have little education. I walked away just filled spiritually. We need to be careful this military law damage in children's ministry.

So let's go back there if you want to serve in children's ministries. We do a background check. We do a background check simply to make sure that you've never committed any sort of sexual offense against a child. That's what we should do.

That's being accountable.

But we don't run criminal background checks on people that you want to help clean the church or work in the café of those things because you know to be honest, half of us will be disqualified to serve. But here's here's what happened similarly scared.

Okay, maybe 40% maybe selected, but we doing to make sure that your saved we do want to make sure that your you've been baptized. We want to encourage you that you're moving along in your faith and growing in the Lord, we do want to make sure that but we know you're not perfect.

We know you're not perfect and if that's the line. Nobody here can serve two of you been thinking well I'll get all these problems worked out and then I'll start serving you know what start serving in ministry and watch God work the problems out to what I found in my life as you focus on the problem you have is the problem starts to get bigger you focus on the Lord, and serving the Lord you happens problems get smaller as my Jesus is seeking first the kingdom of God and all his righteousness and all these things will be added unto you or those things will be taken care of and let me step out with this if if you're in leadership care of your deacon and elder team leader whatever and you feel like it's your job to disqualify people that find out what's wrong with them. They think they want to serve you and you don't have the heart of the pastor. If somebody wants to serve, I want to find a place for him to serve your maybe they don't need to be in children's ministries but there's some where they can help contribute and be a part of what's going on because God chose Evers 12 and she saw two angels in white sitting wanted to head and the other at the feet were the body of Jesus had lain as a thought about this there at the tomb. There's one Angel at the head. There's one Angel to help the body's gall and you know what the enemies of Jesus would've taken the friends of Jesus were unable to take and when you run out of what you consider to be possible.

And it doesn't explain some you need to think and entertain the idea of the impossible. And I think that's what they were stamped someone over the Summer well he's dead was dead. Not he's dead and he's not here. Maybe's resurrected note. Maybe my soul body. They took his body. That's the conclusion I came to you in our lives.

We do the same thing. Jesus said, with God nothing is impossible how often do we look at a situation look at somebody's life for a look at a situation on my finger. What I think I have a know I knowingly meaning the way God said all things are possible.

So are you disagreeing with God. That would suggest that God is all things are possible. So when you get in a situation where it's only the impossible. That could happen sometimes you're in a good place as the Lord lives doing the impossible. If there is some relative of yours are somebody that isn't walking with the Lord this just as far from God. As you can. Thinking you've written them off and will do that is with God nothing is impossible, but it's interesting the way the Angels are positioned in the tabernacle in the holy of holies there was the ark of the covenant on the top of the ark of the covenant. There was the mercy seat on the mercy seat. You know what there was, there was an angel at each end facing one another just like were told in this verse can't be coincidence. Meanwhile, tell us that for no reason, no receipt understand that part of the ark of the covenant was called what the mercy seat. I think that little detail is introduce the fact there's a new mercy seat from Jesus. If you remember the veil of the curtain was torn into to give access into the holy of holies for us in there and that tomb an angel standing at each and I believe gives a picture that I'm thankful for the new mercy seat, a man verse 13 then they said the hurt woman, why are you weeping, she said to them, because they have taken away my Lord and I do not know where they have laid him as a thought about this verse. I wonder why ask about because I don't I just this is way my mind works, and once my asked me a question often wonder father asking the question. You know somebody comes and says hey it's okay to is okay for a believer to drink the Christian drink menu can be saved in a bobbin alcohol lifetime. Somebody's asking that because you know they've been alcoholic for 10 or 15 years in the rotten meat of make him feel good about drinking every night, why are you weeping now wonder why are they asking, do they do they not understand that she's going through this emotional thing are the mean there Angel so I don't think they would be when the beaker there Angel so I'm not sure they're clouded or confused about Simmons and emotion.

I am sometimes.

I mean, I gotta be. Gotta be honest, I confused with their Angel. I don't. I'm not sure there confused, so are they thinking well, he's risen, why are you crying think that's probably what other ask will be right back with more from David McGee on cross the bridge right now. Here's a word from associate pastor DA Brown. We want to take just a couple seconds here to pray for some cities in our listening audience. Specifically, Southlake, Sun Valley to Noble Wells Winnemucca Nevada and also Cape May, New Jersey, Farmington, New Mexico, Lord, we thank you for the people tuning in. In the cities. We pray that you would port your Holy Spirit out that you feel people with the faith to say yes to what you want to do in our life. People who are downtrodden full of despair. I pray that that would turn to hope and trust in you. Jesus got up, pray for those in leadership positions in these communities that you would give them wisdom and discernment that they would look to your word for advice and counsel and answers on how to lead low. We prayed that they would get plugged in church and received from biblical authority and direction.

Lord I pray that many people get plugged in churches they begin serving and looking for opportunities to use the gifts that you've given them to be a blessing to other people in the same way they've been blessed in Jesus name, amen, amen.

Thank you brother and now get back to David McGee as he continues teaching verse by verse, verse 14. Now when she had said that she turned around and saw Jesus standing there and did not know that it was Jesus by supposing verse why did she not know it was Jesus.

I don't know. I mean, I can probably thought is the right day. I don't know.

I mean, I can tell you some of the series that sound plausible one is that Jesus still had his scars and were told that his visage was so marred that he no longer looked like a man with the book of Isaiah says maybe that was it. Mainly because of the weeping, and she still had tears in her eyes and couldn't recognize her. Not sure what was she looking for in that tomb may help you. Who was she looking for she's looking for Jesus.

She was looking for Jesus. We need to be looking for Jesus and notice what didn't happen. She didn't see the Angels and go Angels, let's worship them. This is great Angels you guys are religious must engage in worship at the end shouldn't do that what she's looking for Jesus was looking for Angels. She wasn't who she wasn't looking for just something simply religious. She wanted more. God bless her, because you know what today in society and culture. We are so caught up in religion we go wind any understand. For some people it's an and I understand liturgy informality and and I can actually appreciate some of that we don't do it here because I think far too many people are intimidated by that, I can appreciate the beauty of an old hymn played on a pipework or the formal liturgy of the service or responsive readings and things I can appreciate that is the Lord is there will happens is is so much of that formality is introduced because that's been taken out and it's amazing how cheaply people are satisfied. Sometimes as long as they go in there able to engage in a ritual, and the roads in the kneeling in the stand and then the kneeling in the stand and then they go to the formality and and then they can walk out and never haven't been in touch with God. Never haven't touched base with the risen Savior of the world never making that connection and somehow feel like something happened that makes everything okay. May you never be so cheaply satisfied sure why people so many people are coming here. I mean, I can give you theories. I mean I think it's to hear the word of God, but innocent people probably have mixed motives and that's that. I'm still glad to hear. I know some things are not looking for another not looking for the pipe organ will mean they may look for it once, but can figure out. We don't have a pipe organ that for service probably are stained glass or anything last.

That's not what they're looking for an understanding or limiting us understand some people are put off by what we do here and there are other places that they would feel more comfortable and I have to understand that you, but she's looking for Jesus and that's that's what we will hear you know if you come looking for. There's other things we we don't have those other thing but if you come here looking for Jesus you will find Jesus a man possessed what we talk about. That's what we focus on you'll see Jesus in the lives of so many people here is the greet you and welcome you and smile at you warmly and serve the Lord and serve you men. Jesus is at every turn around here and God stories abound so you can find Jesus here Jesus in verse 15 Jesus under woman, why are you weeping whom are you seeking what a great question she supposing him to be the gardener said them sir if you have carried him away, tell me where you where you have laid him and I will take him away again. I'm not sure why she's not recognizing Jesus and at this point, we have to recognize that she's very she's very sad but I want to see something she doesn't have to be sad. Jesus came to drop the tears and the fears of her life he wants us to come to him and say Jesus I'm depressed. Jesus sat Jesus angry. Please help me.

He longs for us to do and when we run the other things we cheat ourselves of a glorious experience with the Lord. Seek Jesus seek Jesus. Jesus here took notice of her tears.

He didn't just say you weeping.

What's wrong you looking for Jesus care and were coming to that they in Revelation 21 four and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes be no more death or sorrow in a crown. There shall be no more pain for the former things are passed away. For the former things are passed away. Jesus asked her simply looking for. Who are you seeking what you looking for in life. Only you can answer that question yet. You don't need to do it. I level what is it you're looking for. What is it your seeking life can be treacherous and even dangerous at times, depending on what you're looking for.

Jesus gave this warning in John 413 dealing talking with the woman at the well. Jesus answered and said to her. Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again. What are you looking for and what are you drinking from see as believers we need to make sure that the number one thing that were looking for is Jesus. And as you grow older you know I understand all these other things you're no longer looking for the perfect job of the perfect kid perfect parent perfect spouse, or the perfect church, you realize it's no such thing.

What are you looking for, seek Jesus seek Jesus. That's the next lifeless simple seek Jesus and you find it seek all these other things you're likely to find a lot of heartache and heartbreak. Seek Jesus in John 11 Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, that we made, he shall live.

And whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this. Who are you seeking what are you trusting in what am I spending my time on what is one of my spinning my passion on and is eternal. Significant to something that we do here when we talk about servant when I talk about servant really what I'm inviting you to do is live a life of eternal significance. Not just get involved with children's ministries because we need more people, but because it will change your life and you will receive according to the Bible, heavenly rewards that Moss can Moss can eat and rest can take away, but are you seeking Jesus understand what happens in understand all too well seeking the Lord towards number one is other things, filter out also need to take an assessment of your life and you go while I call him Lordnumber one but you all these other things of gotten ahead of me in my relationship with the Lord Lord tells us over and over. The cecum why is that because he knows this and he knows that on a daily basis. We need to be reminded to seek him. I live and hopefully you live in the hopeful expectation that in a moment were to be out here. You need to get ready this morning. What I mean by that. If you're not ready either the Lord's not number one in your life maybe know you women in and you ask him to forgive your sins, but you're not following.

And please use this morning as a golden opportunity to start following the Lord to get that clean slate. But if you're here this morning and you've never ask him to forgive you of your sins. You've been thinking that it's through your works, and you've actually been trying to work up this repentance thing so then he has to forgive you start by asking him to forgive you. Are you ready at what point in your Christian life are you are you find yourself right outside the tomb.

We are you in that place where you are ready and do you know for sure that your sins have been forgiven.

You can know right now only Jenna short, simple prayer simply telling God you're sorry and asking him to help you to live for him.

God wants you to pray this prayer so much that he died to give you the opportunity and the ability to ask him to forgive you.

Please pray this prayer with me out loud right now. Dear Jesus, I believe you died for me that I could be forgiven and I believe you were raised from the dead that I can have a new life not done wrong things I have sent and I'm sorry. Please forgive me of all those things.

Please give me the power to live for you.

All of my days in Jesus name, amen friend of you prayed that prayer according to the Bible you've been forgiven you've been born again. Jesus said he would not turn anybody away who comes to him and he came for those people who knew they needed forgiveness. Those who were sick, not the righteous. So congratulations Springer just made the greatest decision that you will ever make. God bless you, if you pray that prayer with David for the first time we'd love to hear from you. You can visit cross the bridge.com to receive our first steps package with helpful resources to help you begin your walk with Christ. Or you can write to cross the bridge at PO Box 12, 515 Winston-Salem, NC 27117 and share how God is working your life you're the Bible tells us that the free gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.

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Thanks again for listening and join us next time. As David McGee continues to verse by verse in the Gospel of John