Anchored in Hope

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Sermon

Pastor Gearl Spicer, March 31, 2024
Part of the Ready For The Adventure series, preached at a Sunday Online service

Mark 16

16 When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 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.” And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

[Some of the earliest manuscripts do not include 16:9–20.]

[[Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. 10 She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept. 11 But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.

12 After these things he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. 13 And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.

14 Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. 15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.]]

Sermon Notes

Ready For The Adventure
Anchored in Hope
Mark 16
3/31/24

Do you remember when Jesus became real to you?

We experience hope when we accept Jesus, live anchored to the cross and realize the tomb is empty!

*Entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting at the right, wearing a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid Him. Mark 16:5-6

*When they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they refused to believe it. Mark 16:11

*And He said to them, Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Mark 16:15

Four experiences to anchor your hope today –

I. Experience amazing moments – HOPE – Mark 16:1-7
*Our lives are shaped by painful moments when Jesus becomes real to us –

II. Experience the most reflective encounter – DOUBT – Mark 16:8-11
*Our hearts must be anchored in direction not doubt –

III. Experience the presence of Jesus – DISCOVERY – Mark 16:12-13
*Jesus walks with us in order to validate our faith-

IV. Experience HIs final command – COMMISSION – Mark 16:14-20
*Jesus gave powerful instructions for the future –

Are you anchored in hope? Is He real to you today?