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2 7 10 HT PM
Mark 16:1-4 NLT
Mark 16:1 NLT
Saturday evening, when the Sabbath ended, Mary Magdalene and Salome and Mary the mother of James went out and purchased burial spices so they could anoint Jesus’ body.
Mark 16:2
Very early on Sunday morning, ◙ just at sunrise, they went to the tomb.
Mark 16:3
On the way they were asking each other, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?”
Mark 16:4
But as they arrived, they looked up and saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled aside.
Mary the mother of Christ along with others were walking to the tomb, they had every reason to hang their head. Jesus was dead, the stone would hinder them from getting to his body and giving Him proper post burial treatment – their questions valid, their concerns were accurate based on the circumstances, it all made sense, keep your head down almost a denial of what challenges were ahead – however it all changed the moment they looked up!
In our own life, at times, we too can feel the weight of lies ahead. Challenges, people, problems, the enemy wants us to keep our head hung in fear of what lies ahead…however the only way to ever see what God can do in your life and or though your life… is to look up! When you look up all things change!
3 – Benefits of looking Up
1. Hope -
Titus 2:11 NLT
For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people.
Titus 2:12
And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God,
Titus 2:13
while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.
Titus 2:14
He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.
Where do you place your ultimate hope at in life? Is it here, now, people, prosperity, property – for the believer our hope must remain
2. Help –
Psalm 121:1 NKJV
I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?
Psalm 121:2
My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:3
He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
Psalm 121:4
Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.
Psalm 121:5
The Lord is your keeper;
The Lord is your shade at your right hand.
Psalm 121:6
The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.
Psalm 121:7
The Lord shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
Psalm 121:8
The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore.
Like an army charging to defend you the hope is always in the hills!!!
Jesus gives us great perspective in speaking about end time events….
Luke 21:25 NLT
“And there will be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides.
Luke 21:26
People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, for the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
Luke 21:27
Then everyone will see the Son of Man ◙ coming on a cloud with power and great glory. ◙
Luke 21:28
So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!”
3. Heaven –
Stephen while being stoned; read all of Acts 7 on your own time..
Acts 7:54 NLT
The Jewish leaders were infuriated by Stephen’s accusation, and they shook their fists at him in rage.
Acts 7:55
But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand.
Acts 7:56
And he told them, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand!”
Acts 7:57
Then they put their hands over their ears and began shouting. They rushed at him
Acts 7:58
and dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. His accusers took off their coats and laid them at the feet of a young man named Saul.
Acts 7:59
As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
Acts 7:60
He fell to his knees, shouting, “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” And with that, he died.
In looking at this story, the horrific death by stoning. We do see that our perspective is optional even in pain or difficulty…
2 Corinthians 4:16 NLT
That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are ◙ being renewed every day.
2 Corinthians 4:17
For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!
2 Corinthians 4:18
So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.
Closing thought – Go down to go up!
James 4:7 NLT
So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:8 NLT
Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.
James 4:9
Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy.
James 4:10
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.
We let God elevate us when we display:
- Humility
- Purity
- Loyalty
- Authenticity