INTRODUCTION - EVEN THOSE WHO LOVE THE LORD IN SINCERITY, & ARE FAITHFUL, HAVE PROBLEMS DOING RIGHT

• Why should the loving women, on their way to minister to Jesus, have any problems to face?
• Starry-eyed idealism is fine, but start to DO something, and soon there are real problems
• But often the problems we worry about are not the real dangerous ones that almost destroy us

Let's compare the problems of that first Easter morning with what we have today!

I. THE PROBLEMS SEEN BY THE WOMEN - Mark 16:1,2,3

Never forget the faithfulness of these women to rise so early to minister to the Lord

A GREAT RESPONSIBILITY WAS FELT BY THSE WOMEN, BORN OF A GREAT LOVE FOR THE LORD!

• Their Lord was dead, The men met in despair, but these women looked for something to do
• They must not have read of John 19:39- for Nicodemus had bought 100 Wt of spices- 75-100lbs
• But here they were early, before dawn, going to a strange grave yard, worried & talking

THE GREAT WORRY - WHO SHALL ROLL US THE STONE FROM THE DOOR OF THE SEPULCHRE?

• They may have seen Joseph of Arimathea roll this great stone door down the slot, drop it in place
• They must not have known of the seal of Rome, and the Soldier guards- Matt 27:66
• The problem they were worried about did not exist but to them it was real-yet they went

THE WONDERFUL UNEXPECTED SOLUTION TO THEIR PROBLEM & DOUBTS BECAME THE CHRISTIAN'S GREETING

• When they looked the stone was rolled away, seal broken, guard gone, No hinderance- v.4
• The Angel in the tomb gave them the first Easter message- HE IS RISEN -became password!
• The Angel also said- "GO TELL", they received the priceless treasure to be first to tell! 

They were frightened women- fled, too afraid to tell anyone- but they did - Luke 24:10,11

II. THE PROBLEMS THAT WE CAN SEE TODAY!

It would feel good to just think of good things - peaceful dreams - but that is sleep of death!

WE MUST COMPARE THE WOMEN'S PROBLEMS WITH THOSE THAT WE ARE FEARFUL OF TODAY - APPLICATION!

• Active, sincere Christians, trying to serve the Lord - are troubled - small ones blown up!
• I see Christians temperamental in personal preferences- with pets and personality conflicts
• I see Christians, sincere, but unable to find power to conquer little sins of old nature

WE NEED TO SEE THE REAL PROBLEMS, AND MAYBE STOP OUR GOSSIP AND BE TERRORIZED INTO ACTION!

• If the Marys knew Roman guards-or if ladies today knew power of lust- they would fear of it.
• If you knew the Satanic traps for your youth - you would not miss a Wed. night prayer meeting
• If we all knew the Hell of Hell - eternally we would witness, & search with weeping for salvation of others

WILL WE EVER SEE THE TRUTH OF ETERNITY'S VALUES WITH THE IMPORTANCE OF SPIRITUAL REALITIES?

• The women that first Easter would never have found the truth had they quit over their worries
• When the power of the Gospel saves a sous, we should not be so worried about the grave
• Whatever your fears- Read I Cor 15; esp. v. 58 - or have you any labor in the Lord?

Easter should be the time when the stone is rolled away, the earthquake, veil rent in two

III. STILL, WHO WILL ROLL OUR WORRIES AWAY ???

We still gossip our doubts as we try to walk along with the crowd today - how to go forward?

WILL WE FACE THE FACTS OF OUR RESPONSIBILITY, NO MATTER WHAT OUR WORRIES, TO BE FAITHFUL TO HIM?

• Jesus died on Calvary for our sins- have you ever gone to the tomb to confess Him as Your Saviour?
• Jesus arose from the dead to prove our faith- Have you ever gone to tell anyone of this?
• Jesus ascended up into heaven to be our advocate a daily help- Do you live like you know Him?

IF WE DON'T GO ON TO DO OUR JOB FOR CHRIST, HOW WILL WE EVER KNOW THE STONE IS ROLLED AWAY?

• We can argue about confession, Baptism, Church Membership, Service, Tithing, Prayer
• But until you say -"Jesus needs me" and until you go to stand by his side you won't know!
• In reality- We need Jesus - If you know this, & its reality- you will RUN to His side!

THIS SAME JESUS IS RISEN, AND COMING AGAIN, WILL YOU BE READY WHEN HE DOES?

• It matters not what your doubts are worrying you with- He is risen, He is alive -See!
• You can be born again- If you will come by faith and believe what you see in empty tomb!
• Some day soon the day will bring the completion of our walk by faith- He is coming again!

When He comes- will He find you faithful in His service as these women?

CONCLUSION - ARE THERE STONES OF DOUBT IN YOUR LIFE? EXPRESS THEM, AND GO FORWARD TO SEE FOR YOURSELF!

• Face the facts of Christianity- Come this morning and confess Christ as your Saviour!
• Don't condemn the women for their foundless fears - take care of your own doubts-action!
• Let Jesus find you faithful- Go tell- He is risen, I know for I have experienced Him!