Resurrection Sunday: Let That Stone Preach! - Pastor Ben Hodges

Matthew 28:1-101. That stone preaches that a door has been removed.The stone used to say, “Death wins.” Now the missing stone says, “Death has been invaded.”Romans 5:18-19Ephesians 2:13-142. That stone preaches that a trophy is displayed.The stone is a monument in broad daylight saying, “The King has won.” Satan lost. Sin lost. Death lost. Hell lost.The stone is no longer guarding Christ’s body. It is now advertising Christ’s triumph.1 Corinthians 15:55–573. That stone preaches that a foundation is laid.The stone that once sealed a grave becomes the stone beneath your feet. You can build here. This ground will hold. This gospel is true.Christianity does not stand on vibes, tradition, or positive thinking. It stands on an empty tomb.1 Corinthians 15:14–204. That stone preaches that rest is provided.The stone has become a seat. A place of rest. A symbol that the work is finished.Religion says, “Do more.” Jesus says, “Done… It is finished.”Hebrews 10:12–14 5. That stone preaches that a boundary is marked.The stone as a dividing line. Same stone. Same tomb. Same Jesus. Totally different reality.The empty tomb does not allow permanent neutrality.1 Peter 2:7–86. That stone preaches that evil is defeated.1 John 3:8 …The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.The stone rolling away is the beginning of the end for the kingdom of darkness.The resurrection is heaven’s declaration that Satan’s empire has been breached.The rolled-away stone is like the first fallen brick in a doomed fortress. The wall is coming down.The Bible says Jesus Himself is a stone in one of two ways for every person in this room.1. He is either the Cornerstone…A cornerstone is what the whole building lines up with. It sets the angle. It bears the weight. It determines what is true, straight, and lasting.You do not add Jesus to your life as a religious accessory. You rebuild your life on Him.1 Peter 2:4–8 2. Or, He is the stumbling stone.If you will not build on Jesus, you will trip over Jesus. Rejecting Jesus does not remove Him. It only guarantees collision with Him.The stone you refuse to build on becomes the stone you break against.Romans 9:32–33Jesus Christ is alive. Right now, He offers salvation, forgiveness, cleansing, adoption, eternal life, and a new beginning to anyone who will repent and believe.If you are waiting until you get your life together, you do not understand the gospel. You come to Jesus because your life is not together.