Our name | Mission | Vision | Leaders Ministries | Schedule | Directions | Contact Home   Gateway Church gathers for worship Sundays at 10:30 a.m. Location: 6425 Jefferson Rd. (Hwy. 129) in Athens, Georgia. For directions, click here. Ministry of the Word: Recent sermons Our quarterly e-magazine Gateway Today For the Gateway family Pastor Jerry's Weekly E-Mail A GATEWAY SERMON SUMMARY AUDIO Surprised by joy Jerry Varnado, pastor Gateway Church, Athens GA Easter Son Rise Service April 20, 2003 Scripture text: Matthew 28: 1-15. Verse 8 says the women were "afraid yet filled with joy." Afraid of the mystery of it all, yet filled with joy, as we might expect when one goes to a friend's tomb and finds him alive. In grief and despair they went to mourn over their dead friend and teacher. But instead they were surprised by joy. Instead of death, they found life. In verses 11-16 we have the first reaction of the Jewish authorities -- a political cover-up. Century after century governments, people of power and political control, even some religious leaders, have tried to discredit the story, prove it untrue and thus keep Jesus in the grave. But He won't stay there! He is risen! He is alive! There is no way to explain the resurrection out of the previously existing reality. The resurrection can only be received and affirmed and celebrated as the new action of God who creates new futures for people that allows them to be amazed in the midst of despair. The resurrection of Jesus is not simply "a development in the church's theology," as some liberals in the church would have us believe. But neither is it simply an oddity in the history of God. Nor is it an isolated act of God's power. Rather it is the initiating of a new history that opens up a new way of thinking, a new way of living and a new way hoping -- all in an intimate fellowship and union with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Why has the story of the resurrection stood the test of time in the face of such opposition? It is because when people start snooping around the empty tomb they get surprised by joy! They find not only historical documentation, but also a living Savior, who says, to them things such as: "Your sins are forgiven"; "Because I live, you shall live"; "He who lives and believes in me shall never die." I don't know where you are this morning or what you bring with you to this place, which symbolizes to us the Empty Tomb. I do know this; If you've come here looking for the living Lord, seeking in earnest with your heart and mind open to the spiritual reality of the resurrection and the new life it offers, you will leave here a different person. You will be surprised by joy -- the incredible, inexpressible, unutterable joy of seeing Jesus the risen Lord, the Savior of the world. An mp3 audio file of this sermon is here. (Download to a PC by right clicking on the link and choosing "Save Target As." Mac users: click, hold, and choose "Download Link to Disk." Depending on your connection speed, the file make take several minutes to download.) © 2003 Gerald R. Varnado To the Gateway Church home page How to contact us