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More Than Just a Story
More Than Just a Story
Mark 16:1–20
There’s a story about a wealthy man who was terminally ill. The doctor said, "There’s only “one thing” that will save you. “A brain transplant.” - It’s an experimental operation. And it’s very expensive." The wealthy guy said, - "Money is no object. Can you get me a brain?"
The doctor said, - "We have three available right now. The first one was from a college professor. But it’ll cost you $10,000." The guy said, "Don’t worry. I can pay; it will make me much wiser. What about the second brain?"
The doctor said, "It was from a rocket scientist. It’ll cost you $100,000." The man said, "I have the money. And I’d be a lot smarter too. But tell me about the third brain."
The doctor said, "The third brain is from a Politician. But it would set you back a million dollars." The man said, "A million dollars? Why so much for his brain?" The doctor said, "It is RARELY used."
We too have unused power in us, above us, around us, it is called The GOSPEL!
My wife keeps telling me I’m losing my hearing. Some husbands call it “selective hearing.”
An older couple was sitting outside in their rocking chairs one afternoon.
The wife looked at her husband of 60 years and said,
“I’m proud of you.” He turned to her and said,
“I’m tired of you, too.” She said, “Thanks!”
She looked around at the trees moving and said,
“It’s windy today.” He said, “No it’s not. It’s Thursday.”
She said, “Me too, I’ll go get us some lemonade!”
Hopefully we won’t be hard of hearing when it comes to listening to God’s Word. It says in Mathew 11:15 “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
The resurrection story of Jesus:
• Is either the biggest fairy TALE ever invented;
• Or the greatest miracle and the most significant event in human history!
I believe it is the greatest miracle that the world has or will ever see!
• I don’t know if you have noticed this observation.
• But in the Old Testament when talking about the power of God;
• The writers always refer to creation.
• The miracle of God creating the world out of nothing.
• In the New Testament when talking about the power of God;
• The writers always refer to the resurrection of Jesus from the dead!
• Because there is nothing greater that you can compare with it!
So when you talk about the life of Jesus Christ words like WONDERFUL, UNBELIEVABLE, PRICELESS, AND “MIRACLE” are used.
• He entered our world in a miraculous way;
• Conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.
• During his three years of ministry, the four gospels record 37 miracles of Jesus.
• Remember that John 21:25 tells us
“25 And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.”
• This means that Jesus performed many other miracles to these 37 that were not recorded.
• So Jesus entered our world in a miraculous way;
• He lived a miraculous life;
• And even in death, he has that word ‘miracle’ attributed to him!
Peter Larson writes:
• "Despite our efforts to keep him out, God intrudes.
• The life of Jesus is bracketed by two impossibilities: a virgin's womb and an empty tomb.
• Jesus entered our world through a door marked 'No Entrance';
• And left through a door marked 'No Exit’”
Mark shows Jesus appearing to people in different emotional states:
Jesus doesn’t wait for them to “get it together.” He steps into their grief, confusion, and unbelief.
This is the heart of the gospel: The risen Christ meets us in our real condition, not our ideal condition.
He doesn’t shame them for their fear or doubt.
He calls them forward. He transforms them.
Resurrection power doesn’t just raise Jesus from the dead—it raises His followers from despair.
Our text this morning is found in Mark 16:1-20.
Because the empty tomb was discovered on a Sunday morning, every Sunday should be a resurrection celebration.
The title of this message is “MORE THAN JUST A STORY”
The resurrection is more than just an historical event.
Jesus is a risen Savior, and salvation comes by
believing in Him and being obedient to his will.
Verses 1-8 of our TEXT tells us:
“Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene,
Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices,
that they might come and anoint Him.
2 Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week,
they came to the tomb when the sun had risen.
3 And they said among themselves,
“Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?”
4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone
had been rolled away—for it was very large.
5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man
clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side;
and they were alarmed.
6 But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed.
You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified.
He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him.
7 But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is
going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him,
as He said to you.”
8 So they went out quickly and fled from the tomb,
for they trembled and were amazed.
And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.”
It was The Dawn That Changed Everything
The 3 women were walking to the tomb at sunrise.
They carry spices, not hope.
They expect a corpse, not a resurrection.
Their biggest concern is the stone, not the Savior.
But God had already moved the stone.
Note: God works while we worry.
The women were anxious about a barrier that heaven had already removed.
Inside the tomb, they meet a messenger who declares the greatest announcement in history: “He is risen; He is not here.”
Those words didn’t just change their morning—
Those words changed the world.
And yet, verse 8 says they fled in fear.
Even good news can overwhelm us when it’s bigger than our expectations.
The resurrection is not just a doctrine; it’s a disruption.
It overturns despair, rewrites reality, and demands a response.
Then the angel gave them two sets of instructions.
These are the same instructions we should follow today.
He invited them to examine the tomb and look for the evidence. The tomb was empty, but it was full of significance.
In John’s account (Chapt. 20), we’re told the strips of cloth that had covered the body of Jesus were stacked up along with the sheet covering His body.
These women had to be wondering if this was a dream. They had seen the torture and crucifixion of Jesus. They watched as His body was removed from the cross and placed in the tomb. They knew He was dead.
But they were confronted with an empty tomb.
In Acts 1:3 the Bible says Jesus offered the disciples many more “convincing proofs” that He was alive. If you are going to examine the evidence of the resurrection, you have to start with the empty tomb. Even the enemies of Jesus admitted the tomb was empty.
The angel told the women to go tell the disciples
that Jesus was alive and He would meet them in Galilee. However, as we mentioned, verse eight of the text tells us: trembling and bewildered they fled:
They didn’t tell anyone because they were afraid. I can’t really blame them. They were in shock. A little while later Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene
and she delivered the message.
We’ve been given the same command to “go tell” the world that Jesus is alive. How often have we been guilty of the initial behavior of the women? Like them, we are too often too afraid to share the Good News.
The best tool to use is our personal faith story. Just tell people naturally what the risen Lord has done in our life.
Verses 9-14 of the TEXT
“9 Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons.
10 She went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept.
11 And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.
12 After that, He appeared in another form to two of them as they walked and went into the country.
13 And they went and told it to the rest, but they did not believe them either.
14 Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen.”
Mark mentions that later two other people show up claiming they had seen Jesus alive. In Luke 24 we read the story of Jesus appearing to two isciples who were walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus, a distance of about eleven miles. They didn’t recognize Jesus.
I would have loved to have been on that original walk to Emmaus, because the Bible says Jesus started with Moses (that’s Genesis) and took them all the way through the Old Testament telling how all the scriptures predicted the Messiah would suffer and die.
When they finally arrived at their house, they invited their companion to join them for dinner. Jesus, who was the guest, became the host, because the Bible says when He broke the bread, their eyes were opened and they recognized it was Jesus.
They were so excited they turned around and traveled eleven miles back to tell the disciples. I imagine they ran this time. Out of breath, I can hear one of them telling Peter, “We saw the Lord! He’s alive!” Mary probably chimed in, “See I told you!” But it says the disciples still didn’t believe.
I think we learn an important lesson from this episode.
The best proof of the resurrection isn’t an empty tomb.
The best proof of the resurrection is when you meet Jesus.
I know Jesus is alive not because of any of the arguments about the historical resurrection. I know He’s alive because He lives inside of me and I talk to Him all the time.We can say that Jesus feels alive because:
“As true Christians, Jesus feels alive because we experience Him, not just read about Him.” The fact that billions of people across centuries have claimed life change through Jesus is part of the explanation.
For example:
we say their legacy lives on.
Christians go further—they believe Jesus Himself lives on.”
Now, back to Verses 15-18 of the text
Where Jesus then gives a mission that matches the magnitude of His victory:
“15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;
18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.””
“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”
This is not a suggestion. It’s a sending.
Notice the scope:
The resurrection is not private news. It’s public truth. It’s not for a select few. It’s for everyone. Jesus promises signs that will accompany believers—
not to glorify the believer, but to confirm the message. The point is not the spectacular; the point is the Savior. The power of God follows the proclamation of God.
The chapter ends with Jesus ascending to the right hand of God—a position of authority, victory, and intercession.
But the story doesn’t end with Jesus leaving.
It ends with the disciples going.
“They went out and preached everywhere,
the Lord working with them.”
That’s the pattern of the church:
The resurrection leads to mission.
The ascension leads to empowerment.
The gospel leads to action.
What This Means for Us Today
A. God still moves stones.
The obstacles that intimidate us are often already handled by God.
B. Jesus meets us in our real struggles.
Doubt, fear, grief—none of these disqualify us from encountering the risen Christ.
C. We are called to go.
Every believer is sent.
D. We don’t go alone.
The Lord works with us. The resurrection is not just a past event—it’s a present power.
Conclusion: The Story Continues With Us
Mark 16 begins with fear and ends with boldness.
It begins with a sealed tomb and ends with an open world. It begins with omen carrying spices and ends with disciples carrying the gospel. The resurrection is not the end of Jesus’ story—it’s the beginning of ours.
He is risen. He is reigning. He is working with us still.
So let us go—into our homes, our workplaces, our communities—and proclaim the good news that changed everything.
Salvation isn’t knowing about Jesus; it is knowing Jesus.
JESUS GAVE US A JOB TO DO
In these final words of Mark’s writing, Jesus has given us three tasks to do.
Jesus said in Mathew 24:14, “And this gospel of the kingdom
will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”
The Bible says our days are numbered and it is appointed once for a person to die.
GOD IS alive! Do you believe Him? Do you know Him?
Will you follow Him?
View all episodes
By chardonMore Than Just a Story
Mark 16:1–20
There’s a story about a wealthy man who was terminally ill. The doctor said, "There’s only “one thing” that will save you. “A brain transplant.” - It’s an experimental operation. And it’s very expensive." The wealthy guy said, - "Money is no object. Can you get me a brain?"
The doctor said, - "We have three available right now. The first one was from a college professor. But it’ll cost you $10,000." The guy said, "Don’t worry. I can pay; it will make me much wiser. What about the second brain?"
The doctor said, "It was from a rocket scientist. It’ll cost you $100,000." The man said, "I have the money. And I’d be a lot smarter too. But tell me about the third brain."
The doctor said, "The third brain is from a Politician. But it would set you back a million dollars." The man said, "A million dollars? Why so much for his brain?" The doctor said, "It is RARELY used."
We too have unused power in us, above us, around us, it is called The GOSPEL!
My wife keeps telling me I’m losing my hearing. Some husbands call it “selective hearing.”
An older couple was sitting outside in their rocking chairs one afternoon.
The wife looked at her husband of 60 years and said,
“I’m proud of you.” He turned to her and said,
“I’m tired of you, too.” She said, “Thanks!”
She looked around at the trees moving and said,
“It’s windy today.” He said, “No it’s not. It’s Thursday.”
She said, “Me too, I’ll go get us some lemonade!”
Hopefully we won’t be hard of hearing when it comes to listening to God’s Word. It says in Mathew 11:15 “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
The resurrection story of Jesus:
• Is either the biggest fairy TALE ever invented;
• Or the greatest miracle and the most significant event in human history!
I believe it is the greatest miracle that the world has or will ever see!
• I don’t know if you have noticed this observation.
• But in the Old Testament when talking about the power of God;
• The writers always refer to creation.
• The miracle of God creating the world out of nothing.
• In the New Testament when talking about the power of God;
• The writers always refer to the resurrection of Jesus from the dead!
• Because there is nothing greater that you can compare with it!
So when you talk about the life of Jesus Christ words like WONDERFUL, UNBELIEVABLE, PRICELESS, AND “MIRACLE” are used.
• He entered our world in a miraculous way;
• Conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.
• During his three years of ministry, the four gospels record 37 miracles of Jesus.
• Remember that John 21:25 tells us
“25 And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.”
• This means that Jesus performed many other miracles to these 37 that were not recorded.
• So Jesus entered our world in a miraculous way;
• He lived a miraculous life;
• And even in death, he has that word ‘miracle’ attributed to him!
Peter Larson writes:
• "Despite our efforts to keep him out, God intrudes.
• The life of Jesus is bracketed by two impossibilities: a virgin's womb and an empty tomb.
• Jesus entered our world through a door marked 'No Entrance';
• And left through a door marked 'No Exit’”
Mark shows Jesus appearing to people in different emotional states:
Jesus doesn’t wait for them to “get it together.” He steps into their grief, confusion, and unbelief.
This is the heart of the gospel: The risen Christ meets us in our real condition, not our ideal condition.
He doesn’t shame them for their fear or doubt.
He calls them forward. He transforms them.
Resurrection power doesn’t just raise Jesus from the dead—it raises His followers from despair.
Our text this morning is found in Mark 16:1-20.
Because the empty tomb was discovered on a Sunday morning, every Sunday should be a resurrection celebration.
The title of this message is “MORE THAN JUST A STORY”
The resurrection is more than just an historical event.
Jesus is a risen Savior, and salvation comes by
believing in Him and being obedient to his will.
Verses 1-8 of our TEXT tells us:
“Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene,
Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices,
that they might come and anoint Him.
2 Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week,
they came to the tomb when the sun had risen.
3 And they said among themselves,
“Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?”
4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone
had been rolled away—for it was very large.
5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man
clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side;
and they were alarmed.
6 But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed.
You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified.
He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him.
7 But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is
going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him,
as He said to you.”
8 So they went out quickly and fled from the tomb,
for they trembled and were amazed.
And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.”
It was The Dawn That Changed Everything
The 3 women were walking to the tomb at sunrise.
They carry spices, not hope.
They expect a corpse, not a resurrection.
Their biggest concern is the stone, not the Savior.
But God had already moved the stone.
Note: God works while we worry.
The women were anxious about a barrier that heaven had already removed.
Inside the tomb, they meet a messenger who declares the greatest announcement in history: “He is risen; He is not here.”
Those words didn’t just change their morning—
Those words changed the world.
And yet, verse 8 says they fled in fear.
Even good news can overwhelm us when it’s bigger than our expectations.
The resurrection is not just a doctrine; it’s a disruption.
It overturns despair, rewrites reality, and demands a response.
Then the angel gave them two sets of instructions.
These are the same instructions we should follow today.
He invited them to examine the tomb and look for the evidence. The tomb was empty, but it was full of significance.
In John’s account (Chapt. 20), we’re told the strips of cloth that had covered the body of Jesus were stacked up along with the sheet covering His body.
These women had to be wondering if this was a dream. They had seen the torture and crucifixion of Jesus. They watched as His body was removed from the cross and placed in the tomb. They knew He was dead.
But they were confronted with an empty tomb.
In Acts 1:3 the Bible says Jesus offered the disciples many more “convincing proofs” that He was alive. If you are going to examine the evidence of the resurrection, you have to start with the empty tomb. Even the enemies of Jesus admitted the tomb was empty.
The angel told the women to go tell the disciples
that Jesus was alive and He would meet them in Galilee. However, as we mentioned, verse eight of the text tells us: trembling and bewildered they fled:
They didn’t tell anyone because they were afraid. I can’t really blame them. They were in shock. A little while later Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene
and she delivered the message.
We’ve been given the same command to “go tell” the world that Jesus is alive. How often have we been guilty of the initial behavior of the women? Like them, we are too often too afraid to share the Good News.
The best tool to use is our personal faith story. Just tell people naturally what the risen Lord has done in our life.
Verses 9-14 of the TEXT
“9 Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons.
10 She went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept.
11 And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.
12 After that, He appeared in another form to two of them as they walked and went into the country.
13 And they went and told it to the rest, but they did not believe them either.
14 Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen.”
Mark mentions that later two other people show up claiming they had seen Jesus alive. In Luke 24 we read the story of Jesus appearing to two isciples who were walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus, a distance of about eleven miles. They didn’t recognize Jesus.
I would have loved to have been on that original walk to Emmaus, because the Bible says Jesus started with Moses (that’s Genesis) and took them all the way through the Old Testament telling how all the scriptures predicted the Messiah would suffer and die.
When they finally arrived at their house, they invited their companion to join them for dinner. Jesus, who was the guest, became the host, because the Bible says when He broke the bread, their eyes were opened and they recognized it was Jesus.
They were so excited they turned around and traveled eleven miles back to tell the disciples. I imagine they ran this time. Out of breath, I can hear one of them telling Peter, “We saw the Lord! He’s alive!” Mary probably chimed in, “See I told you!” But it says the disciples still didn’t believe.
I think we learn an important lesson from this episode.
The best proof of the resurrection isn’t an empty tomb.
The best proof of the resurrection is when you meet Jesus.
I know Jesus is alive not because of any of the arguments about the historical resurrection. I know He’s alive because He lives inside of me and I talk to Him all the time.We can say that Jesus feels alive because:
“As true Christians, Jesus feels alive because we experience Him, not just read about Him.” The fact that billions of people across centuries have claimed life change through Jesus is part of the explanation.
For example:
we say their legacy lives on.
Christians go further—they believe Jesus Himself lives on.”
Now, back to Verses 15-18 of the text
Where Jesus then gives a mission that matches the magnitude of His victory:
“15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;
18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.””
“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”
This is not a suggestion. It’s a sending.
Notice the scope:
The resurrection is not private news. It’s public truth. It’s not for a select few. It’s for everyone. Jesus promises signs that will accompany believers—
not to glorify the believer, but to confirm the message. The point is not the spectacular; the point is the Savior. The power of God follows the proclamation of God.
The chapter ends with Jesus ascending to the right hand of God—a position of authority, victory, and intercession.
But the story doesn’t end with Jesus leaving.
It ends with the disciples going.
“They went out and preached everywhere,
the Lord working with them.”
That’s the pattern of the church:
The resurrection leads to mission.
The ascension leads to empowerment.
The gospel leads to action.
What This Means for Us Today
A. God still moves stones.
The obstacles that intimidate us are often already handled by God.
B. Jesus meets us in our real struggles.
Doubt, fear, grief—none of these disqualify us from encountering the risen Christ.
C. We are called to go.
Every believer is sent.
D. We don’t go alone.
The Lord works with us. The resurrection is not just a past event—it’s a present power.
Conclusion: The Story Continues With Us
Mark 16 begins with fear and ends with boldness.
It begins with a sealed tomb and ends with an open world. It begins with omen carrying spices and ends with disciples carrying the gospel. The resurrection is not the end of Jesus’ story—it’s the beginning of ours.
He is risen. He is reigning. He is working with us still.
So let us go—into our homes, our workplaces, our communities—and proclaim the good news that changed everything.
Salvation isn’t knowing about Jesus; it is knowing Jesus.
JESUS GAVE US A JOB TO DO
In these final words of Mark’s writing, Jesus has given us three tasks to do.
Jesus said in Mathew 24:14, “And this gospel of the kingdom
will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”
The Bible says our days are numbered and it is appointed once for a person to die.
GOD IS alive! Do you believe Him? Do you know Him?
Will you follow Him?