Chuck Smith explores the significance of the stone over the door of Jesus' tomb, emphasizing what lay behind it: a dead concept of God, a dead passion to redeem, and a dead religion. He highlights how humanity rejected the true nature of God revealed in Christ, the hope of redemption, and the essence of a living faith. Smith contrasts the ugliness of death and despair with the transformative power of Christ's love and grace, ultimately affirming that Christianity is more than a religion; it is a vibrant life filled with hope. The sermon concludes with the powerful message that the stone was rolled away, symbolizing God's love and the promise of redemption.

"THE STONE OVER THE DOOR" Intro: At 9:00 o'clock that morning they had nailed Jesus, King of the Jews, on a cross. I. WHAT LAY BEHIND THAT STONE? A. A dead concept of God. 1. Philip - show us the Father. 2. "He that hath seen Me hath seen." a. Every man reveals his God. 3. What did He show us of God? a. "And we beheld His glory full of grace..." b. Love for suffering humanity. c. Peace and confidence. 4. Men rejected this concept of God. B. A dead passion to redeem. 1. "For the Son of Man has come to seek." a. Unheard of by philosophers. 2. Man was always looking for something new. a. To create new beauty - inspiration of art. b. To find new truth - inspiration of philosophy. c. To preserve the good - inspiration of government. 3. Here Christ announces that He desires to - take the bad and make it good. - take the l and make it pure. And He went around doing good - touching the lives of poor suffering humanity and making them whole. C. A dead religion "Christ brought a new religion." 1. A religion must have: foundation - faith in Christ. structure - love. finality - hope of eternal life in His Kingdom. II. THE UGLINESS OF DEATH. A. Men denied His concept of God. 1. There was no mercy and truth, no love or righteousness, in that howling mob. B. Men denied redemption. 1. That which is bad is bad. 2. No salvaging of humanity. C. Men refused His religion. 1. No faith in Him. 2. No love. 3. No hope. Within the tomb lay the dashed hopes of a few that had caught a glimpse of glory. 1. Two (2. disciples on road to Emmaus -"We had hoped He was the One who should redeem Israel." For three days the pall of death hung over a lost, condemned, hopeless world. The one ray of light had been extinguished. This is where some end the story - maybe you. -"The stone was rolled away" God is love, grace - truth. Jesus can redeem . Christianity is established - more than a religion, a vital, vibrant, life.