“And when evening had come, since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate was surprised to hear that He should have already died. And summoning the centurion, he asked him whether He was already dead. And when he learned from the centurion that He was dead, he granted the corpse to Joseph. And Joseph bought a linen shroud, and taking Him down, wrapped Him in the linen shroud and laid Him in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock. And he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where He was laid.” Mark 15:42-47 (ESV) v When all hope seems lost, I _______________________. WHEN HOPE SEEMS LOST, REMEMBER THE GOSPEL PROMISE. 1. He is a man who has SOCIAL STATUS. v. 43a “Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council…” Mark 15:43a (ESV) 2. He is a man who is SEARCHING. v. 43b “…who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God…” Mark 15:43b (ESV) “After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away His body. Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds weight.” John 19:38-39 (ESV) “Jesus answered him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.’” John 3:3 (ESV) “Jesus answered, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.’” John 3:5 (ESV) “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.” John 3:16-18 (ESV) “We heard Him say, ‘I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.’” Mark 14:58 (ESV) “‘The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. ‘And He said to all, “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.’” Luke 9:22-23 (ESV)

“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26 (ESV)

3. He is a man who STANDS-UP. v. 43c “…took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.” Mark 15:43c (ESV) “And if a man has committed a crime punishable by death and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, his body shall not remain all night on the tree, but you shall bury him the same day, for a hanged man is cursed by God. You shall not defile your land that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance.” Deuteronomy 21:22-23 (ESV) “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 (ESV) 4. He is a man who SERVES SACRIFICIALLY. v. 45-46 “And when he learned from the centurion that He was dead, he granted the corpse to Joseph. And Joseph bought a linen shroud, and taking Him down, wrapped Him in the linen shroud and laid Him in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock. And he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb.” Mark 15:45-46 (ESV) “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45 (ESV) v WHEN HOPE SEEMS LOST, WALK BY FAITH! “And He said to them, ‘Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?’ Then He rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.” Matthew 8:26 (ESV)