They Have Taken Away My Lord
Jn 20:1-17

Introduction:
A. Mary was mistaken when she made that statement.  "They" had
   not "taken away" her "Lord" - He was risen.
B. Mary Magdalene is the first on the list in Mark 16. 
   Mark 16:1 shows these women did not believe that He was 
   risen, as He said to them many times before the cross. If 
   they had believed, they would not have been there to anoint 
   His dead body; but they loved Him; doubtlessly they were 
   like the two who going to Emmaus: "Their hope was gone!" - 
   Luke 24:13-33.

I. Figuratively, They Have Taken Him Away Today
   A. They have tried to take Him away out of FAITH
      1. We must believe in His resurrection from the dead - 
         1 Cor 15:12-20; 1 Pet 3:21-22
      2. Also the words of the Holy Spirit - Jn 16:12-l5
   B. Supreme Court has tried to take Him away from schools
   C. They have tried to take Him away from repentance
      1. The Holy Spirit said repentance must be motivated by 
         "Godly Sorrow - 2 Cor 7:8-10
      2. Repentance absolutely necessary - Lk 13:1-5; 
         Acts 17:30; 1 Thess 1:5-10
   D. They have also taken Him out of Baptism
      1. Rom 6:l-4; Col 2:12-13
      2. We must be "dead to sin, buried with Him in baptism" 
         and raised therefrom, "...just as Christ was raised 
         from the dead, by the glory of the Father..."

II. They Have Taken Him Away In Other Things Also
   A. They have taken Him away from the church; or have tried 
      to
      1. He purchased church with His own blood - Acts 20:28
      2. The Lord adds us to the church, IF WE ARE SAVED - 
         Acts 2:41 and 47
   B. Many today have taken Him away from the Lord's Supper - 
      1 Cor 11
   C. He is often taken out of what Paul calls "The Work of 
      Christ:" - Phil 2:25-3
      1. Many Christians mistakenly think it almost exclusively
         the preacher's responsibility to do all visiting for 
         the church
      2. But take a look at Matt 25:31-46
   D. Each has his OWN responsibility - Gal 6:5 and yet - 
      Gal. 6:2
   E. That's why Jesus called unto Him a little child - 
      Matt 18:3
      1. A little child is TEACHABLE!
      2. He accepts without a question what his parents say, 
         and others whom he considers authority
      3. His trust is perfect
      4. He is innocent and pure

Conclusion:
A. We take away the Lord when we try to leave Him out of our 
   lives.