4-9-23 Sermon "Because of the Resurrection" 19 Minutes

Matthew 28:1-10

This morning I'll be reading Matthew chapter 28 verses 1 through 10. And I'll be reading from the Holman Christian Standard Bible. Matthew 28:1-10 These verses show us the way the women were going to begin their day. It changes dramatically when they get to the tomb and discover that Jesus' body wasn't there! Once we realize the importance of the empty tomb, it should be dramatic for us as well. Matthew 28:1–10 (HCSB) — 1 After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to view the tomb. 2 Suddenly there was a violent earthquake, because an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and approached the tomb. He rolled back the stone and was sitting on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his robe was as white as snow. 4 The guards were so shaken from fear of him that they became like dead men. 5 But the angel told the women, “Don’t be afraid, because I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here! For He has been resurrected, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell His disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead. In fact, He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see Him there.’ Listen, I have told you.” 8 So, departing quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, they ran to tell His disciples the news. 9 Just then Jesus met them and said, “Good morning!” They came up, took hold of His feet, and worshiped Him. 10 Then Jesus told them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see Me there.” The word of God for the people of God,,, thanks be to God! God bless the reading and the hearing of your word this morning. Let us pray: Dear Lord,,, as we begin this morning,,, with everyone here today and all that are listening and watching by video,,, we ask that you open our ears to hear and our hearts and minds to receive the message that you have for us today,,, In Jesus' name I pray,,, Amen. ___________________________________ Last Sunday we looked at Matthew 21:1-11 and we seen that the disciples and others had plans that differed from Jesus,,, but we must remember that Jesus didn’t come to meet their expectations,,, or ours,,, instead,,, He came to meet our needs!

That’s why that they possibly turned on Him later in the week,,, hollering crucify Him,,, crucify Him!

They weren’t prepared for the “Unexpected”,,, and they felt let down and abandoned!

When all that they needed,,, would have been to listen to Jesus,,, and truly hear His words,,, and fully understand these events as He explained them!

So as we go into Holy Week,,, we need to remember that we should expect the “Unexpected” when we remember these events,,, and the way that things happen to us in our life as well!

Then we remember,,, that God was in control that week,,, just as He’s in control today,,, and He will take care of things in His way,,, and in His time,,, if we just don’t panic,,, at the “Unexpected”!

This morning we will look at these verses in Matthew 28:1-10 and see how they help us in our walk with God this week.

___________________________________ Verse 1 said: 1 After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to view the tomb.

These women loved Jesus so much that nothing was going to keep them from returning to the tomb where He had been placed.

That's the kind of relationship that we should have with Jesus,,, a relationship that will only be made stronger by any hard times that we go through.

And it’s during the tough times that we have,,, that Jesus’ presence is truly appreciated,,, as we struggle with whatever is hurting us at the time!

Just like the two Mary's written about here in this verse,,, we have realized that we just cannot make it without Jesus in our life,,, and,,, praise God because of what we celebrate this morning,,, we don't have to do without Jesus,,, because He is with us,,, wherever we are at!

___________________________________ Verses 2 & 3 said: 2 Suddenly there was a violent earthquake, because an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and approached the tomb. He rolled back the stone and was sitting on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his robe was as white as snow.

Matthew is the only gospel writer that mentions an earthquake.

All of the other gospels,,, Mark,,, Luke,,, and John,,, mention the stone but not how it is rolled away.

So we don’t have conclusive evidence that the earthquake happened,,, but we do know that the stone was rolled away,,, and until evidence proves otherwise,,, I’ll take the words of Matthew as factual evidence!

It’s in the Bible,,, that’s enough proof for me!

I might not be able to understand,,, but that’s okay as well!

___________________________________ Verse 4 said: 4 The guards were so shaken from fear of him that they became like dead men.

These Roman soldiers had been sent to guard the tomb but their power and might was useless once the angel presented himself there.

Apparently they fainted from fright maybe,,, either way,,, they were not able to do anything when the angel descended from heaven.

These would have been men that would have been picked because they were trustworthy since the religious leaders were worried about the disciples stealing the body of Jesus.

If you go back and read Matthew 27:62-66 you will see where the religious leaders remembered that Jesus said that He would rise in three days,,, even though the disciples do not.

They go to Pilate and get permission to post guards and seal the tomb so that no-one will be able to get in.

Normally the soldiers would have been in a lot of trouble for not doing their job but the religious leaders take care of them and gave them money to spread the rumor that the disciples had stolen Jesus' body while they were sleeping,,, found in Matthew 28:11-15.

Another point that I want to bring to our attention,,, Jesus' resurrection can bring terror to those that don't know Him,,, while at the same time,,, it can bring comfort to those that do know Him.

As we see here,,, in verse 5 we have the angel telling the women what he apparently didn't tell the soldiers. ___________________________________ Verse 5 said: 5 But the angel told the women, “Don’t be afraid, because I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified.

"Don't be afraid",,, that's a phrase that is used countless times by angels when they descend to earth to bring us news from heaven.

The angel had good news for the women and made sure that they understood that they had no reason to be frightened of them.

We are also told over and over in the Bible,,, "do not fear",,, but do we truly listen to that advise?

Rick Warren says in one of his sermons that we are told "fear not" 365 times in the Bible,,, one time for each day of the year.

Now,,, whether that is true or not,,, God knew that this would be a problem and He has tried to help us if we will just pay attention.

And here the angel is just trying to help also,,, by telling them,,, “Don’t be afraid, because I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified.

The angel continues with the good news in verse 6.

___________________________________ Where he says: 6 He is not here! For He has been resurrected, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay.

Even though the soldiers were afraid,,, the angel had a special message for the women.

He wanted to let them know that Jesus was no longer there,,, that He had risen,,, just like He had told them that He would do.

Jesus had told them several times that He would rise but they never fully understood.

And the best proof that they could have,,, was the empty tomb!

That's why the angel said, "Come and see the place where He lay".

It was very important for them to see that the tomb was empty and Jesus wasn't there.

It was also important for them to hear the words of the angel in the next verse. ___________________________________ Verse 7 said: 7 Then go quickly and tell His disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead. In fact, He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see Him there.’ Listen, I have told you.”

These faithful women,,, women that had stayed with Jesus even after all of the disciples had deserted Him,,, were chosen by God to take the good news back to the disciples that Jesus has risen and was going ahead of them into Galilee.

These women weren't doing these things for this honor,,, they had spent their time with Jesus simply because of their love for Him. ___________________________________ Verse 8 said: 8 So, departing quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, they ran to tell His disciples the news.

The women obeyed the angel’s instructions because they hurried away from the tomb,,, intending to find the disciples and tell them the good news.

They were filled with joy over the fact of the Resurrection,,, but they were fearful because they couldn't really understand what all of this meant,,, it seemed almost to good to be true.

But then they met the resurrected Jesus! ___________________________________ Verses 9 & 10 said: 9 Just then Jesus met them and said, “Good morning!” They came up, took hold of His feet, and worshiped Him. 10 Then Jesus told them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see Me there.”

I'm sure this was a most glorious sight.

Even though they had heard the words of the angel,,, I'm sure that the sight of Jesus really calmed their soul like nothing else could.

Jesus repeats the words of the angel,,, telling them not to be afraid,,, then He tells them to "tell My brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see Me there.”

By Jesus using the term brother,,, He is wanting to let the disciples know that even though they abandoned Him they are still very dear to Him,,, that Jesus wasn't disappointed in them. ___________________________________ What a glorious morning this turned out to be for them!

What a glorious morning it has always turned out for us as well!

These women went to the tomb with sadness in their hearts,,, but came running back with joy!

The way that they were going to begin their morning changed after they found the empty tomb.

These women were going to the tomb that morning to prepare a body,,, but instead came back with news of a resurrected body,,, and that totally changed their perspective for that day!

___________________________________ David Jeremiah gave 3 reasons that the resurrection is important,,,

1,,, our past,,, Scripture tells us that we are separated from God because He is holy and we are not,,, Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

We cannot measure up to His standard and we cannot get to heaven in our own imperfection.

Jesus Christ Himself said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).

Only by placing our trust in Him for the forgiveness of our sin can we go to heaven.

And because Jesus Christ came back from the grave,,, proving to us,,, the truthfulness of His words and statements while He was with the disciples,,, we know that His words are true today.

Our past is cared for.

2,,, our present,,, because of the resurrection,,, He now gives us the same power that was used to bring Him back from the dead so that we can live our lives every day in resurrection power.

We struggle when we try to live the Christian life in our own power,,, in our own strength.

But if we will depend on the power of God for help,,, He will give us the strength and power.

We’re sinful,,, but He saves us,,, and guides us daily,,, through the Holy Spirits help!

3,,, our future,,, Because Jesus rose from the grave,,, those of us that are Christians,,, if we should die before He returns,,, we too shall come back from the grave.

That’s the guarantee we have as believers,,, and it’s all hinged on the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Our past,,, our present,,, and,,, our future,,, our everything,,,

___________________________________ The women went to the tomb that morning and had their whole lives changed!

We can and should experience the same feeling when we realize the importance of the resurrection!

Simply because everything important to us,,, hinges on Christ’s resurrection,,, and the help that we get from the Holy Spirit each and every day as we strive to live a life pleasing to God!

So as we leave from here today,,, we leave knowing that the resurrection affects every part of our life,,, our past,,, present,,, and our future!

And we have Jesus Christ to give the praise and glory to,,, as we celebrate this Easter Sunday,,, and each day going forward,,, all “Because of the Resurrection”!

___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ Hymn: 337 - Oakdale Hymn: 337 - Seminary Benediction -----------------------------------------------------------