Easter Sunday: Matt 28:11-20 What’s Next?

Intro: Question, Experience, Story

confusion, diasappointment, greif, loss, anger, fear, who do you go to? What are your next steps? Where do you go for counsel when you are not sure?

Passage of Scripture:

Next Steps: “As They Were Directed”

Summary/Point: Will your next steps move you closer to Jesus or farther away?

Illustration: Crime shows “I didn’t know what else to do”,

Next Steps: “As They Were Directed” (vs. 11-20)

Some of the Guard (vs. 11-15)

The people: Guards, Chief Priest, Elders, Governor, Jews

some of the guard- that for fear of the angel trembled and became like dead men, the ones that were there…

went into the city- Jerusalem, because the tomb is outside the city limits

and told the chief priests- who had gone with the Pharisees to Pilate the day earlier asking for guards to make the tomb secure so the disciples could not steal Jesus in the night and decieve people into thinking He rose from the grave

all that had taken place

When they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel

they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers

and said

tell people

“His disciples came by night

and stole him away

while we were asleep”- The very thing they were trying to prevent!

This would have put their lives in jeopardy.

How would they have known this if they were sleeping?

and if this comes to the governor’s ears-

we will satisfy him- probably with more money

and keep you out of trouble

so they took the money- the price of their lives

and did as they were directed

and this story has been spread among the Jews to this day

Thoughts

When faced with life’s challenges, who do you run to for counsel, direction, and security? Who takes the place of the “Chief priests” and “elders” in your life?

What are you willing to pay or recieve in order to have a plan for what to tell people about why you do what you do? How much are you willing to pay in order to have a plan that does not involved Jesus?

Jesus knew that we were all in trouble because of our sin. The only way to satisfy God for sin was not a dollar amount. Yet, many people in the account and in life are still trying to satisfy their sin with a dollar amount and not the death of Jesus. Which one are you today?

2. The 11 Disciples (vs. 16-20)

The People: the 11 Disciples

Now the 11 Disciples

went to Galilee- not Jerusalem, about 150 km north. It would take them about 30 hours, so multiple days

to the mount

To which Jesus had directed them- Matthew contrasts the actions of the guard and the action of the Disciples.

and when they saw him

they worshiped him

but some doubted (“hesitated”)- This is not the first time people struggle to recognize Jesus.

And Jesus came and said to them

all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me- Jesus is no longer associated with being the gentle suffering servant, He is now the supreme authority of the universe once again. Whatever limitations were in place during His incarnation have now been lifted! He goes from being the lamb that carries the sin of the world to supreme lion of authority ruling the universe that he created

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations

baptizing them in the name (sg) of the

Father

and of the Son

and of the Holy Spirit

Teaching them to observe- Not just know, but follow

all that I have commanded you- not just certain parts

and behold

I am with you always- emphatic “I” am (present) with you

to the end of the age

Thoughts

Sometimes, following Jesus will lead you right back to where you were but not the same as you were? If Jesus is not calling you to change where you are, what is He calling you by his grace, to change about who you were? Today, most of us will return to the same homes, families, problems, and blessings that we left this morning. How will we return a little different?

What is going on in your life today that is causing you to be hesitant about Jesus? Hesitant that He covered all your sin, hesitant that He is alive, hesitant to believe he really has all authority? Heistant to trust that He is with you? Maybe something has taken place this year that has left you hesitant to follow Jesus, maybe Jesus doesn’t look the same as you once thought, maybe today is a good day to cry out to the one associated with grief.

Believer, have you been baptized? If not, why not? In what ways are the teachings of Jesus compelling you to live differently? In what ways does the presence of Jesus give you hope today?

You and Me (vs.)

Which group do you find yourslef in today?

The Guard: trying to figure out your next steps without Jesus

11 Disciples: receiving your next steps from Jesus, either ready to worship or a little hesitant.

The Guard: repent of seeking counsel from those that would tell you to live life without Jesus. Your life will never be saved by money or telling enough lies. You are in big trouble with God and Jesus is the only one that can satisfy that problem. will you turn to Jesus today? Will you humble yourself to His counsel that tells you there is only one name given among men by which you can be saved, Jesus!

11 Disciples: keep in step with what Jesus has directed in His word! As you see Him more clearly, worship Him more confidently. Don’t forget, He has all the authority, seek to follow Him closely as He walks closely to you.

Application/Implications:

Renew the Mind (the Scriptures):

What caught your attention in this section?

Which verses or words would you like to study a little more this week?

Engage the Heart (humility vs. pride):

“Tell people” (what you want them to hear) vs. “Make Disciples”

In light of what you have heard, will you merely devise a plan with an alternative authority that feeds your best interest? What do I mean by that, will you seek anyone and everyone that will encourage you to live life the way you want to without Jesus or, will you become His disciple

Enlist the Body (Words, actions, emotions):

The truth about Jesus gives you life, a lie about Jesus will bring you death.

Summary/Point: Will your next steps move you closer to Jesus or farther away?

Illustration:

Prayer: