Jesus the Risen and Reigning King

Introduction

Opening Illustration

As many of you know,

we are in the middle of a federal election here in Canada.

This past week there were debates between the leaders,

as they tried to convince Canadians to vote for them.

There are typically two ways these leaders try to gain votes:

By asking questions about the other leaders’ policies to make them look bad; OR

By sharing their policies in a way that makes them look good.

These leaders need to make themselves and their policies appealing to voters,

because we live in a democratic society,

meaning that the leaders of our country are chosen by us!

For this reason, these leaders need to implement policies that make us happy,

or they won’t get voted in.

But even if they do get voted in,

they can only stay in as long the people are happy with them.

Transition to Sermon

As we are going to see this morning,

this is NOT how it works with God !

He didn’t need to gain voters…

He didn’t need to present His platform in a way that won people over to His side,

so that they would choose Him as their leader.

Being God, and having all the authority and power

is not up to democracy.

This morning we are going to see…

Title

Jesus the Risen and Reigning King

Through His life, death, and resurrection,

He proved that He WAS God!

Only God can predict His own death, burial, and resurrection!

Billboard

Since Jesus was able to fulfill His own prophecy,

how should we respond to the fact that He is God?

We should:

Worship Him…

Rest in Him… and

Obey Him!

Prayer for Illumination

Lord…

Read Scripture

Matthew 28:1–20 ESV

1 Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4 And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. 5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” 8 So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” 11 While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place. 12 And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers 13 and said, “Tell people, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ 14 And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” 15 So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story has been spread among the Jews to this day. 16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Transition

The first thing I want us to see this morning is that we should…

1. Worship the Risen Christ

Throughout Jesus’ life and ministry,

He claimed to be God.

Some statements He used were:

John 8:58 “58 “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”

John 10:30–33 “30 I and the Father are one.”

John 14:9 “9 Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.”

He claimed to be God by:

Forgiving sins — which only God can do,

Accepting the title of God from others, and

Accepting worship from people.

He also predicted His own death, burial, and resurrection…

and this was yet another proof that He truly was God!

And since Jesus truly is God…

He deserves worship!

EXPLAIN

And we see that Jesus receives worship after His resurrection.

The Women Worship

The women who went to the tomb,

after being told by an angel that Jesus had risen,

went to tell the disciples…

Matthew 28:9 ESV

9 And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him.

After seeing their Lord and Saviour,

the women fall to the ground in worship!

They had watched Him die a horrific death,

and watched Him laid in a tomb,

and a stone rolled in front of the entrance.

And now, they saw Jesus alive,

proving everything He said and did in His ministry,

proving that He was God,

and their response was to worship Him!

Transition

Then we see…

The Disciples Worship

Matthew 28:16–17 ESV

16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.

Matthew doesn’t elaborate on their doubting,

But the fact that they had doubts shows that they didn’t understand Jesus’ own predictions of His death and resurrection.

Their doubts showed that were not expecting Him to rise from the dead,

and needed proof that He really was alive.

But after

hearing Him with their own ears,

seeing Him with their own eyes,

touching Him with their own hands,

they believed

that Jesus had truly risen from the dead,

that He truly was God,

and they worshiped Him!

Summary

Jesus, the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God,

who was killed and buried for three days,

rose from the grave,

proving He was God,

and therefore, worthy of our worship!

ILLUSTRATE — Doubting Thomas

On the first day that Jesus rose from the dead,

He visited the disciples,

and showed them His hands and His side,

but Thomas wasn’t there.

The disciples told Thomas that they had seen the Lord,

but Thomas needed to see and touch Jesus for himself.

John 20:26–29 ESV

26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands;

John 20:26–29 ESV

and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

After seeing, touching, and hearing Jesus for himself,

Thomas believes and worships Jesus!

Then Jesus says,

“Blessed are those who have NOT SEEN and yet have believed.”

APPLY

We are among those who have not seen Christ’s risen body,

and we will not see Him until either:

We die, OR

Jesus returns.

Do you believe that Jesus rose from the dead,

proving that He was God?

In the letter of first John 5,

John encourages us to believe in Jesus,

because it is God’s testimony of His Son.

1 John 5:10–12 ESV

10 Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son.

1 John 5:10–12 ESV

11 And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

If you do not believe in God’s testimony of His Son,

you are calling Him a liar,

and you do not have eternal life.

If you do believe in God’s testimony of His Son,

even though you haven’t seen Him,

you are trusting God’s testimony of His Son,

and you have eternal life!

And since you have such wonderful promises through Christ,

give Him the worship He deserves!

Through Jesus we have:

forgiveness of sin…

hope of eternal life…

The Holy Spirit living in us…

Let’s follow the example of the women and disciples,

and live lives of worship honouring the risen Christ!

Gospel Call

If you have not put your faith in Jesus,

and have not believed God’s testimony about His Son,

don’t hold off!

Remember that if you do not have Christ,

you do not have eternal life,

and you are calling God a liar.

The Good News is that God has shown such love in sending His Son to die for you,

and He has made that truth known in His Word,

so accept His sacrifice for you,

and give your life to Him in worship!

If you have questions about what it means to give your life to God,

ask your neighbour after the service…

ask your parents when you get home this afternoon… OR

talk to one of us pastors after the service.

We would love to talk with you about that!

Transition

The next thing we should do in light of the resurrection is…

2. Rest in the Risen Christ

As the women and the disciples are hearing reports about:

an earthquake...

an angel rolling the stone away… and

Jesus’ resurrection…

they were filled with fear, wonder, and confusion.

They still didn’t understand everything that had taken place,

and what it all meant.

But each step of the way,

they are encouraged not to fear,

but to rest in the risen Christ.

EXPLAIN

The Women & The Angel

First, as the women came to the tomb…

Matthew 28:5–6 ESV

5 the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.

The women were obviously afraid and confused,

but the angel commands them NOT to be afraid,

but rather… to rest in the fact that He had risen from the dead!

Yes, Jesus was crucified, but now He is risen,

just as He said would happen…

come see where He lay!

You don’t have to fear anymore,

but rest in the risen Christ!

The Women & Jesus

Then the women encounter Jesus as they are leaving the tomb…

Matthew 28:8–10 ESV

8 So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him.

Matthew 28:8–10 ESV

10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”

The women had went to the tomb saddened and mourning,

now they left the tomb with fear and great joy, their minds racing,

and Jesus meets them and says, “Greetings!”

and their response it to worship Him!

Then Jesus says, “Do not be afraid.”

Obviously the women were still in shock and afraid,

but Jesus calms their fears.

We remember that Jesus is God:

the God of the universe…

who spoke all things into existence…

the Alpha and the Omega…

and He tells them not to be afraid!

Isn’t that such a comforting thought?

that the God of the universe,

who is all knowing…

all powerful… and

present everywhere,

isn’t interested in intimidating people,

but encouraging them to find comfort and rest in Him!

Transition

Then later, we see Jesus call His disciples to rest in Him,

when He says to them…

Jesus’ Command to His Disciples

Matthew 28:18 ESV

18 “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

The fact that Jesus had risen from the grave,

proved He was God,

and therefore worthy of worship!

Jesus wanted His followers to rest in that truth.

The fact that Jesus is God,

means that He has all authority in heaven and earth,

and Jesus wants His followers to rest in that truth!

Summary

Jesus’s followers were still confused and afraid with everything that had taken place in the last week,

but Jesus patiently, lovingly, and gently calms their fears,

calling them to rest in the risen Christ.

ILLUSTRATE — Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

In The Two Towers, the second movie in The Lord of the Rings series,

the people of a kingdom called Rohan are in big trouble.

An evil army—ten thousand strong—is coming to wipe them out.

These are vicious, violent creatures, and they’re not coming to negotiate…

They’re coming to destroy.

The king takes his people, including women and children,

to an old stone fortress in the mountains called Helm’s Deep.

It’s the only place they have left. But it’s not made to hold off an army this big.

They do what they can—get ready, build up defenses—but it’s not looking good.

The battle begins, and it gets ugly fast.

The enemy breaks through the outer walls.

People are tired, scared, and outnumbered.

By the middle of the night, it looks like all hope is gone.

But then something happens… the sun begins to rise…

and one of the heroes, Aragorn, remembers a promise from Gandalf:

“Look to the east at sunrise.”

So as the sun starts to come up, they look—and there’s Gandalf,

standing on a ridge with a whole army behind him.

They charge down the hill and drive the enemy away.

Just when it seemed like everything was lost, help shows up.

They are no longer afraid, but can rest in the fact that Gandalf has come with an army to help.

Transition

That’s what the resurrection of Jesus is like.

The women show up at the tomb full of fear and sorrow,

feeling like all hope is lost.

But as the sun rises on the first day of the week,

they come to the tomb

But Jesus rose from the grave,

and meets them and says, “Don’t be afraid.” He’s alive.

They can now rest in the fact that Christ is risen,

and has been given all authority in heaven and earth.

APPLY

And because He’s alive, we don’t have to live in fear either.

Life might feel like a battle sometimes, but help has already come.

Jesus has already won. So we can stop panicking—and start resting in Him.

Are you overwhelmed by the weight of your sin?

You wonder how God could love you when you continually give in to sin…

On the cross Jesus said, “It is finished”,

meaning that He satisfied God’s wrath against sin for all who trust in Jesus.

If you have confessed your sin, and placed your faith in Jesus,

rest in the risen Christ!

His blood has washed away your sin!

Are you going through difficult circumstances in your life,

and living in fear, confused by how God could allow it?

Look to Christ and His willingness to sacrifice His life,

to redeem us, that we might receive adoption as sons!

If you have put your faith in Christ, you are a child of God…

rest in the risen Christ, and

the hope that even though God may allow you to suffer,

He will raise you from the dead in glory, just like Jesus!

2 Timothy 1:7 ESV

7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

The fact that Christ has defeated sin on the cross…

The fact that Christ has defeated death by rising from the dead…

The fact that Christ has been given all authority and power…

means that we should not live in fear,

but should live triumphantly, and confidently,

as we rest in the risen Christ!

So when you feel the guilt of your sin,

turn to Christ, confess your sin,

and rest in His sacrifice for you!

When you overwhelmed and anxious about all the things weighing on your mind,

look to Christ and His victory over death,

and rest in His power and control.

Summary

Rest in the risen Christ,

and He will give you strength and power through His Spirit!

The next thing we should do in light of the resurrection is…

3. Obey the Risen Christ

Since Jesus has risen from the grave,

He is worthy of our worship…

Since Jesus has risen from the grave,

He is worthy of our trust and rest in Him…

Since Jesus has risen from the grave,

He is worthy of our obedience!

Before ascending to heaven,

Jesus gives His disciples the Great Commission.

This is what they are to do in the meantime as they await His second return.

EXPLAIN

Matthew 28:16–20 ESV

16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

After seeing Jesus risen from the dead, they worship Him!

The fact that Jesus accepts their worship,

is further proof that He is God!

Then He tells them that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him.

Jesus has the authority…

He is in control of all things,

and has power over all things.

That is the basis for what He is about to say.

Since Jesus has all authority,

this is His command to them…

Matthew 28:16–20 ESV

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Make Disciples

Jesus’s disciples are to go in His authority,

and make disciples of all nations.

A disciple is any person who follows and believes a particular teacher.

Jesus is commanding His disciples to go make more followers of Him.

And they were not to limit it to people who:

looked like them,

talked like them, and

had the same traditions as them…

They were to make disciples of ALL nations!

Baptize Them

And then they were supposed to baptize them,

in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Baptism signifies a person’s belief in the God of the Bible.

God is One, and yet Three:

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Baptism signifies a person’s death to sin,

and new life through faith in Jesus.

Baptism signifies a person being admitted into the fellowship of the church.

Which leads to...

Teaching Them

When people commit to follow Christ,

and are baptized,

they are not supposed to be left to themselves...

They are to be taught!

Why are they to supposed to be taught?

So that they can obey!

What are they supposed to obey?

All that Christ has commanded!

Summary

Jesus commanded His disciples to tell others about Jesus so they:

follow Him…

are baptized… and

learn and obey His ways!

They were called to obey Jesus,

because He was the risen Christ,

and had been given all authority in heaven and on earth.

ILLUSTRATE — Authority of Boss

I’m sure that most, if not all of you have had a job at some point in your life.

Maybe you’ve had the experience where you’re doing your job your boss has asked you to do,

and a coworker will come up to you and tell you to do something else.

What would your response be in that situation?

“The boss told me to do this job, so I’m not going to listen to you.”

You’re not going to listen to the person who has no authority over you.

But imagine your boss comes and says,

“Hey, I know I asked you to do that, but I need you to come help me with something else.”

What is your response going to be?

I suppose the answer might depend on whether or not you want to keep your job…

You are going to listen!

You’re going to obey your bosses instructions,

because he is the one who has authority over you!

APPLY

This is the same reason we should obey the risen Christ!

He is the One who has authority over us!

And what is our mandate as disciples of Jesus?

To make disciples!

This is the vision of Good News Church!

We believe in order to be faithful to Jesus,

we must make disciples…

baptize them in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit… AND

teach them to obey all of Christ’s commands!

D. A. Carson wrote…

The NT can scarcely conceive of a disciple who is not baptized or is not instructed. Indeed, the force of this command is to make Jesus’ disciples responsible for making disciples of others, a task characterized by baptism and instruction.

D. A. Carson

Maybe you have come from a background where you were discouraged from learning and growing,

you were told NOT to read your Bible!

This is NOT what Jesus envisioned for His followers!

He wanted followers who love Him,

and show their love for Him by learning His commands,

and obeying them!

That is what we want to do here at Good News Church…

to obey our risen Saviour,

and be faithful to His command!

We believe that it our mission to make disciples who make disciples.

If you are a follower of Christ,

it should be your desire to learn and obey His commands.

But you shouldn’t stop there!

You should long for others to hear the Good News of Jesus…

that He died for their sins and rose again,

and they can have new life through Him.

You should long for others to accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour,

and be baptized…

You should long to teach them to obey all of Christ’s commands.

Because the discipleship process is not completed,

until the disciple, is discipling others.

We all play a role in helping one another grow as disciples of Christ.

We all need each other,

because it is a lifelong journey!

Summary

Since Jesus has risen from the grave and been given all authority,

we must

worship Him…

rest in Him… AND

obey Him!

Conclusion

After our election here in Canada,

we will have a new Prime Minister.

But he will be limited in how much power he has…

He is a sinner and will make mistakes…

He may have lied to get votes,

and will not follow through on his promises…

BUT NOT JESUS!

Jesus doesn’t rule for four years—

He reigns forever.

He doesn’t make promises to get into power—

He rose from the grave to prove He already has it.

And His kingdom isn’t failing—

It’s growing, through the message of the Gospel,

and it will succeed… because…

Jesus is the Risen and Reigning King!

Worship Him…

Rest in His finished work…

Obey Him…

As we work to build His kingdom,

He will be with us to the end of the age,

and we will be with Him for all eternity!

Let’s pray!