Spread the Gospel

Introduction

-We do not live out what we don’t believe in. We are always promoting a narrative. Our lives, our words, our actions, our thoughts all reflect what we believe.

What we believe about the resurrection of Jesus makes all the difference in our livelihoods. It’s not just the difference between believing and unbelieving. Obviously, if we do not believe that Jesus actually rose from the dead then we won’t give Him a second thought. The danger comes for those who do believe and make a choice: do I give my life to Him or keep it for myself?

There are two groups who saw the resurrected Lord and both believed, but their outcomes were very different. Turn to Matthew 28.

I. Soldiers Response (Matthew 28:11-15)

A. Remember, there were guards posted at the tomb of Jesus

1.Matthew 27:64–66 “Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last fraud will be worse than the first.” Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.” So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.”

a. The chief priests and Pharisees had finally won out. They killed Jesus. Now they had to ensure no one was going to follow Him. They remembered Him saying He would rise after 3 days. As safeguards, they placed a squad at the entrance and sealed off the tomb. No one could get in.

b. The thing is, the guards were blocking people from coming in, they never expected someone to walk out. Remember, there was a violent earthquake, the stone’s seal broke and it rolled uphill, away from the entrance. An angel sits on top of the stone and out walks Jesus. The guards shook with fear and were like dead men (Matthew 28:4 “And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men.”)

2. They witnessed the resurrection. Not just Jesus alive after the fact, they saw Jesus rise up and leave the tomb. They did not reject the story, they believed it.

B. The guards went back to their superiors and told them everything that happened (v. 11). It’s the chief priests who rejected Jesus and wanted to cover it up (v. 12-15).

1.Notice, the chief priests bribed the guards, told the fake story to be spread, and promised to deal with higher ups if needed. They didn’t deny Jesus’ resurrection, the news is exactly what they feared and had heard about Jesus. Now it came true and they wanted to squash the story before it could spread. The last thing they wanted was Jesus walking around again, wreaking havoc.

2. The guards saw Jesus, were witnesses of His resurrection. Yet, they were more concerned with their lives, their bank accounts, and their boss. They didn’t consider what the resurrection means about Jesus, they were too concerned with their world not being upset.

C. What is keeping you from giving Jesus your all?

1.Is it your bank account? “Being a Christian isn’t the way to make money.” We think back to 2012 when a Christian baker, Jack Phillips, was sued for refusing to bake a cake for a gay wedding. He followed his convictions with Jesus as Lord and it cost him dearly. The case was finally dismissed by the Supreme Court but lots of money and time was spent fighting it. Jesus Himself said Matthew 6:24 ““No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” It’s easier in daily life to not upset the fruit basket. Are we covering up our faith for the sake of a more comfortable, financially stable life?

2. Is your life too big a price? Perhaps it’s that group of friends that are a bad influence that you don’t want to lose. Maybe you just enjoy the phase of life you’re in and don’t want to shake things up too much. Maybe you’re scared of your reputation changing to being a “Jesus freak.”

3. Is it to preserve your job? “My boss hates Christianity, so, I’m going to pretend I’m not so I don’t upset him.” Maybe it’s not a boss but someone important to you. “I don’t want them to think ill of me or to change their opinion, so I won’t bring up Jesus.”

D. Refusing to live out the truth of Jesus’ resurrection is a choice to cover it up

1. You may believe in Jesus and come to church regularly. But your lifestyle day-to-day reveals what you believe about Jesus. “Yeah, Jesus rose from the dead so I go to church, but the rest of my life looks the same as it did before.” That’s not real faith

2. Jesus died and resurrected to transform you, giving you a new life, promising a new body, and revealing a glorious eternity. Don’t cover up Jesus, let Him shine through you.

II. The Disciples (v. 16-20)

A. Why? The resurrection is a fact of history. But why should I change everything about me to please Him? Jesus’ resurrection means something. It’s not just belief ‘about’ Jesus but belief ‘in’ Jesus.

1.The disciples have also become witnesses that Jesus is alive! They saw Him, touched Him, talked to Him, and ate with Him over a period of 40 days. Jesus was about to do what He told them, “Go to a place you cannot follow now.” Jesus stood with them on the mountain before He ascended into heaven, ever-living to make intercession for those who believe.

2. The disciples met Jesus on the mountain but some doubted (v. 16-17). What Jesus said next makes all the difference. He reveals why we follow Him and give Him all of us.

3. v. 18. Jesus has been given all authority. He is the Lord, the Master of all creation

a. He humbled Himself, making Himself low to serve and has now been glorified to the Name above all names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow and every tongue confess Jesus Christ as Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Jesus is the Master of all

b. But will you make Him the Master of you? There’s no life transformation, there’s no eternity in heaven, there’s no making us godly without Jesus being the Lord of you. It’s no coincidence that Jesus told those who doubted that He had all authority. What’s the proof? He rose from the dead.

c. If choosing money, reputation, and other people above Jesus is covering up the fact I believe, then what would shine the light of my faith to the world? Making disciples (v. 19-20).

B. This Great Commission is simple, yet, profound and unique

1.The disciples were now given the mission of making disciples of Jesus, the Lord of all. Thus, they were told to go, baptize, and teach

a. Go where? To all nations to preach Jesus and Him crucified/resurrected

b. Baptizing them in the authority or power of God. Only God can save and we are truly made disciples when submit to His authority, doing something as simple as baptism to receive His promise of forgiveness of sins and the indwelling Holy Spirit

c. Only then were they to teach the finer details of what it means to be a Christian. Once baptized the disciple is a committed follower of Christ, so now, teach them all Christ commanded

2. Jesus promised the disciples turned apostles that as they went to obey they should be aware that He was with them everywhere they went

C. What can this look like in your life?

1. Go. Look for ways to glorify Jesus everywhere you go (saying God bless, asking the waitress how you can pray for her, seek to bless others in the name of Jesus by helping, etc.)

2. Baptizing them (share the gospel): Asking people what they think about Jesus. You don’t have to know everything, if you don’t know then say “I don’t know but I’ll find out for you”, share your testimony how you came to know Jesus and how you became a Christian, or simply gain the courage to invite people to church is a good first step

3. Teach them about Christianity. Answering questions about why you go to church every Sunday, why do you partake of communion, why believe in and follow an old book like the Bible? Again, if you don’t know, tell them you’ll find out. Let’s learn and grow together in the body of Christ so we can answer people’s questions

Conclusion

Remember, Jesus promised the apostles He would be with them as they obeyed and He will do the same with us. Have courage to step out in faith and make disciples. Planting a seed is all He asks, He will give the increase.

Do you simple believe things about Jesus or do you believe in Jesus? Make Him your Lord today. Don’t cover up His resurrection with your lifestyle, shine His light as you go, share the good news, and teach people about Jesus and His ways.