The Day Death Lost

Text: Matthew 28

Matthew 28 KJV 1900

In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me. Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day. Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Today We Worship

Today we worship the God who starts with the impossible.

We worship the Savior who could not be held by the tomb.

We learn to live out the Gospel because we are no longer chained to sin.

Introduction

Let me ask you something—

When was the last time you truly felt like you were on the winning side?

Not just hoping…

Not just surviving…

But confident—we’ve already won.

Because if we’re honest…

Most of life doesn’t feel like victory.

It feels like pressure.

It feels like loss.

It feels like trying to hold things together that keep falling apart.

It feels a lot like that kid on Easter morning…

Running around, grabbing eggs as fast as possible—

Only to drop half of them before they ever make it to the basket.

Busy…

Frantic…

But not actually winning.

And that’s exactly where Matthew 28 meets us.

Big Idea

Jesus rose from the dead, proving He is God—and that nothing is more powerful than Him.

Transition

Three days after sin thought it had won…

God stepped in and flipped the story.

And what we see in Matthew 28 isn’t just an empty tomb—

It’s a complete reversal of everything we thought had control.

Movement 1:

God Makes a New Creation Out of a Desperate Situation

Verse 1 tells us something powerful:

It was the first day of the week.

That’s not random.

That’s intentional.

Because the first time we see God at work in the Bible…

He starts on the first day—creating something out of nothing.

And now again—

On the first day—

God is doing what only He can do…

Creating life…

Out of death.

There’s an earthquake.

An angel descends.

The stone is rolled away—not to let Jesus out… but to let us see in.

The angel sits on the stone like the job is finished.

The guards—trained, hardened soldiers—collapse in fear.

Why?

Because the supernatural world just broke into the natural one.

And here’s the truth:

God doesn’t start with what’s possible—He starts with what’s impossible.

Creation? Out of nothing.

Salvation? From dead hearts.

Resurrection? From a sealed tomb.

Application

Some of you walked in here today…

And your situation feels sealed.

Your marriage.

Your mindset.

Your past.

Your sin.

It feels final.

But Easter reminds us—

God specializes in situations that look finished.

If the tomb isn’t the end…

Then your story isn’t either.

Transition

But not everyone responds to God’s power the same way…

Movement 2:

Sin Always Tries to Take Charge

You’ve got two groups in this text:

You’ve got the women…

And you’ve got the religious leaders.

The women are running.

The Bible says they’re filled with fear and great joy.

They’re moving fast—

Trying to do something for God…

But they’re still driven by emotion.

And then something incredible happens:

Jesus meets them on the way.

He interrupts their rush.

They stop.

They fall.

They worship.

Because God never intended for His work to be fueled by panic…

But by worship.

Now look at the religious leaders.

They hear the truth.

They see the evidence.

And instead of surrendering…

They scheme.

They bribe the guards.

They create a false narrative.

They protect their influence.

Why?

Because sin doesn’t just reject truth—

It rewrites it.

Sin will always try to:

Rationalize what’s wrong

Protect what’s broken

Avoid surrender at all costs

Application

Make this personal.

Some of us are like the women—

Busy for God… but not resting in Him.

Always moving.

Always fixing.

Always anxious.

Others of us…

We’re like the religious leaders.

We’ve seen enough truth to believe…

But we keep finding ways not to surrender.

Excuses.

Delay.

Control.

But here’s the reality:

You will either worship Jesus… or explain Him away.

There is no middle ground.

Transition

And that leads us to the final movement…

Because this story doesn’t end at the tomb…

Movement 3:

The Greatest Story to Share

Verses 16–20—The Great Commission.

Jesus meets His disciples in Galilee—just like He said.

And He gives them a mission that still stands today:

Go.

Tell.

Baptize.

Teach.

But don’t miss this:

This isn’t just about sharing information…

This is about sharing transformation.

The Gospel is:

Jesus died…

Jesus was buried…

Jesus rose again…

The Gospel provides:

new life.

New identity.

New purpose.

New freedom.

And Jesus makes it clear:

Believe it

Identify with it (baptism)

Live it out (discipleship)

Application

So what does that look like today?

It means:

You believe that Jesus actually wants to meet with you.

You believe He wants to use you to reach others.

You stop treating your faith like a private belief…

And start living it like a public reality.

Because if Jesus really rose from the dead…

That’s not something you hide. That’s something you share.

Transition

So let’s bring it all together…

Conclusion

Three days after sin thought it had won…

God declared victory.

The tomb is empty.

Death is defeated.

Jesus is alive.

Restate Big Idea

Jesus rose from the dead, proving He is God—and that nothing is more powerful than Him.

Compelling Question

So here’s the question:

If Jesus has all power…

Why are you still living like something else does?

Gospel Call

The Gospel in This Text

Jesus was crucified.

He was buried.

And He rose again.

Not just to prove a point—

But to offer you life.

Forgiveness.

Freedom.

A relationship with God.

Decision Time / Invitation

Let me ask you directly:

Salvation

Have you trusted in the risen Jesus…

Or are you still trying to explain Him away?

Sanctification

Are you living in fear and hurry…

Or resting in worship and confidence?

Service

Who in your life needs to hear this story from you?

Benediction

Go this week…

Not as people hoping for victory—

But as people who already have it.

Because the tomb is empty…

And Jesus is alive.