Truth, Trust, & The Great Commission

Secular -

A pastor who decided to preach a sermon on self-control and human planning. He spent weeks making the perfect outline, printing it on expensive paper, and setting up a brand-new projector. Right as he stepped up to the pulpit, the power went completely out, his notes blew off the music stand into the choir loft, and a bird flew in through an open window and landed right on his microphone. He looked at the congregation, closed his bible, and said, 'Well folks, my sermon was on how we are in control of our lives, but God has clearly provided a live demonstration that we are not!'"

Historical/Cultural Context -

This Gospel is written by Matthew, also known as Levi who was a former tax collector. It was most likely written between AD 50-60. Matthew left everything behind to follow Jesus. Matthew wrote primarily to Jewish believers—people who knew the Old Testament well. Matthew had one goal: to prove that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah, the King of Kings, and the fulfillment of God’s promises. Connecting the Old Testament prophecies to the life of Christ, proving that every word God spoke was coming true in Jesus. The key themes of the Gospel include Jesus as King, The Kingdom of Heaven, Fulfillment of Prophecy and discipleship.

Biblical Text -

Matthew 28:1–20 NKJV

Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men. But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who 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 indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.” So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word. And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.” Now while they were going, behold, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all the things that had happened. When they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, saying, “Tell them, ‘His disciples came at night and stole Him away while we slept.’ And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will appease him and make you secure.” So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day. Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

-[Prayer]-

Life Principle - True faith submits to God’s power, stands on His truth, and does His mission.

Life Point- Choose Faith Over Sight & Trust His Word

Exegetical -

Matthew 28:1–10 BSB

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, rolled away the stone, and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards trembled in fear of him and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said! Come, see the place where He lay. Then go quickly and tell His disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him.’ See, I have told you.” So they hurried away from the tomb in fear and great joy, and ran to tell His disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” They came to Him, grasped His feet, and worshiped Him. “Do not be afraid,” said Jesus. “Go and tell My brothers to go to Galilee. There they will see Me.”

Homiletical -

Jon Courson once wrote that “Matthew is the gospel of the King—the King revealed in chapters 1 through 10; the King resisted in chapters 11 through 13; the King retreating in chapters 14 through 20; the King rejected in chapters 21 through 27; and here in chapters 28—the King resurrected”

Mary and Mary went to see the tomb. Why were they their and why didn’t Matthew tell us? You have to remember his audience. They were Jewish they wouldn’t need an explanation as to why they were there. It was common practice that they were there to prep the body for preservation by using fragrances and herbs.

They were not expecting some kind of miracle, quite the opposite. This would not have been a joyous walk to the tomb for them, but a sorrowful one.

Does Jesus need the tomb rolled away? We know that He walks through walls, so why would He need the tomb rolled away? In His resurrected body I am quite sure that He could have moved that stone Himself. So why did it happen this way?

It was rolled away for the benefit of the women and to accept the announcement that He is not dead, but alive.

We need that testimony in history. It is part of our faith in Christ.

It is said that the angel appeared like lightning and his clothes were as white as the snow.

This is human effort to explain the glory that was on the angel. The Holiness and the power of God on display through this messenger to proclaim that Jesus is alive!

As a side note, did you know that every time we see an appearance of angels they always appear as male. Don’t read into that it is just an interesting factoid.

The soldiers are terrified. They are so terrified, these hardened battle ready guys, that they fall down during this earth quake and they stay there. Not moving, as though they were dead.

That is a miracle in and of itself

No matter what your plans are, God is good at messing them up. He can change things in your life in an instant. If it is His will, He will do it. I have heard it preached that God is a gentleman and He needs your permission to do things. Folks that is rank heresy. God is God and He will do as He wills. He is sovereign over all the universe.

The angel says to the women He aint here. Come look where had laid. So of course they do, they look. Then the angel tells them to go quickly and tell the disciples He is going to Galilee and He will meet them there.

These ladies got a revelation, an understanding, and mission. They didn’t expect that when they woke up that day.

Folks God will place in situations and circumstances that you don’t expect. Some will make you wanna shout Hallelujah! Some will make you say, “thy will be done.” But either way it is God who gets the Glory.

As James says:

James 5:13–14 BSB

Is any one of you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praises. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.

No matter what the situation is, we are turn toward God. Not away from Him. Yeah you can be so upset and blame God, but folks evil is in the world because sin is in the world. Besides who else are you going to go to? He is the one with eternal life. Turn toward Him, not away from Him.

Notice the women left in fear and in great joy to tell the disciples.

I think one thing we have lost in the modern age is that we forget God is beyond what we can comprehend and there is a certain fear in that. But He is good too with mercy being extended.

Proverbs 9:10 NKJV

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Notice that when Jesus greeted them, they worshipped Him.

If anyone ever tells you that Jesus should not be worshipped, then put a hand over your wallet because if they lie to you they will steal from you too.

Jesus is worthy of our worship. He is God. The second person in the Trinity that makes up the Godhead.

What is the trinity you ask? Well that can be a little hard to explain but here is the quick explanation. Taken from CARM

The term “trinity” is the doctrine that God exists as a unity of three distinct, simultaneous persons: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each of the persons is distinct from the other in relation yet each is identical in essence. The Trinity is not made up of parts – as in the three persons being three parts of God. Instead, there is one being: God. God is one thing, one substance, one essence. Because there is only one God, there is only one will.

If you want to get into that you can see me later on it.

Now Jesus says don’t be afraid. Notice He did not say to not worship Him. He just told them to not be afraid and to go tell the disciples to meet Him in Galilee.

Illustration -

Think of this. In 1980, before Mount St. Helens erupted, state officials and local authorities set up roadblocks, warning signs, and barricades. A few residents insisted on staying, convinced their heavy log cabins, emergency supplies, and local knowledge would keep them safe. But when the mountain erupted with the force of 24 megatons of thermal energy, human barricades, wooden structures, and local plans were flattened in seconds. The power of the mountain made every human precaution look like a child’s toy.

"The Roman guards were the elite force of the ancient world. They had the seal of the empire, heavy armor, weapons, and strict orders backed by the threat of execution if they failed. They represented human control at its absolute peak. But when God decided to move, those battle-hardened soldiers didn't fight back; they fell over like statues. God didn't ask Rome's permission, and He didn't ask the guards if it fit their schedule. When God moves, human plans [go out the window.]”

Life Point - Choose Truth Over Convenience

Exegetical -

Matthew 28:11–15 BSB

While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests all that had happened. And after the chief priests had met with the elders and formed a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money and instructed them: “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we were asleep.’ If this report reaches the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” So the guards took the money and did as they were instructed. And this account has been circulated among the Jews to this very day.

Homiletical -

Now we see that the women, well they got about their mission didn’t they. No hesitation just trust in what the angel and what Jesus said.

No matter where we find ourselves we need to be about God’s mission, without hesitation and trust in what God said.

The Roman soldiers failed. Some went in and reported it to the chief priests.

People always focus on the bribe, the large sum of money. But these guys had one other thing that motivated them. More than money, their lives. They were promised that if the governor hears the lie that the disciples came and overpowered them that they would take care of the situation before the governor so that no one would die.

So that is what they did. Rather than tell the truth they relied on the political power and money to keep them safe.

We have examples of Christians throughout history that told the truth and were martyred. Killed. Murdered for the truth about Christ Jesus. But you know what? God calls us to truth in everything.

We are to walk in the truth of the Gospel, which changes our lives in everything we do.

Illustration -

During the 1972 Watergate scandal, the cover-up proved far more destructive than the initial break-in. High-ranking officials paid hundreds of thousands of dollars in "hush money" to quiet the operatives and protect political power. They built a towering web of bribes, political favors, and manufactured stories to preserve their positions and avoid punishment. Yet, no matter how much money changed hands or how carefully the narrative was scripted, the truth eventually burst through. The cover-up destroyed careers, collapsed an administration, and ruined reputations, while those who eventually stepped into the light and told the truth retained their integrity, even though there was great fallout for them.

"The chief priests and soldiers thought money and political cover could suppress the ultimate truth. They chose self-preservation over reality, trading the glorious truth of a risen Savior for a cheap, fabricated lie to keep themselves out of trouble. Worldly power will always offer you a bribe to stay quiet or bend the truth to save your own skin. But truth isn't something you can bury with a payoff. While Rome and the religious leaders bought a lie to save their lives, followers of Jesus are called to speak the truth, even when it costs us everything."

Life Point - Choose Obedience To His Mission

Exegetical -

Matthew 28:16–20 BSB

Meanwhile, the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain Jesus had designated. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him, but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Homiletical -

So while that was going on with the soldiers. The eleven remaining disciples went to Galilee.

What did they do when they saw Him? The same thing the ladies did, they worshipped Him. Even though some doubted.

Jesus comes to them and says that the buck stops with Him. He has all authority in heaven and on earth, given to Him by the Father.

Now because He has all authority He gives them a command. A command which trickles down to us in this modern era.

One we seemed to have forgotten in the American Church.

Go and make disciples of all nations.

He didn’t say go and make converts.

He didn’t say go and only share this with people you deem worthy.

He said to go to every nation making disciples.

Discipleship costs something. It costs TIME. It costs you vulnerability with others. It means to create a relationship with people who need to grow in Christ.

Paul said the older in the faith should teach the younger.

Yet in America we don’t do that, because we are too busy. Folks we have to get back to the fundamentals of the faith and that is Discipleship. He didn’t say leave it up to the pastor. He told every person their to go and make disciples.

He gives a second command. To Baptize the disciples they make. Baptism is your first responsibility you are given after you are saved. You are to identify with Christ and proclaim to the world that you belong to Him.

The last command He gives is for them to teach. Teach them to follow and obey all He has commanded. What is His most recent command? To make more disciples and to Baptize them as well.

This should be an ongoing process not something that ends. But ongoing day in and day out.

The question you have to ask is, will you obey Christ?

Life Principle– True faith submits to God’s power, stands on His truth, and does His mission.

Call to Action – altar call….