Matthew 28 We Experience Resurrection

I) When we walk with God, we experience resurrection. Matthew 18:1-20.

A) File: matthew 28 we experience resurrection

B) Audio: When we walk with God, we experience resurrection.

C) Series: Walking with God

D) Preached: April 8, 2007, Easter Sunday.

II) Intro to the series: Walking with God

A) We can still walk with God by following Jesus.

B) First: It’s all about the Father’s Business.

C) Second: We must follow.

D) Third: He will prepare the way.

E) Fourth: we will witness division.

F) Fifth: we will witness miracles.

G) Sixth: we will be tested

H) Seventh: we become insiders

I) Eighth: we become insiders, part 2

J) Ninth: it is an eternal walk

K) Tenth: we come to the cross

L) eleventh: we experience resurrection

M) twelfth: we declare the gospel

III) Context. Last time – we come to the cross – we saw how two different groups came to the cross – this week similar – two different groups experience the resurrection. READ Matt. 28.

IV) What does the resurrection mean to believers?

A) Jesus is the ultimate authority

1) V18: All authority

(a) The basis the Mission He gives.

2) Predicted: Daniel 7:13-14 “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.”

3) Proclaimed:

(a) Jesus in Matthew 11:27, “All things have been handed over to Me by My Father.” John 3:35; 13:3; 17:2;

(i) Jesus Himself said that He had authority to forgive sins (9:6) and to execute judgment (John 5:27).

(b) Peter: Acts 2:36 – both Lord and Christ, 1 Pet. 3:22 “who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to Him.”

(c) Paul: “Lord both of the dead and the living”, Rom. 14:9; “All things under His feet.” 1 Cor. 15:27; Eph. 1:10, 20-22; “Name above every name…every knee should bow” Phil. 2:9, 10; “Heir of all things.” Heb. 1:2; 2:8; See also: Col. 2:10.

(d) Us: We are to continue the proclamation.

4) Proved: By the resurrection that he had authority over life and creation itself.

(a) John 10:18 “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again.”

(b) God had raised from the dead before but always worked through an agent – Jesus was on His own.

5) All this authority and power is part of what makes Jesus worthy of worship.

B) Jesus is worthy of worship.

1) V 9 – they worshiped Him.

2) This great power and authority must bring fear. Two kinds.

(a) Guards – fear with ignorance

(i) Unknown – something is going on, they do not understand what, so they fear.

(ii) This kind of fear gives paralysis.

(b) Women – fear with knowledge

(i) After receiving good news – both fear and great joy. Unlikely companions except with God.

(ii) Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge (Prov. 1:7) and wisdom (Prov. 9:10).

(iii) Unlike fear leading to paralysis, this fear leads to obedience.

(c) The difference between the two: Young man / father.

(i) Fear of God is never losing sight of the fact that we stand in His presence not by ability or achievement or deserving but only by His Sovereign grace!

3) This kind of fear leads to worship:

(a) We worship Jesus for what He has done who He is.

(b) What He did here was prove He is God:

(i) Laid down his life and took it up again – master

(ii) Predicted it would happen – the test of a prophet

C) Jesus brings great joy.

1) Joy that their Lord is not dead.

2) Joy because everything He taught is authenticated above any other message ever given. Why important?

(a) Belief not works, Eternal life, Spirit-enabling.

3) Joy because we will follow Him! Hope!

(a) John ch. 6 – four times – raised up in the last day!6:39ff

(b) 1 Thess. 4 – “encourage one another” John 11:25; 1 Cor. 6:14, 15:23; 2 Thess. 2:1;

4) We all know there is life after death – but we KNOW.

D) Jesus has a mission for us.

1) General – 28:19-20.

2) Specific – 28:10, Go and tell my brothers.

3) And we have all authority to carry it out.

4) What’s the message – all Jesus has taught, but start with the basics: Sinners.

V) What does the resurrection mean to non-believers

A) Fear – But do not let fear paralyze you.

1) Japanese soldier - Shoichi Yokoi, 1944, cave-Guam, 28 years, came out at night, frogs, rats, snails, shrimp, nuts, mangoes. Leaflets. Execution, two hunters, home.

2) We proclaim to you today – it’s safe to come out. In fact, only way to avoid execution.

3) Choice two different reactions – guards or women.

B) Do not let the world deceive you.

1) After paralysis, the fear leads some to flee to the authorities of this world. Proof of the spiritual warfare at work.

(a) They will try to explain it away

(b) They will cover it up – lies. Every year.

(c) And bribe you to keep silent – sins to hang onto

2) Who will you believe? All the evidence points to resurrection:

(a) Either the Jewish leaders – temple destroyed in 38 years

(i) as Jesus predicted

(ii) Now being regathered – as predicted. Isa 11:11

(b) Or modern-day deniers – no scientific evidence, no expertise, a clear agenda, ungodly lifestyles.

(c) Or the record of the apostles – who died for this?

(d) Or the church that suffers for it – evidence of opposition – millions of Christians have died for this – not on offense, not in battle, but martyrs.

3) But all the evidence in the world is not sufficient

(a) Jesus said, “If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.” Moses and Prophets = Bible.

C) Come to His word and see for yourself. There is an invitation to see for yourself: Which will you do – will you take a step of faith to meet the Lord or will you accept what the world has to offer and believe the lie?

1) Some momentary treasure on earth of loyalty to the only one who has total authority and power over death itself.

2) The evil one has his tactics – he makes you think you have what you need and will lose it by accepting the truth. Go forward into Galilee to see if this thing is true – don’t change a thing. Come as you are! Bad habits, troubled past, broken home, bring it on. There is nothing God can not overcome.

3) You say you believe but just aren’t ready – don’t want to commit to church for giving up _____ . I say check it out – expose yourself to God’s Word and His people to see if it is true – then let Jesus worry about your problem.

VI) Invitation:

A) Everyone receives a New Testament and two tracts.

B) Non-believers – an opportunity to explore it.

C) Believers – an opportunity to fulfill the mission Christ and countless others have died for. This is Easter, if we can’t talk about it today, when can we? Say, you brought it up by inviting me here – Like having a Superbowl party with no TV.

April 8, 2007: Easter Sunday!

Sermon Series: Walking with God. Learning what it means to walk with God by walking with Jesus through His ministry.

Today’s Message: When we walk with God, we experience resurrection. Matthew 28.

What does the resurrection mean to believers?

1. Jesus is the ultimate ___________________________.

§ Authority predicted, proclaimed, and proved.

2. Jesus is worthy of ___________________________.

§ Fear causes either paralysis or obedience.

3. Jesus brings great ______________________.

4. Jesus has a ____________________________ for us.[1]

What does the resurrection mean to non-believers?

1. Do not let fear ____________________________you.

2. Do not let the world ________________________ you.

3. Come to His ____________________ and see for yourself.[2]

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AFRAID	FEAR	RISEN
ANGEL	FEET	SEEK
APPEARANCE	GALILEE	SNOW
BECAME	GREAT	TAKEN
BEHOLD	HEAVEN	TELL
CLOTHING	HOLD	TOLD
DAWN	LIGHTNING	TOMB
DEAD	LIKE	TOWARD
DESCENDED	MARY	TREMBLED
DIRECTED	MONEY	WORSHIPED
DISCIPLES	QUICKLY

The Easter Story in the Bible:

This Easter, take yourself and your family on a trip to the cross. Here are the pertinent scripture passages: Matthew 26:1 to 28:20; Mark 14:26 to 16:20; Luke 22:47 to 24:53; John 18:1 to 20:31.

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[1] 1) authority; 2) worship; 3) joy; 4) mission.

[2] 1) paralyze; 2) deceive; 3) Word;