s20080302m_Dos And Donts Of Being Confident

THE DOS and DON’TS OF SPIRITUAL CONFIDENCE

(SEEING JESUS)—MATTHEW CHAPTER 28

1After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 2There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. Matthew 28:1-3

THE DON’TS OF SPIRITUAL CONFIDENCE

1.   Don’t Lose Spiritual Confidence By:

·         Being  [IMMOBILIZED] with Fear .

4The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. Vs. 4

·         Devising [PLANS FOR YOUR LIFE] That Deny Jesus’ Power.

11While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. 12When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, 13telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ Matthew 28:11-13

·         Accepting [ FALSE STORIES] About Jesus.

14If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” 15So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day. Matthew 28:14-15

THE DO’S OF SPIRITUAL CONFIDENCE

2.   Do Gain Spiritual Confidence  By:

·         [INVESTIGATING] Jesus For Yourself.

5The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7Then 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.’ Now I have told you.” Matthew 28:5-7

·         [WORSHIPPING] Jesus In Spirit and Truth.

8So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” Matthew 28:8-10

·         [INVOVING YOURSELF] In Jesus’ Mission.

16Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:16-20