Matthew 28 (Click title for audio access)
"Only The Beginning" • 4.24.11 • Calvary Christian Fellowship, Resurrection Sunday
Intro.
- I would like to begin this morning with some poignant words from the Apostle Paul, who addressed himself to a group of believers who questioned the veracity of the resurrection.
• "...If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins. In that case, all who have died believing in Christ are lost! And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world." Paul, in I Corinthians 15:16-19
- That is what is at stake. What a bleak statement to make! Useless faith. Still guilty!? All who have died believing in Christ are lost!? Of course, I have left out the most important verse for effect.
• I Corinthians 15:20 (NLT) : "But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died."
- What a glorious note to hit! In fact, Christ has been raised from the dead! Today, all over the world, in churches large and small, the celebration of Christ's resurrection has come to the forefront.
- We join the chorus in a very natural way, as we are finishing our study of the book of Matthew today and this final chapter gives us the story of that first resurrection Sunday.
- I want to put this final chapter into an outline that will help us really solidify the grandeur of this chapter before us.
I. The Content Of Our Faith (v.1-10)
II. The Conflict Of Unbelief (v.11-15)
III. The Commission Of Christ (v.16-20)
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I. The Content Of Our Faith (v.1-10)
• Matthew 28:1-4 : "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." : For as many as hated Jesus, Matthew gives us a little glimpse into the heart of those that really did love Him.
- These ladies had come early, to see the tomb, to finish the embalming process that they had begun earlier and that Sabbath regulations kept them from.
- Their zeal and devotion is admirable, even if their faith is missing. On the way to the tomb, the other gospel accounts tell us that they wondered how they were going to move the stone.
- Resurrection was not in their minds, even though Jesus spoke clearly about it, repeating that information 5 times in Matthew! The stone was their difficulty, but not for long.
- On their way, another earthquake, this one caused by the angel's descent from heaven, rocked the region. He did not move the stone for the Lord's sake.
- It's not as if Jesus got up and then was stuck behind the door! That would have been incredibly anti-climactic! "What, we didn't plan for this!?"
- The angel rolled away the stone well after Christ had risen. He did this, not for the benefit of Jesus, but for the benefit of these women. When he was done, he took a seat.
- Lightning face and fancy duds. This angel was so striking and intimidating to look upon. There has never been an angel that didn't strike fear into the hearts of men.
- The Roman guards, at the very least 4, but potentially many more, themselves burly and intimidating men, seized at the sight of him. The language seems to indicate that they fainted!
- They fell over, but the ladies stood there, filled with questions in their minds. Before they could speak, the angel answered the questions of their hearts.
• Matthew 28:5-8 : "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." : The angel has the privilege of announcing that Jesus has risen from the dead to these little ladies that love Jesus!
- Much has been made of God's graciousness to speak to marginalized people. The shepherds heard of His birth from angelic lips. Now, these women get to hear the news first.
- Many commentators have suggested reasons why. One had the audacity to quote that God has chosen to reveal things to the "foolish things" of the world!
- One lady commentator fired back, "At least these women were man enough to be there!"
- Frankly, these women got to hear the news for one reason: They were there! I'm never surprised that people hear the Lord's voice when they show up in the place that He speaks!
- The angel anticipated their questions about the location of the Lord. Listen to these words and let them ring in your heart.
- "He is not here. He is risen as He said!" What wonderful words then and what wonderful words now. Jesus Christ has defeated death, rising just as He said He would, on the third day.
- His body had been in the tomb since late Friday afternoon. Now, early Sunday morning, just before the dawn of a new day, Jesus ushers in a new beginning for all who would believe upon Him.
- The angel even invites these women to become the first of millions of visitors to Christ's empty tomb! But the angel let's them know that that had been where Jesus had laid.
- "Come and see." then, "Go and tell! You are looking at the prospect of an empty tomb today. You are looking in as well. What do you see? Go now and tell!
- These women went with fear and great joy. Fear because that angel WAS intimidating! Joy, because Jesus was alive!
• Matthew 28:9,10 : "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.'" : These women went to do what the angel said and as they went, Jesus met them. It's as if He could not wait! Let me show them myself!
- I would remark that this has been the experience of His people ever since: They get orders from heaven and when they move in obedience, they see Jesus! He meets them!
- Of course, we meet and see Him figuratively. These women actually saw and heard Jesus. They heard Him say "Rejoice!" Be glad. Celebrate. Enjoy!
- We often think about Jesus being solemn and heartbroken, and as a man, He was a man acquainted with sorrows and grief. But here He is, in quite another state now, calling for rejoicing!
- Hear those words from Him. Rejoice, He has finished the work and God has approved of Him! Rejoice, for there is new life that isn't defined by death any longer!
- Rejoice, because Jesus is alive and His life means that we have an advocate with the Father and a Helper in His Spirit! Rejoice!
- They didn't just hear Jesus. These women came and touched Him as well! They held Him by the feet. I imagine them lunging forward and grabbing Jesus to keep Him from getting away!
- "Not again Lord! We're not letting you go this time!"
- They seized Him and worshiped Him, right there at the place of the tombs! Jesus turned that place of death into a worship center!
- As the angel had commissioned them, now Jesus tells them to go and tell the disciples. He does not do it Himself. He wants them involved.
- This will not be a secret movement. He wants them to speak of His Resurrection, to testify of what they had seen.
- Let me close this section with this statement: If you are a Christian, you are so because you believe in a resurrected Christ, who bodily left a tomb empty after having been dead for 3 days!
- Many have asked me in the past if I thought there was a greater importance in the crucifixion or in the resurrection. There is no argument: They cannot be removed from the other!
- His death was necessary to redeem sinful man, propitiate/satisfy God's wrath against sin and to fulfill the pictures and shadows o the Old Testament.
- His resurrection means that God accepted it! If Jesus had stayed dead, He would then be considered equal with Muhammed, Krishna and every other religious icon.
- His resurrection proves that the Father received His sacrifice on our behalf!
II. The Conflict Of Unbelief (v.11-15)
• Matthew 28:11-15 : "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." : After the Lord, the believers and the Angel left, the guards stood there in stunned silence! How are we going to explain this?
- Think about this one: These are professional soldiers with professional pride. They had been assigned an easy task. Guard a tomb for just over 48 hours!
- These are the Green Berets. The Expendables. The Navy Seals. The Canadian Mounties!
- One cannot imagine the embarrassment of having to speak about this! To fail in such a duty would equal much more than embarrassment. It would mean death!
- They went and told the priests of what had happened. They gave a full report of Christ's exit and the angel's power!
- These were noble eye witnesses to the resurrection. They above all men could be trusted to give truthful testimony.
- It's telling that they went to the Chief Priests first. Obviously, they had commissioned this group, but when this happened, they did not go to Pilate or to their cohort. Why? I have a theory.
- Where would you go to find an explanation of this event? Where would you go for support? Who do you think would most like to know about the resurrection of a potential Jewish Messiah!?
- The priests can almost not believe this. Had it come from any other source they would have denied the possibility, but these were soldiers!
- They again have first hand information regarding the divinity of Christ. They had heard His words regarding resurrection. They knew this would happen!
- In all madness, they take in this amazing news and decide to cover it up with a ridiculous story: "Tell them that the disciples stole the body while you slept!"
- "How did we know that it was the disciples if we were sleeping?" Because...you woke up! "But we didn't stop them!?" "They had...fishing poles." You see where this was going!
- These men could not speak the truth nor could they tell this lie, so they gave them sufficient funds to retire early! Even in Matthew's day, this story circulated, some thirty years after the fact!
- The point here is that the unbelieving world is hearing the loud witness of the entire Church today. They are hearing a report of a risen Christ, from people who have experienced Him.
- What will they do with this information? Will they bow their knees to this Christ? Or, like the religious ones, will they seek some other explanation?
- WIll they cover their distaste with the usual jokes and the marginalizing of their relations that do believe with all of their hearts?
- The conflict in the heart of the unbelieving is not the lack of information, but the lack of desire to fully surrender to a God who will not accept them except in Christ! This is the truth of life.
- What does God propose to do about it? Let's get to our final section.
III. The Commission Of Christ (v.16-20)
• Matthew 28:16,17 : "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." : Jesus had made an appointment with these 11 men. He brought them back home, back to the scene of so many miracles and so many memories.
- It's also where Jesus had called these men, several right off of the sea shore!
- Jesus is going to give them their acting instructions, their commencement speech.
- The disciples saw Jesus. They laid their eyes upon Him and they worshiped Him. Some immediately made that transition and went headlong toward the Lord.
- They had enough evidence, the issue was settled! Jesus was worthy of their worship! He had raised from the dead and He was Lord! No more questions!
- Some have no problem today worshipping the Lord today. Their faith is unshakeable and powerful. Others will relate to this next phrase: Some doubted!
- We are aware of Thomas and his doubts. He said, "Unless I see His hands and feet, I won't believe." It seems that at this moment, it was not just Thomas!
- You have to love that the Bible does not keep that information from us. It tells us that some doubted, the word meaning "to waver."
- Maybe Matthew meant to refer to Peter's fishing trip that John 20 documents!
- They were wavering, but what is important is not their mental struggle. What's important is that they came to meet with Jesus and brought their doubts with them!
- Maybe you think that you need to have every theological duck in a row before you fully surrender to Jesus Christ. I tell you today, that the disciples came and brought their doubts with them!
- Jesus is not afraid of your doubts or your wavering heart! Come and let Him settle your issues. Bring them honestly and He will answer them honestly.
- Don't let your doubts derail the faith that you already possess! I guarantee you that they might have come with doubts, but they left with confidence!
• Matthew 28:18-20 : "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." : The first thing that Jesus tells the boys is that He now has all authority. He has all the power! Jesus Christ is been given sovereign authority, which means He can do anything at any time for anyone!
- He has it to dispense! The power of heaven and earth belongs to these disciples, and yes, to these disciples here today. The resurrection brings that reality to our hearts now.
- Now, He tells them: Go! Make progress. Get moving. Take a direction. Because the power He has is yours to tap into, go! Go with it. Go with the power that is available to you as believers!
- The word is not "Wait for them to come to you." it is "Go out to them!" Take it to them!
- Because He is giving you the power, go and use His authority to make disciples of all the nations. The resurrection is the calling card for international healing!
- Christianity is to be indiscriminate. It's not for the Jews or the Arabs. It's not for middle class America! It's for every nation, every people group, on the face of this earth!
- Notice, they were to make disciples, not converts! The word "disciples" could be "one who is taught." They are to be, as one commentator calls it, "believing learners," constantly growing in faith.
- This discipleship, this road begins with evangelism, which is teaching about salvation.
- People must be taught that there is a God who loves them, but is offended by their sin. Jesus is the remedy, in that He has paid for sin and provided righteousness! Discipleship begins here!
- The disciples were to teach and facilitate their entry into the body of Christ with baptism.
- Baptism Is meant to be a demonstration of belief in and union with Christ! Baptism visibly demonstrated that a person believed in the death and resurrection of Christ!
- They are to be baptized in "the name." Jesus tells them that this triune understanding of God must accompany their baptism. He is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Three persons, one entity!
- God is the One who loves the world and sent Jesus. Jesus loves the Father and came for His purpose and His brothers. The Spirit loves the Son and teaches us all about Him.
- Jesus wants His disciples to have this complete picture of the Godhead!
- Once they are baptised, the Lord tells them that they are to "hold discourses" or studies on all things that He had commanded them.
- They were to share the doctrine that Jesus had shared with them. They were to consistently, constantly be in a position where His Word was coming from their lips.
- The true disciple is the one who hungers to hear, to listen and obey God's word. There is no other type of discipleship. You are either in a constant state of learning and growing or you are not!
- We finish this book with an understanding that really encapsulates the wonder of the resurrection: Because He lives, He will ever be present with us into every age!
- Jesus, even Jesus. The One who has risen. The One with Sovereign Power and Authority. Jesus will be with us until it's all come together, culminating in His second coming!
- We finish the book of Matthew, all saying one word together. It's the last word: AMEN!
Conclusion
- The content of our faith is wrapped up in a resurrected Christ. The conflict that exists is a people group that exists to deny Him. The commission is God's answer and compassion.
- Go get them, wherever they are. Go in His power and authority. Go knowing His presence is ever with you, even until He comes again!
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