Resurrection - Best News Ever (Matthew 28:1-20)
Gearl Spicer, April 9, 2023
Part of the Easter Sunday series, preached at a Sunday Online service
Matthew 28 (Listen)
28:1 Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4 And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. 5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” 8 So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”
11 While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place. 12 And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers 13 and said, “Tell people, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ 14 And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” 15 So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story has been spread among the Jews to this day.
16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
(ESV)
Sermon Notes
Resurrection - Best News Ever
Matthew 28:1-20
April 9, 2023
Easter Sunday
What does the best news sound like to you?
The BEST news is that we all need an answer to SAVE our lives
And JESUS came out of the grave for US!
*Often the best news is preceded by a challenge or fear!
*Fear steals our future, Faith affirms our future!
*Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation to be revealed in the last time. I Peter 1:3-5
*The angel said to the women, Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. He is not here, for He has risen just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. Matthew 28:5-6
*And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshipped Him. The Jesus, said to them, Do not be afraid; go and take word to My brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me. Matthew 28:9-10
Lessons from the Resurrection
I. Fear is always answered in Jesus- Matthew 28:1-6
*He will meet us at the point of our greatest need and answer it in Himself!
II. Affirmation comes at the moment we need it most. Matthew 28:7-10
*He speaks to our hearts with comfort and guidance!
III. Denial has always been a part of the adversary’s plan- Matthew 28:11-15
*Lies and manipulation are tools that are answered in the reality of our personal relationship with Jesus!
IV. Commission that set in motion the true impact of the Gospel- Matthew 28:16-20
*His instructions are clear and our obedience is not optional!
Ready to celebrate the best news ever?