Avoiding the Resurrection
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Speaker: Steve Estes
Scripture: Matthew 28:11-20
April 9, 2023
Matthew 28:11-20: While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, 'You are to say, 'His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.' If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble." So 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.
Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 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 everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Sermon Outline
1. Background of this passage
The burial of Christ
The next day
The Resurrection
2. The actions of those for whom the Resurrection was something to avoid
The guards
The Jewish leaders
3. We learn things that tempt people to avoid Christ's Resurrection
Reputation and luxury
Fear of the supernatural
These things feel safe
4. Avoiding Christ's Resurrection is not safe
The Jewish leaders weren't safe
Pontius Pilate and Rome weren't safe
No unrepentant sinner is safe
5. Believing in Jesus Christ is the only true safe place
6. What Jesus told his disciples
"All authority on earth has been given to me."
"Therefore, go!"
Benediction
All honor to him who was delivered over to death for our sins, and was raised to life for our justification. Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord. ā paraphrased from Romans 4:25
