Sermons on Matthew 28:1-10

Matthew 28:1-10 Interpretation:

Embracing the Victory of Christ's Resurrection (Michael Gold) interprets Matthew 28:1-10 by emphasizing the angel's role as a messenger of truth and hope. The sermon draws a parallel between the angel's message to Mary and the personal experiences of encountering divine intervention, as illustrated by the speaker's mother's story. The angel's invitation to "come and see" and "go and tell" is seen as a call to witness and share the victory of Christ's resurrection, which is portrayed as a triumphant fulfillment of God's plan.

Transformative Power of Jesus' Resurrection in Our Lives (Boulder Mountain Church) offers a unique perspective by focusing on Mary Magdalene's transformation from a demon-possessed outcast to a devoted follower of Jesus. The sermon highlights the angel's act of sitting on the stone as a symbolic gesture of triumph over death. The preacher uses the analogy of Jesus as the "Gardener" who prunes and shapes believers through their trials, emphasizing the personal and transformative encounter Mary had with the risen Christ.

Celebrating the Transformative Power of the Resurrection (Calgary Community Church) interprets Matthew 28:1-10 by emphasizing the significance of women being the first witnesses to the resurrection in a patriarchal society where their testimonies were not valued. This highlights the radical nature of the resurrection narrative and the inclusivity of the Christian message. The sermon also uses the analogy of people holding onto mementos of deceased loved ones to illustrate the uniqueness of the empty tomb and the living Christ, contrasting it with other religions whose leaders remain in their graves.

Embodying Hope: The Transformative Power of the Resurrection (Woodbury Lutheran Church) offers a unique perspective by focusing on the surprise element of the resurrection narrative, particularly the role of women as primary witnesses. The sermon challenges the common Western Christian focus on heaven as a distant place, instead emphasizing the resurrection as a foretaste of the new creation that Jesus will bring. The sermon uses the analogy of the angel sitting on the stone with a cup of coffee to illustrate the unexpected and casual nature of the resurrection event.

Embracing the In-Between: Transformation Through Christ (Elevation Church) interprets Matthew 28:1-10 by focusing on the concept of "in-between" moments. The sermon highlights how Jesus' resurrection represents an "in-between" state, where Jesus has completed his earthly mission but has not yet ascended to heaven. The preacher uses the analogy of dawn, which is neither night nor day, to illustrate this transitional phase. The sermon also emphasizes the role of the angel as a messenger who is "in-between" divine and human, and how the women at the tomb are in a state of being "afraid yet filled with joy," representing the tension of living in the "in-between."

Matthew 28:1-10 Theological Themes:

Embracing the Victory of Christ's Resurrection (Michael Gold) presents the theme of victory over death as a central aspect of the resurrection. The sermon emphasizes that Jesus' declaration "it is finished" signifies the completion of his mission and the ultimate victory over sin and death, offering believers the assurance of eternal life and the power to overcome life's challenges.

Transformative Power of Jesus' Resurrection in Our Lives (Boulder Mountain Church) introduces the theme of personal transformation through the resurrection. The sermon underscores that Jesus' resurrection not only defeated death but also offers believers a new identity and purpose, as exemplified by Mary Magdalene's story. The preacher emphasizes that Jesus' presence in believers' lives brings hope, healing, and the ability to face past, present, and future challenges.

Celebrating the Transformative Power of the Resurrection (Calgary Community Church) presents the theme of the resurrection as a foundation for Christian faith, contrasting it with other religions whose leaders remain dead. The sermon also highlights the theme of Christian unity and inclusivity, emphasizing that early Christians were known for their celebration and community, transcending social and cultural barriers.

Embodying Hope: The Transformative Power of the Resurrection (Woodbury Lutheran Church) introduces the theme of the resurrection as a present reality that brings hope and transformation to the world today. The sermon emphasizes the idea that Christians are called to participate in bringing heaven to earth, living out the hope of the resurrection in their daily lives.

Embracing the In-Between: Transformation Through Christ (Elevation Church) presents the theme of living in the "in-between" as a metaphor for the Christian journey. The sermon suggests that believers often find themselves in transitional phases, where they are not fully in despair nor fully in joy, but somewhere in between. This theme is used to encourage believers to find God in these moments and to trust in His presence and guidance.

Matthew 28:1-10 Historical and Contextual Insights:

Transformative Power of Jesus' Resurrection in Our Lives (Boulder Mountain Church) provides historical context by highlighting the unusual presence of women, including Mary Magdalene, as followers of Jesus. The sermon notes that rabbis typically did not have female disciples, but Jesus broke cultural norms by including women in his ministry, demonstrating his transformative impact on societal structures.

Celebrating the Transformative Power of the Resurrection (Calgary Community Church) provides historical context by discussing the societal norms of the time, particularly the low status of women and the disbelief of Jesus' resurrection among Jews and Romans. The sermon references historical figures like Josephus, Tacitus, and Pliny the Younger to support the historical reality of Jesus' resurrection and the early Christian movement.

Embodying Hope: The Transformative Power of the Resurrection (Woodbury Lutheran Church) explains the cultural context of the resurrection narrative, highlighting the surprise of women being the first witnesses and the societal disbelief in resurrection. The sermon also discusses the Roman practice of abandoning unwanted children and how early Christians countered this by valuing all life.

Embracing the In-Between: Transformation Through Christ (Elevation Church) provides insight into the cultural practice of anointing bodies with spices, which the women intended to do for Jesus. This practice was a way to honor the dead and manage the smell of decay, highlighting the women's devotion and the cultural norms of burial practices at the time.

Matthew 28:1-10 Cross-References in the Bible:

Because He Got Up: Our Hope and Strength (Solid Rock) references Philippians 4:13 to emphasize the empowerment believers receive through Christ's resurrection. The sermon connects this verse to the resurrection by asserting that believers can overcome life's obstacles because Jesus "got up" from the grave. Additionally, 1 Peter 3:18-19 is cited to illustrate Jesus' victory over death and his continued work in freeing souls, both during his earthly ministry and after his resurrection.

Celebrating the Transformative Power of the Resurrection (Calgary Community Church) references 1 Corinthians 1:23 to discuss the crucifixion and resurrection as a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles. The sermon uses this passage to highlight the radical nature of the Christian message and its transformative power.

Embracing Hope: The Transformative Power of Easter (Menlo Church) references other gospel accounts to fill in details of the resurrection narrative, emphasizing the consistency and historicity of the resurrection event across different accounts.

Embracing the In-Between: Transformation Through Christ (Elevation Church) references Romans 8:28 to emphasize that God works for the good of those who love Him, even in "in-between" moments. This cross-reference is used to reassure believers that, despite the uncertainty of transitional phases, God's purpose is being fulfilled.

Matthew 28:1-10 Christian References outside the Bible:

Transformative Power of Jesus' Resurrection in Our Lives (Boulder Mountain Church) references C.S. Lewis, particularly his work "Mere Christianity," to discuss the role of suffering in the Christian life. The sermon quotes Lewis to suggest that suffering is a tool God uses to shape and perfect believers, likening it to a sculptor chiseling a block of stone.

Celebrating the Transformative Power of the Resurrection (Calgary Community Church) references several historical figures, including Josephus, Tacitus, Pliny the Younger, and Suetonius, to support the historical reality of Jesus' resurrection and the early Christian movement. These references are used to demonstrate that even non-Christian sources acknowledge the impact of Jesus and his followers.

Embodying Hope: The Transformative Power of the Resurrection (Woodbury Lutheran Church) references N.T. Wright, who describes Easter as the moment when hope in person surprised the world by coming forward from the future into the present. This reference is used to emphasize the transformative power of the resurrection and its implications for the present and future.

Embracing the In-Between: Transformation Through Christ (Elevation Church) references Viktor Frankl, an Austrian psychologist and Holocaust survivor, to illustrate the concept of finding meaning in the "space" between stimulus and response. This secular reference is used to draw a parallel to the spiritual "in-between" moments where believers have the power to choose their response to life's challenges.

Matthew 28:1-10 Illustrations from Secular Sources:

Embracing the Victory of Christ's Resurrection (Michael Gold) uses a personal story about the speaker's mother encountering a mysterious helper during a car breakdown as an analogy for angelic intervention and divine truth. This story serves to illustrate the unexpected ways God can provide guidance and support, paralleling the angel's message to Mary in the resurrection narrative.

Celebrating the Transformative Power of the Resurrection (Calgary Community Church) uses the analogy of visiting famous people's tombs to illustrate the uniqueness of the empty tomb of Jesus. The sermon contrasts the Christian practice of not venerating a tomb with the common practice of visiting the graves of famous individuals.

Embracing Hope: The Transformative Power of Easter (Menlo Church) uses the cultural practice of celebrating Easter with eggs to illustrate the theme of new life and resurrection. The sermon humorously suggests using the extravagance of Easter celebrations as a reminder of God's extravagant love and grace.

Embracing the In-Between: Transformation Through Christ (Elevation Church) uses the example of Viktor Frankl's quote about the space between stimulus and response to illustrate the power of choice in "in-between" moments. The sermon also humorously references Willie Nelson's song about getting drunk to contrast the idea of being compelled by circumstances versus having a God who provides freedom and choice.