Embracing the Resurrection: Our Call to Discipleship
Summary
In my sermon, I began by reflecting on the joyous celebration of Jesus Christ's resurrection we experienced last week, posing the question, "Now what?" This question is not only ours but was also shared by Jesus' disciples and enemies following His resurrection. The disciples, elated by Jesus' return, wondered what Jesus would do next, while His enemies, the chief priests and religious leaders, contemplated how to cover up the resurrection.
I recounted how the chief priests and Pharisees, concerned about rumors of Jesus' resurrection, had secured a guard for the tomb to prevent any deception. However, when faced with the undeniable testimony of the guards who witnessed the angelic event at the tomb, the religious leaders chose to perpetuate a lie, bribing the guards to claim Jesus' body was stolen. This lie, as I noted, persisted even decades later, as Matthew's Gospel indicates.
I then spoke about the choice that each person faces: to repent and believe in Jesus or to refuse and suffer the consequences. The chief priests chose the latter due to pride and resentment, rejecting the incontrovertible evidence of Jesus' resurrection. This pattern of rejection, I warned, hardens the heart, and I urged the congregation not to make the same mistake.
I shared a personal story of a young woman who, after hearing the Gospel, realized its truth and became a fervent believer. This story illustrated that many people might know of Jesus but do not understand the truth of His message. I emphasized that less than 5% of Christians lead others to Christ and challenged the congregation to be more active in sharing their faith, caring for the eternal souls of others, and being obedient to Jesus' commission.
I explained that Jesus' commission to make disciples is not just for the apostles but for all followers throughout the ages. We are to make disciples as we go, not necessarily traveling to distant lands but sharing the Gospel wherever we are. I used the example of Coca-Cola's global brand recognition to illustrate how we should think globally but act locally in spreading the Gospel.
Finally, I concluded with Jesus' Great Commission, highlighting His supreme authority over heaven and earth. With this authority, Jesus commands us to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to obey His commands. I reassured the congregation that Jesus is with us always, to the very end of the age, as we carry out this mission.
Key Takeaways:
1. The resurrection of Jesus presents us with a pivotal question: "Now what?" In the aftermath of such a miraculous event, we are faced with the decision to either embrace the truth of Jesus' resurrection or to deny it and perpetuate falsehoods. The chief priests chose to spread a lie, but we must choose to live in the light of the resurrection and share this truth with others. [02:12]
2. The human heart is susceptible to hardening when confronted with the truth it does not wish to accept. The chief priests' refusal to believe in Jesus' resurrection, despite overwhelming evidence, serves as a cautionary tale. We must remain open to God's truth and allow it to transform us, lest we become like those who, out of pride or fear, reject the miraculous. [08:35]
3. Evangelism is not a matter of skill but of obedience and care. We may feel inadequate in sharing our faith, but God does not call us to be successful fishermen, only faithful ones. Our love for others should compel us to share the good news, regardless of our perceived ability. [24:43]
4. The Great Commission is not just a historical mandate for the apostles; it is a timeless call for all believers. We are to make disciples in our everyday lives, whether at home or abroad. Our mission field is wherever we find ourselves, and we fulfill the commission by living out and sharing the Gospel in our communities. [17:54]
5. Jesus' authority is the foundation of the Great Commission. His supreme authority over all things empowers us to go forth with confidence. As we make disciples, baptize, and teach, we do so with the assurance that Jesus' authority backs our mission and that He is with us always. [17:11]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 28:11-20 - The account of the guards' report and the Great Commission.
#### Observation Questions
1. What were the two different responses to Jesus' resurrection as described in Matthew 28:11-20? ([02:57])
2. How did the chief priests and Pharisees attempt to cover up the resurrection of Jesus? ([03:38])
3. What specific instructions did Jesus give to His disciples in the Great Commission? ([04:20])
4. According to the sermon, what was the reaction of some of the disciples when they saw Jesus in Galilee? ([18:34])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the chief priests and Pharisees chose to spread a lie about Jesus' resurrection despite the evidence they had? ([07:14])
2. How does the pattern of rejection described in the sermon relate to the hardening of the heart? ([08:35])
3. What does Jesus' statement "All authority in heaven and on Earth has been given to me" imply about His role and our mission? ([17:11])
4. How does the example of Coca-Cola's global recognition relate to the way we should approach the Great Commission? ([21:19])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the question "Now what?" after celebrating Jesus' resurrection. How can you personally respond to this question in your daily life? ([00:39])
2. Have you ever faced a situation where you had to choose between accepting a difficult truth or rejecting it? How did you handle it, and what was the outcome? ([06:27])
3. The sermon mentioned that less than 5% of Christians lead others to Christ. What steps can you take to be more active in sharing your faith? ([24:01])
4. Think about a time when you felt inadequate in sharing your faith. How can you overcome these feelings and be obedient to Jesus' call to evangelize? ([24:43])
5. Jesus' Great Commission is a call to make disciples as we go about our daily lives. Identify one person in your community with whom you can share the Gospel this week. ([19:16])
6. How can you ensure that you are living out the Great Commission in your local context, just as Coca-Cola acts locally while thinking globally? ([21:19])
7. Reflect on the story of the young woman who realized the truth of the Gospel. How can you help someone in your life understand that the message of Jesus is true? ([23:25])
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Resurrection Truth
After the resurrection, a pivotal moment arises: to accept the truth of Christ's victory over death or to deny it. The chief priests chose to spread falsehoods, but believers today are called to live in the light of the resurrection. This means not only believing in the miracle but also actively sharing this truth with others. It is a call to step out of the shadows of doubt and into the radiance of faith, allowing the reality of the empty tomb to inform every aspect of life. The resurrection is not just a historical event; it is a transformative truth that should shape how one lives, loves, and speaks to the world around them. [02:12]
"But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep." - 1 Corinthians 15:20 ESV
Reflection: How can you embody the truth of the resurrection in your conversations and actions today?
Day 2: Guarding Against a Hardened Heart
The chief priests' refusal to accept the resurrection, despite overwhelming evidence, is a stark reminder of the danger of a hardened heart. When confronted with God's truth, one must be vigilant not to let pride or fear lead to rejection. A hardened heart is not an overnight occurrence but a gradual process of closing oneself off to the miraculous works of God. It is crucial to remain open and allow the truth of the resurrection to soften and transform the heart, leading to a life that is receptive to God's ongoing work in the world. [08:35]
"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." - Psalm 51:10 ESV
Reflection: In what ways might you be resisting God's truth, and how can you ask Him to soften your heart today?
Day 3: Evangelism as Obedience and Care
Evangelism is not about being a skilled orator but about obedience to Christ's command and genuine care for others. It is a call to share the good news out of love, not out of a sense of duty or ability. This perspective shifts the focus from personal inadequacy to the importance of the message itself. The act of sharing one's faith becomes an expression of concern for the eternal well-being of others, and a fulfillment of Christ's directive to His followers. It is a reminder that God does not require eloquence, only a willing heart to convey His love. [24:43]
"And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'" - Mark 16:15 ESV
Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the message of God's love, and how can you take a step to share it with them today?
Day 4: The Timeless Call of the Great Commission
The Great Commission is not a task completed in the past; it is a continuous call to all believers to make disciples in their daily lives. This mission is not confined to distant lands but is as close as one's own community. It is a call to live out the Gospel authentically and to share it with those encountered in everyday situations. By doing so, believers participate in a global mission that starts right where they are, using their unique contexts as the starting point for disciple-making. [17:54]
"And he said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.'" - Matthew 4:19 ESV
Reflection: What opportunities do you have to make disciples in your current environment, and how can you be intentional about seizing them?
Day 5: Empowered by Jesus' Authority
The authority of Jesus is the foundation upon which the Great Commission rests. His supreme authority over heaven and earth gives believers the confidence to go forth and make disciples. This empowerment is not based on human strength but on the divine authority of Christ Himself. As believers baptize and teach, they do so with the assurance that Jesus' authority backs their mission and that He is with them always. This promise provides the courage and strength to fulfill the commission, knowing that they are never alone in the task. [17:11]
"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations..." - Matthew 28:18-19a ESV
Reflection: How does the knowledge of Jesus' authority and presence affect your willingness to engage in the Great Commission?
Quotes
1) "Studies tell us that less than 5% of all Christians ever lead anyone to Christ... Jesus calls us to be fish of men and yet too often we never get out of the aquarium... You don't have to be good at it, you just have to be obedient to do it... Do we really care about those lost people out there... If we care, we share." [24:43]
2) "DL Moody cited that as the secret to his success in leading people to Christ... Until you see people like that, you will not lead them to Christ. What do you see when you look at your lost friends and family members? Do you see them in the danger they're truly in? Will you tell them that Jesus is alive, that he loves them, that he wants to give them life? That's good news, friends." [26:46]
3) "Jesus has commissioned us to tell his story; he has promised to be with us always as we do so. Will you share that news with the lost dying world? If we don't, we let Satan's lie propagate by default. Can we in good conscience watch others file one by one into hell day by day without attempting to do something about it?" [27:29]
4) "Jesus had directed his disciples to go to Galilee... Jesus had responded to Simon Peter's exclamation on this rock I will build my church and the gates of Hades will not Prevail against it... Jesus had in fact brought them back to this place to deliver to them the marching orders of the church... the basis of the Declaration is Jesus' authority." [15:04]
5) "Jesus said all authority in heaven and on Earth has been given to me... With that authority, Jesus commissions his disciples to spread the good news... This is recognized as what is called the Great Commission... It's given to all followers, not just the apostles... and when we say all followers, we're talking about not just those who were there at the time but those of us down Through the Ages as well." [17:54]
6) "The imperative is not go, the imperative is make disciples as you go... You don't have to go to Africa to fulfill the Great Commission, even though some do... You do it where you are, and you think about where you're not and pray that God will send workers there to share the gospel." [19:16]
7) "Think globally but act locally... Make disciples as you go, whether it's Africa or whether it's Jonesboro... Are you fulfilling the Great Commission that Jesus gave us, telling anyone about Jesus? Some will doubt, just as they did Jesus himself, don't let that discourage you." [22:05]
8) "In the face of unbiased incontrovertible testimony, how could they reject Jesus?... A pattern of rejection hardens the heart and so if you can hear the voice of the Savior calling you, don't reject him because you do so at your Eternal Peril just as these religious leaders did." [08:35]
9) "Once their choice was made, their sins, their guilts were multiplied... They hatched a plot to cover up the truth... The true source of the plan was the devil of course, Satan himself, the father of lies... Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive, they were weaving a web of deception." [10:05]
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