Empty Tomb, New Mission: Go Make Disciples

Easter morning opened with energetic worship and practical church updates: a three-week Faith Forward growth track to clarify identity and spiritual gifts, a forthcoming Dave Ramsey Financial Peace class, and encouragement to engage in serving roles. Gratitude for the volunteer team underscored the day’s joy before attention turned to Matthew 28. Matthew’s account unfolds with Mary Magdalene and the other Mary approaching the tomb; an angel descends, rolls the stone away, and presents a startling reality: Jesus is not there—he has risen. Roman guards react with terror, while the angel commissions the women to tell the disciples that Jesus will meet them in Galilee.

The narrative emphasizes that the resurrection fulfilled Jesus’ own predictions and shattered expectations. The women run back “afraid yet filled with joy,” confronting the tension of wonder and fear. A related hospital story recounts an inexplicable visitation that illustrates how encounters with the supernatural can inspire both comfort and awe. Jesus appears to the women, receives their worship, and instructs them to relay the news.

Religious authorities attempt a cover-up, bribing soldiers to spread a false story that disciples stole the body—an attempt that the account treats as both corrupt and ultimately ineffective. Meanwhile the disciples gather in Galilee; some worship, some still doubt. Jesus claims universal authority and immediately issues a missional mandate: make disciples of all nations, baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, teach obedience to his commands, and live with the promise of his continual presence. The resurrection thus launches renewed mission rather than retreat.

The closing call presses three congregational tasks: reach the lost, equip believers with uncompromised Scripture, and send followers into everyday spheres—neighbors, coworkers, and strangers. The sermon affirms inherent human worth by pointing to the cross and resurrection as evidence of divine love and purpose. The service concludes with prayer, an open altar invitation, and a reminder that the empty tomb reorients life toward active discipleship and courageous proclamation.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. The tomb is empty Belief in an empty tomb reframes suffering as a chapter, not a verdict. Resurrection upends the finality of death and grounds hope in a living Lord who fulfilled his own predictions. That historic reversal compels confidence before doubt and sustains mission when circumstances suggest defeat. [35:55]
• 2. Fear and joy coexist Encounters with the divine often carry a double edge: trembling at holiness and jubilant recognition of redemption. That paradox shapes authentic faith—raw emotion paired with worship—forcing honesty about fear while refusing to let it silence proclamation. Spiritual movement often begins in that uneasy, electrified space. [45:37]
• 3. Resurrection compels immediate mission The risen Christ did not withdraw; authority propelled action. The moment of victory becomes the springboard for global disciple-making, which reframes resurrection as the root of sending rather than a private consolation. Mission inherits the momentum of the empty tomb. [66:19]
• 4. Authority empowers persistent disciple-making Christ’s claim of all authority authenticates a relentless, confident sending: baptize, teach, and persist in obedience despite doubt or opposition. That authority removes excuses for paralysis and commits followers to long-term formation, not quick fixes. Presence promised to the end sustains perseverance. [64:42]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [12:23] - Faith Forward Overview
• [12:59] - Discovering Spiritual Gifts
• [13:28] - Financial Peace Course Announced
• [34:33] - Warm Welcome & Dream Team
• [35:55] - Easter Proclamation: Tomb Empty
• [36:11] - Good Friday Recap
• [37:07] - Matthew 28 Introduced
• [38:38] - Angel at the Tomb
• [45:37] - Women: Fear and Joy
• [51:44] - Jesus Appears and Worship
• [54:15] - Guards Bribed to Lie
• [66:19] - Great Commission: Go Make Disciples
• [71:57] - Prayer and Altar Invitation

Based on the provided sermon summary and transcript, the primary Bible passage is Matthew 28. The discussion guide will be derived from this text and the sermon's key takeaways.

Bible Reading
Matthew 28:1-20 (ESV)
> 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. 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. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 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.” So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place. And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers and said, “Tell people, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ And if this comes to the governor's ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story has been spread among the Jews to this day. Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Observation questions

1. According to the angel's message to the women, what was the proof that Jesus had risen, and what specific instructions were they given? (Matthew 28:6-7)
2. What two contrasting emotions did the women experience as they left the tomb to obey the angel's command? (Matthew 28:8)
3. What was the false story the religious leaders instructed the guards to spread, and what was their motivation for creating this cover-up? (Matthew 28:11-15)
4. What declaration about himself did Jesus make immediately before giving the Great Commission, and what is the promise that accompanies the command? (Matthew 28:18-20)

Interpretation questions

1. The guards reacted to the angel with terror and became "like dead men," while the women were told "Do not be afraid." What does this contrast reveal about the difference between encountering God's power with a hardened heart versus a seeking heart?
2. The text says the women were both "afraid and filled with joy" [45:37]. How can these two powerful emotions—fear and joy—coexist in a genuine encounter with the divine?
3. Jesus issued the Great Commission to a group that included worshippers and doubters. What does this tell us about how Jesus uses people who are still working through their uncertainties?
4. The religious authorities went to great lengths to create and spread a lie, a story that the sermon notes "is still thought of today" [56:05]. Why do people often prefer a complicated lie over a simple, miraculous truth?

Application questions

1. The empty tomb reframes suffering as a chapter, not a verdict [35:55]. What is a current situation in your life that feels like a final "verdict" of failure or pain? How can the truth of the resurrection change how you view that situation?
2. Encounters with the divine often carry a double edge of trembling and jubilation [45:37]. When have you experienced a moment that was both awe-inspiring and a little frightening? How did that experience impact your faith?
3. The risen Christ did not withdraw but immediately launched his followers into mission [01:06:19]. In what practical way can you "go" this week—whether across the street, to a coworker, or a stranger—to share the goodness of Jesus?
4. Christ’s authority removes excuses for paralysis and commits followers to long-term formation [01:04:42]. What is one excuse you often use for not engaging in disciple-making, and how does Jesus' claim of "all authority" dismantle that excuse?
5. The promise of Jesus' continual presence is meant to sustain perseverance [01:04:42]. When you feel alone in your efforts to live out your faith, how can you actively remind yourself of this promise?
6. The resurrection is evidence of divine love and purpose, affirming our inherent worth [01:09:05]. Who in your life needs to hear that they are so loved and valued that Jesus conquered death for them? How will you tell them?