He Is Risen: Matthew 28 — Resurrection and Discipleship

Now as I was meditating on this passage when I was working on this message, I thought, wouldn't it wouldn't you love to have been like a fly on the wall, to use that expression, when those guards made their report to the chief priest? Wouldn't you love to just see the expression on their faces and wonder what they were thinking? I would. Well, regardless of what they were thinking, they decided, well, we're gonna cover this up by bribing the soldiers to lie and say that Jesus' disciples had come by night and stolen his body while they slept. [00:48:14] (33 seconds)  #GuardCoverUp

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the single greatest event in the history of the world, and it is so foundational Christianity that no one who denies it can be a true Christian. For those of us who believe in it, in Jesus, may this meditation of his resurrection today and all that took place surrounding it help you once again see the glory of the salvation that he provided you and what it took to free you from your sin. [01:05:50] (28 seconds)  #ResurrectionIsCentral

If Jesus had not been raised, there would be no salvation. There would be no Christianity. Christianity centers on Jesus' death for our sins and his resurrection for our justification so that we can be justified before God, treated just as if we have not sinned. It's also for our sanctification so we can be made holy. [01:01:15] (25 seconds)  #ResurrectionSaves

Our faith is based upon facts, and we should know them. The fact of Jesus' resurrection led the first disciples to go from being fearful and hiding to joyful proclaiming of the good news even when it led to their death. Why? Because they had witnessed the risen savior, the risen king. They knew the truth, and they were further grounded in it by the subsequent forty days of being taught by and encouraged by Jesus before he ascended back to heaven. [00:51:30] (33 seconds)  #ResurrectionFacts

He was forsaken. He died the death we deserved. He was buried as any dead person was buried, but he didn't stay dead. He had to rise, and because he did, we can have eternal life through him. He took the condemnation for us, and then he rose so that we who are united to him get to live with him and forever. He was the first fruits of the harvest. [01:02:29] (25 seconds)  #HeDiedHeRose

Praise be to God. The grave was not the end and nor is it the end for we who die in faith. Just as Jesus rose from the dead, we and everyone else who dies trusting in him will rise as well. And so that brings it to the last application. It's personal always. Have you trusted in what Jesus did through his cross and resurrection to save you from your sins? Have you become his disciple? [01:03:46] (29 seconds)  #HopeBeyondTheGrave

And it began once again, this is not gonna be a surprise. I could probably point to anybody and say, what's what's my first one gonna be? It's gonna be what? This is history, and this is fulfilled prophecy. This happened. Right? Jesus rose from the dead, and this is how it happened, and we should be convinced of it. It was attested to by all the gospel writers. And even if not believed, it is recorded in secular history as well. The facts surrounding that is Jesus' life, his death, his burial, and resurrection. [00:51:00] (29 seconds)  #ResurrectionIsHistory

And so if you have never done so, I pray that today would be the day faith comes from hearing, hearing the words of Christ as the spirit of God uses the words of God to bring conviction concerning your personal need, your sin, and your need to be forgiven, to be reconciled back to God, and that Jesus, what he did through his cross and resurrection is the means for that to happen for you. [01:04:32] (24 seconds)  #RepentAndBelieve