March 27, 2011
Morning Service

Matt. 28

 

Review:

1.                  This morning we will finish the Gospel of Matthew.  In 2010 we studied St. John, Acts, and Matthew.

2.                  By studying John, and Matthew we hoped to strengthen our faith that Jesus is the Christ, the very Son of God.

3.                  By studying Acts we hoped to see how the early church operated, and examine some of the first sermons that were preached.

4.                  In Matthew 24 and 25 Jesus spoke of His second coming.  It was most appropriate for the day in which we live.  The middle east is on fire right now.  There is so much unrest in the world, and only the Prince of Peace will be able to settle it.

5.                  As we finish the book of Matthew this morning we will also be looking at I Cor. 15.  The resurrection of our Lord is the icing on the cake for our faith.  Jesus’ life, and His many miracles would have been enough, but God put the icing on His life when He raised Him from the dead.

6.                  Jesus has been tried, crucified, and buried. 

 

Let’s begin;

 

Mat 28:1-20 KJVR  In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulcher.  (2)  And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.  (3)  His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:  (4)  And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.  (5)  And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.  (6)  He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.  (7)  And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. 

• You see, to be about the Lord’s business, and to be ever thinking of Him brings great reward.  These two women have the wonderful privilege of being the first to tell of Jesus resurrection.

(8)  And they departed quickly from the sepulcher with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.  (9)  And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshiped him.  (10)  Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me. 

• Now they see Him as He was before the trial.  He stands before them as Jesus of Nazareth.

(11)  Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and showed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.  (12)  And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,  (13)  Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.  (14)  And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.  (15)  So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day. 

• You see how there is no fear of God in some people.  I would think that these men would have been so scared that they would have done anything to find out more about Jesus.

(16)  Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.  (17)  And when they saw him, they worshiped him: but some doubted. 

• But some doubted.  This will happen to anyone that stays out of His presence for any length of time.  You stay in His presence by reading, praying, and fellowshipping with the saints.

(18)  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.  (19)  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  (20)  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

• We finish the book of Matthew with the Great Commission.  Something we all accept as a final challenge, and instructions from the Lord.
• You will notice however, that nothing concerning force, or calling people infidels, or any such words of disgrace are used here.
• You have only the words of a concerned Savior, and Lord, caring for mankind.

 

Matthew stops here, but Luke gives us a little further insight on Jesus’ leaving; 

 

 

Luk 24:50-53 KJVR  And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.  (51)  And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.  (52)  And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:  (53)  And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

 

Luke goes on in Acts and says;  Act 1:1-9 KJVR  The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,  (2)  Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:  (3)  To whom also he showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:  (4)  And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.  (5)  For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.  (6)  When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?  (7)  And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.  (8)  But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.  (9)  And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

 

Our Lord’s resurrection is the most powerful argument of any religion.  None other has these claims.  God saw fit to give us this final act to show He accepted the work that Jesus did on calvary.

 

Listen to the Apostle Paul;

1Co 15:1-20 MKJV  And, brothers, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you have received, and in which you stand;  (2)  by which you also are being kept safe, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.  (3)  For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received, that Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures,  (4)  and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures; ***** (5)  and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the Twelve.  (6)  Afterward He was seen by over five hundred brothers at once, of whom the greater part remain until this present day, but also some fell asleep.  (7)  Afterward He was seen by James, then by all the apostles.  (8)  And last of all He was seen by me also, as one born out of time.  (9)  For I am the least of the apostles and am not sufficient to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.  (10)  But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace which was toward me has not been without fruit, but I labored more abundantly than all of them; yet not I, but the grace of God with me.  (11)  Therefore whether it was I or they, so we preach, and so you believed.  (12)  But if Christ is proclaimed, that He was raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?  (13)  But if there is no resurrection of the dead, neither has Christ been raised.  (14)  And if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation is worthless, and your faith is also worthless.  (15)  And we are also found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified of God that He raised Christ; whom He did not raise if the dead are not raised.  (16)  For if the dead are not raised, then Christ is not raised.  (17)  And if Christ is not raised, your faith is foolish; you are yet in your sins.  (18)  Then also those that fell asleep in Christ were lost.  *****(19)  If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.  (20)  But now Christ has risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruit of those who slept.

 

We serve a risen Lord.  Jesus is alive somewhere in the heavens, and will soon return for His church.  Just as He has taught us in the book of Matthew, we need to watch for His soon return

 

 Almighty God, remove from us the spirit of apathy, and renew us with Your Holy Spirit.   Amen.