Let's Get Ready To Go For Jesus Christ Series

Let's Get Ready to Go for Jesus Christ

The Gospel of Matthew

Matthew 28:11-17

Sermon by Rick Crandall

(Prepared June 7, 2023)

BACKGROUND:

*Today in Matthew 28 we will continue to explore what happened after Jesus Christ rose again from the dead. And one of the words that stands out the most in this chapter is "go." The Lord's followers were on the move in those days. And Jesus still wants His followers to be on the go. But how can we get ready to go for Jesus? Today's Scripture gives us some answers. Please think about this as we read Matthew 28:11-17.

MESSAGE:

*"Go" is a great word. It's a great little word that packs a whole lot of punch. It's one of the first things we want to do when we are kids. "Can I go?" "Can I go in the car?" "Go faster!" "Go higher, go swimming, go to the store, go to the game, go to the woods."

*Going can be good. But the best kind of going is going for God. How can we get ready to go for Jesus Christ?

1. FIRST: WE MUST WATCH OUT FOR THE DEVIL'S DECEPTION.

*We will see the worst deceiver at work in today's Scripture, but first, remember the background. On that first Easter Sunday morning, some of the women went to the Lord's tomb to finish preparing his body for burial. Then the most unexpected, wonderful things happened!

*Matthew 28:1-10 says:

1. Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.

2. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it.

3. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.

4. And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.

5. But the angel answered and said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who 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 indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.''

8. So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.

9. And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, "Rejoice!'' And they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him.

10. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.''

*This is the greatest news the world has ever heard! But then God's Word shows us one of the most destructive lies ever told to deceive humanity. And we see it in vs. 11-15:

11. Now while they (the women) were going, behold, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all the things that had happened.

12. When they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers,

13. saying, "Tell them, 'His disciples came at night and stole Him away while we slept.'

14. And if this comes to the governor's ears, we will appease him and make you secure.''

15. So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

*Why do people lie? A lot of times it's for money, just like we see here. Those guards got a large sum of money to lie about what happened at the tomb. And some of the wealthiest people in the world today got their money by lying. But it won't do them any good in the long run. That's for sure, because in Matthew 16:26 Jesus asked, "What is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?"

*Why do people tell lies? Sometimes it is to get money. But a lot of other times people spread lies, because they believe in the lies. That's also what happened here. The wicked chief priests never believed in Jesus. They were Sadducees, wealthy aristocrats who rejected almost all of God's Word. These skeptics denied God’s involvement in everyday life. They denied the spiritual dimension of life. They believed life ended at death. So in the Sadducees' minds there was no afterlife, no heaven or hell, and no resurrection of the dead. Acts 23:8 tells us that they also denied the existence of angels. (1)