Now For The Rest Of The Story

INTRO.- ILL.- As far back as anyone could remember, Kris knew where he was going. He was clean-cut boy, bright and well behaved. The kind of kid any parent would be proud to call their son.

His father was a major general in the Air Force and immensely proud of his son when Kris announced his intention to join the military. Kris was only ten years old at that time but he knew what he must do. His first concern was making good grades. While Kris was in high school in Brownsville, TX, his dad transferred to San Mateo, CA. There were the usual family adjustments and if ever a boy had the excuse to fail, it was then. Kris, instead, excelled!

To his classmates, he was a square. When others stayed out at night, Kris stayed home and studied. After high school he attended a private college in Claremont, CA. Again, he excelled in academics and athletics. He did not just play football, he became a football hero. And a Golden Gloves boxer. And a sports writer for the student paper. And a ROTC commander.

He eventually received the ultimate prestigious academic recognition; a Rhodes scholarship and on to Oxford. But there was no hesitation and no resting on his laurels. By the time Kris had reached Oxford he had written one novel and was beginning a second. Book publishers were clamoring for his manuscripts, but Kris had something else in mind. After achieving as much as any young man could achieve, Kris joined the Army, to his father’s delight.

He went through jump school. He went through Ranger school. He went through flight school. He became a pilot, a Captain, was stationed in Germany and came back to the US to become a major, and an instructor at West Point.

Some people just seem to know from early on in life where they’re headed. What life expects of them. So it seemed for Kris. A boy from the beginning of elementary school with grades instead of grumbling. A boy from the start who was called a square, but didn’t care. A football hero, a Golden Gloves boxer, a novelist, a Rhodes scholar, a young man that could go anywhere, could do anything, in or out of the military. And so Kris became a person you know. He became a number one recording artist of country classics and ballads. He was and is Kris Kristofferson. And now you know the rest of the story.

Brothers and sisters, the thing that grabs me the most about Kris Kristofferson is the fact that he seemed to know from early on where he was going and he allowed nothing to deter him. That sounds so much like our Savior who probably knew early on life where He was headed; to Calvary (born to die), the resurrection, the great commission, and then to glory to be with His Father.

Now for the rest of the story. There is generally a story that follows a story. Or else there is some kind of conclusion to the story or a moral to the story.

PROP.- Our text follows the story after Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. What happened? In our text we will see these things unfold:

1- The lie that was told

2- The vision that was spiritual

3- The command that was established

4- The promise that was certain

I. THE LIE THAT WAS TOLD

Matt. 28:11-15 “While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, "You are to say, ’His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble." So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.”

ILL.- Famous American Fibs (Americans lie)

- The check is in the mail.

- I’ll start my diet tomorrow.

- We service what we sell.

- Give me your number and the doctor will call you right back.

- Money cheerfully refunded.

- One size fits all.

- Your luggage isn’t lost, it’s only misplaced.

- Leave your resume and we’ll keep it on file.

- This hurts me more than it hurts you.

- Your table will be ready in a few minutes.

- Open wide, it won’t hurt a bit.

Americans may lie in these ways, but the worst lie of all is one that leads people away from God. After the resurrection of Jesus the lie that was told was this: His disciples came and stole the body of Jesus. Why would the chief priests and elders say that? Simply because they didn’t believe in the resurrection. And they wanted to discredit Christ and Christianity.