The Risen King - Matthew 28:1-20 Series

2025.11.16 Sermon Notes. THE RISEN KING – MATTHEW 28:1–20

William Akehurst, HSWC

BIG IDEA: The resurrection of JESUS CHRIST is the ultimate proof of HIS Divinity and Victory over Death. The same POWER that raised HIM from the dead now lives in every believer. The tomb is empty, but the mission is full …Go and proclaim the RISEN KING!

KEY WORD LIST

RISEN KING, Resurrection, Empty Tomb, Angel, Fear, Faith, Witness, Truth, Commission, Authority, Power, Presence, Victory.

SCRIPTURES: Matthew 28:1-20, Luke 24:1-8, John 11:25-26, John 20:16-18, John 20:21-22, Romans 1:4, Romans 10:14-15, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 2 Corinthians 4:7, Romans 8:11, Acts 1:8, Acts 4:10-12, 2 Timothy 2:8-9, Mark 16:15-18, Psalm 2:1-4, John 8:32, Matthew 18:20

Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

I. THE EMPTY TOMB (vv. 1–7)

HE IS RISEN

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.”

KEY VERSE: 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…”

POINTS

• The two Marys came expecting to anoint a dead body, but instead witnessed a miracle. A violent earthquake occurred, the stone was rolled away, and the angel of the Lord appeared, shining with heavenly glory.

• His message: “Do not be afraid… He is not here; for He is risen, as He said.”

• The resurrection validated every promise JESUS made. The angel invited them to “Come, see” — to witness evidence of divine truth — and then to “Go, quickly tell” the good news.

REFLECTION:

• Am I still looking for life among the dead, trying to find hope in worldly places?

• The angel said, “Do not be afraid.” What fears keep me from believing that JESUS has already won?

• GOD invites me to see His power, but also to share His message.

SCRIPTURE SUPPORT:

• Luke 24:1-8

• John 11:25-26 25 JESUS said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

• Romans 1:4 …declared to be the Son of GOD with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.

• 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 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,

II. THE FIRST WITNESSES (vv. 8–10)

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

THE WOMEN WORSHIP THE RISEN LORD

9 And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, JESUS met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So 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.”

KEY VERSE: 8 “So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.”

POINTS

• The women became the first evangelists of the resurrection. As they ran to tell the disciples, JESUS Himself met them on the way, saying, “Rejoice!”.

• They fell at His feet and worshiped Him; proof that He was not a vision, but truly alive.

• JESUS comforted them: “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.”

• The women, first to see the Resurrected JESUS, to witness the fulfillment of the reversal of the first sin, by woman, Eve, in the garden.