WEBVTT 00:00:00.959 --> 00:00:05.759 So good morning and again, happy Resurrection Sunday. 00:00:06.160 --> 00:00:14.560 If you don't know, yesterday evening Rick texted me and he said that he was sick, and I had no problem filling in today. 00:00:15.119 --> 00:00:27.280 But as I looked over my sermons that I prepared, kind of like back pocket sermons, I couldn't find any that was directly related to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 00:00:27.600 --> 00:00:39.920 So by God's grace, last night I decided to go ahead and preach what Rick was going to preach on, Matthew chapter 28, which of course is all about the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 00:00:40.799 --> 00:00:47.439 So the resurrection is the greatest event in redemptive history. 00:00:47.840 --> 00:00:53.600 As MacArthur once wrote, it is the cornerstone of gospel promise. 00:00:54.479 --> 00:01:14.799 In fact, it is so important that the Apostle Paul says in Romans 10, verse 9, that if you declare with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and if you believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 00:01:15.599 --> 00:01:19.840 But what does the resurrection of Jesus Christ mean? 00:01:20.159 --> 00:01:23.439 Like, why is it such a big deal? 00:01:23.920 --> 00:01:27.760 Obviously, Christians talk about it, they believe in it. 00:01:28.079 --> 00:01:34.640 Even the early primitive church, every time they gathered, would greet each other every Sunday. 00:01:34.799 --> 00:01:39.040 The elder would say, He is risen, and the church would say. 00:01:41.280 --> 00:01:41.920 Right. 00:01:42.239 --> 00:01:44.319 I was hoping you guys would say that. 00:01:44.959 --> 00:01:47.599 So the resurrection, it's a big deal. 00:01:47.840 --> 00:01:56.879 And it's important as God's people that Easter or resurrection mantras do not become cliche to us. 00:01:57.280 --> 00:02:10.159 That we would continue to remind ourselves of what the resurrection of Christ means, what it means for humanity, what it means for Christ, and what it means for those who believe. 00:02:10.400 --> 00:02:30.080 And so that is my hope this morning as we read through Matthew 28, that we, Proclamation Church, would understand and know to a greater degree of what the resurrection means, that we would appreciate it more and renew our excitement for it. 00:02:30.400 --> 00:02:35.680 So starting in Matthew 28, let me read the first ten verses. 00:02:37.360 --> 00:02:46.240 Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 00:02:46.639 --> 00:02:56.479 And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone, and sat on it. 00:02:56.879 --> 00:03:06.800 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow, and for fear of him and the guards trembled and became like dead men. 00:03:07.280 --> 00:03:15.680 But the angel said to the women, Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who is crucified. 00:03:16.000 --> 00:03:20.719 He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. 00:03:21.280 --> 00:03:23.599 Come, see the place where he lay. 00:03:23.840 --> 00:03:34.159 Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, that he is going before you to Galilee. 00:03:34.560 --> 00:03:35.919 There you will see him. 00:03:36.319 --> 00:03:38.000 See, I have told you. 00:03:38.400 --> 00:03:45.120 So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and they ran to tell his disciples. 00:03:45.439 --> 00:03:53.599 And behold, Jesus met them and said greetings, and they came up and took hold of his feet and worshipped him. 00:03:54.080 --> 00:04:03.919 Then Jesus said to them, Do not be afraid, go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me. 00:04:05.120 --> 00:04:07.120 This is the word of the Lord. 00:04:07.680 --> 00:04:16.480 So in the ancient days in Greek culture, during the times of war, there was a military position called a forerunner. 00:04:16.959 --> 00:04:31.839 And the job of a forerunner was to go ahead and watch the battle and report back to the citizens whether or not that nation won or lost the battle. 00:04:32.160 --> 00:04:52.959 So imagine for a moment if we lived during that time and a forerunner went out to watch a great battle, a major battle, that if we lost this battle, our livelihood, the future of our children, even our lives depended on it. 00:04:53.199 --> 00:05:01.439 If our enemy won this battle, we would lose everything and face immense suffering and torment. 00:05:01.600 --> 00:05:05.199 And so the forerunner goes out to watch the battle. 00:05:05.680 --> 00:05:06.800 And we wait. 00:05:07.920 --> 00:05:09.199 And we wait. 00:05:09.839 --> 00:05:11.120 And we wait. 00:05:12.160 --> 00:05:14.160 And there's this anticipation. 00:05:15.279 --> 00:05:16.879 And days go by. 00:05:17.360 --> 00:05:19.680 We're wondering what happened. 00:05:20.000 --> 00:05:33.680 And days later, as we're looking out the windows, we see the forerunner returning on the horizon, screaming at the top of his lungs, and we don't even know if we want to hear the news. 00:05:34.000 --> 00:05:37.439 We're so anxious about what's at stake. 00:05:37.920 --> 00:05:47.600 But as he gets closer, the forerunner shouts, Good news! We are victorious. 00:05:48.000 --> 00:05:52.399 The battle is won, and we will live. 00:05:53.439 --> 00:05:59.040 This is exactly what the disciples were experiencing here. 00:05:59.279 --> 00:06:02.079 They had followed Jesus for three years. 00:06:02.319 --> 00:06:04.240 They gave up their jobs for him. 00:06:04.560 --> 00:06:06.800 They saw him do miracles. 00:06:07.040 --> 00:06:11.439 They knew that there was something about him that was divine and unique. 00:06:11.920 --> 00:06:13.600 But then he was arrested. 00:06:13.839 --> 00:06:16.319 He was tortured, beaten, and mocked. 00:06:16.560 --> 00:06:22.160 Then he was nailed on a tree, and his last words were, It is finished. 00:06:22.399 --> 00:06:32.000 And then he died, just like the rest of humanity, and his body was placed in a tomb, and now there is silence. 00:06:33.439 --> 00:06:40.720 Now everyone is left wondering, who was this Jesus of Nazareth? 00:06:41.199 --> 00:06:43.120 Could the Pharisees be right? 00:06:43.360 --> 00:06:45.040 Was he a blasphemer? 00:06:45.279 --> 00:06:46.319 A criminal? 00:06:46.560 --> 00:06:48.560 Just another cult leader? 00:06:48.800 --> 00:06:54.560 I mean, the law clearly says, cursed is any man who hangs on a tree. 00:06:54.800 --> 00:06:58.879 Was this God's judgment against a false prophet? 00:06:59.439 --> 00:07:01.439 Could the secular man be right? 00:07:01.680 --> 00:07:05.360 Was Jesus just some political revolutionist? 00:07:05.680 --> 00:07:12.560 This was all just political drama, and Jesus took it too far, which ended in his death? 00:07:13.279 --> 00:07:15.519 Is the liberal theologian right? 00:07:15.839 --> 00:07:18.720 Was Jesus just a good moral example? 00:07:18.959 --> 00:07:23.680 Kind of like an old school Gandhi who isn't alive or anything. 00:07:24.160 --> 00:07:26.800 He merely teaches us how to live. 00:07:27.040 --> 00:07:29.040 Good moral principles. 00:07:29.519 --> 00:07:31.600 Or is the Christian correct? 00:07:31.920 --> 00:07:50.480 And Jesus paid the price for our sins to defeat the grip of Satan, bearing the wrath of God on our behalf, so that he might be the perfect savior and mediator between God and man. 00:07:51.120 --> 00:07:53.920 Taking the infamous words of C.S. 00:07:54.079 --> 00:07:59.199 Lewis, is Jesus a liar, a lunatic, or is he Lord? 00:08:00.160 --> 00:08:03.439 All of this had to be going through the disciples' heads. 00:08:03.680 --> 00:08:15.439 And the victory, the validation of Christ's claims, the verification of his teachings all hangs on this one thing, the resurrection. 00:08:16.079 --> 00:08:17.600 Will he live? 00:08:18.399 --> 00:08:21.360 Jesus' death means nothing. 00:08:21.759 --> 00:08:29.920 His teachings should be abandoned, and he should be totally disregarded if he does not rise from the dead. 00:08:30.240 --> 00:08:40.399 As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15, if Jesus did not rise, then we Christians should be the most pitied among all men. 00:08:40.799 --> 00:08:44.320 We've got nothing without the resurrection. 00:08:45.039 --> 00:08:52.000 That is why Christians should never talk about Jesus' death in a singular column. 00:08:52.320 --> 00:08:54.320 Because Scripture doesn't. 00:08:54.799 --> 00:09:00.799 Scripture always uses together his death and his resurrection. 00:09:01.120 --> 00:09:05.919 Because without his resurrection, his death means nothing. 00:09:07.279 --> 00:09:11.919 Because if he does not rise, then he was a liar. 00:09:12.159 --> 00:09:17.200 It means that God didn't accept his sacrifice on the cross. 00:09:17.440 --> 00:09:21.519 It means that Old Testament prophecy was false. 00:09:21.759 --> 00:09:25.600 It means that the promised Holy Spirit is not coming. 00:09:25.840 --> 00:09:30.799 And most of all, it means that we are still dead in our sins. 00:09:31.440 --> 00:09:37.440 And so here we are during the greatest anticipation of human history. 00:09:38.000 --> 00:09:41.759 And both Mary's went to go see the tomb. 00:09:42.799 --> 00:09:45.039 And God knew that they were coming. 00:09:45.360 --> 00:09:49.440 Which is why he sent an angel to open the tomb. 00:09:49.600 --> 00:09:55.440 And here's my favorite part: the angel moves the stone, and then he sits on it. 00:09:55.759 --> 00:09:58.240 Ain't nobody moving that stone back. 00:09:58.639 --> 00:10:13.120 And then an earthquake happens, the guards are terrified, they run away, and both Mary's become the forerunners, if you will, to see that Jesus' body is gone. 00:10:13.759 --> 00:10:20.960 And they are given the message by the angel that Jesus has risen from the dead. 00:10:21.519 --> 00:10:23.840 And so they leave quickly. 00:10:24.080 --> 00:10:30.399 And blessed are the feet of those who bring good news because Jesus meets them on their way back. 00:10:30.720 --> 00:10:37.600 I find it fascinating that the angel told them already to share the message with the disciples. 00:10:37.919 --> 00:10:43.440 But it's like Jesus just had to come tell him himself. 00:10:44.720 --> 00:10:50.480 And when the women met Jesus, what was their response? 00:10:50.720 --> 00:10:54.080 They felt compelled to worship him. 00:10:54.960 --> 00:11:01.919 An hour before, they thought everything was lost because they thought that he was dead. 00:11:02.399 --> 00:11:13.360 Now they knew everything was gained because Jesus is alive, and their response to the risen Lord is worship. 00:11:14.320 --> 00:11:18.879 This, my friends, is what the resurrection means. 00:11:19.120 --> 00:11:22.559 It means that he is truly the Messiah. 00:11:22.799 --> 00:11:27.360 It means that he was indeed born of the Virgin Mary. 00:11:27.679 --> 00:11:32.159 It means that he was the Son of God, the King of glory. 00:11:32.480 --> 00:11:36.639 It means that Jesus Christ is a promise keeper. 00:11:36.960 --> 00:11:44.879 He specifically said on multiple occasions that he would die and raise, rise again three days later. 00:11:45.120 --> 00:11:49.200 It means that he did pay the price for our sin. 00:11:50.080 --> 00:11:58.159 The cross was the payment, the resurrection was the receipt, proving that the payment was fully accepted. 00:11:58.480 --> 00:12:04.720 It means that he bridged the gap between filthy sinners and a holy God. 00:12:05.440 --> 00:12:18.960 He is the great pioneer who paved a way to heaven, and that we, by believing in him, would share in his resurrection and have eternal life. 00:12:19.519 --> 00:12:26.159 And this brings us to our second point regarding the resurrection. 00:12:26.799 --> 00:12:30.480 It means that humanity has a choice. 00:12:31.039 --> 00:12:42.720 We can either worship him like both Marys did, because he is alive, or it means that we can ignore this, or worst, explain it away. 00:12:43.039 --> 00:12:45.440 Look at verses 11 through 16. 00:12:47.039 --> 00:12:56.559 While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place. 00:12:57.039 --> 00:13:12.480 And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers and said, Tell people, his disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep. 00:13:12.720 --> 00:13:19.120 And if this comes to the governor's ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble. 00:13:19.440 --> 00:13:22.960 So they took the money and did as they were directed. 00:13:23.200 --> 00:13:27.200 And this story has been spread among the Jews to this day. 00:13:27.519 --> 00:13:36.320 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them, and when they saw him, they worshipped him. 00:13:36.720 --> 00:13:38.159 But some doubted. 00:14:05.840 --> 00:14:11.279 You know, for the skeptic in the room that raises his hand and says, Well, I want more evidence. 00:14:11.600 --> 00:14:14.000 The resurrection is not enough. 00:14:14.399 --> 00:14:17.759 The Bible actually has two answers for you. 00:14:18.240 --> 00:14:21.840 First, you will not get more evidence. 00:14:22.240 --> 00:14:30.000 God simply chooses to reveal himself and his truth his way, not yours. 00:14:30.639 --> 00:14:34.080 He doesn't cater to human preferences. 00:14:34.320 --> 00:14:38.879 As Lee Strobel would say, the evidence is sufficient. 00:14:39.120 --> 00:14:46.080 We have eyewitnesses and we have the preservation of God's holy, inerrant word. 00:14:46.639 --> 00:15:00.000 And secondly, as Jesus taught in Luke 16, even if you saw with your own two eyes that Jesus rose from the dead, you still wouldn't believe. 00:15:00.240 --> 00:15:01.919 Jesus teaches that. 00:15:02.399 --> 00:15:16.000 God could open up the heavens, he could give us a tour of his heavenly kingdom, he could perform all kinds of physical miracles in our midsts, and it would convince no one. 00:15:16.399 --> 00:15:17.039 Why? 00:15:17.600 --> 00:15:22.799 Because this isn't a matter of the intellect, it's a matter of the will. 00:15:23.279 --> 00:15:32.399 If you refuse to listen to the words of God, what makes you think that you would respond to a miracle of God? 00:15:32.639 --> 00:15:37.120 If you don't have ears to hear, why would you have eyes to see? 00:15:37.679 --> 00:15:42.000 These religious leaders had all the proof they needed. 00:15:42.240 --> 00:15:53.519 An earthquake happened, an angel appeared, the stone, which was very difficult to move, was rolled away, Jesus' body is gone. 00:15:54.080 --> 00:15:56.240 How much more proof do you need? 00:15:56.639 --> 00:15:59.519 The problem isn't a lack of evidence. 00:15:59.840 --> 00:16:03.039 The problem is the human heart. 00:16:03.600 --> 00:16:14.399 Because if it's true that Jesus of Nazareth is the resurrection and the life, that means that I have to give up my life for his. 00:16:15.039 --> 00:16:27.440 It means that I must repent of my sins, admit that I'm a sinner and that I'm wrong, and I have to give up control and allow Christ to be Lord over my life. 00:16:27.759 --> 00:16:33.360 And that goes against my independent desires and my sin nature. 00:16:34.639 --> 00:16:40.960 No doubt these chief priests knew deep down that this was God. 00:16:42.080 --> 00:16:47.840 But they refused to embrace it because it threatened their love for sin. 00:16:48.799 --> 00:16:50.159 So what did they do? 00:16:50.399 --> 00:16:52.960 They paid the soldiers to lie. 00:16:54.000 --> 00:17:01.120 To say that we saw the disciples move the stone or we were asleep, and the disciples stole the body. 00:17:02.559 --> 00:17:07.839 This cover-up attempt shows the darkness of the priests. 00:17:08.160 --> 00:17:14.559 They knew the truth of the resurrection, but they rejected the truth. 00:17:15.279 --> 00:17:18.720 And is this not the devil's work? 00:17:19.119 --> 00:17:22.960 To make the good news about Jesus seem silly? 00:17:23.279 --> 00:17:36.799 To explain it away as some fairy tale, some myth or legend, some gross and barbaric story about blood and sacrifices and people rising from the grave. 00:17:37.119 --> 00:17:39.759 This is no different than today's culture. 00:17:40.079 --> 00:17:53.279 Atheists mock the resurrection as some foolish story written by corrupt men thousands of years ago, that gullible people, aka Christians, still believe today. 00:17:53.680 --> 00:17:56.240 And we all have a choice to make in this. 00:17:56.480 --> 00:18:28.400 We can either believe this is God's truth, which is a historical fact, which gives us cause to worship and have a relationship with Jesus who is alive, or we can ignore it, deny it, and explain it away so that we can continue to live as if God doesn't exist, so that we can continue to live in sin and not think about the future day of judgment that is coming. 00:18:28.799 --> 00:18:34.480 And so the resurrection of Jesus Christ means that Jesus is who he says he is. 00:18:34.720 --> 00:18:38.559 It means that humanity has a response to make. 00:18:39.039 --> 00:18:44.319 But there's a last category here seen in verses 17 through 20. 00:18:44.640 --> 00:18:48.640 It means that Jesus' followers have work to do. 00:18:49.519 --> 00:18:51.920 Look at verses 17 through 20. 00:18:52.240 --> 00:19:00.480 And Jesus came and said to them, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 00:19:00.960 --> 00:19:14.240 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. 00:19:14.480 --> 00:19:20.000 And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. 00:19:20.720 --> 00:19:39.359 So I don't know if you guys remember the book of Acts in chapter one, when Jesus ascends into heaven, and they're all just kind of standing around, awestruck, not really doing anything, gazing at the sky, and the angel says, What are you guys doing? 00:19:39.519 --> 00:19:41.359 It's like, stop standing around. 00:19:41.440 --> 00:19:42.319 There's work to do. 00:19:42.400 --> 00:19:44.640 That's my paraphrasing there. 00:19:45.359 --> 00:19:53.359 But the resurrection of Jesus Christ isn't just a cause for worship, but it is the birth of the church. 00:19:53.680 --> 00:19:59.839 And it is a motivation for Christians to share Christ and do ministry. 00:20:00.160 --> 00:20:08.160 It is one of the biggest motivators because it means that salvation is actively at hand. 00:20:08.960 --> 00:20:19.279 Salvation is available today, offered to all people, because Jesus lives and he is in the business of redemption. 00:20:20.000 --> 00:20:31.519 Now, now that he's risen and is resurrected, it means, look at verse 18, that he has all authority in heaven and earth. 00:20:32.079 --> 00:20:49.839 This doesn't mean that Jesus didn't have authority beforehand, but what it means is that he accomplished in his timing the moment in history where he would steal the keys of death from Satan's grip. 00:20:50.160 --> 00:21:07.119 Once he accomplished on that tree, nailing our crimes, our sin in his physical body, the written codes written against us from the law, once he did that, he paved a way to heaven. 00:21:07.440 --> 00:21:10.000 And we now have work to do. 00:21:10.480 --> 00:21:24.000 And so if it's true that Jesus is alive and he's preparing a place for us in heaven, and we're just pilgrims passing through, then we have good news to share with the world. 00:21:24.640 --> 00:21:25.920 And what is that work? 00:21:26.079 --> 00:21:28.400 Well, look at verses 18 through 20. 00:21:28.640 --> 00:21:38.880 It is making disciples, it is baptizing people in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and it's teaching people all that Jesus commanded. 00:21:39.200 --> 00:21:41.920 This is also known as the Great Commission. 00:21:43.519 --> 00:21:47.680 This is what a resurrected life looks like. 00:21:47.839 --> 00:21:49.279 Here on earth, that is. 00:21:50.079 --> 00:21:52.640 This is what we are called to do. 00:21:52.880 --> 00:21:55.839 This is what the church is called to do. 00:21:56.319 --> 00:22:22.559 Those who claim to be Christian are called to make Students of Christ, that's what disciple making means, and those who come to Christ are called to baptize, which is one of the ordinances of the church, which is a public declaration of someone's faith before the church, and it is also the church affirming and recognizing that indeed this brother or sister is a believer. 00:22:22.880 --> 00:22:29.279 And we are called to teach and admonish Christians to observe what Jesus has commanded. 00:22:29.519 --> 00:22:32.960 And so, what this is, it's a holistic mission. 00:22:33.519 --> 00:22:36.559 It's a global mission, all nations. 00:22:37.599 --> 00:22:49.119 And so Jesus' words in the Great Commission reveal the heart of God who desires that all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 00:22:49.599 --> 00:22:59.200 And we see this in the Great Commission throughout the Book of Acts, throughout church history, and it's happening all over the world today. 00:22:59.599 --> 00:23:00.240 Why? 00:23:00.880 --> 00:23:03.200 Because Jesus is alive. 00:23:03.759 --> 00:23:07.440 The mission of his church will not fail. 00:23:07.759 --> 00:23:18.880 The gates of hell will not prevail against it, and it will continue to flourish until the day that he returns, until the age of grace comes to an end. 00:23:19.680 --> 00:23:28.960 But in the meantime, there is no place on earth where the gospel should not be preached and where disciples should not be made. 00:23:29.200 --> 00:23:31.359 I think that's made clear here. 00:23:31.680 --> 00:23:37.839 And so the question is, are we doing that individually? 00:23:38.480 --> 00:23:40.640 As a church, corporately? 00:23:43.279 --> 00:23:45.279 Is this what we're all about? 00:23:45.759 --> 00:23:48.079 I mean, honestly, ask yourself. 00:23:48.799 --> 00:23:51.680 Individually as a church, we're called to go. 00:23:51.839 --> 00:23:53.759 That's the first word Jesus commissions. 00:23:54.000 --> 00:23:54.319 Go. 00:23:54.640 --> 00:23:56.400 Go and share Christ. 00:23:56.640 --> 00:24:04.880 Plant churches, care for orphans and widows, feed the poor, invest money, time, and energy into gospel efforts. 00:24:05.119 --> 00:24:09.200 Look for ways to evangelize lost people and your neighbors. 00:24:09.440 --> 00:24:11.359 Build up other Christians. 00:24:12.079 --> 00:24:19.839 Our mission statement is the same as any other true church to go and make disciples and teach people about Jesus. 00:24:20.880 --> 00:24:25.519 And he concludes this commandment with a promise in verse 20. 00:24:25.839 --> 00:24:27.519 And I love this promise. 00:24:27.920 --> 00:24:30.400 I am with you always. 00:24:31.519 --> 00:24:37.440 This again is another benefit of Jesus' resurrection. 00:24:37.680 --> 00:24:50.240 I don't know if you guys remember, but Jesus told his disciples back in John 16, he says, I tell you the truth, it is for your benefit that I go away. 00:24:51.119 --> 00:24:54.079 That's a weird statement, but he explains why. 00:24:54.240 --> 00:25:00.079 He says, the Holy Spirit cannot come to help you until I leave. 00:25:00.880 --> 00:25:19.920 One of the great purposes of Jesus' resurrection, apart from the fact that he is at the right hand of God interceding for us, is the fact that he can now live in every Christian through the promised Holy Spirit. 00:25:20.160 --> 00:25:27.359 And I'll tell you what, we need this promise in ministry because church is hard. 00:25:27.920 --> 00:25:31.359 People hurt us, people let us down. 00:25:31.759 --> 00:25:38.960 We pour so much time, energy, resources into people who turn around and throw it all away. 00:25:39.519 --> 00:25:42.160 The Great Commission is not easy. 00:25:42.400 --> 00:25:48.400 There's pain, tragedy, betrayal, discouragement, and many tears. 00:25:48.720 --> 00:26:04.480 And Jesus knows how fragile we can be, how easily we get disappointed or ready to just give up on ministry, give up on the church, which is why he says, I am always with you in this effort. 00:26:05.759 --> 00:26:14.319 No matter how hard the Great Commission can be, God will never leave you or forsake you. 00:26:14.799 --> 00:26:28.799 If you are obeying and fulfilling the Great Commission, no matter the results or the outcome, you can trust that God is with you in that effort. 00:26:29.200 --> 00:26:49.279 And you can add to this promise as you will, that He is with you to protect you, He's with you to direct you, He's with you to comfort you, to carry on the work of grace in you, and to one day in the end crown you with immortality and glory. 00:26:50.720 --> 00:26:56.720 All this and more are included in this precious promise. 00:26:59.200 --> 00:27:02.720 So, proclamation church, what does this all mean? 00:27:03.200 --> 00:27:13.680 Well, first and foremost, it means that Christ has triumphed over sin and death by being physically resurrected. 00:27:14.240 --> 00:27:19.759 It means that his claims, his teachings, his promises are true. 00:27:20.480 --> 00:27:37.440 And it means that he currently, like right now, is at the right hand of God, God the Father, and he holds the eternal position as perfect mediator, high priest, and king. 00:27:38.160 --> 00:27:50.000 And therefore he is able to completely save those who come to God through him because he always lives to intercede for them. 00:27:51.119 --> 00:28:15.279 It means that he is the resurrection and the life, and anyone who comes to him by grace through faith can be saved from their sin, delivered from the wrath of God, and adopted into his family, and experience a resurrection to eternal life, to be with him, their creator, forevermore. 00:28:15.599 --> 00:28:18.160 Friends, this is good news. 00:28:18.880 --> 00:28:23.759 Secondly, it means that we have a response to make. 00:28:24.079 --> 00:28:25.599 Sure, there are doubts. 00:28:25.920 --> 00:28:30.000 We see in our text, some of the disciples doubted. 00:28:30.480 --> 00:28:40.000 Anything that goes against our sin nature or human logic or against natural law can create doubts. 00:28:40.319 --> 00:28:43.440 But ultimately, there are two responses. 00:28:44.000 --> 00:28:53.200 A response of worship, like both Mary's and the disciples, or a response of denial, like the religious leaders. 00:28:54.079 --> 00:29:10.640 And I pray this morning that God would remove all doubts and give us supernatural assurance that Jesus is alive, and that our response would be genuine, heartfelt worship towards the true and living God. 00:29:11.680 --> 00:29:19.680 And lastly, for every Christian in the room, the resurrection means that we have work to do. 00:29:20.240 --> 00:29:22.319 We have disciples to make. 00:29:22.640 --> 00:29:31.200 Jesus did not rise from the dead so that we could sit around and indulge as we passively await his return. 00:29:31.519 --> 00:29:57.759 He did this so that we could receive the promised Holy Spirit and be empowered to advance his kingdom on earth, that we would be his moving body on earth, and as a result, that God's family would grow bigger, that people's knowledge of God would grow deeper, and that Christians' love for Jesus would go stronger. 00:29:58.160 --> 00:30:00.400 Life is so short. 00:30:01.200 --> 00:30:04.559 There are so many distractions around us. 00:30:06.400 --> 00:30:08.240 We waste so much time. 00:30:09.359 --> 00:30:17.359 And we forget that our new life in Christ is a life that is meant to be lived for Him. 00:30:17.839 --> 00:30:36.559 So may we, like the Apostle Paul in Acts 23, be willing to give up everything for the resurrection, who said, I stand on trial because of this one thing: the hope of the resurrection of the dead. 00:30:37.279 --> 00:30:45.279 I would like to end this morning in this sermon with a few verses in a chorus of a well-known song. 00:30:45.599 --> 00:30:46.880 Because he lives. 00:30:48.319 --> 00:30:50.720 It says, God sent his son. 00:30:51.519 --> 00:30:53.519 They called him Jesus. 00:30:53.920 --> 00:30:57.039 He came to love, heal, and forgive. 00:30:57.759 --> 00:31:01.839 He lived and died to buy my pardon. 00:31:02.240 --> 00:31:07.680 An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives. 00:31:08.319 --> 00:31:12.319 Because he lives, I can face tomorrow. 00:31:12.640 --> 00:31:16.400 Because he lives, all fear is gone. 00:31:16.960 --> 00:31:26.240 Because I know he holds the future, and life is worth the living just because he lives. 00:31:26.640 --> 00:31:28.640 Church, let us pray this morning.