WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.740 Christ is risen. 00:00:03.740 --> 00:00:08.500 Christ is risen. 00:00:08.500 --> 00:00:14.679 Does it matter? 00:00:16.120 --> 00:00:17.039 Did it happen? 00:00:18.240 --> 00:00:19.240 Did it happen? 00:00:19.240 --> 00:00:19.240 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:31.000 Did it happen? 00:00:31.000 --> 00:00:31.719 Does it matter? 00:00:31.719 --> 00:00:35.000 The first is the reality of the resurrection. 00:00:35.000 --> 00:00:38.140 If you want a Bible, turn to Matthew chapter 28. 00:00:39.140 --> 00:00:40.519 Matthew chapter 28. 00:00:40.620 --> 00:00:44.299 And let's see in verses 1 to 10, resurrection reality. 00:00:47.400 --> 00:00:48.780 First thing is this. 00:00:48.859 --> 00:00:50.219 It's seen in all the Gospels. 00:00:51.719 --> 00:00:55.260 The resurrection of Jesus Christ is completely unexpected. 00:00:56.900 --> 00:00:58.920 Verse 1 of chapter 28. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:04.620 Now, after the Sabbath, toward the end, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, 00:01:04.780 --> 00:01:08.079 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 00:01:10.219 --> 00:01:15.739 We know that from the other Gospels, they didn't just go to visit a grave on that Sunday morning. 00:01:16.240 --> 00:01:19.620 They didn't go just to look at a tomb. 00:01:21.620 --> 00:01:27.060 They went in the hope that they would be able to further anoint Jesus' body for burial. 00:01:27.060 --> 00:01:35.400 Jesus died two days before on the Friday, just before sundown, just before the beginning of the Sabbath day. 00:01:36.780 --> 00:01:42.000 And so part of the women and the disciples' commitment not to do any work on the Sabbath, 00:01:42.680 --> 00:01:45.040 they'd hastily anointed Jesus' body. 00:01:45.140 --> 00:01:47.680 They'd done it quickly for burial before the Sabbath began. 00:01:47.680 --> 00:01:51.600 They did what they could on the Friday with the time allowed. 00:01:52.240 --> 00:01:53.360 But there was still more to do. 00:01:55.320 --> 00:02:02.360 And so Sunday morning, they go to the tomb because they properly want to anoint and prepare Jesus' body for burial. 00:02:02.359 --> 00:02:09.620 You see it in Mark 16, you see it in Luke 23, 24, you see it in John 19 and 20, 00:02:10.000 --> 00:02:13.699 the women came to honour Jesus in his death. 00:02:14.979 --> 00:02:22.259 They came to the tomb fully expecting to find a dead body that needed attention. 00:02:22.259 --> 00:02:30.479 The women had no romantic expectations of new hope in the face of death. 00:02:31.560 --> 00:02:35.659 Their highest hope that morning was not that death's sting would be removed, 00:02:35.780 --> 00:02:39.579 but the stink of death would be removed. 00:02:41.180 --> 00:02:44.340 It's a really important detail for us to understand. 00:02:44.840 --> 00:02:46.939 They were not expecting the resurrection. 00:02:46.939 --> 00:02:55.120 They knew as well as you know and I know that dead bodies do not come back to life. 00:02:56.560 --> 00:02:58.300 Which brings them to verses 2 to 7. 00:02:59.599 --> 00:03:09.800 The women in their expectation of going to the tomb suddenly encounter something unabashedly, unashamedly supernatural. 00:03:09.800 --> 00:03:21.280 And the women did not encounter some new emotional resolve within themselves to press on in troubled times. 00:03:21.620 --> 00:03:26.560 They encounter a miraculous power coming down to them from heaven. 00:03:26.740 --> 00:03:27.380 Look at verse 2. 00:03:28.960 --> 00:03:29.840 There was a great earthquake. 00:03:31.580 --> 00:03:33.960 Of course earthquakes happen in the natural world. 00:03:33.960 --> 00:03:39.040 But we're told this one took place for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven 00:03:39.040 --> 00:03:42.140 and rolled back the stone and sat upon it. 00:03:43.819 --> 00:03:46.060 And the appearance of this angel was like lightning 00:03:46.060 --> 00:03:49.580 and its clothing as white as snow. 00:03:51.000 --> 00:03:53.480 It's a remarkable display of heavenly power. 00:03:54.300 --> 00:04:00.000 It's not just something that the women experience in their inner being, in their inner self, 00:04:00.000 --> 00:04:02.840 but with a public visible display. 00:04:04.560 --> 00:04:05.919 And we know this, don't we? 00:04:06.039 --> 00:04:10.939 That it was public and it was visible because the guards who are there saw and heard the scene. 00:04:12.479 --> 00:04:16.800 These battle-hardened men were told they are utterly terrified by the angel. 00:04:17.959 --> 00:04:22.959 They trembled with fear and became like dead men. 00:04:23.980 --> 00:04:26.519 They have their own literal earthquake. 00:04:26.519 --> 00:04:31.539 And then the angel makes this unmistakable announcement to the woman. 00:04:33.299 --> 00:04:35.279 He says, they are not to be afraid. 00:04:35.599 --> 00:04:36.180 Can you believe it? 00:04:36.519 --> 00:04:38.519 Do not be afraid. 00:04:40.060 --> 00:04:43.680 Because the Jesus you are seeking who was crucified. 00:04:45.199 --> 00:04:46.019 That's alive. 00:04:47.759 --> 00:04:50.620 It's in contrast to the soldiers who've got every right to be afraid. 00:04:51.219 --> 00:04:54.299 Then the angel speaks the most amazing words, isn't it? 00:04:54.300 --> 00:05:00.780 Some of the most amazing words that have been spoken at any time in any place. 00:05:01.900 --> 00:05:07.939 The angel says, he is not here for he has risen. 00:05:09.400 --> 00:05:11.319 And they say, come and see the place where he lay. 00:05:11.319 --> 00:05:19.779 The angel gives the women not only resurrection evidence, but he gives them instruction. 00:05:21.480 --> 00:05:24.740 He says, go find his disciples and share the news. 00:05:24.879 --> 00:05:27.600 Tell them that Jesus will meet them in Galilee. 00:05:27.600 --> 00:05:47.800 Despite the angel's admonition not to fear, this supernatural angelic encounter was so unexpected, so amazing, so overwhelming, so world shaking, that the women still depart in understandable fear. 00:05:47.800 --> 00:05:54.540 But can you see that their fear is now joined to great joy? 00:05:55.980 --> 00:06:03.240 This display of supernatural power, this angelic announcement, is not just a new feeling. 00:06:03.939 --> 00:06:05.500 It's not just a new sentiment. 00:06:05.740 --> 00:06:07.379 It's not just a new outlook on life. 00:06:07.379 --> 00:06:17.019 It is nothing less than a supernatural declaration that there is now new life from the dead. 00:06:17.860 --> 00:06:19.980 Because Jesus has risen from the dead. 00:06:22.659 --> 00:06:30.839 There wasn't just earthquakes and light words about a resurrection, but a real resurrection. 00:06:30.839 --> 00:06:44.000 The angel is supernaturally testifying to a real, substantive, actual, literal, body resurrection. 00:06:45.239 --> 00:06:46.819 That's what we see in verses 8 to 10. 00:06:48.479 --> 00:06:50.019 It's unmistakably real. 00:06:51.539 --> 00:06:53.399 The real resurrected Jesus. 00:06:54.579 --> 00:06:58.899 As the women were on their way, and we read that Jesus met them. 00:06:58.899 --> 00:07:01.779 So that they saw him with their own eyes. 00:07:03.019 --> 00:07:05.899 He says to them, greetings, literally, hi. 00:07:07.120 --> 00:07:09.759 They hear him with their own ears. 00:07:11.000 --> 00:07:12.579 It's no mere vision. 00:07:14.259 --> 00:07:15.819 It is no dream. 00:07:17.259 --> 00:07:20.979 It's not a powerful thought in their heart and their mind. 00:07:21.459 --> 00:07:22.759 They come upon him. 00:07:22.759 --> 00:07:26.959 They fall to the floor and they take hold of his feet. 00:07:26.959 --> 00:07:30.799 They touch him with their own hands. 00:07:31.699 --> 00:07:33.719 It was a resurrection reality. 00:07:34.060 --> 00:07:34.759 So powerful. 00:07:35.180 --> 00:07:35.819 So clear. 00:07:36.219 --> 00:07:36.919 So miraculous. 00:07:37.279 --> 00:07:38.000 So unexpected. 00:07:38.479 --> 00:07:40.019 So tangibly concrete. 00:07:40.979 --> 00:07:42.060 And they are overwhelmed. 00:07:44.240 --> 00:07:46.979 And Jesus, once again, admonishes the women. 00:07:48.419 --> 00:07:49.439 Do not be afraid. 00:07:49.439 --> 00:08:02.000 And what we see in these verses, in the clear testimony of this passage, the universal witness of the New Testament is that Jesus really and truly rose from the dead. 00:08:03.420 --> 00:08:07.519 A literal, physical resurrection of his body. 00:08:07.519 --> 00:08:12.459 The disciples touched his pierced hands. 00:08:13.459 --> 00:08:14.199 John chapter 21. 00:08:15.019 --> 00:08:17.199 They sat and ate with him. 00:08:19.240 --> 00:08:25.740 Their fundamental testimony, from the beginning to the end, is that we saw him with our eyes. 00:08:26.219 --> 00:08:28.159 We heard him with our ears. 00:08:28.740 --> 00:08:30.459 We touched him with our hands. 00:08:30.560 --> 00:08:31.159 1 John 1. 00:08:31.160 --> 00:08:37.420 The resurrected Jesus was not just an idea, not a vision, not a hope. 00:08:38.600 --> 00:08:40.200 He was the God-man. 00:08:41.840 --> 00:08:43.860 Resurrected from the dead in his flesh. 00:08:43.860 --> 00:08:51.300 I was with somebody this week who recently lost their husband. 00:08:52.259 --> 00:08:55.320 And they had said, in the last few months, they've begun to dream. 00:08:56.019 --> 00:08:58.120 And they dream of their husband. 00:08:59.139 --> 00:09:02.200 They wake up in the middle of the night and they've heard his voice. 00:09:03.019 --> 00:09:04.259 And they've felt that expression. 00:09:04.500 --> 00:09:07.460 And when they wake up, they're discombobulated in reality. 00:09:07.759 --> 00:09:11.519 They ask themselves, is this, is he really dead? 00:09:12.360 --> 00:09:13.440 Or is he really alive? 00:09:13.440 --> 00:09:16.380 It takes them a moment to come to reality. 00:09:17.660 --> 00:09:19.100 But this isn't like that. 00:09:20.320 --> 00:09:20.840 Can you see that? 00:09:20.900 --> 00:09:23.620 Matthew is at pains to point this out to you. 00:09:24.200 --> 00:09:26.720 They saw Jesus with their eyes. 00:09:27.120 --> 00:09:28.740 They heard him with their ears. 00:09:28.880 --> 00:09:30.940 They touched him with their hands. 00:09:32.100 --> 00:09:36.180 This is the God-man resurrected from the dead in his flesh. 00:09:36.540 --> 00:09:38.840 No other explanation will do. 00:09:38.940 --> 00:09:40.040 No other account will do. 00:09:40.039 --> 00:09:47.620 Jesus either literally, physically rose from the dead in his physical flesh. 00:09:47.620 --> 00:09:53.039 Or there is no Christian gospel and we are wasting our time. 00:09:53.039 --> 00:10:08.980 Part of the reason for that is because sin, our rebellion against God, our refusal to live with God being in charge, our sin is real and actual. 00:10:08.980 --> 00:10:12.659 And death is real and actual. 00:10:12.659 --> 00:10:17.659 I've been present with a number of people. 00:10:17.659 --> 00:10:19.679 As they've breathed their last. 00:10:20.819 --> 00:10:25.259 I've stood at the graveside and buried people in the ground. 00:10:26.620 --> 00:10:30.480 And I can tell you that death was not a metaphor. 00:10:30.480 --> 00:10:34.259 I can tell you that death is not a symbol. 00:10:35.580 --> 00:10:38.379 Death is not a negative feeling. 00:10:38.659 --> 00:10:42.600 No, sin and death are cold, hard realities. 00:10:43.820 --> 00:10:47.320 A reality that cannot be wished away. 00:10:48.759 --> 00:10:51.279 A reality that cannot be explained away. 00:10:51.899 --> 00:10:54.539 A reality that cannot be hoped away. 00:10:54.539 --> 00:11:02.579 And so in the face of the cold, hard reality of death, the only thing that you can ask and I can ask is, can this be defeated? 00:11:02.980 --> 00:11:04.059 Can this be dealt with? 00:11:05.159 --> 00:11:06.659 Can death be conquered? 00:11:07.039 --> 00:11:07.839 Can it be overcome? 00:11:08.019 --> 00:11:08.919 Is there an answer? 00:11:10.559 --> 00:11:11.419 And the answer is this. 00:11:11.539 --> 00:11:14.039 Well, not by any power that you have or I have. 00:11:14.039 --> 00:11:20.259 But the Christian gospel declares to you, yes, it can be. 00:11:21.620 --> 00:11:23.259 And yes, it has been. 00:11:24.379 --> 00:11:29.219 And that is because Jesus faced the cold, hard reality of death in all its fullness. 00:11:31.159 --> 00:11:36.620 And we're told that he bore, he took our sin and our rebellion in his body on the tree. 00:11:37.759 --> 00:11:40.899 And he died the death that we all deserved to die. 00:11:40.899 --> 00:11:42.519 And it was a real death. 00:11:42.679 --> 00:11:45.220 And they laid him cold in the ground. 00:11:47.659 --> 00:11:51.079 And Jesus lies in that tomb. 00:11:51.159 --> 00:11:56.199 And if Jesus had remained in the grave, there would be no hope this morning for you and me. 00:11:57.139 --> 00:11:58.579 Because death would win. 00:12:00.159 --> 00:12:03.559 And its cold, hard reality would weigh on us forever. 00:12:03.919 --> 00:12:05.379 And the Apostle Paul knows this. 00:12:05.379 --> 00:12:13.100 He says, if Jesus has not physically, really physically, literally, risen from the dead, our faith is in vain. 00:12:14.279 --> 00:12:16.919 And we are to be pitied above all men. 00:12:17.580 --> 00:12:20.659 If there's not a literal resurrection. 00:12:22.580 --> 00:12:25.460 If that's the case, you cannot redeem the gospel story. 00:12:25.820 --> 00:12:27.559 You just bury it as lies. 00:12:27.559 --> 00:12:40.219 But if Jesus really rose from the dead, if he really rose from the grave, then the gospel, the good news story, can redeem you from death itself. 00:12:40.359 --> 00:12:41.819 Can give you hope in the face of death. 00:12:45.099 --> 00:12:46.119 It's a bit like Jenga. 00:12:47.059 --> 00:12:47.819 You know the game of Jenga? 00:12:48.679 --> 00:12:49.699 You know Jenga, children? 00:12:50.159 --> 00:12:51.019 Have you played Jenga? 00:12:51.019 --> 00:12:55.539 Jenga, you take off, don't you, the little bricks, don't you? 00:12:56.179 --> 00:12:58.059 And so you have a tower of bricks. 00:12:58.220 --> 00:12:58.960 And you gradually pull. 00:12:59.100 --> 00:13:01.460 And then there is one brick, isn't there? 00:13:01.899 --> 00:13:02.600 And there's one brick. 00:13:02.799 --> 00:13:06.159 And you know that if you pull that brick out, what happens? 00:13:07.740 --> 00:13:08.699 Everything falls. 00:13:09.939 --> 00:13:10.899 Everything goes. 00:13:12.039 --> 00:13:14.059 And Paul says, the resurrection, it's that brick. 00:13:14.059 --> 00:13:16.639 You pull that brick and everything goes. 00:13:21.019 --> 00:13:24.819 If Jesus did not rise from the dead, we're wasting our time this morning. 00:13:24.899 --> 00:13:26.079 People should feel sorry for us. 00:13:26.980 --> 00:13:30.120 But Jesus Christ is risen from the dead. 00:13:32.980 --> 00:13:40.600 The New Testament makes it really clear that the witness of those first eyewitnesses is that the resurrection is unexpected, totally. 00:13:41.659 --> 00:13:43.059 It is real, yes. 00:13:43.319 --> 00:13:45.220 It is unabashedly, supernaturally. 00:13:45.679 --> 00:13:46.199 Supernatural. 00:13:46.519 --> 00:13:47.419 And it is miraculous. 00:13:48.539 --> 00:13:49.919 That brings us to the second R. 00:13:49.919 --> 00:13:52.740 We see the resurrection reality. 00:13:53.240 --> 00:13:55.399 And then we see the resurrection rejected. 00:13:57.279 --> 00:13:57.679 Rejected. 00:13:59.500 --> 00:14:00.919 We begin to see that in verse 11. 00:14:01.019 --> 00:14:01.479 Can you look there? 00:14:02.299 --> 00:14:02.939 Matthew 28. 00:14:04.419 --> 00:14:07.879 Some of the guard that saw the resurrection go into the city. 00:14:09.120 --> 00:14:12.279 And they tell the chief priests, they tell the religious leaders what has taken place. 00:14:12.279 --> 00:14:20.919 And we see here that even though the guards became like dead men in their fear, they're still able to take in the scene. 00:14:20.919 --> 00:14:23.559 And they give a report of it. 00:14:23.559 --> 00:14:26.159 They tell the chief priests all that has taken place. 00:14:26.939 --> 00:14:28.879 And this report is not easily dismissed. 00:14:28.879 --> 00:14:36.639 In fact, there's a meeting called, of all the leaders, the elders and the chief priests, take counsel. 00:14:36.639 --> 00:14:42.600 It requires, doesn't it, this report of the resurrection, a planned and coordinated response. 00:14:43.179 --> 00:14:50.600 But what we see right away is that the planned response acknowledges that the story happened. 00:14:50.840 --> 00:14:51.439 Can you see that? 00:14:51.440 --> 00:14:55.760 It acknowledges that the resurrection happened. 00:14:55.760 --> 00:14:57.280 The resurrection happened. 00:14:58.300 --> 00:14:59.840 But there's no true belief. 00:15:02.120 --> 00:15:10.300 Despite the miraculous account of the guards, there's no sense that this account changes anything in the hearts and minds of the elders. 00:15:12.640 --> 00:15:14.460 It didn't change their view of Jesus. 00:15:15.680 --> 00:15:17.540 It didn't change their view of the truth. 00:15:17.640 --> 00:15:18.980 It didn't change their view of reality. 00:15:18.980 --> 00:15:22.680 No, it's clear, isn't it, that they heard the supernatural account. 00:15:22.899 --> 00:15:23.580 They believed it. 00:15:25.120 --> 00:15:26.800 They didn't dismiss it out of hand. 00:15:27.240 --> 00:15:28.820 They didn't say, oh, you're making it up. 00:15:30.019 --> 00:15:38.600 No, they create a conspiracy in which they pay the men to lie to counter the reality. 00:15:40.379 --> 00:15:46.120 It seems, doesn't it, that their only thought is how can we protect the status quo? 00:15:47.340 --> 00:15:48.860 How do we keep things the same? 00:15:48.980 --> 00:15:54.259 How do we retain our control and our influence and our power? 00:15:54.580 --> 00:16:00.680 And so in their unbelief, they turn to conspiracy in a paid effort to spread untruth. 00:16:00.679 --> 00:16:03.979 They do not believe. 00:16:05.239 --> 00:16:06.539 And they would not believe. 00:16:06.539 --> 00:16:10.620 So they lie and they conspire to cover up the truth. 00:16:12.099 --> 00:16:17.899 And they not only pay the soldiers to lie, but they use whatever power they have to ensure that the soldiers will not get into trouble. 00:16:17.899 --> 00:16:22.659 And that they would be enabled to continue to spread their lies about the Lord Jesus. 00:16:22.659 --> 00:16:25.240 And Matthew adds this little detail, doesn't he? 00:16:25.279 --> 00:16:30.839 He says, this conspiracy, this story has been spread to the present day. 00:16:32.339 --> 00:16:35.319 Matthew is speaking of his own day when he wrote the gospel. 00:16:35.320 --> 00:16:39.620 It's a period kind of a few decades after the event in question. 00:16:40.120 --> 00:16:43.600 But we know, don't we, that the lie extended beyond Matthew's day. 00:16:45.200 --> 00:16:51.840 The early church father, Justin Martyr, speaks in his lifetime that this story is continuing to circulate. 00:16:51.840 --> 00:16:55.240 At least a hundred years after Matthew's writing. 00:16:56.420 --> 00:16:58.480 And this lie had staying power. 00:16:59.519 --> 00:17:04.440 And of course, it's not the only lie, is it, that circulated against the testimony of Jesus' resurrection. 00:17:06.460 --> 00:17:12.460 Unbelief has produced many different resurrection rejections throughout the centuries. 00:17:14.079 --> 00:17:17.340 Muslims say, Jesus didn't die. 00:17:17.340 --> 00:17:20.759 He kind of did a swap-a-roo with Judas. 00:17:21.839 --> 00:17:24.759 Or he only swooned on the cross. 00:17:25.659 --> 00:17:28.599 And then he revived in the refreshing tomb. 00:17:30.240 --> 00:17:36.639 Scientific arguments make rejecting the resurrection a materialistic and scientific impossibility, they say. 00:17:38.000 --> 00:17:42.000 Attacks have been made, haven't they, on the unreliability of the New Testament witnesses. 00:17:42.319 --> 00:17:44.399 We could go on and on and on. 00:17:45.759 --> 00:17:49.699 Unbelief, lies and conspiracy against resurrection 00:17:49.700 --> 00:17:53.180 have been promoted in various ways even to today. 00:17:53.180 --> 00:17:58.259 And yet what we've seen, and what we still continue to see, 00:17:58.259 --> 00:18:02.440 is that throughout the ages, the message of the real resurrection of Jesus, 00:18:02.779 --> 00:18:06.620 that Jesus physically, literally rose from the grave, 00:18:08.100 --> 00:18:10.360 continues to go forth in truth and in power. 00:18:10.359 --> 00:18:19.979 The first-hand report of those who saw and heard and touched and ate with the resurrected Christ. 00:18:20.519 --> 00:18:27.199 The reports from the women and Peter and John and the twelve and the other disciples 00:18:27.199 --> 00:18:31.779 and as many as 500 people whom Jesus appeared to at once. 00:18:31.779 --> 00:18:38.240 And those reports have continued to bless countless billions, 00:18:40.000 --> 00:18:42.920 believing that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is real. 00:18:45.420 --> 00:18:50.220 And so today I want to encourage you not to be dismayed and not to be thrown off course 00:18:50.220 --> 00:18:55.059 and not to be shocked as people deny the resurrection in our day. 00:18:55.059 --> 00:19:01.220 Because resurrection denial has been happening from that very day 00:19:01.220 --> 00:19:08.319 and will happen into the future until Jesus returns, but we press on in faith. 00:19:08.980 --> 00:19:10.599 And that brings us to our final point. 00:19:11.159 --> 00:19:14.539 If Christ's resurrection is real, and it is, 00:19:16.220 --> 00:19:18.539 well, does it really matter? 00:19:20.039 --> 00:19:21.599 What difference does it make? 00:19:21.599 --> 00:19:28.539 And Matthew 28 gives us a profound number of resurrection ramifications. 00:19:29.259 --> 00:19:31.519 Now I don't think I've ever used the word ramifications, 00:19:32.439 --> 00:19:36.919 but alliteration was too good to miss on Easter Sunday, alright? 00:19:37.279 --> 00:19:38.559 I think implications, alright? 00:19:39.079 --> 00:19:40.980 So the reality of the resurrection, 00:19:42.199 --> 00:19:43.899 resurrection rejected, 00:19:44.500 --> 00:19:46.759 and resurrection ramifications, alright? 00:19:47.159 --> 00:19:48.379 And here's the first one in the chapter. 00:19:48.380 --> 00:19:51.620 And the most important, 00:19:51.780 --> 00:19:53.460 that if Jesus Christ is risen, 00:19:54.920 --> 00:19:56.680 and he is worthy of our worship. 00:19:58.920 --> 00:20:00.600 And do you see that from the women in verse 9? 00:20:01.940 --> 00:20:03.660 And behold, Jesus met them and said hi, 00:20:05.340 --> 00:20:08.780 and they came up and took a hold of his feet and worshipped him. 00:20:10.420 --> 00:20:12.680 And verse 17, can you see what it says? 00:20:12.680 --> 00:20:15.779 And when they saw him, they worshipped him. 00:20:17.460 --> 00:20:18.940 And of course we have to add, don't we, 00:20:18.960 --> 00:20:19.980 that some of them doubted. 00:20:20.039 --> 00:20:24.100 I think that kind of lends authenticity to this account. 00:20:25.700 --> 00:20:29.400 I would argue that their doubt is an even more compelling reason 00:20:29.400 --> 00:20:30.460 why you should believe. 00:20:32.700 --> 00:20:34.500 Because you see here in verse 17, 00:20:34.500 --> 00:20:35.619 that for some of the disciples, 00:20:35.759 --> 00:20:38.140 the resurrection was so unexpected, 00:20:38.759 --> 00:20:39.839 so remarkable, 00:20:39.980 --> 00:20:41.500 so obviously supernatural, 00:20:42.079 --> 00:20:44.920 that even when they saw Jesus standing before them, 00:20:45.259 --> 00:20:48.359 their first instinct was to doubt their eyes. 00:20:50.400 --> 00:20:52.839 To come up with some other possible explanation. 00:20:53.319 --> 00:20:54.519 It reminds you, doesn't it? 00:20:54.519 --> 00:20:56.579 It reminds me that these men are not naive. 00:20:58.160 --> 00:20:59.480 They are not easily duped. 00:20:59.579 --> 00:21:00.759 They are not gullible men. 00:21:00.759 --> 00:21:03.879 They are solid men grounded in the real world. 00:21:06.460 --> 00:21:08.700 So much so that it's hard to swallow, 00:21:08.839 --> 00:21:12.259 but in the end we see that they were totally and utterly convinced. 00:21:14.299 --> 00:21:16.400 Acts 1 tells us that Jesus presented them 00:21:16.400 --> 00:21:18.640 with many convincing proofs of his resurrection. 00:21:19.500 --> 00:21:21.720 And over a period of 40 days, 00:21:22.119 --> 00:21:24.119 so that in the end they had no doubt 00:21:24.119 --> 00:21:25.980 that his resurrection was real. 00:21:27.379 --> 00:21:29.980 And they knew that if Jesus really was 00:21:29.980 --> 00:21:31.240 risen from the dead, 00:21:32.259 --> 00:21:33.799 he was worthy of their worship. 00:21:36.360 --> 00:21:38.799 Thomas captures that apostolic sentiment 00:21:38.799 --> 00:21:41.420 when he speaks with Jesus in John chapter 20. 00:21:41.980 --> 00:21:44.259 And he sees the nail-pierced hands 00:21:44.259 --> 00:21:45.160 of the Lord Jesus. 00:21:46.279 --> 00:21:47.980 And maybe he puts his hand 00:21:47.980 --> 00:21:49.740 on those hands. 00:21:50.559 --> 00:21:52.059 And he says to Jesus, 00:21:52.220 --> 00:21:53.460 my Lord and my God. 00:21:55.900 --> 00:21:57.019 You see, I tell you this morning, 00:21:57.019 --> 00:22:00.680 if Jesus really is truly risen from the dead, 00:22:01.279 --> 00:22:02.400 then it's all true. 00:22:04.079 --> 00:22:05.960 His prophecies about his death 00:22:05.960 --> 00:22:06.779 and his resurrection, 00:22:07.039 --> 00:22:07.559 they are true. 00:22:08.740 --> 00:22:11.019 His moral teachings are true. 00:22:11.960 --> 00:22:14.519 His teachings concerning himself are true. 00:22:14.900 --> 00:22:16.420 And if he's risen from the dead, 00:22:16.819 --> 00:22:19.180 he really is the Lord of the Sabbath. 00:22:19.900 --> 00:22:22.200 He really is the bridegroom of the church. 00:22:22.299 --> 00:22:23.960 He really is the great I am. 00:22:23.960 --> 00:22:26.059 He really is the heavenly son of man. 00:22:26.420 --> 00:22:28.500 He really is Lord and God. 00:22:30.160 --> 00:22:32.880 And if Jesus is not really risen from the dead, 00:22:32.980 --> 00:22:34.500 then nothing he said matters. 00:22:36.220 --> 00:22:38.140 But if Jesus is risen from the dead, 00:22:38.220 --> 00:22:39.940 then everything he said matters. 00:22:41.360 --> 00:22:43.319 And nothing matters more than Jesus himself. 00:22:45.340 --> 00:22:46.240 And in keeping with this, 00:22:46.319 --> 00:22:47.319 then Jesus declares that 00:22:47.319 --> 00:22:49.000 another great resurrection ramification 00:22:49.000 --> 00:22:51.019 is that all authority in heaven and earth 00:22:51.019 --> 00:22:51.720 has been given to him. 00:22:51.720 --> 00:22:54.339 It's the picture of 00:22:54.339 --> 00:22:56.059 the great Old Testament vision 00:22:56.059 --> 00:22:57.259 of Daniel chapter 7, 00:22:57.579 --> 00:22:58.400 where we behold 00:22:58.400 --> 00:23:00.079 one like the son of man 00:23:00.079 --> 00:23:02.000 coming to the ancient of days, 00:23:02.240 --> 00:23:03.500 where he's given a kingdom 00:23:03.500 --> 00:23:05.600 and dominion and glory 00:23:05.600 --> 00:23:06.539 and all the peoples 00:23:06.539 --> 00:23:07.819 and all the nations of the earth 00:23:07.819 --> 00:23:08.480 will serve him. 00:23:08.740 --> 00:23:10.120 And his dominion, we're told, 00:23:10.180 --> 00:23:11.620 is an everlasting dominion, 00:23:12.000 --> 00:23:14.000 which will not pass away. 00:23:14.059 --> 00:23:14.759 And his kingdom 00:23:14.759 --> 00:23:16.380 will never be destroyed. 00:23:16.880 --> 00:23:19.120 And if Jesus is really risen from the dead, 00:23:19.119 --> 00:23:20.479 he is worthy of your worship. 00:23:21.099 --> 00:23:22.239 He is king of kings 00:23:22.239 --> 00:23:23.619 and lord of lords. 00:23:23.739 --> 00:23:25.559 And he is not just an interesting teacher. 00:23:26.439 --> 00:23:27.419 He is not someone 00:23:27.419 --> 00:23:29.119 that you can treat with contempt. 00:23:29.979 --> 00:23:30.899 He is not someone 00:23:30.899 --> 00:23:32.279 that you can muck about with. 00:23:32.459 --> 00:23:34.579 He's not just a helpful moral instructor. 00:23:35.159 --> 00:23:36.799 He is not just an example 00:23:36.799 --> 00:23:38.119 of sacrificial love 00:23:38.119 --> 00:23:40.039 and someone who may be able 00:23:40.039 --> 00:23:40.939 to bring you no hope. 00:23:40.940 --> 00:23:42.740 If Jesus is risen indeed, 00:23:42.860 --> 00:23:44.820 he is God and king. 00:23:48.700 --> 00:23:50.340 And he is the sovereign lord 00:23:50.340 --> 00:23:51.120 of heaven and earth. 00:23:52.019 --> 00:23:54.880 And he rightly rules over you and me. 00:23:56.320 --> 00:23:58.039 And that is the great claim of the Bible. 00:23:59.100 --> 00:24:01.320 That Jesus died for our sins. 00:24:02.460 --> 00:24:04.200 And that he faced the fullness 00:24:04.200 --> 00:24:05.380 of death's sting 00:24:05.380 --> 00:24:06.460 and the pain of that. 00:24:06.799 --> 00:24:07.680 And on our behalf, 00:24:07.779 --> 00:24:09.320 he died and he was buried. 00:24:09.319 --> 00:24:10.659 And he really died. 00:24:11.039 --> 00:24:12.359 But he is risen from the dead 00:24:12.359 --> 00:24:14.639 on the third day. 00:24:14.679 --> 00:24:15.759 And he appeared to many. 00:24:16.899 --> 00:24:18.980 And he's really, truly alive. 00:24:20.299 --> 00:24:21.439 He's risen indeed. 00:24:23.359 --> 00:24:24.419 And as the risen one, 00:24:24.519 --> 00:24:25.720 he is to be worshipped 00:24:25.720 --> 00:24:27.460 as God and king. 00:24:29.019 --> 00:24:30.799 And he has sovereign authority 00:24:30.799 --> 00:24:32.099 over your life. 00:24:32.099 --> 00:24:35.799 I love the way 00:24:35.799 --> 00:24:36.699 that Abraham Kuyper 00:24:36.699 --> 00:24:37.439 put it famously. 00:24:38.939 --> 00:24:39.339 He said, 00:24:39.859 --> 00:24:42.219 there is not one square inch 00:24:42.219 --> 00:24:45.299 in all of the creation order 00:24:45.299 --> 00:24:47.199 over which Jesus Christ 00:24:47.199 --> 00:24:48.899 does not rightly declare, 00:24:49.859 --> 00:24:50.819 this is mine. 00:24:53.219 --> 00:24:54.139 And we see it here 00:24:54.139 --> 00:24:54.659 in this passage, 00:24:54.779 --> 00:24:54.959 don't we, 00:24:55.019 --> 00:24:55.579 right at the end, 00:24:55.740 --> 00:24:56.639 all authority, 00:24:56.779 --> 00:24:57.459 verse 18, 00:24:57.460 --> 00:25:00.840 has been given to him 00:25:00.840 --> 00:25:02.079 in his risen glory. 00:25:03.799 --> 00:25:05.039 And so he seeks 00:25:05.039 --> 00:25:07.000 disciples of all nations. 00:25:08.819 --> 00:25:10.079 Disciples means followers, 00:25:10.220 --> 00:25:11.920 followers who will observe 00:25:11.920 --> 00:25:13.140 all that he's commanded. 00:25:13.360 --> 00:25:13.600 You can't, 00:25:13.600 --> 00:25:14.160 you can't, 00:25:14.160 --> 00:25:15.860 you can't pick in twos 00:25:15.860 --> 00:25:16.640 and pick a mix 00:25:16.640 --> 00:25:17.500 on Jesus' teaching. 00:25:18.940 --> 00:25:20.319 And he promises you this, 00:25:20.400 --> 00:25:21.440 that as you follow him, 00:25:21.460 --> 00:25:22.059 he will be with you 00:25:22.059 --> 00:25:23.180 to the end of the age. 00:25:23.500 --> 00:25:24.900 And if Jesus is risen 00:25:24.900 --> 00:25:25.759 from the dead, 00:25:25.759 --> 00:25:27.640 he is not just to be acknowledged 00:25:27.640 --> 00:25:29.359 on Easter Sunday morning 00:25:29.359 --> 00:25:31.079 in a moment of kind of 00:25:31.079 --> 00:25:32.640 passing seasonal sentiment, 00:25:33.000 --> 00:25:34.140 he is to be worshipped 00:25:34.140 --> 00:25:35.140 always. 00:25:36.900 --> 00:25:37.920 In all of life. 00:25:39.259 --> 00:25:40.059 In all of, 00:25:40.220 --> 00:25:41.000 in all times. 00:25:41.640 --> 00:25:42.799 In all places, 00:25:42.980 --> 00:25:43.720 among all people. 00:25:48.180 --> 00:25:49.279 And what is glorious 00:25:49.279 --> 00:25:50.539 is Jesus doesn't just 00:25:50.539 --> 00:25:51.339 give a command, 00:25:51.579 --> 00:25:52.180 these are the things 00:25:52.180 --> 00:25:52.940 you should do, 00:25:53.940 --> 00:25:55.119 but he gives you a promise 00:25:55.119 --> 00:25:56.139 and he says, 00:25:56.599 --> 00:25:57.259 I will give you 00:25:57.259 --> 00:25:58.500 my living presence. 00:25:58.779 --> 00:25:59.959 He promises to be 00:25:59.959 --> 00:26:00.679 with his people 00:26:00.679 --> 00:26:02.039 as the living Lord 00:26:02.039 --> 00:26:02.879 and sovereign King. 00:26:04.339 --> 00:26:05.299 To be with us 00:26:05.299 --> 00:26:06.339 through the promised presence 00:26:06.339 --> 00:26:07.119 of his spirit 00:26:07.119 --> 00:26:08.000 until that day 00:26:08.000 --> 00:26:08.819 when he returns 00:26:08.819 --> 00:26:09.479 in glory. 00:26:11.339 --> 00:26:12.239 And we will see him 00:26:12.239 --> 00:26:12.899 face to face. 00:26:15.619 --> 00:26:16.459 And it would be wrong, 00:26:16.519 --> 00:26:16.799 wouldn't it, 00:26:17.279 --> 00:26:18.199 for us not to see 00:26:18.199 --> 00:26:19.419 that Jesus is not only 00:26:19.419 --> 00:26:20.579 calling us 00:26:20.579 --> 00:26:22.019 to worship him 00:26:22.019 --> 00:26:22.519 ourselves 00:26:22.519 --> 00:26:23.660 and to live a life 00:26:23.660 --> 00:26:24.319 of obedience, 00:26:25.500 --> 00:26:26.500 but he's calling us 00:26:26.500 --> 00:26:27.339 to invite others 00:26:27.339 --> 00:26:29.460 into that worship. 00:26:30.359 --> 00:26:31.500 He calls you 00:26:31.500 --> 00:26:32.839 to worship. 00:26:35.519 --> 00:26:36.639 The resurrection 00:26:36.639 --> 00:26:38.039 road that he sets 00:26:38.039 --> 00:26:38.559 before us 00:26:38.559 --> 00:26:39.500 is that as we live 00:26:39.500 --> 00:26:40.200 under the reign 00:26:40.200 --> 00:26:42.240 of the resurrected Christ, 00:26:42.900 --> 00:26:43.740 we are to seek 00:26:43.740 --> 00:26:44.700 to bring others 00:26:44.700 --> 00:26:45.700 into the glory 00:26:45.700 --> 00:26:46.400 of his reign. 00:26:46.400 --> 00:26:49.160 It says that we're 00:26:49.160 --> 00:26:49.740 to seek 00:26:49.740 --> 00:26:51.259 to make disciples 00:26:51.259 --> 00:26:54.580 through the teaching 00:26:54.580 --> 00:26:55.380 of his word 00:26:55.380 --> 00:26:57.420 to tell people 00:26:57.420 --> 00:26:58.120 that they need 00:26:58.120 --> 00:26:58.680 to repent 00:26:58.680 --> 00:26:59.800 of their sins 00:26:59.800 --> 00:27:00.600 and believe 00:27:00.600 --> 00:27:01.880 in the Lord Jesus Christ 00:27:01.880 --> 00:27:03.300 crucified and risen 00:27:03.300 --> 00:27:04.880 and in order 00:27:04.880 --> 00:27:05.600 that together 00:27:05.600 --> 00:27:06.340 as God's people 00:27:06.340 --> 00:27:07.019 we might walk 00:27:07.019 --> 00:27:07.680 in his commands. 00:27:09.540 --> 00:27:10.560 And so we long 00:27:10.560 --> 00:27:11.460 to see men 00:27:11.460 --> 00:27:12.220 and women 00:27:12.220 --> 00:27:12.980 and children 00:27:12.980 --> 00:27:13.500 baptized 00:27:13.500 --> 00:27:14.180 in the name 00:27:14.180 --> 00:27:14.840 of the Father 00:27:14.839 --> 00:27:15.799 and the Son 00:27:15.799 --> 00:27:16.779 and the Holy Spirit 00:27:16.779 --> 00:27:17.679 for he is risen. 00:27:20.720 --> 00:27:21.740 For if Christ 00:27:21.740 --> 00:27:22.220 is risen 00:27:22.220 --> 00:27:23.819 we will then 00:27:23.819 --> 00:27:24.539 have victory 00:27:24.539 --> 00:27:25.279 over death 00:27:25.279 --> 00:27:25.740 as the people 00:27:25.740 --> 00:27:26.119 of God 00:27:26.119 --> 00:27:26.659 through faith 00:27:26.659 --> 00:27:27.039 in him 00:27:27.039 --> 00:27:28.079 and if Christ 00:27:28.079 --> 00:27:28.759 is risen 00:27:28.759 --> 00:27:29.599 we have purpose 00:27:29.599 --> 00:27:30.139 in life 00:27:30.139 --> 00:27:32.839 because King Jesus 00:27:32.839 --> 00:27:33.659 not only saves 00:27:33.659 --> 00:27:34.939 from eternal death 00:27:34.939 --> 00:27:35.799 but he gives us 00:27:35.799 --> 00:27:36.500 eternal life 00:27:36.500 --> 00:27:38.920 and he gives us 00:27:38.920 --> 00:27:39.680 eternal life 00:27:39.680 --> 00:27:40.720 to live right now 00:27:40.720 --> 00:27:42.619 a life of worship 00:27:42.619 --> 00:27:43.440 and obedience 00:27:43.440 --> 00:27:44.440 a life of purpose 00:27:44.440 --> 00:27:45.339 as we engage 00:27:45.339 --> 00:27:45.759 with others 00:27:45.759 --> 00:27:46.960 a life of witness 00:27:46.960 --> 00:27:47.779 as we call 00:27:47.779 --> 00:27:48.519 on the nations 00:27:48.519 --> 00:27:51.799 to a life 00:27:51.799 --> 00:27:52.759 of blessed obedience 00:27:52.759 --> 00:27:53.480 to his word 00:27:53.480 --> 00:27:54.339 in the church 00:27:54.339 --> 00:27:56.539 trusting in Jesus 00:27:56.539 --> 00:27:57.519 as saviour and king 00:27:57.519 --> 00:27:58.319 the resurrection 00:27:58.319 --> 00:27:59.380 of Jesus Christ 00:27:59.380 --> 00:27:59.920 is real 00:27:59.920 --> 00:28:02.359 and his resurrection 00:28:02.359 --> 00:28:03.180 orders 00:28:03.180 --> 00:28:04.380 and defines 00:28:04.380 --> 00:28:05.299 reality 00:28:05.299 --> 00:28:07.159 and this 00:28:07.159 --> 00:28:07.919 resurrection 00:28:07.919 --> 00:28:08.700 of the Lord 00:28:08.700 --> 00:28:09.019 Jesus 00:28:09.019 --> 00:28:10.559 should define 00:28:10.559 --> 00:28:11.200 and order 00:28:11.200 --> 00:28:12.159 every part 00:28:12.159 --> 00:28:12.919 of our lives 00:28:12.919 --> 00:28:16.099 and so my prayer 00:28:16.099 --> 00:28:16.500 for us 00:28:16.500 --> 00:28:17.099 is that this 00:28:17.099 --> 00:28:18.180 Easter day 00:28:18.180 --> 00:28:20.519 that we will 00:28:20.519 --> 00:28:21.359 lay hold 00:28:21.359 --> 00:28:22.319 of the reality 00:28:22.319 --> 00:28:23.680 of Christ's 00:28:23.680 --> 00:28:24.099 resurrection 00:28:24.099 --> 00:28:26.419 and that by 00:28:26.419 --> 00:28:27.799 faith in him 00:28:27.799 --> 00:28:28.919 we would find 00:28:28.919 --> 00:28:30.159 faith to stand 00:28:30.159 --> 00:28:30.659 amongst 00:28:30.659 --> 00:28:31.720 all manner 00:28:31.720 --> 00:28:33.500 of resurrection 00:28:33.500 --> 00:28:34.559 rejections 00:28:34.559 --> 00:28:35.700 in our world 00:28:35.700 --> 00:28:37.179 and we would 00:28:37.179 --> 00:28:37.639 live out 00:28:37.639 --> 00:28:38.279 in increasing 00:28:38.279 --> 00:28:38.659 ways 00:28:38.659 --> 00:28:39.379 the full 00:28:39.379 --> 00:28:40.240 ramifications 00:28:40.240 --> 00:28:41.279 of Christ's 00:28:41.279 --> 00:28:41.720 resurrection 00:28:41.720 --> 00:28:43.659 that we would 00:28:43.659 --> 00:28:44.379 live lives 00:28:44.379 --> 00:28:45.179 of worship 00:28:45.179 --> 00:28:46.159 and of obedience 00:28:46.159 --> 00:28:46.940 and of mission 00:28:46.940 --> 00:28:48.279 to our neighbours 00:28:48.279 --> 00:28:49.200 and to the ends 00:28:49.200 --> 00:28:49.799 of the earth 00:28:49.799 --> 00:28:52.319 that is our joy 00:28:52.319 --> 00:28:53.419 we who believe 00:28:53.419 --> 00:28:56.079 this is our gift 00:28:56.079 --> 00:28:56.680 from God 00:28:56.680 --> 00:28:57.259 our king 00:28:57.259 --> 00:28:58.639 this is our 00:28:58.639 --> 00:28:59.139 calling 00:28:59.139 --> 00:29:00.440 for Christ 00:29:00.440 --> 00:29:01.200 is risen 00:29:01.200 --> 00:29:03.000 he is risen 00:29:03.000 --> 00:29:03.759 indeed 00:29:03.759 --> 00:29:04.919 hallelujah 00:29:04.919 --> 00:29:06.139 let's pray 00:29:06.140 --> 00:29:06.580 thank you 00:29:06.580 --> 00:29:06.580 00:29:06.580 --> 00:29:06.580 00:29:06.580 --> 00:29:06.580 00:29:06.580 --> 00:29:06.580 00:29:06.580 --> 00:29:06.580 00:29:06.580 --> 00:29:06.580 00:29:06.580 --> 00:29:06.580 00:29:06.580 --> 00:29:06.580 00:29:06.580 --> 00:29:06.580 00:29:06.580 --> 00:29:06.580 00:29:06.580 --> 00:29:06.580 00:29:06.580 --> 00:29:06.580 00:29:06.580 --> 00:29:06.580 00:29:06.580 --> 00:29:06.580 00:29:06.580 --> 00:29:06.580 00:29:06.580 --> 00:29:06.580 00:29:06.580 --> 00:29:06.580 00:29:06.579 --> 00:29:36.559 Thank you.