THE FIRST RESURRECTION SUNDAY

MATHEW 28:1-15

INTRODUCTION

This is the morning when Christian church celebrates the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ from the dead. Today let us journey back to that first resurrection Sunday morning. Let us look at the events at the tomb of Jesus Christ that day:-

I.  THE APPROACH OF THE WOMEN (28:1)

• Mathew tells us that two women came that morning.
• These women were sad, defeated and discouraged as they came.
• These women were also the last people at the cross of Jesus and at the tomb.

1. Some came to look (Matt.28:1)

• They wanted to know that everything was in order at the tomb. They came to “see the sepulcher”

1. Some came to labour (Mark 16:1, Luke 24:1)

• They came to finish the labour of anointing the body of Christ.
• They wanted to serve Him one last time.

1. Some came to linger (John 20:11-18)

• Mary Magdalene lingered at the tomb long after the others had left.
• There was a time when Magdalene had been possessed by seven strong demons! (Mark 16:9)
• Her life had been totally changed by Jesus Christ.
• She was the last at the cross (Matt.27:61)
• She was the first to see the risen Christ (Matt.27:61)
• Thank God for godly, redeemed women who love Jesus with all their hearts!!

II.  THE ACTIVITY OF THE ANGEL (Matt.28:2-8)

• Humanity send ambassadors to the tomb Sunday very early in the morning
• Heaven also send an emissary to proclaim the good news that Jesus was not dead but alive.

1. 2- He rolled the stone- (Obstacle #1 removed)

• The women were concerned- who would remove this stone (Mark16:1)
• The stone represented the finality of death.
• The stone was exclaiming “He is gone forever”
• The stone was rolled away- God rolls away stones!!

1. 3-4- He removed the soldiers (Obstacle #2 removed)

• The soldiers fell down as dead!
• The Roman seal was broken!

1. 5-7,- The angel talked to the women (Unbelief- Obstacle was removed)

• The angel reminds the women of the past (V.5)
• The angel reminded them of the present “He is not here”
• The angel gave them a promise “He told you”
• The angel gave them a proof- “come and see where He lay”

III.  THE APPEARANCE OF THE SAVIOUR (28:9-10)

1. The appearance of the Lord (V.9) He came personally.
2. They worshipped Him (V.9)
3. The assurance of the Lord.

IV.  THE ALLEGATIONS OF THE ENEMY (28:11-15)

• The problem (V.11) if Christ is risen then the Jews had a real problem.
• The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a problem to those who do not believe.
• The Jews agreed to bribe the soldiers- corruption.
• The Swoon Theory- Christ wasn’t dead- He just fainted!
• The wrong tomb theory- the angels, the women, the soldiers, the disciples all went to the wrong tomb!

CONCLUSION

• The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead changes lives forever.
• Those who come to Jesus by faith will be saved and become partakers of the life of God in Christ.
• Because Christ is alive I can face tomorrow.