Pastor's Sunday School Blog
Sunday School Lesson
“The Savior Is Raised”
October 8, 2017
Matthew 28:1-15
Pastor’s Notes:
Recently, our nation was rocked by one of the deadliest shootings in modern history. Fifty-eight, at the time of this writing, went out into eternity. Where will the broken-hearted and those experiencing loss find the courage and comfort to continue? The answer, “He is not here, He is risen from the dead.” Because He lives we have the hope of life beyond the grave.
Standing beside a graveside, I pointed the casket and said to those whose hearts were grieving the loss of a loved one, “Do not weep, he is not here, he is risen from the dead.”
The resurrection is the single most important event in our history. The Lord’s coming without the resurrection would have been insufficient to save. His death on the cross without the resurrection would have failed God’s plan of redemption. The cornerstone of the Christian faith is that on the third day He rose from the dead.
Every major religion boasts of a great individual who lived a remarkable life; however, only Christianity boasts of Savior Who died for their sins, was buried, and rose from the dead.
Faith in the resurrected Savior is essential to salvation, “That is thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9).
Baptism is a symbol of the resurrection: the believer’s resurrection from spiritual death, and the resurrection of Jesus: He died, was buried, and rose from the dead.
Come and see the empty tomb (Matthew 28:1-6).
Do you know why the Christian’s day of worship is Sunday, rather than the Sabbath (Saturday)? The early church worshipped on Sunday in celebration of the Lord’s resurrection.
The ladies returned to the tomb in order to complete the burial process, which was incomplete due to the approaching Sabbath. How do you think they felt as they made their way to the death chamber of Christ? I believe they were broken hearted … and their minds were filled with doubts, wondering about the truthfulness of everything Jesus had taught them.
It appears that the descent of the powerful angel, the departure of the guards, and the arrival of the women was simultaneous.
The angel told the ladies not to be afraid … belief in the resurrection brings peace. Also he admonished them, not to look for the Lord among the dead … HERE’S a question to consider, Is Jesus present in a “dead” church?
The angel reminds them that Jesus had risen just as He said He would … Faith and Assurance comes knowing what God has said in His Word. “Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of the Lord” (Romans 10:17).
Stop and worship the risen Lord (Matthew 28:7-9).
The reality of the resurrection should lead the believer to worship. What does the resurrection mean to you? No fear of death; eternal hope; heaven; reunion in heaven….
Read 1 Corinthians 15:51-58 “…………….”
Take away the resurrection of Jesus and … (Read 1 Corinthians 15:12-19)
Go and tell others the truth about Jesus (Matthew 28:10-15).
Note the sequence of “come and see,” and “go and tell.” A witness of the resurrection demands a witness for the resurrection.
The guards were witness to the power of God, yet they refused to believe.
What are some of the arguments unbelievers use to disprove the resurrection of Christ … (1) The Swoon Theory – Jesus never really died, He only passed out and when his body was placed in the grave He revived. Unlikely, since the guard pierced his body with a spear to prove He was dead. (2) The Hallucination Theory – The disciple were so distraught they only imagined Christ had risen from the dead. Unlikely, because the religious leader could have and would have presented the dead body of Christ as proof of his death. (3) The Hoax Theory – The disciples stole the body of the Lord and told everyone He had risen. Unlikely .. Would the disciples die for what they knew was a hoax? I don’t think so.
Theological Theme: Jesus experience death and then rose from the dead according to the Scripture.
Christological/Christ Connection: Through Christ’s resurrection the believer is assured that the penalty of sin has been satisfied, death has been defeated, and the future is secure.
Missional Application: Go and tell others the good news of the Gospel, Christ crucified, buried and risen from the dead.