A GOD WHO SURPRISES:

• Manger
• Teachings
• Miracles
• Donkey & Palm Sunday
• Foot Washing
• Communion
• Dying

MATTHEW 28:1-20

HE ISN’T HERE!

1Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb. 2Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. 3His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. 4The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint. 5Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. 7And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.” 8The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message. 9 And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him. 10Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.”

HUSH MONEY & A COVER UP

11As the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and told the leading priests what had happened. 12A meeting with the elders was called, and they decided to give the soldiers a large bribe. 13They told the soldiers, “You must say, ‘Jesus’ disciples came during the night while we were sleeping, and they stole his body.’ 14 If the governor hears about it, we’ll stand up for you so you won’t get in trouble.” 15So the guards accepted the bribe and said what they were told to say. Their story spread widely among the Jews, and they still tell it today.

GO AND DO … I AM WITH YOU.

16Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted! 18Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

WHO DID GOD SURPRISE?

• Guards
• Women
• Peter
• Thomas
• Satan
• You?

WHERE ARE YOU?

• Sinner: When will you receive Jesus? Will you let Jesus receive you?
• Young Christian: Are you open to all of God having all of you?(Go and Do)
• Old Timer:

• • Do you still look to Jesus with awe, wonder, & amazement, or has the Good News become the Old News?
  • Are you still growing in knowing God?
  • Are you helping others find, know, and continue to grow in God?
• Worldly: Are you finding true satisfaction?
• Skeptic: Are you needing God to show up again?

AS CHRISTIANS, WE CAN LIVE SURPRISINGLY DIFFERENT LIVES BECAUSE OF THE VICTORY WE HAVE IN CHRIST!

HE GIVES US VICTORY

1 Corinthians 15:53-57 53For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies. 54Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: “Death is swallowed up in victory. 55O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 56For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. 57But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

APPLICATION, FAMILY AND/OR LIFE GROUP QUESTIONS:

1. Where are you walking in victory? (Praise God!)
2. Where are you in need of victory?(Keep asking, seeking, knocking—see Matthew 7:7-8.)
3. In what ways is God calling you deeper in your relationship with Him?(This always requires faith.)