In our society today, we love a good cover up. A mystery seems to grab our attention, no matter how flaky it might be. However, the cover up described in the gospel accounts of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, is still alive and well today! Consider the follow sermon outline on the subject!
Title: “The Cover Up!”
Text: Matthew 28:11-15
(Matthew 28:11-15) “Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.” (KJV)
Introduction:
• The phrase “cover up” drums up images of the Kennedy Assignation, the question of whether or not we landed on the moon, the Watergate Scandal and many other issues in the political world.
• Our text reveals to us the events that transpired stemming from the Romans guards reporting to their superiors in the early hours of the Resurrection Morning!
• We must remind ourselves that the Romans put the guards there to show that the disciples would be caught trying to steal the body. They sealed the tomb – could have been done in many ways – they set a sufficient number of guards there are to prevent any one stealing the body.
(Matthew 27:66) “So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.” (KJV)
• They did everything in their own power to be sure that the resurrection would not be faked; believing themselves that it was not going to happen.
• In their effort to thwart and prevent a resurrection, they, in fact, proved, without a shadow of a doubt, that the resurrection took place as Christ said it would.
• Now these guards fells as dead men when the angels showed up.
• The body was gone!
• They reported back and in order to keep from exposing the truth of the resurrection, the leaders & chief priests decided to construct a massive cover up.
• These Romans should have been executed for loosing their prisoner. They were only bribed and sent away spreading the rumor that the disciples stole the body.
Transition:
• This brings me to my point for tonight: This cover up is really an unveiling of the truth.
Proposition: There are four things I want to point out tonight about this cover up that we should ponder!
I. This Cover Up Serves To Remind Us Of The Fact That Some People Will Not Believe!
A. The more men have the light from the sun, the more wicked men are blinded.
B. Some look for a reason not to believe the truth!
C. The law of God prescribes what we need to know and those who turn away from that are in the land of judgment!
(Proverbs 28:9) “He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.” (KJV)
II. This Cover Up Serves To Remind Us Of The Truth Of The Resurrection!
A. The very notion of this cover up proves to me that there was a resurrection!
B. This fabrication, promoted by the religious establishment, points to the truth about that morning, as was recorded in our text!
C. We should embrace Truth and flee error! Do not even entertain it in your mind!
III. This Cover Up Serves To Remind Us Of The Reality That People Can Be Bribed To Spread Falsehoods!
A. People can be bought as most any price.
B. Is not it a sad picture we have in our text: soldiers – supposed to be truthful – men who could have been used of God in a dynamic way to spread the truth, but were damned to a Devil’s Hell!
C. Though lies are spread, God vindicates the truth and the righteous!
(Proverbs 21:30) “There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.” (KJV)
IV. This Cover Up Serves To Remind Us Of The Ever Broadening Need Of Spreading The Truth About Christ and His Resurrection!
A. This cover up ought to invigorate your understanding of the need to preach the gospel!
B. Each day that goes by people believe a different variation of this lie started by Satan and birthed by these soldiers!
C. Will you spread the good news of Jesus Christ: His death, burial and His glorious resurrection!
Conclusion:
To The Sinner:
• Repent and believe the gospel! Do not continue to believe the lies from Satan!
To The Christian:
• This cover up should not discourage you, but serve to fuel your passion to spread the gospel!
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Jesus Our Lord: 24 Portraits of Christ Throughout Scripture
By John Phillips / Kregel Publications What does “lordship” involve? What does it mean for us? In this companion volume to The View from Mount Calvary John Phillips discusses how biblical events, stories, and prophecies illuminate Jesus’ sovereignty over the world and how it influences our daily lives. Phillips shows how we are never far from encountering the lordship of Christ, no matter where we are in our biblical reading. John Phillips taught in the Moody Evening School and on the Moody Broadcasting radio network. He is the author of numerous books, including a multivolume expository commentary series. He and his wife, Betty, live in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. |
