Complete Sermon Notes

He Is Risen Matt. 28:28 Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. 4 And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men. 5 But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said.”

• SHIFTING GEARS: Resting in what Jesus said and who He is will calm the storm.

Do Not Be Afraid is a command to reprogram our thoughts.

Why does “thinking positive” get a bad reputation – it’s biblical?

• Positive Thinking often replaces obedience.

• Positive Thinking says, “I can have whatever I want.”

• Positive Thinking is often sold as the answer.

Neuroplasticity : “Oops – science was wrong again”

THE BRAIN CAN BE RENEWED:

• Romans 12:2 [NIV]: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Isaiah 26:3 “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”

John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you [phony/misleading peace]. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Philippians 4:6-7 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

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“Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7 And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.” 8 So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.

• If men wrote the Bible they would not have Jesus first appearing to women.

9 And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.”

• We must worship “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23-24):

1. If you are not saved, you are not worshipping.

2. Is your mind being renewed by the truth?

3. Is your mind in a state of being teachable and humble?

• A glimpse of the resurrected body – a perfect state – normal but also extraordinary.

The Soldiers Are Bribed – 11 Now while they were going, behold, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all the things that had happened.12 When they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, 13 saying, “Tell them, ‘His disciples came at night and stole Him away while we slept.’ 14 And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will appease him and make you secure.” 15 So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

• Sin distorts your thinking – you’ll do whatever you can to justify your choices and excuse your actions.

The addict hides and minimizes their addiction – “I don’t do that very often.”

The person caught in sexual sin justifies it – “We love each other.”

The prideful man excuses his pride – “I just love the truth.”

The judgmental woman defends her attitude – “I’m just passionate.”

The gossip says “people need to know so we can pray for them.”

“We must see the death in it” (Steve Schell – rat poison example)

The Great Commission – 16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

• Make disciples – lead by example: “teach” the Word, “encourage” prayer, and “promote” worship.

• Baptizing them

THE 2 B’s – Believe and Be Baptized

The theme throughout the New Testament is clear: Only believers are baptized.

1. Acts 2:38, “Peter said, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…’.” Repentance is the key to remission (forgiveness), not baptism. Baptism identifies the believer with Christ much in the same way that circumcision identified the relationship that God had with the Old Testament saints. Circumcision did not save, believing did: “Abraham believed in the Lord, and God counted it to him for righteousness” (Romans 4:3).

2. 1 Peter 3:21, “There is also an antitype which now saves us—Baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God)…” The “good conscience toward God” signifies that we have turned from our sins and have turned to God. John MacArthur adds, “Peter is not at all referring to water baptism here, but rather a figurative immersion into union with Christ as an ark of safety from the judgment of God.”