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If you have traveled far south, there are a chain of travel stops called Buc-ees. It’s like a mix of Walmart and Wawa on steroids. There are not only dozens upon dozens of fuel stations, there’s also a giant store that sells their own paraphernalia. The store sells food, which they are known for unique snacks of regular variety but their specialties are “Beaver Nuggets,” hot candied pecans and almonds, and their brisket and bbq sandwiches. If this is not enough, they also sell clothing, lawn chairs, outdoor grills, and all sorts of houseware & décor items. And all of this has their iconic beaver image plastered on everything, along with the beaver walking around the store like he’s a celebrity signing autographs and taking pictures with people!

When you’re traveling the interstate, the Buc-ees has some of the best billboards.

• Risk It For The Brisket
• Restrooms That Make Mom Smile
• Only 262 Miles To Buc-ees. You can Hold It.
• Beaver Nuggets Are A Girl’s Dinner Dream
• I Like Big Buc-ees And I Cannot Lie (TY Sir Mix-A-Lot)
• Hello… Is It Beaver You’re Looking For? (TY Lionel Ritchie)
• Buc-ees 444 Miles [in Michigan w/o store in the state]

Many of us spend months and years counting down to desired destinations. Some of you have been counting down until we’re done this sermon series in the Gospels; just 7 more, which is rest of Sundays in 2026. But we’ve spent almost an entire year from the birth of Jesus and waiting for His resurrection from the dead. Last week was Mark 16 and today we examine Matthew 28 to better understand the purpose of Jesus’ resurrection and how it applies to us today.

EXAMINE         Time To Speak Up (Matthew 28)

¹ Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.

• 1^st day of week = creation (BTW, 1^st day is Sunday and is the reason why Christians worship on SUN not SAT
  (cf Ac 2; Ac 20:7; 1Cor 16:2).
• Female witnesses
  • Historically: Gospel writers wanted to persuade but this fact would have hampered faith. Yet all 4 include it. The resurrection is not spiritual sentiment but historical event.
  • Theologically: God chose to announce the greatest event in human history not to politicians or religious authorities but females who occupied a very low social position. God’s truth doesn’t need cultural approval or social acceptance – it’s true bc God is faithful.
  • Missionally: God has a purpose for every believer, no matter how you feel or are perceived by others.
• Overall, the disciples are grieving & expecting full grave.

² And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. ³ His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. ⁴ And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. ⁵ But the angel 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 has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. ⁷ Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.”

• God sent an earthquake to roll the stone away
  • Localized tremors occurred in this region practically on an annual basis.[1]

• God sent an angel to announce to the women that Jesus had risen.
  • Angels were present at Jesus’ incarnation (LK2:13), temptation (MK1:14), affliction (LK22:43), and the resurrection (MT28:2).
  • Angels spend time with God, yet enamored with God’s salvation of humans (1Pe 1:12).
  • Angels are messengers, Do not be afraid… He is not here, for he has risen
    • This statement is a reminder to not fear any diagnosis or death itself. The grave doesn’t have the final word. Jesus is powerful and trustworthy for all of life as our Good Shepherd thru dark valleys and into green pastures, dwelling in presence of God forever and ever.

“Do not be afraid… He is not here, for Jesus has risen.” This is a reminder that a diagnosis, or death itself does not have the final word. Jesus is powerful and trustworthy. The Good Shepherd will lead you through dark valleys to dwell in God’s presence forever and ever.

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⁸ So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. ⁹ And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. ¹⁰ Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”

• Remember MK16 ends with women fearful and silent?[2] Yet, bracketed text gave commentary on the other Gospels, as we see here. The disciples race to the tomb (some faster than others, JN 20:4) and find it empty minus the grave clothes. Then Jesus meets them along the journey of their questions.

¹¹ While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place. ¹² And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers ¹³ and said, “Tell people,
‘His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ ¹⁴ And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” ¹⁵ So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story has been spread among the Jews to this day.

• If Matthew was trying to persuade people of a hoax of Jesus’ resurrection, then choosing women as eyewitnesses was a strange choice. Further, the Roman guards are not disputing an executed Jesus or an empty tomb. The burden of proof for the resurrection is not just an empty tomb but the changed lives of disciples. It’s up to skeptics to either provide Jesus’ body or explain why thousands gave their lives for the cause of Christ in the first century, that would change the course of human history.

¹⁶ Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. ¹⁷ And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.

• The women’s testimony was successful and good news was spreading.
• Some worshiped.
  • What did that look like? Harps & hymns?
    Jesus at a pulpit? Plots to overthrow Rome?
    I think it was more like laughs & reminiscing over food (LK24:30; JN21:12); and deep commitment to mission. 
• Some doubted.
  • Doubts are not determinative.
    Disciple your doubts…
    • Thomas needed more time.
    • Peter needed to process and restoration.
    • Paul needed kick in rear to awaken understanding.
      
      

¹⁸ And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

• When we think of Jesus, many start with glory, wisdom, miracles; some say grace, compassion, kindness. But one of the premier revelations in the Gospels is Jesus’ authority.

• V. 18 Authority makes vv.19-20 Mission possible.
  
  *Illus[3]: In the sports world, athletes have skill and power with training to perform to the praise of great crowds. Athletes have fans, marketing contracts, massive social media followers… all these things but every athlete still must listen to the authority of a referee/umpire. All the refs have is a whistle. Yet, they have the authority to regulate the power and influence of any great athlete.
  In a far superior way, Jesus has full authority over everything and everyone.
  There are no kings, no rulers, no leaders, no nation, no campaign, nor protest, nor military that compares or competes with Jesus’ authority.
• Jesus’ teachings are not mere optional recommendations but essential commands.

There are no kings, no rulers, no leaders, no nation, no campaign, nor protest, nor military that compares or competes with Jesus’ authority. Jesus reigns forever and ever. Do not be terrified or triumphant by earthly elections. The tomb is empty and the throne is occupied.

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¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

• Jesus’ final words and command is about identity and influence: make disciples (μαθητεύω). The word identifies people who follow Jesus.
  *“Christian” appears 3x in NT (Ac11:26; 26:28; 1Pt 4:16). But the word “disciple” appears 269x in NT.

A disciple was not just a

• Member of a club             
• Student of a classroom
• Instead, a disciple was an apprentice of a lifestyle.
  There would be both formal instruction and informal demonstration that would form the beliefs and behaviors to pass on to others. You’re caught in the dust of your rabbi.
  The aim of discipleship was to make other disciples.
  If discipleship is kept to oneself, then the disciple has failed and deemed unfit.

²⁰ teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.

The modifiers – or the “how” – of making disciples is found in three words: *Going *Baptizing *Teaching

Going: A Christian has to admire that in English, we cannot spell “gospel” without the word “Go.”
Literally, the phrase is “as you travel/journey.”
This statement frees you from believing that you have to be gifted to speak in public, or be gifted to preach, sing, or even write well.
You can make disciples in whatever ability you have and whatever area God has placed you.
Your goal is not merely to “make a living,” but to make disciples.

By all means – work hard and earn income, but remember your career, networks, and relationships are for the glory of God in spreading His gospel. And evangelism doesn’t require dressing up in a shirt and tie going door-to-door, but simply having conversations with others about who Jesus is and what God is doing in your life.

>> Talk about Jesus > sports, politics, hobbies, etc.

>> Write your 2-3 minute testimony https://www.spbcmd.com/my-park-story

>> Commit to #WhosYour1 
   – – – > Hand over your home as a resource for
       hospitality and Great Commission.

>> Christ came so that we may go, even “all nations” ἔθνη

Baptizing: This sounds very formal, and it is. Remember,

1. Baptism is about confidence of your salvation. It’s a visual picture of gospel with Jesus’ life, death, burial, and resurrection (Ro 6:3-11; Col 2:12; Gal 2:20; 3:27). And it’s a defining moment and event for the believer.
2. Baptism is about obedience, and helps you to grow in your faith. If you disobey in this act, you’ll hold back other areas (Jn 14:15).
3. Baptism is about advancement. It’s a public profession of faith that excites believers and is contagious for non-believers to experience new life in Christ (Ac 2:37-47).

Teaching to obey: This is the distinguishing mark of a casual church attender/member and a Christ follower. Jesus gave about 38-50 commands[4], which we should take seriously. And no pastor, church, or anyone else has editorial privilege to minimize the standard of a Christian, nor to manipulate the obedience to human traditions or preferences. Further, churches must teach the word and not do so selectively.

Illus: Parent let children outside to play and after time ready to return. However, the father had just stained the wood steps. Parent sees children returning home and running up the driveway to return inside. Mother shouts, “Don’t come in the front door, enter around back.” Children keep running. Knowing the children, mother shouts again… But children keep running… Mother shouts again but children shout back, “We will be careful!” Finally, mother opens the door and says, “Children, stop! I did not ask you to be careful. I asked you to be obedient.”
Many Christians are attempting careful disobedience when our Heavenly Father requires complete obedience. 

>> What makes you excited, angry, sad, or fearful?

>> Who are you disciples?
Ps 71:18 “So, even to old age and gray hairs, O God do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation and all who come”

SPBC, we have work to do. People are…

• Lost (mistaken and moving in wrong direction).
• Lonely (unnoticed, abandoned, or abused).
• Looking (curious and questioning)

APPLY/THINK

²⁰ And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

We close this message and passage with Jesus’ promise – Immanuel – His presence with us.

God is with us
in doubts
in darkness
when circumstances are devastating
when the mission seems impossible.

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[1] See especially footnotes 9, 23 in https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/themelios/article/the-earthquakes-of-the-crucifixion-and-resurrection-of-jesus-christ/

[2] https://growinggodlygenerations.com/2026/11/01/still-rolling-stones-mark-16/

[3] Illustration idea from H.B. Charles sermon at SEBTS, “The Marching Orders Of The Church” on Matthew 28:16-20.

[4] See https://www.jesusfilm.org/blog/commands-of-jesus/. Or, for a study, see John Piper, All That Jesus Commanded https://www.desiringgod.org/books/all-that-jesus-commanded