Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning, April 16, 2006, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia. For more outlines, including zipped files of outlines from previous years, click on the link at the bottom of this note, and go to our website:

REBELS AGAINST THE RESURRECTION

By Michael D. O'Neal
Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church
Albany, Georgia

Scripture Reading: Matt. 27:62-66

Text: Matt. 27:65

Matthew 27:65 Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.

Introduction: I am guessing that when Jesus died, the main thought that occupied the mind of the devil was the possibility of the resurrection of Christ from the dead.

The children of Satan - the chief priests and Pharisees - remembered, according to verse 63, that Jesus promised to rise again the third day. They remembered the resurrection promise better than the Lord's own disciples did!

They said to Pilate, "We have to be sure He doesn't get up out of this grave! That would be a disaster!"

You see, they were, and this is the title of this morning's message,

REBELS AGAINST THE RESURRECTION

Notice how SURE they wanted their opposition to the resurrection to be. Observe the word "sure" in verse 64:

Matthew 27:64 Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day ...

and again ...

Matthew 27:65 Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.

and again ...

Matthew 27:66 So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.

If I were to suggest an alternate title for our message this morning, it would be

THEY WEREN'T AS SURE AS THEY THOUGHT THEY WERE

I. THE REBELS DEFIED THE FORECAST OF THE LORD

Matthew 27:66 So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.

    A. They sought government aid

    B. They set a watch

    C. They sealed the stone at the mouth of the grave

II. THE REBELS DENIED THE FULFILLMENT OF HIS PROMISE

Matthew 28:12-13 And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, 13 Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.

    A. They feared the consequences of the resurrection of Christ

    B. They forged a scheme
        1. "took counsel"

    C. They found people (soldiers) who would help them lie about the Lord Jesus Christ

III. THE REBELS DECEIVED THE FOOLISH

Matthew 28:15 So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

Even to this day, Satan's minions have fooled

    A. College professors and students

    B. Clergymen in liberal pulpits

    C. Church goers to false churches
        1. Liberal churches
        2. Cult churches - Kingdom Hall

IV. THE REBELS WERE DOOMED TO FAILURE

Matthew 28:5-6 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. 6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

After three days and nights, in spite of Satan, the seducers, the soldiers, the sepulchre, the stone, and the seal on it ...

    A. Jesus AROSE from the dead!

    B. Jesus appeared to His disciples

    C. Jesus ate with them

    D. Jesus assembled with them for a 40-day Bible conference

    E. Jesus ascended before their eyes into heaven