Sermon Notes Courtesy of Dr. Tamala R. Maddox
45 Way of the Cross – The Greatest Conspiracy….Ever
Matthew 28:11 – 15
Conspiracy behind the scenes. Need to be aware lest ye find yourself involved
Roman govt put a guard and a seal on the tomb.
When Mary and the other Mary arrived, they found the stone had been rolled away.
v. 6 For He is risen as He said. Come see the place where the Lord lay.
Both Mary’s are astonished and excited.
ldiers had seen the angels appear on the scene. They were not excited, they were terrified. They passed out with fear because they saw the angel appear. When they are revived, not only have the women run away but the body was gone.
The guards got up and ran to the elders of the church to report that He was gone. The church leaders said they needed to get things figured out. They didn’t want it to get out because it would mean they had crucified The Savior. The elders gave the soldiers a lot of money and started a conspiracy that has lasted until today.
Tell everyone that His disciples came and stole His body. We (the elders) will clear you. This was the cover story.
Greatest conspiracies in America
Watergate – Richard Nixon
Enron – fuel company conspired to take profits from the company; 21,000 employees lost everything they had
Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction – none were found
Conspiracy – an agreement between two people to commit an act; an inappropriate act and a guilty mind
They conspired to cover up the holiest of truths…..tried to cover that His resurrection never took place. The perpetrator of this conspiracy was the church.
Single most important event in human history is Easter – His Resurrection
We don’t wear crucifix because He is no longer there. Our cross is empty because He is no longer there.
A. Your Enemies Really Do Pay Attention To What You Say
Enemies remembered His promise but the disciples were scattered everywhere. They listened and recorded what He said. Enemies listen because they want to use your words against you. Jesus taught us to still love our enemies. Father forgive them.
Asked Pilate to secure the tomb from all possibilities of theft. However, there is nothing you can do to stop what God says is going to happen.
Went to the religious leaders for help. The religious leaders, who had taught about Him in scriptures, used church money to pay off the guards. They had been telling of the coming Messiah.
B. People Will Lie Against The Truth To Keep From Looking Bad
Have to have faith to believe the Jesus Christ actually did rise like He says He would. He died all the way. God Resurrected Him. The soldiers couldn’t tell that story. It was easier to take the money and leave.
This passage of scripture was written about 70 years after His resurrection so the story was holding and is still alive.
C. It’s Hard To Tell The Truth If The Focus Is On How You Will Look
The truth would make them look incompetent. It would make it appear that they had killed the wrong man. They were motivated by jealousy, selfishness and keeping their lifestyle in tact.
It wasn’t that they didn’t want Him to come. They just didn’t want Him to come in their lifetime. They would have to give up their lifestyle if He came then. It’s inconvenient to follow Jesus.
D. How Do You Break A Conspiracy
Tell the Truth
The One we’re trying to cover up is the One who shows up when we need Him.