The Cover Story

Passage

Matthew 28:11-20

‍Sermon Summary

Matthew records an alternate explanation for the resurrection of Jesus that was motivated by fear, greed and clinging to power. By contrast, the testimony of Jesus' disciples only makes sense if it actually happened. But the truth is better than a foil to the Jewish leaders' cover story. Jesus tells three more stories of covering: His absolute authority that rules the whole world; his gracious covering of sin for those who believe (even as we waver), and his ultimate covering of the world with his own presence, "as the waters cover the sea." There is no better explanation for the resurrection of Jesus, and no better story for us to believe and live into.

‍Discussion Questions (choose any—you don't have to answer them all!)

1. [Optional starter question] What stood out or stuck with you from the sermon?
2. Have you ever gone through a season of serious doubt about Jesus? What triggered it? What or who helped?
3. Consider a religion or worldview that is telling a "story" about reality. What's appealing about it? What's inadequate about it? What parts may be smuggled in from Jesus' story?
4. Jesus said in v. 18, "All authority in heaven and earth belongs to me." What is one practical implication of that fact to your life today?
5. If you have been baptized, describe how and when it happened. What does having-been-baptized mean to you today?
6. What specific habits and practices in your life work like spiritual weight training, strengthening your faith when you do them, or weakening your faith when you neglect them?

Prayer Prompts

• Thank you, Father, for__________ (a specific implication of your rule over all things)
• Forgive me, Jesus, for often choosing the easy way of disbelief when I ________
• Help me, Holy Spirit, to strengthen my believing by __________

Resources Consulted

• Africa Bible Commentary, ed. Tokunboh Adeyemo
• The New Testament in Color, ed. Esau McCaulay
• African-American New Testament Commentary, ed. Brian K. Blount
• The Message of Matthew, Michael Green
• Matthew for Everyone, NT Wright
• Two Horizons NT Commentary on Matthew, Jeannine K.Brown & Kyle Roberts