Text: Matthew 28:11–15

“Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.
And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,
Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.
And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.
So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.”

Introduction

One of the costliest things on earth is a lie.

It may appear easier to lie than to uphold the truth, but the price of sustaining a lie is very high. Lies demand constant cover-ups, endless explanations, and continuous spending to protect them.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ was immediately met with a well-funded lie. The chief priests bribed soldiers to say, “His disciples came at night and stole Him away while we slept.” That false story spread widely—not because it was credible—but because it was financed and promoted.

1. Lies Are Expensive to Maintain

• Lies require money, effort, and manipulation to keep alive.
• Propaganda is simply a sponsored lie, designed to distort or bury the truth.
• A half-truth is even more dangerous than a total lie because it mixes truth with deception.
• False doctrines usually combine obvious truth with subtle error—making them harder to resist.
• Many invest heavily in sponsoring lies because they know influence and repetition can sway people.

2. The Power Behind Lies

• Around the world, people pour resources into promoting ideologies they believe in—even if they are false.
• Celebrities, models, and influencers—though imperfect—are used to market ideas, lifestyles, and products.
• In the same way, Christians must deliberately invest in advancing the truth of the Gospel.
• If the church fails to promote truth, falsehood will dominate the stage.

3. Truth Also Has a Cost

• Defending the truth is never cheap—it requires time, energy, sacrifice, and money.
• The disciples carried the truth of Christ’s resurrection, but lacked the wealth and political connections to broadcast it widely.
• When truth is not sponsored, lies thrive unchallenged.
• If we neglect to invest in truth, society will embrace counterfeits.

4. The Battle of the Last Days (2 Timothy 3:1–8)

Paul warns that in the last days, people will be:

• Lovers of themselves, covetous, proud, blasphemous, disobedient, unthankful, and unholy.
• False accusers, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God.
• Resistant to the truth, just like Jannes and Jambres who opposed Moses.

Today, many use money, influence, and legislation to push immoral ideologies such as ungodliness, sexual perversion, divisions, and materialism. These voices often seem louder and more accepted in society than those who stand for truth.

Unfortunately, while others fund their agendas, many Christians only pray but fail to practically support the spread of the Gospel.

5. A Call to Action

• The Gospel requires funding, platforms, and voices.
• Truth must be published, promoted, and defended in every generation.
• If believers neglect this duty, consciences will be hardened, destinies destroyed, and generations wasted.
• Though truth will ultimately prevail, it may come at the cost of countless lost souls if we remain silent.

Conclusion

The chief priests paid soldiers to spread the lie that Jesus did not rise. That lie lived because it was financed.

Today, lies still dominate media, politics, and society—not because they are true, but because they are sponsored and advertised.

As Christians, we cannot remain passive. We must:

• Invest in truth.
• Promote the Gospel.
• Defend the faith boldly.

The cost of a lie is eternal destruction, but the reward of truth is eternal salvation.

✍️ Dr. Illesanmi Bankole