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The Resurrection
No matter who you are this morning – go tell someone today – Jesus is Risen!
Introduction
The 4 Gospels taken together give the complete account of the Resurrection of Jesus
Jesus revealed Himself to 5 different groups – each with a different response…
The Women / 2 disciples / The 11 Disciples / Priests & Soldiers / The 500…
1st – The women at the tomb… Read Luke 24:1-12
After the Sabbath – the 1st day of the week – VERY early Sunday morning (still dark)…
The women came to Jesus’ tomb bringing spices to complete His burial…
When the women arrived the stone was rolled away – and Jesus body was not there…
The women were very confused – they did not know where the body was…
Two men (angels) appeared by them in dazzling clothing (white as snow)…
‘Why do you seek the living among the dead… He is not here – He is risen!’
I have been to Jerusalem – I have stood by Golgotha – I have looked into the Tomb…
The Gospel – the Good News is – Jesus is not there – He is Risen!
I could tell you there was eternal life – death is not the end – only my words…
Jesus showed us death was not the end…
In the Resurrection Jesus showed He had the power over death – power over sin…
I Corinthians 15:55 – “Death, where is your sting? Hell, where is your victory?”
The Good News is Jesus defeated death – opened the door to eternal life!
Interesting that the women were the first to see the empty tomb – first to believe…
Often it is the women who are the first to respond the Gospel – go to church…
Women seem to be more in tune – open – to responding to the Gospel…
A common statistic – the whole world over – more women than men attend church
The Angels told the women to – remember what Jesus said…
Jesus had told the disciples He would be resurrected – Luke 9:22 / Luke 18:33
The problem was the disciples did not believe – they had forgotten…
Now the women had the Good News – Jesus is Risen – they were to tell the men!
So they went out – quickly – and ran to share…
Their words seemed like idle tales – false stories – and the men did not believe…
But Peter (and John) ran to the tomb – and saw the linen Jesus had been wrapped in…
Many of you ladies have husbands / fathers / sons – who do not believe…
Go out quickly and tell them the Good News! Jesus is Risen!
Jesus allowed you to see first – but do not let it stop there – go and let others know!
They might think you are full of idle tales – but they might run to see like Peter!
Mary Magdalene – stayed while the other women went to tell the disciples…
She wept – because she did not know where Jesus was – John 20:11
Turned and saw Jesus – but did not recognize Him (gardener)…
Jesus asked why she was crying – she wanted to know if He had taken the body…
‘Mary!’ – was His answer – with his voice – immediately she knew it was the Lord…
John 10:27– “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”
Mary and the women were the first to see Jesus after the resurrection…
Because they came to see the Lord – waited for the Lord – and they heard His voice!
So often we want to hear from the Lord – direction – answer to prayer…
But we are not willing to look for the Lord – wait on the Lord…
We throw up a prayer – run out the door – and wonder why God did not answer…
We ask for everyone’s advice – but not the Lord – then wonder why He is silent…
When we look for the Lord – wait on the Lord – we will hear from the Lord!
2nd – Two disciples… Read Luke 24:13-35
Two of Jesus’ followers were heading to the village of Emmaus – 7 miles from Jerusalem…
They were discussing (homiletics) the recent events – crucifixion / empty tomb…
Jesus came walking up next to them – but they did not recognize Him…
When we take the time to talk about Jesus – want to learn the truth…
We will find Jesus comes along side of us to teach us – help us understand…
Jesus asked what they were talking about – why they looked so sad…
A disciple names Cleopas answered – ‘Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem?’
They retold the events of the past 3 days – the trial and crucifixion…
How they hoped Jesus would save Israel – set up His kingdom here on earth…
But with the death of Jesus that hope died – but it had been three days…
And the women had seen the empty tomb and angels – but ‘they had not seen Jesus’…
Foolish ones – slow of heart to believe the Word of God…
Jesus opened up the Scriptures to them – gave them a personal Bible Study…
Beginning at Moses (Genesis-Deuteronomy) through the prophets (Isaiah-Malachi)
Jesus taught them – through the whole Old Testament – about Himself – Psalm 40:7
Using just the OT – Jesus showed how everything had happened according to the Bible
It was not that the men did not read their Bibles – they just did not understand…
They were blinded by their assumptions (conquer Rome) – so they missed the truth!
If we come to the Bible with assumptions (God wants me to be rich)…
More often than not we are going to miss what the Word of God says (blessed to be poor)…
Better to have little and learn to depend on Jesus – then have a lot and miss eternal life…
When they arrived Jesus made as though He would continue on…
But they compelled Him to stay – come in and have dinner…
When He broke the bread (communion) they recognized Him – and He vanished!
‘Did not our hearts burn within us’ – when Jesus opened the Word to us!
They had walked with Jesus – so they were able to understand the Word…
Once they had understood the Word – they saw Jesus!
Many people fail to see how Jesus is working in their lives – is God really there…
The reason they do not see the Lord – is because they do not understand His Word!
When we spend time with the Lord – spend time in His Word – understand His Word…
We will see Jesus in ALL our circumstances – in every part of our life!
They immediately went back to Jerusalem…
They rehearsed (exegesis) to the disciples all that happened on the road…
Cause they were discussing the Word – Jesus met them and taught them so they understood…
Now they were able to teach others – the truth of the Word of God!
When we understand the Word of God – we can teach it to others…
3rd – The Disciples… Read Luke 24:36-49
The disciples had not believed the report of the women…Luke 24:11
The disciple had not believed the two from the road to Emmaus… Mark 16:13
They were stubborn – but Jesus kept trying to reach them…
If we know people who are stubborn – just won’t believe life is about Jesus…
Keep telling them – keep reaching out to them – Jesus has not given up on them!
After all these things – the disciples were gathered – doors shut in fear…
Afraid of the chief priests – afraid of the Romans – just plain afraid…
Jesus stood in their midst – ‘peace be with you’ – they thought Jesus was a spirit…
Jesus showed them His hands and feet – still they did not believe – for Joy…
Jesus asked them – do you have any food – then they recognized Him and believed!
I LOVE that Jesus was recognized – and accepted – because of food!
Doubting Thomas – John 20:24-29
One of the 11 Disciples was not there to see Jesus – ‘I will not believe till I see’…
After 8 days Jesus appeared to them all again – Thomas was there the 2nd time…
Thomas – put your hand in my side and in my hands – do not be unbelieving – Believe!
Thomas said – ‘My Lord and my God!’ – He believed after he saw…
We tend to be hard on ‘doubting’ Thomas – but all the Disciples had to see first…
None of them believed until they had ‘seen’ Jesus!
John 20:29–“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
It is much easier to believe if we see – it takes no faith – it takes no trust…
Jesus desires that we have a relationship with Him – friendship with God…
What kind of friendship would it be if God always had to prove Himself – no faith/trust…
God desires that we have faith in Him – trust Him – not have Him prove Himself to us…
That is when we have a truly blessed relationship with the Lord – a friend of God!
The Great Commission…
Jesus opened their understanding of the Bible – so they could go tell others…
Go out preaching repentance and forgiveness into all the nations – starting in Jerusalem…
People need to hear – men need to know – the world needs the answer…
Starting in our own backyard – beginning with our family and friends…
We are commanded to tell them – turn from their old sinful lives and be forgiven by Jesus!
4th – The chief priests and soldiers – Matthew 28:11-15
Afraid to go to Pilate (death penalty) the Roman guards went to the religious leaders…
The guards gave an accurate description of what happened…
The awe inspiring scene at the tomb – that left them as is dead…
But the religious leaders paid them off – large sum – to keep quiet – lie…
Tell everyone the disciples stole the body while they slept…
They would take care of (bribe) Pilate if there were any questions…
A foolish story – no one with any common sense would believe…
If a Roman soldier fell asleep on the job – it would have cost him his life…
And there is no way 11 fishermen could have taken on hardened Roman soldiers…
Yet even with the proof of the resurrection – the leaders would not believe…
There will always be those – who no matter what – just will not believe in Jesus…
They will even go out of their way – bribe others – pressure others – lie to others…
To keep them from believing in Jesus as well!
Matthew 23:13 – “How terrible it will be for you teachers of religious law… For you won’t let others enter the Kingdom of Heaven, and you won’t go in yourselves.”
How terrible it will be for those – not only refuse to believe – but discourage others!
5th – The 500… Read Luke 24:50-53
Jesus took the Disciples to Bethany on the Mt. of Olives…
Many had come to believe – over 500 saw Jesus in Galilee – I Corinthians 15:6
When they saw Him they worshiped Him – ‘but some doubted’ – Matthew 28:17…
Not the Disciples – but some of the other 500 or so present…
But they were there – what better place to question – than at the feet of Jesus!
And while Jesus blessed them – He was taken up into Heaven…
Then they returned to Jerusalem worshiping the Lord – continually praising God in church!
Not everyone who comes to church believes – some still doubt and question…
But what better place to be – to get answers to your questions – with Jesus!
As you are in prayer / in the Word / in fellowship / in church…
Whatever question – doubts you may have – you will look up / worship / and see Jesus!
Jesus is Risen!
If we are like the women – the first to believe – go and tell others Jesus is Risen!
If we are like the two – discussing Jesus so we learn the truth – go tell others Jesus is Risen!
If we are like the disciples – stubborn / slow to believe – go tell others Jesus is Risen!
If we are like the multitudes sitting in church – the world needs to hear Jesus is Risen!
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