Game Changer - Easter 2023

Luke 24:13-53

Introduction

Welcome to this Lord's Day gathering of Hope Bible Fellowship. I am so glad that you decided to join us today. Of all the places in the world you could be right now, you decided to come and worship our risen Lord. I'm joyful to see you today. Later in the service we are going to have the opportunity to witness one of the ordinances of the church in believer's baptism. I'm super excited that you're here with us for that as well.

If you have a Bible with you or a device for looking up scripture, open to Luke chapter 24, verse 13. Today we are going to look at the appearance of the risen Christ to a couple of His followers. From this, we are going to explore five truths about the resurrection that affect everything about life and faith. Let's turn to the Word of God and see what He has to say to us.

Read Luke 24:13-53

Luke 24:13–53 ESV

13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” 25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. 28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, 29 but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” 33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34 saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread. 36 As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” 37 But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. 38 And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate before them. 44 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” 50 And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. 51 While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple blessing God.

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Say: This is the Word of the Lord. Let's pray and ask God to help us understand and obey.

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This story is amazing. I love it. These two guys are on the way to Emmaus and they are discussing the events back in Jerusalem surrounding Jesus. Jesus, Himself comes up and starts walking along with them and they don't recognize Him.

They refer to Jesus as a prophet. Apparently, they did not understand the full truth about Him yet.

5 Truths about the resurrection that are game changing.

1. The resurrection is necessary.

(Verses 17–27) concern (1) the ensuing conversation in which one disciple, Cleopas, explains to the stranger about Jesus’ death at the hands of the Jewish leadership;

(2) the women’s report concerning the empty tomb, which had been confirmed by others; and

(3) the report of the angelic visit to the women.

At this point the stranger explains from the Scriptures the necessity of the Messiah’s death and resurrection.

-This would have been the O.T.

Everything in the OT points to Jesus. The Law and the prophets…

The sacrificial system.

Passover, the very festival which they were celebrating during Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion.

Blood over the door - Why do you think they show the 10 commandments movie on broadcast television every year around Easter. Because whether or not they know it, they are pointing to Christ as our redeemer. His death on the cross in our place for our sin was the final sacrifice ever needed. It was sufficient for the atonement of our sin.

He died and resurrection was necessary. It was necessary to fulfil the prophecies and the things that Jesus foretold of Himeself.

2. The resurrection is real.

Witnesses - these guys see Him

Other appearances of Jesus

The crucifixion is a confirmed historical fact. There was a man named Jesus who the Romans crucified.

Explain the reliance of eye witnesses in a court of law. Eyewitness news - tv news when it was good...

Understand - we have eyewitness accounts of people in scripture who laid their eyes on the risen Christ.

3. The resurrection is proof.

When the disciples recognize Jesus, His teachings are confirmed.

“If Jesus rose from the dead, then you have to accept all that he said; if he didn't rise from the dead, then why worry about any of what he said? The issue on which everything hangs is not whether or not you like his teaching but whether or not he rose from the dead.”

― Timothy J. Keller, The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism

4. The resurrection changes everything.

Changed the world, a new religion

Changed the disciples' direction in life

Even changed these Emmaus road dudes’ traveling plans

Brings life where there is death.

“Jesus didn’t come to make bad people good. He came to make dead people alive.” - Someone else quote

This is what the power of the Gospel does. It takes us who were dead in our sins, slaves to our sin nature, incapable for saving ourselves from the wrath of a Holy God and through the death of Christ and his resurrection, sets us free from our sin, forgives us completely, makes us holy, set apart for service to God, and imputes to us the very righteousness of Christ.

It promises new life here and life to come in eternity with Jesus. This is GOOD NEWS!

John 11:25 ESV

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,

- Jesus is the resurrection. You aren’t going to have one without the other. He is the life. Jesus is our life.

5. The resurrection sends.

Luke 24:49 ESV

49 And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

v. 49

The promise of the coming of the Holy Spirit.

OT promise about the Spirit’s coming - fulfilled at Pentecost when the Spirit came to indwell the believers

All of those today who have trusted Christ have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Convicting us of sin

Guiding us

Helping us understand the Word of God

Helping us in Holy Living

Sent the Spirit to them and sends them out to the lost in the world.

Compelling us to share this life-giving good news with a world of people who have NO hope without Jesus. There is no other way! There is no plan b. Jesus is the only way by which we can have peace with God, be adopted into the family of God, and experience glorious salvation from the wrath that we so richly deserve.

The Resurrection, I believe, would also send us to share this Good News everywhere we go.

Notice something: Jesus is arrested and his disciples flee and desert him. Then when we get to the book of Acts, they are not just willing to face suffering but they do suffer and die for the sake of His kingdom. What changed? Seeing a risen Lord! The resurrection changes EVERYTHING.

If Jesus is alive, we can give our whole life for Him. And even if it means we die in service to our King, we live.

Conclusion:

The Resurrection is Necessary.

The Resurrection is Real.

The Resurrection Changes Everything.

The Resurrection is Proof.

The Resurrection Sends.

Jesus is alive.

All other religious leaders are bones in a grave.

Jesus is sitting at the right hand of the Father. One day, He will return. He will make all things new. All wrongs will be made right. And we who believe on, trust in Him will get to spend eternity with Him.

This should give us deep joy.

This should give us deep urgency to spread this message to the world around us.

This should compel us to live lives that matter for His glory. Many of us get so caught up in stuff that doesn't really matter for eternity. Ask yourself this question about everything you get worked up about, "in light of eternity, does it really matter." Live for those things that matter.

The resurrection demands a response from us.

Not to respond is to respond. What will you do with Jesus? What will Jesus do with you?

Will you believe and trust your whole life and eternity to Him as your only hope before a holy God?

Or will you walk out the door to another day in uncertainty. Please don’t.

Will you submit to the only true King who died in your place and rose from the dead? Will you give your life over to His way of life?

If you have questions or want to know more about Jesus, I’d love to talk with you. Please fill out a connection card and simply drop it in the box in the foyer or you can hand it to me or one of our deacons.

Church - Let's commit to live for what matters and make disciples with urgency and passion because the KING IS ALIVE. JESUS IS ALIVE! HE IS RISEN!!! Hallelujah!

Let's pray.

Pray

Final Song

Baptisms

Dayna close with prayer.