Believe The Truth

Luke 24:44-49 Sermon Outline

Introduction: HOLLYWOOD SQUARES? --  Paul Lynde in center square (now, Whoopi Goldberg)  Ask Paul a question -- he would then say a funny line -- then answer.  True, or Not?

Transition Sentence:  Man's religions and people's philosophies can be like Hollywood Squares -- Is what being taught or stated, true, or not?

If I am not sure the philosophy is true, how can I commit my life to the belief?  Chance?  Risky? 

Our life is not Hollywood Squares.  Life is reality and the stakes are high.

We should have total confidence in what philosophy or religion we commit our life to.

Objective Sentence:  Therefore, every seeker can confidently commit their lives to Jesus Christ by believing the truths about Him found in Luke  24:44-49.

(Context): Post-resurrection - Eleven … returned from Galilee to Jerusalem.  Here, Jesus appears for third time and instructs them

Read Passage: Luke 24:44-49:

44        He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms."

45        Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.

46        He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day,

47        and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

48        You are witnesses of these things.

49              I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."  (NIV)

Transition Sentence: Confident - whatever the Lord says will happen will unfailingly take place.

I.                 Truth # 1: OT LAW WAS FULFILLED IN CHRIST (v. 44) "Full Truth"

Illustration: 30 years’ study of the evils of occultism - “Possibly 95% of all fortune-telling, or even more: fraud, fake and the making of money.” Last 5% would then depend on extrasensory powers.

All that was written in the OT about Christ came true -- a few examples from the text:

A:  Jesus suffered:  Isaiah 50:6 (Prophets):  I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting (Mt. 26:67; 27: 26, 30).

B.    Jesus died:  Psalms 22:16 (Psalms): "Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet (Lk. 24:39)." (NIV)

C.    Jesus rose again the third day.  Genesis 3:15 (Law of Moses): " And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel (Gal. 4:4)."

1.  Coincidence?

Illustration: Probability of  8 True Prophecies Fulfilled: 1 in 10 17th power (17 zeros)

= Lay silver dollars on State of TX 2 ft deep.  Blindfold a man - pick up the one you marked.  Chance?  Same prophets would have had of writing the 8 prophecies and having them all come true in any one man, for their day to the present time, providing they wrote them in their own wisdom.

2. At His first coming, Jesus fulfilled well over 60 Messianic prophecies -- NOT  

    COINCIDENCE!

Transition Sentence: Confident - Everything the Bible says about Jesus is true (prophecies, teachings, claims -- everything!) -- Includes the fact that He forgives us when we sin.

II.                Truth # 2: OUR REPENTENCE BRINGS CHRIST' FORGIVENESS OF OUR SINS. (vrs. 47)  "Personal Truth"

Transition Sentence: John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."  (NIV)

A.     Vrs. 47: "Repentance" and "Forgiveness" preached to all nations

B.    Must acknowledge our sins and REPENT!   God will forgive!

Illustration:  Les Miserables  -  Jean Valjean - the ex-convict, under a new name - prosperous mayor - crazy homeless man arrested for the notorious and long-sought ex-convict, Jean Valjean.  He confessed to court his true identity.

C.   This is true repentance -- humble ourselves!

Transition Sentence: Sincere repentance invites the Holy Spirit to reside in your life &

brings about changes such as Jean Valjean.

III.             Truth # 3: WHEN YOU KNOW CHRIST, YOU ARE EMPOWERED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. (vrs. 49) "Powerful Truth"

A.    Result: To understand God's Word (vrs. 46)

1.     Christ opened disciples minds' so that they would understand the Scriptures.

2.     Holy Spirit does that for us today.

3.     Scripture will come alive! -- How To Apply Scripture; Prompt passages in our minds for certain needs, etc.  Jesus is real -- alive!

4.      More I dwell on Scripture, more I can apply it to life's circumstances - the more I am a witness.

B.    Result: To be witnesses for Christ (vrs. 48)

1.     We will have the desire to share with others what Christ has done for our lives.

Illustration:  Would you be quiet if you won 2 million in the Reader's Digest Sweepstakes?

Transition Sentence:  We can gladly share with others what Christ is doing in our lives.  We never have to be afraid for sharing TRUTH living and working in our lives.

Conclusion (Invitation):

All your life -- believed lies -- don't know Christ

¨     Jesus suffered on the cross for you, so that you may have life.

¨     Jesus resurrection was for your sake, so that you may be forgiven and live with Him eternally.

¨     Won't you come to what you may know is true -- accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior?