3: The Risen King

I have 2 confessions to make. I am a Dallas Cowboys fan & a Florida State Seminoles fan. I haven’t been able to celebrate a football championship win from either of my 2 teams in quite some time. You Florida Gator fans and Hurricane fans KNOW exactly what I’m talking about.

But TODAY…Today is the Christian Super Bowl - when we celebrate our CHAMPION - The Risen King! In truth - every Sunday we celebrate our Risen King - but today more people show up for the ‘game’.

In just a moment we are going to talk about how Resurrection Day and the days that followed impacted the 1st followers of Jesus. But before we do, let’s back up for a quick review of what we have talked about over the last 2 weeks. We have taken a break from our Matthew series (that we will pick up on next week), to talk about…

the Passion of Jesus. We learned that Passion comes from the Greek term “paschō” - meaning suffering.

We began a journey to see how this great teacher & miracle-worker was handed over to the Romans by His own people. First we saw…

how the Hebrew prophets sketched a portrait of The Promised Savior who was to come. We were reminded of the Biblical truth that we have seen over and over again in the Scriptures, that…

People are Precious, Sin is Serious, & God is Gracious.

People are Precious to their Creator - made in His image - to KNOW Him and make Him Known to others. YOU are VALUABLE - PRECIOUS to God.

However, SIN is Serious - your sin and my sin has separated us from ongoing relationship with our Creator. The Promised Savior - came to save people from their sins - because Sin is Serious.

This was demonstrated hundreds of times as God commanded that animals be sacrificed as substitutes to pay for the sins of people,

as God provided a substitute sacrifice for Abraham’s son - Isaac.

Next we saw how unblemished lambs were slaughtered and had their blood put on the Hebrews door posts as God would Passover them - keeping them from God’s wrath & ultimately releasing them from slavery in Egypt.

And the seriousness of sin was highlighted & dealt with on Yom Kippur - the Day of Atonement - when the high priest would slaughter a goat on behalf of the people, take the blood into the Most Holy Place to put the blood on the Mercy Seat, and then return to place the sins of the people on the scapegoat and send it out into the wilderness, never to be seen again!

Last week we saw how The Promised Savior came to the Earth, because of the seriousness of sin, and took on the role of…

The Suffering Servant - to be the final sacrifice that all those other hundreds of sacrifices had pointed to. Why? Because People are Precious, Sin is Serious, and God is Gracious.

We saw the brutality that Jesus faced as…

He was flogged - taking a beating that often killed those who suffered it. He was beaten in the face with fists, beaten over the head with a stick, spit on, & mocked.

Jesus was then forced to carry the wood He would be killed on - the patibulum (horizontal piece arms were nailed to). So badly beaten, He couldn’t go on, another had to carry it the rest of the way.

Finally, Jesus was crucified next to common criminals where He finally breathed His last and cried out “It is finished!”

Jesus was buried in a rich man’s brand new tomb, and the disciples of Jesus thought it was over. Their King had been crucified, and now they hid in fear.

Except for some women who made their way to the tomb on that Sunday - intending to anoint Jesus’ dead body one more time before the rotting process began. BUT - to their amazement - His body was no longer there, and then…finally, they SAW…

The Risen King!

You’ll remember that Dr. Luke begins the sequel to his Gospel in the writing we call ACTS, writing that…

Acts 1:3 (NIV)

After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and he spoke about the kingdom of God.

What ARE some of those convincing proofs that he was alive - you ask? You ask great questions!

First, Jesus showed up! Dead people showing up to those who are mourning them…is NOT the norm! Can you imagine a loved one we just buried 3 days ago…SHOWING UP and talking to us today!? It’s a crazy claim, unless it’s TRUE, and this - the physical resurrection of Jesus from the dead - is the HINGE upon which the claims of Christianity hang.

On that Sunday many moons ago, 2000 years & 6000 miles removed from us, several disciples of Jesus - women & men - had claimed to have seen the Risen Jesus earlier that day, and that’s what they were talking about when the group of mourning & moping disciples were surprised at the Visitor Who showed up in their midst.

Evidence #1 - Formerly Dead Man Talking

Luke 24:36–38 (NIV) While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds?

Their King had been brutally killed and they WANTED Him to be alive…but could they trust their senses? Could their eyes & ears be deceiving them?

The followers of Jesus wanted Jesus to be ALIVE, but they weren’t about to be duped by delusion - or worse - a GHOST. So they were startled and frightened - excited & scared all at the same time. But the resurrection of Jesus wasn’t simply a ghost or a vision.

Several of Jesus’ disciples - including John & several women - had seen how brutally Jesus had died. They knew that He had been buried - that’s what you do for DEAD people. But now…HOW COULD IT BE that this DEAD MAN was really alive again? They needed some assurance that this was FOR REAL — a physical resurrection from the dead. And that’s exactly what Jesus offered.

Evidence #2 - Formerly Dead Man Seen & Touched

Luke 24:39–41a (NIV) Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement…

Could this be REAL?

Jesus invited them to touch Him, although it looks like no one took Him up on the offer. They were still dazed & confused, some struggled to believe in their mix of joy and amazement.

Before this group appearance…

Mary and some other women saw Jesus at the tomb, and even touched Him (Mt 28:8-10)!

Even Simon Peter - even after weeping over denying Jesus 3 times - said that Jesus had now appeared to him (Lk 24:33-34).

Then there are the 2 disciples who had been 7 miles away in Emmaus who said they seen Jesus & spoken to Him at length - even though they were at first kept from recognizing Him (Lk 24:13-32).

…now the others were looking at Jesus - the RISEN KING…with joy and amazement…yet still struggling to really swallow the fact that…IT WAS REALLY JESUS!

Evidence #3 - Formerly Dead Man Eats

Luke 24:42b–43 (NIV) he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.

Why does this matter? Jesus is demonstrating that He is more than a vision or a ghost.

Here’s a good rule of thumb. Ghosts/Spirits - immaterial beings can’t eat material food - they don’t have hands to grab it, mouths to chew it, esophagusesssss to shallow it with, or stomachs to hold it. Jesus did - He had PHYSICALLY RISEN from the dead! Case closed.

The same Person who had been in the tomb…was now STANDING, SPEAKING, & EATING…in their presence! This is a foreshadowing of what will happen when the ‘dead in Christ raise’ - a PHYSICAL RESURRECTION - the dead are raised & transformed - with no more sin nature & never to die again! (More on that in a moment. (See 1 Thes 4:13-18; 1 Cor 15:51-55)

Others later saw Jesus as well, including Paul, a former persecutor of Christians, the MVP of the rival team who had handed Jesus over to the Romans to be crucified, became convinced that the very the followers of Jesus he used to have killed & thrown into prison, were RIGHT - Jesus was the Promised Savior, the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53, who was now the Risen King!

You can read Paul telling his own story in several places in Acts (Acts 9, 22:3-16, 26:9-18). Paul claims to be blinded and confronted by the Risen Jesus. The event so impacted him that…

This same man changes teams - puts on the other jersey, and is persecuted the rest of his life as he takes the message of Jesus all over the known world, until he is finally beheaded for his faith between AD 64-67.

Why would PAUL give his LIFE for Jesus? He was CONVINCED that Jesus had risen from the dead and that He would raise him and other believers from the dead as well.

This is why they were willing to face difficult days of persecution & even death. And so we follow the example of Paul & so many others who modeled that…

Real Christians live for the Risen King.

For REAL, how would your life CHANGE if you actually began to do more than just talk or think about Jesus, but if you actively began to LIVE like Jesus is ALIVE - to act like a REAL CHRISTIAN - and LIVE for the Risen King?

You would run FROM sin instead of running TO sin.

You would care about the eternal destination of your family, friends,…and even enemies.

You would enjoy life on THIS side of eternity, as you make decisions to impact the OTHER SIDE of eternity.

You look forward to what Paul looked forward to, the day that Jesus returns and brings those we love, those who love Him - with Him!

Many of you will see your parents, grandparents, spouses, children, grandchildren, & dear friends once again! We are given this great promise.

Paul was convinced of these things. So were the first followers of Jesus, the men and woman who experienced…

the convincing proofs - seeing Jesus, hearing Jesus, touching Jesus, & even watching Jesus eat.

Now, back to the room where the disciples are looking at & listening to Jesus.

Evidence #4 - Formerly Dead Man Shows How the Scriptures Point to Him

Luke 24:44–45 (NIV) 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.” Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.

Luke 24:46–47 (NIV) He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

I wonder…who was going to preach His name to all nations? Of course, it was the Jewish followers of Jesus, and because of their faithfulness - and the faithfulness of the next generation & the next generation, and the next, and the next…2000 years removed, over 6000 miles away, people in on a different continent have heard the GOOD NEWS & the BAD NEWS - that 1) People are Precious 2) Sin is Serious 3) God is Gracious.

May we follow their example, to take the message of Jesus to other nations & generations, knowing that…

Real Christians live for the Risen King.

I don’t know where this message finds you today, but I suppose every person here is in one of three places.

CONVINCED & COMMITTED. You’re convinced Jesus is the Risen King, the Promised Savior & Suffering Servant who actually paid for your sin. You have stepped down from the throne of your heart and given that seat to the Lord Jesus. You are seeking Him privately & sharing Him publicly.

UNSTEADY & UNCOMMITTED. You’ve heard the story of Jesus. You even believed it for a while, but now you’re not so sure. Either that OR you just refuse to walk in obedience because you think that living for Jesus won’t bring you happiness & purpose.

SKEPTICAL & SKITTISH. There are so many different religions & ideas. Who are we to say we have the right one? You don’t believe Jesus actually rose from the dead. After all, that’s a miracle - and you might deny that miracles even exist.

My phone conversation with Alberto.

Do you believe the universe is eternal? NO. Jesus rose from the dead. NO. I don’t believe in miracles. YES you do…

Regardless of where you are today 1) Convinced & Committed 2) Unsteady & Uncommitted 3) Skeptical & Skittish - allow me to conclude today’s teaching with a story Jesus told - a story that applies to EVERY PERSON HERE TODAY - me & YOU.

When Jesus is questioned about why He hangs out with ‘sinners’,

Jesus responds with 3 stories that show the HEARTBEAT of our Risen King.

You can read about this in Luke 15.

Jesus tells of a shepherd with 100 sheep, but suddenly he recognizes 1 is missing - it’s lost, separated from its shepherd.

So, he leaves the 99 safe to go seek out the 1 who is not. Finally, he finds his sheep.

He puts it on his shoulders & brings it home, calls his friends and says: “Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.” (Lk 15:6).

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Then Jesus tells the story of a woman who has 10 silver coins but realizes 1 is missing. So, she goes on an all out search in the middle of the night.

She lights a lamp, sweeps the house, and desperately searches for this valuable coin.

Finally, she finds it. She too, calls her friends to her and says, “Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.” (Lk 15:9)

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And then there’s the story of the son who wanted his inheritance early so he could leave his father and go enjoy the good life. Or so he thought.

He spent his inheritance on wild living, but eventually his funds run out just when a severe famine hits.

He has no options except to work for a pig farmer - a detestable job for any Jewish person. He is at the lowest of the low spots in his life. He has left his father, squandered his inheritance, and has no where to go.

Or DOES HE?

While he doesn’t deserve to go home & pick up where he left off as a favored son, at least his merciful father might allow him to become a hired servant - food in his belly & and roof over his head. So he begins the journey home. He begins to rehearse his script, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.” (Luke 15:18b–19 (NIV))

But as he gets close to home, before he sees his father.

His father sees him, and runs to his son. The sons sees his father and begins his scripted speech. But his father will have none of it.

He wraps his arms around his son and kisses him and welcomes him back…as his son! Just like the other 3 stories, the father gathers others around him and to celebrate the return of the precious one that was LOST but now is FOUND.

Let me ask you 2 questions. In that story…

WHO does the Shepherd, Woman, & Father represent? JESUS

WHO does the lost sheep, lost coin, & lost son represent? Take your finger, point it at someone beside you and say….”THAT’S YOU!” and then turn it toward yourself and say, “THAT’S ME”.

Jesus came on a search & rescue mission to find YOU.

Do you know Him? Have you surrendered to Him? Do you have questions and need to talk?

Call Staff

or Deacons/wives.

For those of us who already know Him, trust Him, LOVE Him. May we prove to be…

Real Christians [who] live for the Risen King.