The Risen Christ Among Us

Introduction:

As we continue with our worship of the Lord this morning, and we come to the preaching of God’s word, let us take a moment to quiet our hearts before the Lord. We are here to seek Him and to Proclaim Him so that We might Worship Him more fully. To do that, we are called to Love the Lord with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength....but to do that, we need His Help. We are meant to be a dependent people.. a people who do not rely on their own strength, but a people who come and bow down to the rightful King.

Let’s pray together.

I think that we have all been there. We have all been in a place where things did not exactly turn out like we had hoped that they were going to. Many of us know what it is even like to lose a loved one suddenly… to have your world completely and totally turned upside down. Many of us know what it is to feel like we have lost complete hope....like what in the world are we going to do Now?

This is how Jesus’ followers felt that Sunday morning. They had spent the past 3 years of their lives following Jesus. They watched Him heal people of their diseases. They watched Him cast demons out of people. They watched Him challenge the hypocritical reigilous people of their day. They watched Him teach the masses. They watched Him take 5 loaves of bread and two small fish and feed over 5000 people. They watched Him even raise the dead. And they had a front-row seat to all of these things. There had never been anyone like this guy before. They had given up everything to follow Him.

But, just a few days later....things seemed to take a turn. Jesus went off with the Disciples and they shared a meal together…and Jesus was talking about being betrayed. They went to the wilderness and Jesus went and prayed.....to the point where He dripped blood because of the aguney that He was in. Then there was this mob that came....with Judas…one of their friends.... leading them to Jesus. They seized Him.....took Him away. They all ran away.... Peter and John followed Jesus to see what was going to happen.

As they sat there…they watch Jesus under go a trial…where he was spat on, hit, blindfolded, and mocked. It is in this moment…Peter distances himself from the one, who just hours earlier, he said that he would die for.

Jesus is taken by the high priest and handed over to Pilate. The religious leaders want Jesus dead. They want Him to be crucified. Then the crowd, who had just yelled days before Hossana, cries out with a different tune.... CRUFICY HIM.

Jesus is then beaten and then lead away to travel up that mountain to go and die. The crowd follows. Jesus in then hung on a cross between two criminals where he is again mocked and struggles for his breath. As he hangs there He cries out ‘IT is finished” and he breathes his last. Jesus is dead. His life is over.

They take Him down from the cross and place Him in a tomb, making note of where it is so that they can come back later to properly prepare him for burial.

Everything that the disciples were hoping about Jesus was over. You see, they thought that Jesus was going to be the one who was going to come and set them free from the Romans…and establish a Kingdom in Israel again. They were looking for the glory days to return. But now, everything that they were hoping for seemed lost.

Have you ever been there? Have you ever been to a place where you were not sure on what to do next? Like your entire world was just taken out from underneath you?

This is how those who followed Jesus felt that morning. They did not know the rest of the story. They had missed it every time that Jesus told them…they did not get it.

Body:

I want you to keep that in mind as we study this text together. I want to invite you to open your Bibles with me to Luke 24:36-49 this morning. In this text, Jesus is going to come and speak to these disciples who have lost all hope.

Hear the Word of the Lord this morning.

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.” (Lk 24:36–49).

Could you imagine what was going through the minds of the disciples as they sat there listening to Jesus? Can you imagine what would have been going through their minds? Everything in that moment was turned upside down. What they thought was the end of all of their hopes and dreams was erased in that moment. One could think that to experience something like this would be completely and totally life-changing.

But as we consider this text, I want us to see three really important truths that God’s word is communicating to us… because after all, this encounter with the risen Christ is not meant to just give us the details of what had happened to the disciples.... this is written down for our instruction as well. God’s word is more that just imparting information to us… God wants to change your life as we encounter Christ through the Word.

So, three truths that I want us to consider here this morning.

The First thing that we see happening in this text is....

Christ Is Raised From The Dead Physically.

That is to say, what we read about in these verses is not some hallucination that the disciples were experiencing. This was not them being overly spiritual. This was not a ghost that they were seeing. The Jesus that is standing with them in this passage is really there in person.

Look at verses 36-43 with me.

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 (Lk 24:36–43).

Christ Is Raised From The Dead Physically. Just think about this for just a moment. You are one of the disciples. The ladies went to the tomb this morning and told you that Jesus’ body was not there, but rather they were met with some angels who said that He has risen. Then two of your friends come and talk to about how they saw Jesus on the road and they talked with Him and they didn’t even know it at first until He opened their eyes to see Him for he truly was. And you are sitting around talking about these things, that is what is said there in verse 36, thinking about these things…worried about who might be coming after you next....then all of a sudden… JESUS stands in the middle of the group and says “Peace to you!” What would go through your mind!? Would you not be freaked out a little bit? I would be! I think any normal person would be.

And this is exactly the response that we see with the Disciples. They are startled and frightened....and they think that they are looking at a spirit. This was not something that they were expecting to happen. This was not on their radar, so to speak! And look at Jesus’ words to them… ‘Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?” Jesus comes to them and addresses the elephant in the room. He meets them right where they are in this moment.

How does Jesus respond to their doubts? Look at verse 39. Jesus starts showing them his hands and feet. He is showing them the marks that held Him on the Cross where He had just died. He tells them Touch me and see. Look, Jesus says. A spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.

And the text says, “While they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling”.... I love that. It is like the disciples see Jesus. They are touching His hands. They are looking at the marks on His body....and its like they are so joyous that they cannot even believe it. The picture that comes to my mind is that of a Kid on Christmas morning who has been asking for a gift that he knows in the back of his mind is probably too expensive for his parents, but he asks anyway. And then when he opens that gift....he is so overcome with Joy that it seems like it is too good to be true....do you know that I am talking about? That is what the disciples are feeling in this moment. This is too good to be true.

But just to prove to them that He is in fact real, Jesus ask for something to eat and eats the fish before their eyes. It is like Jesus is saying to them… LOOK! I AM REAL. IT IS ME…IN THE FLESH. YOU DO NOT NEED TO FEAR OR WORRY OR DOUBT!

The Physical resurrection of Christ is what sets Christianity apart from all other religions in the world. In every other religious system.... their leaders are dead. Christians believe that when Jesus died...He did not stay dead....but in fact He rose again from the grave defeating death.... and there is an empty tomb to prove it! In fact, the tomb being empty is one of the most well-attested facts in history. You see, for everyone who tries to explain Christianity to be false has to start with an explanation as to why the tomb is empty…and how it was emptied.... no one has been able to say.... NO. The tomb isn't empty… Here lies the body of Jesus. People come up with all kinds of reasons as for an explanation. Maybe the disciples stole the body.... that was the story in Jesus’ day. Maybe Jesus didn't really die but was almost dead, and then pushed the HUGE stone out of the way. Maybe it wasn’t really Jesus who died on the cross.... it was just a stunt double who died in His place, that is what Muslims believe. And so goes the explanations. BUT all of them have one common theme.... what it is?

The tomb was empty.

The Physical resurrection of Christ is so foundational to the Christian faith that the Bible says this concerning the resurrection...

12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied (1 Co 15:12–19).

But the truth of the matter is, we are not a people with no hope… because....

Christ Is Raised From The Dead Physically. The next thing I want us to see from this passage this morning is found in verses 44-47. Look there with me.

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 (Lk 24:44–47).

Christ Fulfilled The Scriptures

The death, burial, and resurrection of Christ was not something that just happened by chance. It wasn’t like Jesus did not know what He was doing while He was on earth. In fact, if you read through he Gospel accounts, Jesus is very open about why he had come. He had told the disciples over and over again what the plan was. He told them that He was going to Jerusalem. That He was going to be handed over to the Gentiles. He was going to be mistreated. He was going to be killed. He told them time and time again…but they just never got it. And really, Jesus knew from the beginning why He had come.

We see this plan of redemption all the way back in Gen 3:15. Adam and Eve had sinned against God. They broke His commandments. Sin and death entered the world because they listened to Satan’s voice over God’s… but in the middle of such a broken situation… God promised that He was going to send someone to come and crush the serpent… although his own heel would be bruised.

And over and over again, throughout the Old Testment, that is what is talked about there in Jesus words when He opens the minds of the disciples to see everything written about Him in the Law of Moses, and the Prophets, and the Psalms, that was the 3 division of the Hebrew Bible, we see this promise that God is going to send a Savior to come into the world. We read about how God is going to send a Messiah, His chosen One, who is going to come and be crushed by God. We read about how this one who is coming is going to come and take on the sins of the world. We read about How he is going to suffer at the hands of sinful men. How this one who is going to come is going to come and take on the Wrath of God for humanity so that forgiveness can go to those who trust in Him. And that although He dies… He will not stay dead. He is going to rise again!! That was the Promise of God to His people. He was going to do this act… not because we deserved it.... but because God’s own great love for His creation!

This is exactly what Jesus did for us. Jesus was the promised Messiah. He was the one who was coming into the world to save the world. He is the one who came and lived a prefect life…never did anything wrong..... and yet went and was killed at the hands of sinful men. And as brutal as the cross was… that was a small part of Jesus death. He did not just die… HE ABSORED THE WRATH OF GOD FOR US!

All of us in this room have rebelled against God and have sought to live life our own way. We have broken His law. We have lied, stolen, cheated, used His name as a cuss word…and because of that… you and I deserve the wrath of God. We deserve Hell. We are sinful people…in despert need of a savior. No amount of good works will save us. When need someone to stand in our place.

That is what Jesus did 2000 years ago! Jesus came and took the wrath of God for you while He was on the Cross. When He cried out “IT IS FINISHED” He meant that He drank the cup of God’s HOLY wrath for your sins. Then He died. Was Buried…and three days later rose again…why? So that we can be forgiven of our sins.

This was God’s plan to save humanity from our rebellion against Him. He himself was going to come and save us. Now, as the text says… “repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations.”

That is what we must do to partake of this great salvation that is offered to us. This is what we must do to have peace with God. This is what we must do to be brought back into the right relationship with God.

How To Be Saved...

Repent Of Your Sins

Believe that Jesus Died For Your Sins

Believe that Jesus Rose From The Grave

Confess That Jesus Is LORD.

Here is the amazing truth....

Know That Salvation Is Offered TO ALL PEOPLE

Sometimes we can think that we are too far gone… that we have done too much that Jesus could never possibly forgive me.... guess what…that is a lie from HELL. This message is available to any and all who would come to Him. This is a message that is for ALL PEOPLE.

But, not only does Jesus invite us to come to Him.. He has more in store for us. Look down at verses 48-49 with me.

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.”( Lk 24:48–49).

We Are Called To Spirit-Empowered Witness

Not only does Jesus offer us salvation…which is awesome. But He actually saves us so that we can go and share this message with other people. This is how the Gospel spreads to all nations. The gospel, the good news about Jesus’ life, death, burial, and resurrection, was never meant to be for one certain people group and that is it.

When we place our faith and trust in Jesus… when we get to experience having our sins forgiven and having a relationship with God… we are to go and tell other people about it. But, notice. We do not go out on our own or in our own strength. Jesus sends us the Holy Spirit to come and live inside of us so that we can live the Christian life and be witnesses of the truths that Jesus has revealed to us.

This is what Christianity is about. This is not a self-help program that says here are 10 ways to make a better you by tomorrow. Christianity is about a broken messed-up world that has rebelled against God and who is in desperate need of a Savior. Jesus Christ is that Savior. Christianity is about surrendering to Christ. Giving Him our lives…and then telling others where they can find freedom

Conclusion:

This is the message of the Gospel. This is the hope of the World.

Main Idea: Christ Died For Your Sins and Was Raised For Your Justification, So Go Tell the World.

This is what we celebrate at Easter. We are celebrating what God has done for us! He has made away for you to be forgiven and set free from your sin. He has made away for you to be brought back into a relationship with God.

You should have received this little wooden cross in your way in here this morning. This cross stands as a symbol for what Christ has done for you. For it was upon this cross that Jesus died for your sins. It was your sin and my sin that led Jesus to this cross. But as we have seen, death could not hold Him. He rose again! Amen!

But there is more than that. It is not a one-time deal and done.

23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? (Lk 9:23–25).

Walking With Jesus Is A Daily Commitment.

Let this little wooden cross be a reminder to you of all that Jesus has done for you. Let this cross remind you that Jesus died for your sins… and that you are daily going to walk with him.

Main Idea: Christ Died For Your Sins and Was Raised For Your Justification, So Go Tell the World.

Let’s pray together.

As we get ready to sing together, I want to invite you if you have not trusted in Christ as your personal savior.... if you do not know that if you were to die tonight that you would be in heaven.. I want to let you know.. you can be sure of that this morning by giving your life to Christ. I want to invite you to come.

If you are a believe and you are struggling with something in your own life.... I invite you to come. If you just need to surrender to God this morning and take up your cross to follow Him.. I invite you to come. Come and pray and give everything to the risen Christ this morning.