Jesus is Alive
Notes
Transcript
Intro: The resurrection of Jesus is one of the most central truths of the Christian faith.
Without the resurrection, we have no salvation, no hope, no joy, and no Savior.
If Jesus didn’t rise from the dead, the Christian faith is dead.
If Jesus didn’t rise again, our religious services and deeds are just hollow and lifeless.
If Jesus didn’t rise again, we are the most to be pitied.
FCF (Fallen Condition Focus): Because we are dead in sin, we need a sin-bearing, resurrecting Savior.
Main Point: The resurrection of Jesus is something you must believe.
Eyewitnesses (v. 1–16)
The Specifics of the Tomb
Many (including the women) did not initially expect a resurrection: "We do not know where they laid Him" (v. 2).
John provides specific details: He outran Peter to the tomb, saw but didn’t enter. Peter entered and saw; then John entered, saw, and "believed"—likely realizing the body was gone, not stolen.
Their temperaments were different. John was more cautious and waited outside. Peter ran straight in. John came in only after hearing from Peter.
The Grave Clothes: The linen cloths were lying there and the face cloth was folded—signs of order, not tampering or reckless theft. No signs of thieves or a tussle. This was a peaceful situation.
His Encounter with Mary
The disciples hadn't understood yet (v. 9); Luke 24:11–12 notes they thought it was an "idle tale."
Mary encounters two angels (Luke describes them as men in human form). She is weeping because she doesn't know where the body is.
She meets Jesus but doesn't recognize Him until He says her name (v. 16).
Subtle Reminder: "My sheep know my voice."
Other Evidence of Appearances
As recorded in 1 Cor. 15:5–8, Jesus appeared to Cephas (Peter), the twelve disciples, 500 eyewitnesses, James, all the apostles, and even Paul. In John 20, we see Him encounter Mary Magdalene, Peter, the "beloved disciple" (John), the disciples, and Thomas.
Application: Have you met Jesus?
Some people would pay big money to meet their favorite singer or actor. How much would you be willing to give? Who would you meet if you had the chance?
We all need to meet Jesus! Have you met the Risen Christ? You don’t need a physical eyewitness encounter to be saved.
You can meet Him here and now. You can meet Him on the road, in your home, or wherever the Gospel is read or preached. You NEED to meet Jesus—the risen King!
2. Exaltation (v. 17–18)
The Greater Coming
It was good for Mary to touch and worship the risen Christ. Some people believe she bowed down and worshiped at His feet and clung to Him. But there was a greater coming: His exaltation.
Earthly vs. Heavenly
Earthly: Throughout His ministry, followers tried to enthrone Jesus on earth, but He resisted because His time had not yet come. They sought earthly exaltation;
Heavenly: He was focused on the heavenly Kingdom. Even in His resurrection, His focus wasn’t setting up an earthly Kingdom to reign. He was ready to go to heaven to be with His Father.
Headed to Heaven
Mary didn't need to "cling" to His body. He would only remain in bodily form for a little while longer. But she would have His presence for the rest of her days through the Holy Spirit.
There was an Advantage: Jesus taught in John 16 that it was to our advantage that He go away so He could send the Holy Spirit.
In His exaltation, He isn't here physically, but He is here spiritually with His people!
Jesus’ Message to the other Disciples: "I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God."
He is truly the Son of God. They crucified Him for saying this, but He and His disciples would now proclaim this truth even more!
Application: Since Jesus is raised and seated in heaven, set your mind on things above!
Colossians 3:1–2: if you’ve been raised with Christ, seek things above.
Meditate deeply and often on Jesus;
Let heaven capture your thoughts more than earth.
Use the resurrection power in you to "put off sin" and put on godliness.
3. Empowerment (v. 19–23)
The Scene
That same evening, the disciples are locked away for safety, fearing the Jews. Jesus suddenly enters the locked room. In Luke 24:36-37, the disciples were startled and frightened! They thought they saw a ghost.
He offered them peace: Twice He says, "Peace be with you." He replaces their terror with joy, gladness, and peace.
He offered them Proof: He shows His hands and side to prove He isn't a ghost (Luke 24:36–40) or an impostor. This is great assurance that their friend and teacher is truly alive.
His Great Commission: "As my Father has sent me, even so I am sending you" (v. 21).
His Father sent Him teaching the gospel truth about Himself.
His was sent to bring liberty, peace, and true joy to people through faith in Him. By turning from our sin and turning to Jesus, anyone can be saved. Jesus came that we could know God through Him.
The disciples’ mission—and ours—is to be SENT to share the same message!
The Power for His mission
He breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit."
This was a promise never to leave them alone.
The fullness of this promise arrives later in Acts 2, but we see a foreshadowing here as He breathed on them.
In one sense, the Spirit opened their eyes to understand what was happening.
In another sense, the Spirit deepened their faith. There was a lot of fear, doubt, and confusion for the disciples during this time.
Later, the Spirit would empower them to work miracles and preach the gospel powerfully!
The Authority of the Gospel-Bearers
He gave them the authority to offer and withhold forgiveness.
The Scriptures teach that only God can forgive sins alone. So they were ambassadors of God—His messengers.
The authority Jesus gave them would’ve been to affirm the salvation of genuine believers OR
To warn unrepentant sinners to repent or face the wrath and judgment of God.
We see this in the ministry of the apostles in Acts when a couple lies to the Spirit and Peter rebukes. Another time, a sorcerer tried to buy the Spirit’s power and Peter rebuked him and told him to repent. Another time, Peter cursed an unrepentant sorcerer with blindness because he was opposing the gospel.
In each case… forgiveness was withheld from those who refused to repent and trust in Christ by faith.
Application: In Christ, every believer has the Holy Spirit’s power!
We have the power to proclaim the Gospel with authority (His power changes hearts, not our words) and the power to put sin to death (Rom. 8).
Because Jesus was raised to never die again, we have resurrection power in us to raise us! We live in resurrection power now in holy living and later in His return when our bodies will be made perfect and sinless.
Do you want your life to be radically changed? Do you want to put away your sins and follow God? Are you tired of falling for the same stuff?! Trust in Christ, and you’ll have the power of Jesus at work in you through the Holy Spirit!
4. Emphasis (v. 24–31)
Illustration: You know people who are skeptical about everything? They don’t trust anything without being thoroughly convinced, and they have to come to the conclusion themselves. That was Doubting Thomas!
Thomas wasn't there the first time Jesus appeared to the disciples. He was a skeptic who wouldn’t believe without physical proof.
The Mercy of Jesus
Eight days later, Jesus appears again through locked doors. He offers the same message to the disciples: "Peace be with you."
Knowing Thomas' doubts, He invites him to touch the wounds.
He is merciful: "Believe, don't disbelieve!"
App: How would we have responded? With anger? Frustration? Annoyance? Jesus offered peace and mercy! Your doubts and questions won’t stop His mercy. But you MUST believe and put those doubts away!
Thomas’ Response
"My Lord and my God!" (Two Divine names).
He is saying that Jesus is God. He doubted, but then he came face-to-face with his Lord and his God. He knew Who he was talking to, and He spoke the words that were on His heart!
A Final Emphasis
Jesus’ last words to Thomas are emphatic: "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
As Christians, we walk by faith, not by sight.
We don’t see Jesus with our physical eyes, but we can see Him with the eyes of our hearts.
By faith, we have spiritual eyes to see and ears to hear!
We trust Christ through faith in His Word, not demanding visible proof. There’s proof out there. We don’t have an unreasonable faith.
But we don’t NEED archaeological evidence or extrabiblical truth to be saved!
The witness of the Spirit and the Scriptures is enough! If we will only have a mustard seed of faith!
Conclusion: The most important question you can answer today: Do You Believe in the Risen Christ?
Conclusion: The most important question you can answer today: Do You Believe in the Risen Christ?
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Every time we encounter the Gospel, we hear His voice. Every time the gospel is preached, God is calling you to believe!
Jesus rose from the dead! He truly died! But He truly rose again from the dead! There are a few ways you can respond to this news:
Disbelief: You hear these facts, but you don’t buy it. The Bible doesn’t give you enough evidence.
Apathy: Jesus died and rose, but what’s the big deal about it?
Negligence: I’m not sure where I stand, but it doesn’t really make a difference.
Mere Agreement: I agree with the claims of Jesus’ resurrection on an intellectual level but not a heart level.
Faith: I believe in the resurrection, and I know Christ died and rose again as the Savior of all who trust in Him.
How will you respond? Will you walk with God by faith, or walk away in foolish pride? Your answer matters for eternity.
Jesus is alive! Have you met Him yet?!
