Transformational Resurrection
Notes
Transcript
The crucifixion and the resurrection are two of the most important events in the history of the world. Through the cross, Jesus provides the sacrifice for the sins of all mankind and takes the punishment for our sin. Without the crucifixion of Jesus, there is no forgiveness of sin. Because of the blood of Christ, a personal relationship with Jesus is open to us. The crucifixion provides the opportunity for forgiveness and grace, the resurrection proves God’s power over sin and death. On Easter, we celebrate God’s transformational power. He transforms the hopelessness of sin, transforms the hearts and minds of believers, he transforms our hearts and situations. If you have your Bible, I invite you to turn and see how Jesus transforms the disciples.
On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”
The disciples had just endured a week that was filled with tremendous highs, but also the lowest of lows. They followed Jesus as He arrived in Jerusalem greeted as a King. The disciples were served by Jesus as He washed their feet and instituted the Lord’s Supper. Great opportunities to see the glory of Jesus on display and to learn true servanthood, but these events were followed by Jesus’ betrayal, arrest, trial, and crucifixion. The person they had followed for three years was now dead, put to death by the pharisees. So in , we see the disciples gathered in a room in fear.
Gathered in Fear
The disciples had every right to be afraid. They were following Jesus as Messiah and now he was gone. I’m sure they assumed they were to be next. The Pharisees had gone to great lengths to put Jesus to death. They had broken their own rules, had secret meetings, and insighted the crowds against him. Surely the disciples believed they were next. The life they had given the last three years of their lives to had fallen apart. Who were they to follow? What was the next step? If they were caught would they live through the end of the week? They didn’t have so much as a glimmer of hope.
Our world is filled with a lot of doubt. There are people who are looking out only for themselves. Willing to do whatever it takes to get ahead, regardless of who they hurt. The world is a sinful place. Our current situation with the coronavirus is something I have never experienced before in my life. Without Christ in my life, I am not sure how I would deal with the fear and the unknown. While Jesus has proven his power of sin and death, doesn’t mean our world is rid of fear. Just because we still live in a world that is filled with sinfulness, there is still hope.
The resurrection changes our lives. Just look at the disciples, even though they were locked in a room frighted, their attitude changed when Jesus arrived. They went from fear to gladness.
From Fear to Gladness
When Jesus enters the room, He greats them with the statement “Peace be with you.” It is almost like Jesus is saying. I know the world is a scary place. I understand what you have seen me go through the last several days. I know you are uncertain what is going to happen, but let me assure you. There is peace through faith in me. Even amongst the chaos of an evil world, a world that doesn’t understand or accept the things of God, Jesus can and will bring us peace.
The resurrection show precisely how much power God has over our world. A God has power over death, surely He also has power over everything else as well. When we trust in Jesus through faith, our situation will change. That doesn’t mean he will deliver us from every difficult situation in our lives. In fact, He will often lead us through difficult times. But our attitudes and minds change as we look to God. The doubts and fears of the world are replaced with His peace. Even in the most difficult times in our lives, we can trust in Christ to carry us through and provide for us.
Jesus provides for the disciples and we see their attitude change. There was probably still a lot of confusion about what was going to happen and I’m sure the disciples didn’t know what was going to happen, but they trusted in Christ and He provided. After He provided for their emotional and spiritual needs, Jesus provided them with a purpose and moved them from fear to purpose
From Fear to Purpose
Jesus commissions the disciples to continue to carry-out His ministry. He explains that God the Father had sent Him. The disciples watched Jesus minister for over three years. Saw Him perform miracles, teach truth, and point people to the heart and character of God. He was calling them to continue to preach the truth. We even see Him provide them with His authority.
These individuals who were frightened and hiding in a room, were now challenged to spread the truth of the Gospel. Prior to seeing Jesus, they were with purpose. In a moment Jesus transforms them. That doesn’t mean they understand what this calling means, but they are given their assignment.
The same is true for us today. God is calling us to be used for His kingdom and for His glory. We are His ambassadors. An ambassador is a representative for someone else. God has tasked His believers with spreading the message of the Gospel around the globe. Without a personal relationship with Christ, people will spend their eternity in Hell. Jesus is the hope that they need. He brings people from death into life and it is our job and privilege to be used by Him for His Kingdom and His glory. Let us be faithful to carry out the calling God has given to those who know Him.
Jesus provides for His believers. He moved His disciples from fear and gave them a purpose. In , we see Jesus provide for Thomas in a special way.
Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
John
Thomas doubted that Jesus had returned from the dead. Yes, he had seen Jesus bring someone else back from the dead, but how was a dead man supposed to bring himself back from the grave. He had never experienced anything close to the resurrection of Jesus and Thomas’ logic held him back from faith, but yet we still see Jesus provide for Thomas. In fact, Jesus always blesses faith.
4. Jesus Blesses Faith
Jesus did not have to appear to Thomas. He could have easily demanded Thomas believe from the testimony of the other disciples and witnesses, but Jesus gives him grace. Jesus comes to Thomas and invites him to feel the holes in Jesus’ hands and feel his side. Thomas takes of this opportunity and verifies the identity of Jesus. Because He has seen Jesus has truly been raised from the dead Thomas responds with a declaration of His faith. “My Lord and my God.” Thomas may have doubted, but in a single moment all doubt is removed.
Jesus blesses those who respond in faith. These are not necesarily earthly riches or rewards. In fact, that is a major lie many people believe. We cannot simply say a prayer or say the right phrase and make God give us something outside His will. No, God provides in ways sometimes we may never see. I know in my life God provides strength when I have none. Peace when I cannot find it. He blesses us far beyond anything we can expect or desire. So let us live by faith.
This morning is a time for us to get our lives in line with God. If you have never surrender your life to Jesus Christ, today is the day. Give you life to Him, admit you have acted outside of His will and plans. This is called sin. Ask for forgiveness for the times you have lived in your own sinfulness and pride. Ask him to come into you life, surrender direction of your life to God and ask Him to guide you. Say a prayer stating your belief in Jesus as the son of God, that he came to earth, died on the cross for you sins, and that God rose him from the Dead. The Bible says, in
because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
Today you can begin a new life in Christ. Don’t hesitate. Respond Today. If you already know Jesus as your Lord and Savior spend a moment examining your life. Ask God to reveal unrepentent sin and ask Him to bring your life back in line with His will.
Pray of response.
Today we are going to celebrate the resurrection by participating in the Lord’s supper. We just spent a moment examining our hearts. The Bible says if we take communion in an unworthy manner we bring judgement upon ourselves. Take a moment and ask God to reveal unrepentant sin in your life, areas you may have wronged someone and haven’t sought to correct it. If there is any area in your life outside the will of God, confess and make your heart right before Him. Then if you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, I invite you to participate in communion this morning.
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Matthew 26:
Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.