Sunday 4.19.20 More of Jesus: after the Resurrection

More of Jesus Ephesians 3:20, NKJV; “ Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,” PREPARATION God always starts with the end in mind. God has been preparing all things to lead us not just to the Cross but through the Cross into a personal encounter with the Holy Spirit. This is how we discover how to prepare our lives to experience abundantly more. From the very beginning of creation, God's plan is very clear: He always starts with the end in mind, and He always sees the end from the beginning, he has no plan B, his plan is always in effect in spite of the whims, or failures of mankind. God knows the beginning from the end. He sees through time as if it were the present…that means our future, unknown to us, is known to God. The choices we make…right or wrong, in His will, or out of His will…he knows and still carries out his plan. The truth is, God had a plan to deal with sin even before it happened. He let Adam and Eve in on this plan from the beginning. Genesis 3:15, NKJV; “And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel." #1 God's plan leads us to the Cross. God had a plan to crush the power and penalty of sin from the very beginning. It's important to remember that Jesus was at the foundation of the world and was more than prepared to come as our Savior. God’s plan in the OT The Old Testament continually shows us pictures of God's great plan to redeem mankind through Christ's sacrifice. * Noah's ark points to a Savior who will rescue us and escape from spiritual destruction. (Genesis 7) * Abraham being tested to sacrifice his son Isaac (Genesis 22). * The Passover (Exodus 12) and the lamb's blood point to Jesus, the perfect Lamb, whose blood would be shed for each of us and would protect us from spiritual death. John 1:29–34, NKJV The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who [a]is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ 31 I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water.” 32 And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. 33 I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.” God's plan leads us to the Cross where Jesus removes our sin and restores our relationship. Romans 5:8–11, NKJV; “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.” #2 God's plan leads us through the Cross. Jesus shows us that the Cross was just the beginning, and His plan is to do infinitely more in us and through us. John 1:33–34, NKJV; “I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.” His plan to send to you and me the Holy Spirit was already in place. His plan is to empower you to accomplish infinitely more than you might ever ask or think! God has been preparing this day to lead us into His purposes from the very beginning. Lets Begin by reading the resurrection and appearances of Jesus in Luke 24. 24:1–9. The first people to learn of the resurrection of Jesus were the women brought more spices for His burial on the first day of the week (cf. 23:55–56). They did not find the body. 24:10–12. The apostles did not believe the report the women brought them. a. Jesus’ appearance to the two men (24:13–35) (Mark 16:12–13). 24:13–16. Two of Jesus’ followers were walking to Emmaus, which is about seven miles (northwest) from Jerusalem. They were talking … about the things that had happened. 24:17–24. When Jesus asked them to tell Him what they were discussing, the men related the view about Jesus that most of the nation believed at that time. The men, one of whom was Cleopas, said they were talking about Jesus of Nazareth. 24:25–27. Jesus scolded them for not understanding and believing. He explained from Moses and all the Prophets what had been said about Him. 24:28–35. It was not until after Jesus had broken bread with them that their eyes were opened and they recognized Him. The disciples who were meeting together now had at least three reports of the Resurrection: the women, Peter, and Cleopas and his companion. But still they did not understand (cf. v. 38). b. Jesus’ appearance to the gathered followers (24:36–49) (Matt. 28:16–20; Mark 16:14–18; John 20:19–23) In this appearance three things about Jesus are evident. 24:36–43. First, Jesus proved to His followers that He had really been resurrected. Not only did He stand in their presence so they could see Him and His wounds (vv. 39–40), but He also ate food (a piece of broiled fish) before them to show that He was not a ghost. 24:44–47. Second, Jesus showed His followers all the facts written … in the Old Testament about the Messiah. The Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms are the three divisions of the Old Testament point to Jesus. 24:48–49. Jesus commanded His followers to remain in the city of Jerusalem until they had received power from on high, a clear reference to the Holy Spirit (cf. Acts 1:8), who was promised by the Father.