Characters of the Resurrection: The Church

Recap

Week 1: first witness of the resurrection the women…adherence to the truth

Week 2: two disciples on the road to Emmaus…importance of scripture

Week 3: The restoration of Peter…Reconciliation and entrusting us to love others

Each week we looked at a different Character of the resurrection and each one reveals a part of the significance and meaning of the resurrection. Without looking at all these stories we get an incomplete picture of the Resurrection

The most significant and meaningful event of history will require to view it from multiple angles to understand it.

The imprint of the church on Society

QUESTION: Do you feel the church at large has impacted society? if so how?

Hospitals

Social services

philanthropy…care for the homeless

QUESTION: How has the church impacted local communities?

It has provided strength to individuals to stand up for the beliefs of the faith

Ex. Tanner Cross

put on leave in Louden County VA for not agreeing to address students in a way that is contrary to their biological sex.

“I love all my students and will never lie to them regardless of the consequence, I am a teacher but I serve God first and I can never affirm that a biological boy can be a girl and visversa, because its against my religion, its lying to a child, abuse to a child and its sinning against our God.”

When we look back a the birthday of the church, we see the same elements manifesting at its inception.

The early church

The Great Commission / Mission of the church

Luke 24:45–49 NKJV

45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. 46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And you are witnesses of these things. 49 “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”

The Birth of the church

Acts 2:1–4 NKJV

1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Characteristics of the church that embody the Resurrection

Relevance:

Being able to communicated to people in their own language about matters of life

Acts 2:5–8 NKJV

5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. 7 Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born?

Though the resurrection happened in Jerusalem, it was relevant to all of humanity because it was the redemption of all of humanity.

Romans 6:10 NKJV

10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.

The value of the message is so important, we must always work to present the Gospel in a way that can be understood. Our faith is established in a belief that is universal to all, not in a language or culture.

Speaks the truth:

The resurrection declared and affirmed the truth that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. It spoke to the fallen condition of humanity and its need for a savior. It declared the power of God over death.

Acts 2:29–33 NKJV

29 “Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, 31 he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. 33 Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.

Acts 2:36–37 NKJV

36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” 37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”

This message is relevant and speaks truth

Its relevant not only from a language point of view but from a cultural point of view. It spoke to the challenge the average Jew would face when trying to see Jesus as the Messiah (The anointed one) (Hebrew) or in Greek (The Christ)

It speaks truth no matter the cost.

Peter was extremely bold in pointing out the error of the Jews when saying in V. 36 “Whom you crucified”

Whenever we come close to God, the truth is revealed about ourselves

Its never pretty

judgmental

prideful

arrogant

angry

Reconciliation

Regardless of the truth that is revealed, the church like the resurrection always offers a path to reconciliation.

Luke 2:38–39 NKJV

38 And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem. 39 So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.

The Resurrection and ascension offered a pathway back to union with the father

The church presents the road of repentance and reconciliation to everyone willing to repent

The Receipt in action

When you consider the three characteristics of the early church in light of the resurrection (Relevance, truth and reconciliation) we can see a receipt that is primed to leave an impact on the world.

Being relevant to someone, allows truth to be spoken leading one towards repentance and reconciliation.

Ex. Hospitals....Cared for the needs of the sick, spoke to them of Christ and offered reconciliation with Christ through repentance

Ex. Orphanages…Had compassion on abandoned children and gave them a shelter, raised them up to know the truth about Christ

Ex. Churches help of the poor and needy.

Ex. Tanner Cross…He was relevant to the social issues, spoke truthfully and lovingly, and directed people to God