The Power of the Resurrection

This morning we looked at 4 reactions to the Resurrection. Now I want us to consider the Power of the Resurrection. I want us consider

Luke 24:36–53 ESV

As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 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.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them. 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.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. 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.” And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.

Reality of the Resurrection

Luke 24:36–43 ESV

As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 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.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them.

It is Jesus

See his hands and feet

signs of the Crucifixion

We know he died because the romans stabbed him in the side up into his lungs and heart. and water and blood came out caused by the build up of fluid around his heart and lungs a common side effect of the scourging and crucifixion.

Yet he lives.

Not a ghost

Touch me

flesh and bones

they still doubt

He ate before them

Not Casper

The resurrection is a real historical event.

Purpose of the Resurrection

Luke 24:44–47 ESV

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.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

Fulfillment of Prophecy

Old Testament is ripe with prophecy concerning the death burial and resurrection of Christ.

Jesus opens up their minds to understand the Scriptures

This shows that we cannot understand Scripture without God granting us knowledge and wisdom.

The Scriptures predicted as did Jesus that he would die and rise three days later.

But was Jesus resurrection just to fulfill prophecy?

No!

Repentance and forgiveness of Sins

The primary purpose of the death burial and resurrection of Jesus is to provide payment for our sins, and empower us to repent of them that we might have the forgiveness of God.

GOSPEL PRESENTATION

This is not just a gift for us but for all of mankind.

Power of the Resurrection

Luke 24:49 ESV

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.”

Notice also that Jesus tells them to wait until they are clothed with power from on high. What is the Power he is speaking of.

Well in Acts 2 we find that the power is that of the Holy Spirit and it is not some mystical arcane of magical power but rather that of God himself residing in us. God himself fills us with his presence that we might take him with us wherever we go.

Peter a simple fisherman who so often did not see or understand the purpose of Jesus and what he was doing and so often stuck his foot in his mouth. This same man by the power of the Holy Spirit living in him gives one of the best gospel presentations in Scripture.

Never doubt what God can do through a heart submitted to him. For he has given us the Holy Spirit, God himself to dwell within us. What more power could we ask for than God himself.

Fruit of the Resurrection

Luke 24:47–53 ESV

and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. 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.” And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.

Great Joy - The Resurrection is cause for great joy in the life of the Christian

We are forgiven of our sins

We get to have a relationship with God

IT is proof of our own future resurrection

Jesus kept his word to rise on the third day so to will he keep his word to raise us in the last days.

Worship of God

Worshiped Jesus - as Savior and Lord they firmly believed He was God and had payed the price for their sins, redeeming them that they might be restored to a right relationship with God.

Continually in the temple blessing God - ongoing worship not a single act but a way of life.

Witnesses to the World

Acts 1:8 ESV

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

The Gospel message will spread from Jerusalem to Judea and Samaria and to entire world

Invitation

What began as 500 people will go on to become the largest religion in the world. But Why?

I Propose to you that this passage is a road map of how the resurrection came to change the lives of these men and then the world. First they accepted the reality of the Resurrection. Jesus died on the Cross and was buried, Not a fake death but was truly physically dead. Then on the third day he raised up from the dead and became alive again. Not seeming alive or some false report but truly physically alive. Then they came to understand from the Teachings of Jesus the purpose of his death and resurrection. That He might be the perfect sacrifice to pay the price for our sins and enable us to repent and be granted forgiveness by God. Then God in his grace and mercy gives his own spirit to dwell inside us that we might have the very presence of God dwelling with us throughout our lives. Teaching guiding and equipping us along the path of righteousness. Then finally we produce fruit by telling others about Jesus.

My challenge to you this morning is two fold first have you accepted Jesus as your lord and savior. If not will you do so this morning. You have just heard of his great love for you such that he died to pay the price for your sins. Will you repent of them today and choose to turn your life over to him and his control.

Second, for those of you who have already accepted Christ, I challenge you who are you sharing the Gospel with. Who are you telling about Jesus. The next step after hearing the truth is to share it with others. Will you be obedient to him and tell others about Christ. Will you Join me as I join Peter and Paul’s efforts to spread the Gospel to all mankind.