Sunday Service

Thank you, Micah. And the worship team. Do you want to let the children know Grace 125? There is a special service for you downstairs, or you're welcome to to head on down stairs, and enjoying Jen down there for a special time for you. For the rest of us. Well, if you really want to have a good time, you go down with Jen butt. for if you don't want to go downstairs with the kids that we're going to be in Luke 24, so encouraged, if you have your Bibles open up to Luke 24, We're looking at the last words of Jesus, this whole past week. We started last week with Palm Sunday, the last words of Jesus in his final week. And then of course on Good Friday. And then today with the resurrection and so this title is the last words of Jesus. After the resurrection, you are witnesses, some of his final words it again, when we when we think of final words usually place a little bit after 6 on, somebody's last words. This is like the the most important thing they have just share with you before they're gone and Jesus in the same way, had some very important things to share with us and we started last week by looking at that final week. Jesus, haven't gone to Jerusalem knowing that the time would come that he was going to die and rise. Again. He told his disciples multiple times. Hey, we're going to Jerusalem. This is what's going to happen. Then the chief priests the Pharisees. They are going to take me to going to beat me. They are going to kill me and I will rise on the third. His disciples didn't want to hear it, of course. And Peter, even rebuked him at one point. But Jesus warned them and he knew full well that was coming until that final week. As we looked at it last week. We said the the main thing it was talking about was peace. My peace. I give to you. Or in John 14, 27. He said, Peace, I leave with you. My peace. I give you. I do not give you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts. Be troubled, do not be afraid. Do not be afraid or he says, in John 14 1 to not. Let your hearts, be troubled, you believe in God believe. Also in me and we looked at that we said, you know, this last week of Jesus where he actually enters Jerusalem and their proclaiming peace. He's coming as the Prince of Peace. Isaiah have a prophesy that actually kind of fun if you would go back. And I thought about it, this week pieces, like one of those themes of Jesus hole coming in that last week, and that Isaiah prophesied, that man, there's going to be one who is born to us. A son is going to be the Everlasting. Father, the almighty God, the prince. Peace. And then when Jesus was born, remember what the the angel said? Glory to God in the highest and on Earth. Peace to those on whom his favor rest. And so there was a great part of what Jesus came as whole mission was to bring peace to the world. And that's what he kept trying to communicate that last week about. I have come to give you. Peace. My peace. I want to give you an answer last week. We talked about that. Why? Why is he such a big deal? We'll is it any Wonder in our day? Anybody Here Wanting? Peace? Everybody in the world wants. Peace. But after all these years has anybody in the world found it. Well, actually, yes, those who have found God, I found peace. We're not going to find peace outwardly, but I got to find it from any governing, ruler or anything. When we look on the outside of us, has all these things to Rob us of peace. And then we look on the inside and we say, okay. Well, what about on the inside? Then we start seeing well, how many of us a team, what we want to attain? I want to be there. So I want to be and we aren't there anywhere. We don't have peace and we remember all of our failings and all the times that we've heard others and done things others and we have guilt, we have shame. We have no peace on the inside. And then is it any wonder that we don't have peace in our relationships with other people because we already have this turmoil within and then it comes out when other people around us, and so there's no peace with the relationships, but Jesus spent time that whole last week's and luck. I have come to give you peace. I don't want your heart to be troubled. I don't want you to be afraid in the first first way that we saw last week of doing that. He said, don't let your hearts be troubled you believe in God believe. Also in me. He says, man, you want to have peace. It's got to start on the inside and the way you're going to be sunny inside is by trusting me. I can give you peace on the inside and that will bleed over to the outside. We also saw last week that again, I barge part of what you just talked about was about trusting him in the other party talked about equally as much was about love where it get in Matthew 22. He said, love the Lord, your God with all your heart. And with all your soul, with all your mind. This is the first and the greatest commandment in. The second is like, it. Love your neighbor, as yourself. It was, we looked at it last week. A lot of the lack of peace we have in our lives is because we do not love the people around us. In fact, the monster of our society is what love me.

Respect me. You got to treat me. Where Jesus say no, you want to have peace. You love God first and then you love your neighbor. And he says, anyone who loves me if you really do love God, and it's like, people say, they love God, but he says, if anyone loves me, they will obey my teaching, my father will love them. Will come to that, make our home with him and boy, that would be the peace. But what is the commander supposed to obey? My command is this love each other as I have loved you. And so with wee piece, really requires, as we talked about last week, is Jesus goes to his final week. And he's talking about say he's talkin about love constantly during that whole last week. Is luck. I can only give you peace but this is what is required if you want. Peace. You need to have faith in need to trust me. And you need to love God. And you just love your neighbor, will that let us end up to the cross? And, and we saw Friday night is Jesus on the cross. He says, one of his last words. It is finished. And we said, what was finished. What was it? That was finished, is he just saying? Okay, my life's done. That's the end know, his work of bringing peace is what was done, and we saw in Isaiah 53. It was all prophesy. What was going to take place? Hundreds of years before. Surely. He took up our pain and bore our suffering. You have, we considered him punished by God, stricken by him in Afflicted, but he was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities, the punishment that brought us. Say it with me. Peace. Was on him. And by his wounds, we are healed. What was finished there on the cross? What was finished was Christ paying the price, the penalty, for all of the things that we have ever done? All the things, all the ways that we disobey God, the things that Rob us of Peace, our failures. He paid the price for all of those. I get a lot of people try to cover up while I know that you feel guilty for something to do. So, what are we doing? Well, I'll just try to do something nice that will make me feel better, right? It doesn't really take care of it. Jesus, will you trust me the way to have peace? By accepting what I've done for you. And we talked about that again, Friday night when we saw and Jesus Paid the price, so that we could finally be at peace with God. Since we've been justified through faith. We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

That's where it's got to start. It has to start with with trusting God believing that. Yeah, I don't have peace in the reason why peace is because I do things wrong. And then when I don't have peace. Will there be a done this when you're not feeling at peace? How do you treat everybody around you? Well, they're not in peace either. If mama ain't happy the kids ain't happy. Well. They're tough like, right now. But when we don't have peace on the inside.

And God says, look, you want a piece of me inside. The only way to have peace is to have that paid for it to be forgiven. Forgiven completely forgiven, no more guilt, no more. Shame, peace with God, and that's where it starts. And then once we have peace with God, then we can not act out of that animosity. But we can actually out a lot of the love because God, demonstrated his love for us. In this while we were sinners Christ died for us and Christ showed his love laying down his life. No greater love has anyone. The nest of the lay down his life for his friends. And that's what Jesus did. He showed us? Love is because he first loved us, that we are then able to love. And that all brings us up to Resurrection morning, Sunday morning, and again, to disciples. They heard all this, they heard how Jesus said look had come to give you peace. I want you to have peace. My peace. I leave with you to give to you. Do not let your hearts. Be troubled. Do not be afraid and then, Friday happened when Jesus died.

Which disciple is at? Peace?

Not at all. Let's pick up the story here in Luke 24. Luke 24 that Sunday morning the first day of the week. Very early in the morning. The women took the spices they prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb. When they enter, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. Well, they're wondering about this suddenly two men in clothes. They clean like lightning Stood Beside them and their fright, the women bow down with their faces, the ground, but the men said to, then, why do you look for the living among the dead? He's not here. He has risen. Remember, I told you, I was still with you and Galilee the son of man must be delivered at 4 to the hands of sitters, be crucified. And on the third day, be raised again, and then they remembered his words. When they came back from the tomb, they told all these to the 11th and to the all the others, it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary Mother of James and the others with them who told this to the apostles, but they say, the apostles did not believe the women because their words seemed to them like nonsense.

Peter, my lover got up and ran to the tomb bending over, and he saw the strips of linen, Mine by themselves. And he went away wondering to himself. What happened? What happened?

What happened again? Jesus told them what was going to take place. He told them he was going to die, that he told him he was going to rise again, but when it all happened, what was their reaction?

Didn't believe it. I didn't believe it. And of course, how many of us would have really believed it? I mean, seriously, how many people die and come back to life and nobody know anybody?

Especially when Jesus was beating the way was. Spear in his side, the blood in the water flowing. The guilt and the shame that Peter, and the other Apostles had to have felt for having fled in the garden. After, and abandon him after declaring, just like a couple hours before will never abandon you. And Peter of everybody else does, I'll never been you, and then just a few hours later. Believer.

Not only that, but Peter. Kind of following behind in the shadows hanging out in the courtyard, while Jesus was in trial denied him 3 times. Denies even knowing and calling down curses upon himself.

Disciples did not have peace. Jesus came and kept telling on coming to give you peace to not let your hearts. Be troubled, do not be afraid, but they were not at peace. It's actually recording some of the other gospels that they were actually in and room in a house somewhere in Jerusalem with the doors locked because they were afraid. They were afraid that. Okay. Maybe we'll be next. You know what maybe they won't be satisfied with just jeans. Maybe they're going to come after arrest to. They did not have peace. Their hearts were troubled and they were very much afraid. Why? Why was that?

Well, the next episode here, in Luke 24 that Luke records probably happen in the afternoon. It says that same day, two of them were going to a village called a mass about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened and as they talked and discuss these things with each other. Jesus himself, came up and walked along with them, but they were kept from recognizing him. Yes, and what are you discussing together? As you walk along? They stood still their faces downcast. Picture this in your mind. They again are wondering what's going on. They've heard from the women that the tomb was empty and the angel says it's risen, but seriously. What's going on? What happened and hear? Jesus comes up? They don't know who it is. They think it's just a stranger. He says what he discussing.

Their heads are down.

Again, the guilt, the shame of having a band of him. The grief of having lost him, their hearts were troubled.

One of them named cleophus asked him. Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened here in these days. What things he asked? About Jesus of Nazareth. They replied that he was a prophet powerful and word and deed before God. And all the people, the chief priests and the rulers, handing him over to be sentenced to death and they crucified him. What we had hoped that he was the one who's going to redeem is real. And what is more is the third day since all this took place in addition to some of our women amazed as they went to the tomb early this morning, but didn't find his body. They came and told us they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions with the tomb found it just as women, but did not see Jesus.

Did you not see Jesus? I'm amazed at that.

Where they said it's the third day.

You see, they still knew they still remember what Jesus? It said, look like I'm going to die. And on the third day. I will be raised. They knew exactly what Jesus had said, but They still didn't know what happened. Why?

Why not will the women even came back and said, hey, look, he's alive.

Really? Learning some of our companions go, but they didn't see Jesus. So if they didn't see Jesus's you really alive.

Jesus replied at this point, he said to them how foolish you are and how slow to believe all the prophets have spoken. How foolish you are.

Boy that sound like words of comfort. Here they are. They're downcast their trouble that and would Jesus have to say them is not words of encouragement. The words of rebuke.

Foolish. How slow to believe, because it wasn't just Jesus. Jesus actually goes back to the prophecy goes back to the Old Testament, all the things that talk about how he was going to die. But yet you were still going to be alive in a descendants.

Jesus told them. but the problem was They didn't trust him. And again, what does peace require? Peace requires first and foremost. Trusting What God Says. If we're not going to trust him, we're not going to have peace. And the disciples experience is just a matter of day. He's after Jesus and our hours literally after the June 14th literally hours from that moment. That Jesus said my peace, I give you my peace. I leave with you. You believe in God believe. Also in me, believe me. But they didn't. So it's no wonder they didn't have peace, how foolish you are, how slow to believe. All the prophet has spoken did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter is glory and beginning with Moses and all the prophets. Basically went through Moses, when he says, beginning with Moses, talk about the first five books of the Bible as the visitor Numbers Deuteronomy, and it goes with all the prophets. So basically gives him Scott's class really fast.

Says man, he explained to them what was said in the scriptures concerning himself and as the approach to the Village to which they were going to use his continued on as if he was going to go further. But there is some strong and stay with us. It's early evening today is almost over so he went in to stay with them and when he was at the table with them, he took bread gave thanks broke. It. It began to give it to them.

And at that moment, their eyes were opened. They recognized him and he disappeared from their site.

Disappeared from their site. They have to each other. We're not our hearts burning within us. While I talked with us on the road and open the scriptures to us. They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem there, they found the 11 and those with them assembled together and saying it's true. The Lord has risen. He has appeared assignment again somewhere along the line, a tooth to Peter, but he said it's true. It really is true. Then the two told what it happened on the way and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread, the same thing you done the night. He was betrayed. I love that the last words of Jesus. Sometimes I think I need to hear this. The last words of Jesus, how foolish you are, how slow to believe? The moments in my life when I don't have peace. I need to hear Jesus saying this to me how foolish you are house load of Lee. Because has he not given us everything that he gave those disciples and more and even written down that we get to carry with us? Everywhere we go.

Everything we have, we need for a piece is here. If we'll trust him if we'll believe what he says. But that's what the point, isn't. It how foolish I am slow to believe sometimes the very things he says. Will Jesus goes on from there? This is not the last interaction. He has, he goes from there. So we had the morning of the Resurrection, we have the afternoon and now we have the evening after these disciples base. I think they had to run back to Jerusalem after taking a journey to walk over to another Village and then they're all excited to see it. Use they run all the way back to Jerusalem and they tell him hey, hey, it's true. And then while they're still talking about this Jesus himself stood among them and said peace be with you and I love this because John and his gospel record. Zanini, that's a little details of they were in the upper room. They were locked in and they were afraid. And Jesus says to them, peace, be with you. And he not only says it wants, but he says it twice. Peace, be with you. Because of disciples had anything but peace at this point. And why was that? Because they didn't believe what he had told them beforehand. Didn't believe what he said. And so he comes to me and says, look peace be with you. I want you to have peace. They were startled and frightening thinking they saw a ghost it again. They're still not getting it. He's there, he's alive. He's with them and they still don't get it. He said, why are you troubled? Why do you fight a doubt in your mind? Look at my hands. My feet. It is I myself, touch me and see a ghost does not have Flesh and Bones. As you see, I have it when he said all this, he showed them his hand and his feet. And while they still didn't have to leave it because of joint. Amazement. You know, that whole thing. I can't believe it. You know, you do believe it, but that's where they were. And he says, do you have anything here to eat? They gave him a piece of broiled fish. He took it and ate it in their presents. Just proven to them Beyond out. I'm alive, guys. Believe it. Here I am. And he said to them, this is what I told you I was with you. Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the law of Moses, the prophet and the Psalms all of the scriptures that they had. At that point. Then he opened their minds. So they could understand the scriptures and he told them this is what was written, the Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and repentance for the Forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to All Nations. Beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. It's at this point that Jesus final words, take a turn before he's talking all about. Peace, and I want to give you a piece and what was it required for peace. You have to trust me and you need to love God. You need to love others, but it all starts with that, trust. And now he's change it. He says you are witnesses of these things cuz I'm going to send you. What my father has promised but stay in the city until you've been clothed with power from on high. Jesus's last words again, that Resurrection evening is peace, be with you, but then he transitions because once a disciples have peace. Once they have peace or like, yes, it is true. Everything that God is over, said throughout the scriptures about how he was going to pay for our sins, restore us to himself. It's all true. And they finally believe that they had that piece and so he says, okay good. You have the piece great new message. Now, your Witnesses. You. Are witnesses. And it actually goes on from there. Jesus met with his disciples for a. Of 40 days. Again to continue to teach him throughout the scriptures, but his message starts with you be witnesses there on that Resurrection Day and on the day that he actually ascends ends with the same message. Ask actually Luke wrote the book of Acts as well and we turned over to acts 16 and 8280 says then they gathered around him and ask him. Lord. Are you at this time? Going to restore the Kingdom of Israel? And again this goes back to Old Testament prophecies. Where's guys going to stablish the Kingdom of Israel? He's going to do it. But Jesus is like no not for you to know the times are dates and father said by his own authority. But here's what you do need. You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my Witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the Earth. And after he said that he was taken up before their very eyes and a cloud, hit him from their site. So there you have it at the very last words of Jesus on Earth before he returned to have it. And what were they? You will be my Witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria to the ends of the Earth.

Estes final words. Why?

Because now the disciples finally got it after Jesus has spent years trying to teach them after you spent that final week really trying to draw it into them that I want to give you. Peace. And it comes by trusting me. And it comes by loving God with all your heart. Soul mind and loving others. Now, they're finally getting it and they have peace, it's wasted. Okay. Now that you've got it, you have to be Witnesses because you know, what? Everybody else in the world doesn't have Peace.

I don't have it. They don't have peace with God. They don't have peace with themselves. They don't have peace with people around. How are they going to have it? It's like we said last week, we all try different methods, don't we? All just try to be nice or if I just lose 20 pounds? Okay, maybe Thirty or if I just get this promotion or if I just get this or if I just Can we try all these different things? There's like, no. Things of this world. They may claim to offer peace, but they don't give it to you. But God With Us troop, he starts on the inside. As we we realize that, you know what, it's not about what I do, or what I've done. It's about how much God loved me that he was willing to pay the penalty for all the things. I've done wrong to take care of me to save me. That's when we find peace and he says, look now now that you have peace, you need to go tell the world because they need that piece and you will be Witnesses, you will be Witnesses. They were looking at and left. This guy is going with suddenly two men dressed in Weiser. Beside them. Men of Galilee. They said, why do you stand here looking in the sky? The same Jesus, who has been taken back taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way. You seen him go up into heaven. And yes, he's going to come back. It's a lot of people like well, I just want him back. I'm one of those people. I wish you would come back right now. But why isn't it coming back yet? Why isn't it coming back yet? As Peter himself road. Again, one of those Apostles writing a letter. He says, where is this coming from us? Ever since our ancestors died. Everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation. The people that talk like that deliberately forget, the Long Ago, by God's word to Heavens came into being the earth was formed out of water by water and buy these Waters. Also, the world at that time was to lose one. Destroyed by the same worried, the present heavens and earth are preserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgement and destruction of the ungodly. Judgment is coming but do not forget this one thing. Dear friends with the Lord a day is like a thousand years. A thousand years is like a day. The Lord is not slow, and keeping his promise and God is not worried about the time frame here. He's not slow in keeping his promise. It's understand slowness. Instead. He is patient with you. Not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

God has not returned yet because he wants people. To be safe. He wants them to find that peace. That only comes through forgiveness. In Jesus name that piece that comes by realizing that he has conquered sin and he has conquered death. I'll reason why people die in why we have all this pain in our eyes. Because of loved ones who are dying or have died is because of sin. Because of our Disobedience of God, against God, our creator, the one who gives and sustains life because we are separated from him, is why there is death by God? Says, look, I want to restore you to myself. I want to pay for your since. I want to wipe out all your sins. Bring you back to myself and Jesus is conquered sin and death. There will be a resurrection to a turtle in Mortal life with him for those who receive him. And that is our hope and peace. Again, Jesus last word says, you will be my Witnesses. And again, what are we win? This to, we Are Witnesses. We are joyful witnesses to the piece. But what's it going to take to Austin? I think we're like the disciples before Jesus appeared in that room. We have everything that God has told us. We have everything that Jesus says. Hey, look, here's what life is going to be like in. This is how you can have peace. This is how you can handle it because I am with you. I will never leave you. I will never forsake. You here is how to have peace in this world through me. But too often we like the disciples during those three days. Just waiting for the third day. But of course, not really waiting because I didn't believe And too often we're like that. We have it all here, but we just will number one. We we tend to not even spend time to even know what's there? And if we do know what's there? Well, we get thinking about everything else that's going on and we forget it. Or we simply just don't trust him.

Jesus has to say to us how foolish to believe. I give you. Peace.

Give you peace.

And then if we find that peace, I want you to be joyful witness. Joyful Witness. I guess my prayer for all of us is the same thing that Paul wrote the end of Romans 3 says may, the god of Hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust him to see the connection are Paul. Even put all this together. I'm not making this up. He says, may the god of Hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust him. So that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Because it's how we have that joy that peace that hope in Christ. We have everything to share with the people around us in this world because they surely need that joy that piece that hope. It's so how do we do that? Well, again, is Peter learned? First, you have to Revere Christ as Lord in your hearts. View him as Lord, your hearts and then always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. He's left us here to be Witnesses. His final word on Earth. You will be my Witnesses. My prayer is that we know the Peace of Christ and then it will obey the command and we bear witness to that piece. So that people may find. Let's pray, Lord. I thank you. He is risen. He is risen indeed and it's because Jesus rose from the dead that we really can't have peace. We can know with full confidence that he paid the penalty for everything I've ever done. He is with us. He is ever living and interceding, for us before your throne. Lord, he is a great high priest who knows everything we go through, because he's been tempted and every way like we are and yet he was without sin and we can go to him and find grace and mercy in our time of need. Father, we thank you that he is come to give us peace and pray that you would just really working hard, that we would trust him that we would trust you. That we would love you with all our heart soul, mind and know all the hope and joy, and peace that you alone, give. So then we could shine for this world that desperately needs those things. Hope and joy, and peace. God, we need to share it with them so that they do not have to face judgment. Just as you do not desire that any perish or that needs to be our desire to Lord. Give us those opportunities and make us faithful Witnesses this week in Jesus name. Amen.