That You May Have Certainty
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
What does the word “certainty” mean to you?
Some things I’m certain about:
My family’s love...
That I’ll take a nap this afternoon...
Before this week, I would have said I was certain it wouldn’t snow in April is Western Washington…that didn’t work out too well!
My beloved Washington State Cougars won’t win the National Championship next season...
What gives us certainty?
Turn to Luke 24:1-12
Body
Body
Background Text: Luke 1:1-4
Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.
Notice what Luke sets out to do…give Theophilus certainty about what he has been taught...
He goes about doing this throughout his Gospel, but not he comes to the climax.
It’s as if he is saying, “Here’s what I want you to be certain about: Jesus not only lived a sinless life, taught many vital truths, and did incredible miracles, but more important that anything else is that Jesus died as the innocent sacrifice for mankind’s sins and rose again, the victorious Lord.”
Luke 24 brings us to the climax of the ministry of Jesus; not only did He die, but He rose again!
Verses 1-3
“...first day of the week...”
“…they went to the tomb...”
What they find is surprising:
The stone is rolled away...
The body is gone...
Verses 4-7
“…they were perplexed...”
“two men…in dazzling apparel...”
“Why do you seek the living among the dead?”
“He is not here, but has risen.”
“Remember...”
Don’t miss the imperative in verse 7, “must”
Verses 8-12
“…they remembered...”
“…they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest...”
The women’s identity...
“idle tale…they did not believe them...”
“But Peter ran…he went home marveling at what had happened.”
Key Question: How can a person have certainty that the things about Jesus are true?
Key Question: How can a person have certainty that the things about Jesus are true?
Look at the evidence.
Look at the evidence.
The empty tomb
If His enemies had taken it, they could have produced a body...
They would have nothing to gain from this...
The disciples didn’t even understand that Jesus would rise from the dead, so they had no reason to steal the body either...
His disciples after the crucifixion
They don’t behave like people who believe He would rise from the dead.
The testimony of the women
Not considered reliable in the ANE..thus, no upstart religious movement would base their most unbelievable theological point on a woman’s testimony.
Unless, that it, it was an undeniable fact!
Changed lives
We don’t see this here, but in this Gospel and Acts we see faithless cowards become bold missionaries for the message of Christ.
All but one would face a martyr’s death.
No one would face a martyr's death for something they knew to be a lie.
These are all strong piece of biblical evidence, however, I’ll admit, for many today, it’s not enough.
Even Luke doesn’t end his presentation here. Because the disciples themselves didn’t feel like these were enough to convince them.
They wouldn’t actually believe until they had a personal encounter with the Risen Lord.
We cannot offer that today.
But, there is more in this text to help.
Trust in God’s promises.
Trust in God’s promises.
Luke has built to this point with multiple encouragements to believe the promises of God.
In fact, Luke quotes the OT thirty times in his Gospel.
And, in chapter 24 he will encourage his readers to remember the promises of God three times.
One of those is in verses 6-7...
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.
When it comes down to it, we can see the evidence, we can be reminded about the promises of God, we can hear hundreds of sermons, we can watch movies about the life of Christ, we can go to classes or read books, or any other number of things to learn about Jesus, but, in the end, it still comes down to a call to believe.
The question really is, “Will you believe or not?”
Throughout His ministry Jesus called people to believe.
But no one can do it for you. You have to decide for yourself.
See, divine imperatives ultimately require people to make a choice.
Is the biblical evidence enough to warrant my belief?
Do I believe God’s promises can be trusted?
Am I willing to believe?
For a great many today, the major hindrance to belief isn’t evidence or God’s promises. The major hindrance is that they choose to seek the living among the dead.
Many today reject Jesus, water down the message about Him, or live without much thought of Him because they are seeking fulfillment in other places.
Money, success, pleasure, achievement, comfort, relationships, happiness, and the list could go on.
Here’s the trouble: all of those things offer short-term fulfillment, but ultimately they cannot offer what Jesus offers:
Jesus offers hope for the future in His kingdom;
Jesus offers hope for the future in His kingdom;
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
Jesus offers guidance for today through the Holy Spirit;
Jesus offers guidance for today through the Holy Spirit;
“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
Jesus offers support for today through His body, the church.
Jesus offers support for today through His body, the church.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
The dead things of this world cannot offer any of these.