Untitled Sermon (27)

Where were you Wednesday/Thursday/Friday/Sat. of this last week? I want you to think about what you were doing, and what were you thinking about? On Wed. our Savior Jesus Christ was already thinking about the monumental task that was laid before Him. On Wed. He informs the disciples that the Son of man was to be handed over for Crucifixion in two days (Matt. 26:1-2). John 13:1 we are informed about his state of mind and what he was thinking “Jesus knowing that His hour had come that He would depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.” What was on Jesus mind, love, love to the end for his disciples. Meanwhile the chief priests, elders, scribes were seeking to seize Jesus by stealth and kill him, but were afraid to do it until after the festival so as not to start a riot. On wed. night Jesus Lays his head down to rest for very last time on earth. On Thursday morning he woke never to sleep again.

It was some time during Thursday that one of Jesus own disciples, Judas Iscariot, goes to the chief priest in order to betray jesus. Judas being a lover of money asked the chief priests what they were willing to give him to betray Jesus and they measured out 30 pieces of silver. That’s maybe $200 dollars today. That is how little the priests thought about Jesus life and that's how little Judas felt about Jesus and His life. I wonder what Jesus life is worth to us today. How much would be enough for us to betray Jesus. Sometimes we betray Jesus for just a few moments of fun and excitement. Sometimes we betray jesus so that we can fit in with our friends. Sometimes we just want to do our own thing so we betray jesus for very little. Is Jesus worth our whole life's devotion? Is he worth our commitment, loyalty and sacrifice. Or we sell him out for very little like Judas?

Thursday is the day of preparation for the passover, the day of unleavened bread and The disciples question Jesus about where he wants them to prepare the passover. But you see God had already had already prepared the place. Lk. 22:10-13 “And He said to them, “When you have entered the city, a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him into the house that he enters. “And you shall say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, “Where is the guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?” ’ “And he will show you a large, furnished upper room; prepare it there.” And they left and found everything just as He had told them; and they prepared the Passover.” As the disciples and jesus gather around the table Jesus coming closer to his inevitable death and again we see were his mind and heart are at as proceeds to teach the disciples an invaluable lesson on humility and service as he washes the disciples feet, even Judas’. While at the supper Jesus warns of the one who would betray him and Jesus foretells of peters denial. Jesus again foretells of his death and teaches the disciples about love one for another Jn. 13:35 ““By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”” Matt. 26:26-29 “While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins. “But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.””

On Thursday at sunset which in Jewish thinking is actually the beginning of Friday Jesus institutes the Lord Supper which we now partake every Lords day just like the disciples Acts 20:7. We look back to the cross and remember what jesus did for us. We look up to Jesus as he is alive and in heaven, we look forward to Jesus Second Coming, we look outward as we commune with one another, and we look inward in self-examination. Jesus tells his disciples that he will be leaving and where he is going the disciples cannot go and they are sad. After the supper Jesus comforts the disciples with the promise of His preparation of a place for them and the promise of the comforter the Holy spirit John 14:26 ““But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” Jesus informs the disciples Jn. 14:21 ““He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.”” He continues to teach them about abiding in Him so that they may bear fruit, for apart from him they can do nothing. Just like the disciples we must head his message to love Jesus and keep his commandments abiding in Jesus so that we too might bear fruit. Jesus then closes out diner praying for his disciples that they would stay in God Word that God would keep them from the evil one, so that that all may be one as Jesus and God are one. He also prays for those who believe in me through their word. Where was Jesus mind as he heads to the cross? It was on us, he prayed for us to be one with God. Mk. 14:26 “After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.” You see the upper-room session closed with a song service probably the Hallel Psalms found in Ps. 115-118. the shadow of the cross did not quench the spirit of praise in Christ. He then proceeds to Gethsemane to pray and he takes along the inner circle Peter James and John. The bible records that Jesus becomes distressed and troubled Matt. 26:38-39 “Then He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me.” And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.”” Three times he does this and each time his disciples had to be awakened. The Son of man was was being betrayed in to the hands of sinners and the disciples were sleeping. Sometimes I think we are just like the disciples in that we sleep through life not ever really thinking about exactly what Jesu went through for us. This week we may have even slept walked through Thursday - Sunday and the first time we really thought about Jesus was this morning. While Jesus was praying fervently sweating blood 2000 years ago we were living for ourselves completely oblivious to what Jesus was going through. Scripture records that while he was speaking these words to Peter James and John in the garden that Judas comes accompanied by a large crowd with swords and clubs and kisses jesus and they seize Jesus.

they rush Jesus to a series of trials, the first examination was by Ananias. He asked about his teaching but Jesus replied that he had hid nothing and that he should ask those who heard him speak. Then Jesus is brought before Caiphas and the Sanhedrin where they brought false witnesses to testify against him And jesus remains fairly quiet. Mk. 14:63-65 “Tearing his clothes, the high priest said, “What further need do we have of witnesses? “You have heard the blasphemy; how does it seem to you?” And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death. Some began to spit at Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him with their fists, and to say to Him, “Prophesy!” And the officers received Him with slaps in the face.” As Jesus faces ridicule and abuse, one of jesus closest companions Peter, denies Him 3 times and as he hears the crow he weeps bitterly. The Sanhedrin condemns jesus to die and leads him before Pilate. again we find a farce of a trail but this time in front of the roman governor Pilate John 18:37 “Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”” where Pilate pronounces Jesus innocent so he sends him to Herod where he is mocked and Jesus refused to answer any of His questions so he sent back to Pilate who gave the people an option to let jesus go or to let Barabbas a murderer and infamous prisoner go. The crowd chose Barabbas and yelled to crucify Jesus. Matt. 27:27-31 “Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole Roman cohort around Him. They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. And after twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand; and they knelt down before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” They spat on Him, and took the reed and began to beat Him on the head. After they had mocked Him, they took the scarlet robe off Him and put His own garments back on Him, and led Him away to crucify Him.” Judas seeing that he was condemned felt remorse and returned the silver. Jesus then begins to make his way to where he would be crucified with the cross on His back.

Matt. 27:35 “And when they had crucified Him, they divided up His garments among themselves by casting lots.” Matt. 27:37-39 “And above His head they put up the charge against Him which read, “THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.” At that time two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and one on the left. And those passing by were hurling abuse at Him, wagging their heads” This the beginning of 6 long gruesome hours filled with pain, mockery, and abuse. As they mocked jesus prays Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing. The first 3 hours 9-12 are often referred to as the hours of light. While on the cross Jesus does find one who will not mock Him in fact the criminal next to jesus ask that Jesus remember him as He comes into His kingdom to which Jesus replies Lk. 23:43 “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”” Jesus then looks down to his mother who is nearby watching her son in pain and misery dying on the cross where he gives her care to the disciple whom he loved John. Now as the sun is at its highest point at noon, darkness falls over the whole land and Jesus cries out in a loud voice My God My God why have you forsaken me? Jesus murmurs I am thirsty and they give sour wine on a sponge and Jesus cries out in a loud voice, IT IS FINISHED. Matthew records Matt. 27:50-54 “And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split. The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection they entered the holy city and appeared to many. Now the centurion, and those who were with him keeping guard over Jesus, when they saw the earthquake and the things that were happening, became very frightened and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”” Jn. 19:31-37 “Then the Jews, because it was the day of preparation, so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. So the soldiers came, and broke the legs of the first man and of the other who was crucified with Him; but coming to Jesus, when they saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe. For these things came to pass to fulfill the Scripture, “Not a bone of Him shall be broken.” And again another Scripture says, “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.””

Jn. 19:38-42 “After these things Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but a secret one for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate granted permission. So he came and took away His body. Nicodemus, who had first come to Him by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds weight. So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen wrappings with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. Therefore because of the Jewish day of preparation, since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.”

Jesus lies in the grave Friday, and Saturday, and then early Sunday morning Matt. 28:1 “Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave.” the stone had been rolled away Mk. 16:5-8 “Entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting at the right, wearing a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, (why do you seek the living One among the dead)“Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid Him. “But go, tell His disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see Him, just as He told you.’ ” They went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had gripped them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.” When the women report what they had witnessed to the disciples Peter and John race to the tomb to see if it was so and they were astonished at what they saw his clothes wrapped up neatly and set tot he side.

The tomb was empty and they had not realized what jesus had prophesied that he must rise again from the grave.

For the next forty days according to Acts 1:3 “To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God.”

During those forty days he appears to Mary Magdalene and other women , then Peter, then Cleopas and another on the road to Emmaus. In His fifth appearance that we have recorded for us he appears before the disciples but Thomas was not there. Lk. 24:36-41 “While they were telling these things, He Himself stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be to you.” But they were startled and frightened and thought that they were seeing 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. While they still could not believe it because of their joy and amazement,” Jn. 20:26-29 “After eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then He said to Thomas, “Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.” Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.”” He appears again to the disciples as they were fishing for his 7th appearance recorded for us. Then to the 500 on a mountain in Galilee where he gives the great commission Matt. 28:18-20 “And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”” 1 Cor. 15:1-19

1 Corinthians 15:1–19 NASB95

Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also. For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me. Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed. Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied.

Why is the resurrection so imprtan to us?

It changed the cross from a tragedy into a triumph

It changes fear into love, despair into joy.

The resurrection changes people from being spiritually dead to being alive to God.

It changes guilty condemnation into a celebration of forgiveness and freedom.

It changes anxiety into a hope that goes beyond the grave.

It can change our sinful hearts so they want to follow the Lord Jesus,

and the power of the resurrection is relentlessly killing sin in every true Christian.

John MacArthur claimed:

The Resurrection is the ground of our assurance, it is the basis for all our future hopes, and it is the source of power in our daily lives here and now. It gives us courage in the midst of persecution, comfort in the midst of trials, and hope in the midst of this world’s darkness.2

Not only that, but Paul tells us in three places that Christians have already been raised with Christ:

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. (Colossians 3:1) We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4) God . . . made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him. (Ephesians 2:5–6)

Because without the resurrection nothing has been conquered—not sin, not death, not the devil. Jesus’ resurrection from the dead testifies not only that Jesus is the Son of God (Rom. 1:4) but that the offering of life was an acceptable sacrifice to God.

The resurrection means the death of Jesus was enough—enough to atone for sin, enough to reconcile us to God, enough to present us holy in God’s presence. Christ won; sin, death, and the devil lost—that’s the good news of the empty tomb. The resurrection means Christ proved himself righteous to the Father, so that through faith we now can share in his righteousness. That why Romans 4:25 says Jesus “was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.”

We died in his death and we rose again in his resurrection to new life (Rom. 6:5-11). We are not the same people we once were. We who were dead in our trespasses have been made alive together with Christ (Eph. 2:5).

Never forget your union with Christ. We struggle with feelings of guilt and cannot really believe we are justified because we forget that every lash and blow we deserve has already been dealt to us through our Substitute. And the convincing proof of our acquittal has already been demonstrated in the resurrection. Likewise, we struggle with feelings of helplessness and cannot really believe in the prospect of sanctification because we forget that we died to the old self and have spiritual life every bit as real as Christ’s new spiritual body. Because of our “in Christ-ness” new life starts now.

The third benefit of Christ’s resurrection is that it guarantees our future glorious resurrection. Christ’s resurrection was the firstfruits of a resurrection harvest yet to come (1 Cor. 15:23).

Have you been buried with Christ through baptism so that you too can be raised in Newness of life. Forgiven of your sins so that you may look forward in anticiaption to Jesus come again to take us home to be with him for all eternity. If not will consider giving your life to jesus this morning? If you are already a christian this morning let us not ever let a day go by that we don’t recall to memory the death burial and resurrection of our Lord and what that means for us going forward. please come while we stand and sing.