This message was preached at Word Of Grace Church on April 14th 2024 by Colin. For the audio & video please click here. For the worship please click here. Death Resurrection & Hope - Part 3
The resurrection is the greatest event in history. Jesus conquered over death, sin, and Satan.
How many appearances of Jesus were recorded in the scripture?
Acts 1:3 he appeared over 40 days to several people.
John 20:1 - ”Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.“ John 20:1 ESV
We see her devotion to Jesus. Early in the morning she went.
”So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him." So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb.“ John 20:2-3 ESV
”Then the disciples went back to their homes. But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb.“ John 20:10-11 ESV
What do we understand about Mary in these verses?
She loves Jesus. She was weeping for Jesus. She was extremely devoted to him. She lingered.
Because she waited, she got to see something the other disciples did not get to see.
”And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him." Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus.“ John 20:12-14 ESV
Her waiting was rewarded by being the first one that Jesus appeared to after the resurrection.
”Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?" Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned and said to him in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, "Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord"—and that he had said these things to her.“ John 20:15-18 ESV
3 times it says she was crying or weeping. She was longing to see Jesus.
Victory over despair- she goes from crying to rejoicing. That is the power of the resurrection. Even in our lives, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is alive in us.
Victory over death - ”So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, "Greetings!" And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me."“ Matthew 28:8-10 ESV
These women worshipped Jesus. When we encounter the risen lord and see him for who he is, the response should be to worship him.
What is Jesus’ response to them?
He appears to them and says do not be afraid. Today’s this country, it is dangerous to proclaim the resurrection, but we need to obey him. We must declare the gospel without fear
Victory over confusion - ”But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened.“ Luke 24:21 ESV. The disciples on the road to Emmaus were confused about Jesus. When we are confessed about things, we need to go to the scriptures. Jesus explained from the scriptures, all the prophecies concerned himself. All through the Old Testament we see Jesus.
Victory over fear - ”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,“ Luke 24:44-45 ESV
Victory over doubt- ”Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” John 20:26-29 ESV. We might not have doubts about the resurrection of Jesus. But we can doubt about other things- will he provide, will he heal, will he rescue, from a trouble, etc.
Victory over failure - ”Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will go with you." They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, "Children, do you have any fish?" They answered him, "No." He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. "“ John 21:3-8. 15-16 ESV Peter denied Jesus, but Jesus came and gave the grace and success at a time of failure for Jesus ”Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." Now none of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.“ John 21:12-14 ESV
Victory over every other authority- ”Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."“ Matthew 28:16-20 ESV
The greatest event in history occurs. After that, what is the key teaching? It is the great commission. To go and make disciples of all nations. This is what God has called us to do. One day in heaven, Jesus will ask, where are your disciples? We need to be disciples and make disciples.
”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." And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.“ - Acts 1:8-9 ESV
The ascension was a bodily ascension. We see Jesus’ victory over all things. ”And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."“ - Acts 1:10-11 ESV
4 other appearances - when Jesus appeared to more than 500 at once. ”Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.“ 1 Corinthians 15:6-7 ESV he also appeared to Peter individually and then to Paul on the road to Damascus.
We’ve looked at the appearances of Jesus after resurrection. It is the greatest event of all history. Our faith rises and falls on the resurrection of Jesus.
Word of Grace is an Evangelical (Born Again), Spirit-filled (Charismatic), Reformed, English-speaking church in Pune that upholds the Bible as God's inspired Word for life. We are a church community that has people from every part of India and parts of the world. We are here to put the Great Command and the Great Commission into practice by equipping and releasing every member into works of service. Word of Grace is part of a wider international family of Churches called RegionsBeyond.To know more about us please log onto www.wordofgracechurch.org.
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