He Arose

21/04/2019 16:08

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Date: 19 April, 2019

Text: Luke 24:44-53

 

Introduction:

 

1  In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

2  And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

3  His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:

4  And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

5  And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

6  He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

7  And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

8  And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.

9  And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.

10  Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

11  Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.

12  And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,

13  Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.

14  And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.

15  So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

 ill. There are two supposed places where Jesus Christ was crucified and put in the tomb.

- Church of the Holy Sepulchre - held by the Catholic church - dark - oppressive.

- Garden Tomb

- Main roads crossing

- Base of the hill of the skull

- Tomb within a couple hundred meters with track for rolling the stone.

- Precious sense of the presence of God and run by believers.

exp. I can picture the soldiers at the tomb that morning. Perhaps they had just recently relieved the night watch. The soldiers talking among themselves.

- perhaps discussing the reason they were guarding the tomb 

- The paranoid Pharisees think the disciples are going to steal the body.

Matthew 27:62  Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate,

63  Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.

64  Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.

65  Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.

66  So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.

- Soldiers - I did hear Jesus say he would rise again. 

John 2:19  Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.

20  Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?

21  But he spake of the temple of his body.

NOW AN EARTHQUAKE STRIKES AN ANGEL DESCENDS AND ROLLS THE STONE AWAY - THESE SOLDIERS ARE SO TERRIFIED THEIR KNEES KNOCK TOGETHER AND THEY FALL OVER IN A DEAD FAINT.

 

When they come out of their faint - they look in the tomb, "He arose. The tomb is empty." They report what happened and are bribed to keep quiet.

 

Resurrection Hymn: "Christ Arose" 

Low in the grave He lay, Jesus, my Savior,

Waiting the coming day, Jesus, my Lord!

Up from the grave He arose, With a mighty triumph o'er His foes,

He arose a Victor from the dark domain, And He lives forever, with His saints to reign.

 

He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!

 

Vainly they watch His bed, Jesus, my Savior;

Vainly they seal the dead, Jesus, my Lord!

Death cannot keep his Prey, Jesus, my Savior;

He tore the bars away, Jesus, my Lord!

 

The resurrection of Jesus is so significant that 2,000 years later - mankind has set aside a day every year to celebrate His resurrection. Resurrection Sunday

 

Praise God for this day where we rejoice in the Resurrection of our LORD. My message this morning from Luke 24 - HE AROSE!

 

You must believe that Jesus rose from the dead or you can not be saved!

Rom 10:9  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Do you believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jesus rose from the dead? If not, you need to let God's Spirit convince you this morning as we look at truths about the resurrection.

 

I. He arose definitely.

ill. Two men on the road to Emmaus - 

13  And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.

14  And they talked together of all these things which had happened.

15  And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.

16  But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.

17  And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?

question: Good question - Why were they so sad?

18  And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?

19  And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:

20  And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.

21  But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.

exp. They are sad because Jesus was taken, condemned to death and crucified.

note: Islam teaches that Jesus did not die on the cross.

- the Koran contends that Jesus did not die by crucifixion. Instead, it states in Surah 4:157 that ‘they neither killed him nor crucified him, but so it was made to appear to them’. 

exp. They explain this by saying that it was someone who looked like Jesus or that Jesus swooned and did not die.

note: Do you really think the Pharisees who hated Jesus so greatly would have been fooled with a fake Jesus and that nobody in the crowd who had walked with Jesus could identify an imposter.

question: If these muslim clerics could have walked with the men on the road to Emmaus as Jesus did - would they have comforted these men with their theorie. It wasn't really Jesus. He didn't really die.

 ill. Imagine going with someone to the funeral of someone whom they loved and who had died in their presence. Try to convince them that the person who died was not the person they loved and knew or that they had not really died even though they had seen him dead.

note: Praise God - the Father took care that nobody could say that Jesus had not really died.

John 19:33  But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:

34  But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.

note: The point is - Jesus Christ died on the cross.

Luk 23:46  And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

exp. Continuing with our text in Luke 24:

28  And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further.

29  But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.

30  And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.

31  And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.

32  And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

33  And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,

34  Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.

35  And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.

app. Jesus arose definitely. Let God convince you friend if you are unconvinced. Jesus died and Jesus definitely rose again. He arose definitely.

 

II. He arose bodily.

36  And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

37  But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.

38  And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?

39  Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.

exp. Remember - there was another time the disciples had mistaken Jesus for a Spirit.

Mark 6:46  And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.

47  And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.

48  And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.

49  But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:

50  For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.

- note: A spirit has no body. When Jesus died he gave up the ghost (spirit.) 

ill. God forbids contacting spirits - witch of Endor called up Samuel's Spirit.

 exp. The disciples are afraid because they think they are looking into another world. Jesus does not say there is no such thing. He says - it is not what you think.

40  And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.

41  And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?

42  And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.

43  And he took it, and did eat before them.

exp. Jesus could be touched - He has flesh and bones, he eats. HE IS ALIVE BODILY.

 question: Why is this important - If you are saved - you will also be resurrected BODILY.

1.) Jesus is coming bodily back to us.

Act 1:11  Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

2.) We will be like him.

1Jn 3:2  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

ill. Job - Job 19:26  And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:

exp. Praise God - it won't be the same body - but it will be a glorified body like our Lord Jesus Christ. 1  For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

2  For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:

53  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

 app. Friend - have you trusted in the resurrection power of Jesus so that you to can be resurrected?

John 11:25  Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

26  And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

 

III. He arose prophetically.

44  And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

45  Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

ill. Two men on the Emmaus Road. 

27  And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

exp. The men on the road to Emmaus were in a panic because they didn't understand that Jesus had to die and rise again. The Lord just goes back in the OT Scriptures and shows them that this was GOD'S PLAN. 

 ill. Peter may have learned some things in this Bible lesson of Jesus because he preached from Prophecy a few weeks later at Pentecost - 

Acts 2:25  For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:

26  Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:

27  Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

28  Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.

29  Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.

30  Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;

31  He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.

32  This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

ill. Qumran, by the dead sea in Israel. Bedouin shepherd found caves with what became known as the Dead Sea Scrolls. 

Isaiah 650 years before Christ. 

Isa 53:5  But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Psalms 1000 years before Christ.

Psalm 22:14  I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.

15  My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.

16  For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.

17  I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.

18  They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.

app. How can men deny the death and resurrection of Jesus? It was prophecied. It was witnessed. He arose prophetically.

 

IV. He arose Biblically.

46  And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:

ill. Men on Emmaus Road - 25  Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:

26  Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?

note: God's Word didn't just prophecy that this would happen. God's Word declared that it must happen.

A. Jesus had to die for our sin.

ill. Paul said in Galatians 2:21 for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

exp. If a law could have been declared for righteousness then Jesus did not have to die - but he did.

 ill. garden of gethsamane - 3 x's sweating drops of blood in agony the Son of God plead with God the father for any other way.

question: Why did the sinless son of God have to die? He had to die because of our sin.

Rom 6:23  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

2Co 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

app. Jesus had to die - for our sin. 

B. Jesus had to rise for our  life.

1 Corinthians 15:12  Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?

13  But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:

14  And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.

15  Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.

16  For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:

17  And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

18  Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.

19  If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

20  But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

 exp. If Jesus did not rise from the dead - neither will you. BUT PRAISE GOD - HE DID RISE FROM THE DEAD - PROVING THAT HE HAS THE POWER TO GIVE ETERNAL LIFE.

 app. Jesus arose Biblically - it is God's wonderful plan to pay man's sin debt and give them His gift of everlasting life. (Will you arise Biblically? Do you know your sin debt is paid and that you possess the eternal life of Jesus?) Joh 10:28  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish.

 

V. He arose triumphantly.

47  And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

 exp. We join the disciples in wonder looking at the resurrected Lord. Men, I had to die and rise again. Now the Gospel is ready to go out into the world to dethrone the devil, the god of this world.

 ill. Our study in SS...

- sin, death, and Satan came to power through the vote of one man in the garden of Eden. 

- righteousness, life and Jesus came to power in totality today.

1 Corinthians 15:54 Death is swallowed up in victory.

55  O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

56  The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

57  But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

note: REPENT AND BE FORGIVEN (REMISSION OF SINS) should be preached IN EVERY NATION!

 question: How can this message not be the most important of all truths!

 ill. Winston Churchill announced VE Day (Victory in Europe) day on 8 May, 1945 - the same day the nazi's surrendered - why didn't he wait to get out the news.

1.) More lifes lost.

2.) more suffering.

3.) More sorrow.

question: What would you say to someone who didn't want to tell the good news? You would wonder what side they were on?

 app. Jesus was triumphant! Do you care? He arose triumphantly! We've been given our priviliged orders - take the Gospel to the world! Mar 16:15  And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. I'm glad the disciples obeyed (our salvation is a result of that.) Will you?

 

VI. He arose convincingly. 

 exp. Do you question whether or not it is possible to convince mankind of His resurrection? After all - we live in a day of skepticism, humanism, atheism, false science, perversion.....

A. God has given and convincing witness.

48  And ye are witnesses of these things.

 exp. Jesus is with his disciples. Ok men. You have seen me die and rise again. I've just told you why this had to happen. Now go tell others what you have seen and heard.

ill. Witnessing to Jimmy - "Nobody has ever come back and told me." Jesus did. Yes - but - JESUS DID.

Romans 10:13  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

14  How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

15  And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

16  But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

 app. God's Word will bear fruit. Men and women will be saved - but we have to WITNESS TO THEM.

B. God has given a convincing power.

49  And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

 exp. Peter, James and John (disciples) were good men. Knowledgable men. Determined men. But, without the power of God they could not even begin the job in Jerusalem and the other nations.

Act 1:8  But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

 ill. They waited until God gave the Pentecostal power to fill them. 

Act 2:4  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost,...

Are you full of the Holy Ghost? Have you asked God to fill you?

Luk 11:13  If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

C. God has given a convincing blessing.

50  And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.

51  And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.

52  And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:

53  And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

question: He lifted up His hands and blessed them. His blessing continues to this day.

Joh 17:20  Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

ill. Witnessing can be tough at times. Pagan Scientist - wasn't wasted - I've got the Word of God, the Spirit of God and the blessing of God - I've prayed for him and Jimmy this week.

ill. Paul was a killer of Christians and God's Word and God's Spirit saved Him!

1Ti 1:16  Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

app. How can these get saved? He arose convincingly.

 

conclusion: You must believe that Jesus rose from the dead or you can not be saved!

Rom 10:9  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

 

Are you convinced this morning that Jesus arose?

 

He arose....

 

I. definitely - eye witnesses of close friends.

II. bodily - he could eat. He had flesh and bones. (so will we)

III. prophetically - God said this would happen.

IV. Biblically - It had to happen.

V. triumphantly - He has accomplished the Gospel! (Let's go tell the world.)

VI. convincingly - They will get saved! (God's Word, God's Spirit, God's blessing)

 

 

Aren't you thankful this resurrection Sunday that Jesus arose?