Resurrection Proofs and Truths

11/04/2020 13:16

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Date: 8 April, 2020

Text: Luke 24:33-53

Title: Resurrection Proofs and Truths

 

Introduction:

 

As a church, we rejoice that we can gather together online. We enjoyed a Zoom prayer meeting on Thursday night and look forward to our Zoom Bible study this evening. (Ecclesiology - the doctrine of the church.)

 

Thankfully, we can worship together on the Lord's day as God intends us to do even while the virus keeps us apart physically.

 

However, we missed this past week observing the ordinance of the Lord's Supper. Praise God - the Bible says, "As often as ye eat this bread and drink this cup" and unlike the Lord's day it's not definitive as to how often.

 

If someone get's saved during these days, we also are missing the opportunity to witness their baptism. We will look forward to baptizing those who get saved as soon as God allows

 

exp. These ORDINANCES are not optional - they are commanded by the Lord Jesus.

 

Today is Easter or Resurrection Sunday. Observing an Easter service is not an ORDINANCE.

exp. In other words, we don't observe them because Christ commanded us to do so.

 

HOWEVER - we ought to rejoice as Believers that there are two special days set aside to honour Jesus in our world's calendar. 

- Christmas - celebrating the birth of the Lord Jesus.

- Easter - celebrating the finished work and the glorious eternal life of Jesus.

exp. An atheist ought to stop and think - if there is no God and Jesus is not God - why is the calendar set by his life - B. C. - "Before Christ." He has two holidays in our calendar. 

note: Again - as believers we praise God because we know that Jesus is the Son of God who is the Saviour of the World. WE LOVE TO FOCUS OUR  MINDS ON HIS RESURRECTION.

 

This morning we're going to look at a narrative in Luke of the events surrounding the resurrection.

- Jesus was taken in the Garden of Gethsemane on a Thursday night.

- He's had a mock trial with Caiphas, Herod and Pilate

- On Friday - Although he's innocent he's condemned.

- The blindfolded, beat, and spat upon him.

- They whipped him with a cat of nine tails up to 200 times.

- They dressed him like a king and pounded a crown of thorns into his head.

- They've paraded him through the streets naked and bleeding.

- He's brought with his cross outside the city and crucified between two thieves.

- Weak and sinful mankind has mocked the holy and pure Son of God.

- God the Father turned his back upon His son and put our sin upon Him.

- Jesus paid our sin debt in full as He died on the cross for our sin. "It is finished!"

 

His body was put in a rich man's tomb nearby on Friday night. Two nights his body lay in that grave. (The Jews count any part of a day as a day - on the third day - He walked out of the tomb.)

 

Now - it is Sunday - the first day of the week.

(Luke 24) 

1  Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.

2  And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.

3  And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.

4  And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:

5  And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?

6  He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,

7  Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.

8  And they remembered his words,

9  And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.

 

exp. Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene in the Garden. Peter and John run to see the empty tomb. 

 

We'll pick up the story here this morning as recorded by the Gentile Physician Apostle - Luke.

 

text: Luke 24:33-53

 

We're going to look at Resurrecton Proofs and Truths this morning.

 

I. Resurrection Proofs.

exp. Resurrection is when someone who is dead is brought back to life. 

ill. I met an unbeliever who claimed to have been brought back to life. He was clinically dead for so many minutes before being "brought back to life." (That's not resurrection - that's resuscitation)

- Jesus had given up His Spirit.

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.

- A Centurion who's life would be forfeited if Jesus lived declared him dead.

Mark 15:44  And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead.

45  And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph.

- A spear had pierced his heart sack releasing water and blood.

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.

- He's been in a stone tomb for two nights guarded by soldiers.

exp. Jesus body was lifeless, cold and dead. The sorrow of the disciples at the death of Jesus is very real - because Jesus really died. 

note: Our story now has proofs of His resurrection.

A. proof 1 - Affirmation of His resurrection.

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.

def. To affirm is to state emphatically or publicly.

exp. The Bible told us that Jesus rose from the dead. Now the disciples make an affirmation declaring that this INDEED true.

ill. Islam teaches that Jesus either....

1.) Did not get crucified it was someone else.

2.) Did not die.

exp. But, the close followers of Jesus knew that....

1.) He was crucified.

2.) And that he died.

exp. But, now these close followers of the Lord Jesus declared emphatically that He has risen with an AFFIRMATION of His resurrection.

ill. When we find out surprising truth, it takes a while for us to take it in before we confidently affirm it. Sadly - we had a neighbour pass away this week in the United States. He had a severe stroke just before his return flight. Before you pass on serious information to others, you want to make sure that it is accurate. You don't affirm it if you are not convinced.

app. This bold declaration of the apostles affirming the resurrection of Jesus showed a convincement beginning to take place within them.

B. proof 2 - Confirmation of His resurrection.

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

ill. These who are speaking - had been weary travelers on the Emmaus Road that very day. 

- They had been sorrowing about the death of Jesus. 

- Jesus himself had joined their journey incognito as a fellow traveler. 

16 Their eyes were holden that they should not know Him.

- He's spoke to them about Christ's suffering in the OT, sat to eat with them.

- as he broke bread with them their eyes are opened.

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,

ill.  If you saw someone a couple days after attending their funeral, you wouldn't mind having someone else verify that what you saw is correct. It's not normal to see someone after they have died.

 exp. The resurrection of Jesus was contrary to natural law. Death was normally final. The disciples got confirmation of their affirmation.

C. proof 3 - Clarification of His resurrection.

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

ill. A magician uses smoke and mirrors to give an illusion. They wouldn't want you to get to close or you would see through their illusion.

exp. What is wonderful about the resurrection is the abundance of proof God gives. God didn't just have Jesus wave at the disciples from a nearby hill top. "Jesus himself stood in the midst of them."

ill. Our bodies take a bit of time to assimilate truth. This has happened to all of us recently with Covid-19. We wake up thinking - did I dream that - or was that real. 

exp. God will give abundant proof to the disciples that Jesus has risen indeed as they affirmed.

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: 

exp. To put it in our language, they thought they saw a ghost - a disembodied spirit. Jesus knows what they are thinking and says - go ahead and touch me.

ill. Remember, the disciple Thomas - sadly we call him, "Doubting Thomas." He was skeptical of what he had heard about Jesus resurrection. He said, "I not only have to see it myself. I have to touch him."

John 20: 27  Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

28  And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

29  Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

app. Nobody can say, "Jesus didn't appear to anybody or undergo scrutiny after His resurrection." Those who knew him best saw him and had opportunity to touch him to see that he had come bodily out of the tomb.

D. proof 4 - Verification of His resurrection.

handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.

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. Just in case any had not taken opportunity to touch Jesus, they hand him physical food and see Him eat it in front of them. Jesus isn't just hungry. Jesus is giving them yet another proof that resurrection is the body being brought back to ETERNAL LIFE.

note: When the Bible speaks about our coming resurrection - it is a bodily resurrection.

Joh 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:

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

 app. If you are saved today, you know that you will never trully die. Why? Because if you enter the tomb like Jesus, you will exit the tomb like Jesus. 

1Th 4:16  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

transition - Praise God for the abundant RESURRECTION PROOFS found in our text this morning. Now - let's continue the story and look at RESSURECTION TRUTHS.

 

II. Resurrection Truths.

 exp. Our text is a record of resurrection day - what TRUTH does Jesus want to give His disciples?

A. Instruction.

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.

exp. Jesus is the Master Teacher. Is there ever a time where our Lord ceased to give instruction to His disciples? 

- He taught them on the hillsides, at the temple, in the garden.

- He taught them by illustrations from nature and life - birds, grains, coins, farmers

- He taught them by examples - great faith, great giving, great hypocracy etc.

exp. They have just come through something violent and unexpected. Jesus calls class to session and says, "This is what I was trying to tell you would happen."

Luk 9:22  Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.

ill. Moses - blood covering for man's sin in the garden, ark of salvation with one door, water of life flowing from the smitten rock, bronze serpent upon a pole.

Psalms - Messianic - Psalm 22 - They pierced his hands and his feet. Cast lots...

Psa 16:10  For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

Prophets - Isaiah 53 - He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities...

app. The great teacher would take us to His Word this morning for instruction reminding us that God's Word prophetically declared the crucifixion and resurrection.

B. Illumination.

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

exp. This truth would not be taken into them if Jesus didn't make it possible.

ill. This illustration will take some imagination in Scotland. If you have a long dry spell and you get rain - you may have a lot of the rain run off your soil - the reason is water attracts water. (cohesion forces) You see it on your windows when drips run together. If you want your soil to absorb water, you need to PREPARE IT WITH MOISTURE.

exp. The simple truth about our ability to take in God's truth is WE CAN NOT DO SO WITHOUT GOD'S HELP. God must prepare the soil of our hearts with His Spirit.

1Co 2:14  But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

ill. When someone gets saved they often say, "Why didn't I see this before, it is so obvious." It is obvious because God has opened their eyes to His truth.

app. Have your eyes been opened to God's truth? Has Jesus opened your eyes to understand the Scriptures? Jesus shows them the truth through illumination.

C. Salvation.

1. Jesus had to die.

46  And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, 

 exp. Behoved - means necessary - it must needs be.

ill. Jesus cried out in the garden, "If it be possible, let this cup pass from me, nevertheless, not as  I will but as thou wilt." BUT THERE WAS NO OTHER WAY.

- Man could not save himself - to avoid death and hell - he must be sinless.

- Nobody is sinless.

Jas 2:10  For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

ill. I had a three foot vertical jump when I was in highschool. If you and I were to jump - you may be able to touch higher than me - but none can reach the top of a light pole. 

exp. You may feel like you are a better sinner than me - but you're still a sinner. Neither of us reaches God's standard of perfection and we come woefully short.

Rom 3:23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

- The punishment for sin is death.

Eze 18:20  The soul that sinneth, it shall die.

Rev 21:8  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

 

app. Jesus was God's substitute to die in our place. Rom 6:23  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. JESUS HAD TO DIE.

2. Jesus had to arise.

and to rise from the dead the third day:

exp. If Jesus didn't rise, we could not live.

Acts 2:23  Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:

24  Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

note: The same power God gave Jesus to rise again is given to those who are saved.

Joh 14:19  Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.

exp. Men are hopeless without God's salvation. 

ill. It would be like God leaving Adam and Eve naked and ashamed in the garden and providing no way of restoration TO HIMSELF through an atonement and covering.

app. Praise God - He has provided a way of salvation so that we can be restored. It is through His death and resurrection. Jesus emphasized this truth on His resurrection day.

D. Commission.

 exp. The truth Jesus shared on His resurrection day ends with a commission given to His disciples.

A. Go and preach.

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

exp. The death and resurrection of Jesus for the salvation of mankind was a message the world needed to hear. Jesus gave the command to go and teach the DOCTRINE OF SALVATION.

Ill. We were enjoying a doctrinal study on Sunday nights before the pandemic. Bible docrine is WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT ________ IN THIS CASE SALVATION.

 app. Good Bible doctrine is vital - people need to know how God says to be saved! We are to tell them.

B. Go and testify.

48  And ye are witnesses of these things.

exp. They had a doctrinal message as well as a personal testimony of their experience. They were to share that experience - WE CALL THAT A PERSONAL TESTIMONY.

ill. Paul's personal salvation testimony - 3 times in God's Word.

Ill. I got saved after hearing my dad preach a message on Hell.

app. If you are saved, God's given you the doctrine of salvation and a testimony of your own conversion to share.

C. Go in 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. Jesus didn't just tell them to go preach and share their testimony - HE GAVE THEM THE POWER TO DO IT.

ill. Pentecost - was coming - the Spirit of God would come - Peter who denied Jesus before the coming of God's Spirit would be the main preacher as 1,000 received Jesus as their Saviour.

app. Jesus would emphasize resurrection truth to us today. We have the dotrine, testimony and power - we need to obey the great commission and get it out to the world.

 

 conclusion:

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.

 

It's resurrection Sunday. It's not an ordinance - but it is a wonderful provision to have a day that reminds the world of Jesus death and resurrection.

 

Luke gives us Resurrection Proofs and Truths.

 

Proof - 

The affirmation of the disciples. (confidently stating - he is risen)

The confirmation of the disciples. 

The clarification of Jesus. (appearing bodily)

The verification by Jesus (eating)

 

Truth - 

Instruction - this is just what God's Word said would take place.

Illumination - He opened the eyes of their understanding.

Salvation - Jesus had to die and rise again.

Commission - take this message to the world

Share the doctrine

and your testimony

in power.

 

Are you saved today? Do you believe that Jesus died for you and rose again.

Romans 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.

10  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

 

Are you telling others?

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?

Date: 8 April, 2020
Text: Luke 24:33-53
Title: Resurrection Proofs and Truths
 
Introduction:
 
As a church, we rejoice that we can gather together online. We enjoyed a Zoom prayer meeting on Thursday night and look forward to our Zoom Bible study this evening. (Ecclesiology - the doctrine of the church.)
 
Thankfully, we can worship together on the Lord's day as God intends us to do even while the virus keeps us apart physically.
 
However, we missed this past week observing the ordinance of the Lord's Supper. Praise God - the Bible says, "As often as ye eat this bread and drink this cup" and unlike the Lord's day it's not definitive as to how often.
 
If someone get's saved during these days, we also are missing the opportunity to witness their baptism. We will look forward to baptizing those who get saved as soon as God allows
 
exp. These ORDINANCES are not optional - they are commanded by the Lord Jesus.
 
Today is Easter or Resurrection Sunday. Observing an Easter service is not an ORDINANCE.
exp. In other words, we don't observe them because Christ commanded us to do so.
 
HOWEVER - we ought to rejoice as Believers that there are two special days set aside to honour Jesus in our world's calendar. 
- Christmas - celebrating the birth of the Lord Jesus.
- Easter - celebrating the finished work and the glorious eternal life of Jesus.
exp. An atheist ought to stop and think - if there is no God and Jesus is not God - why is the calendar set by his life - B. C. - "Before Christ." He has two holidays in our calendar. 
note: Again - as believers we praise God because we know that Jesus is the Son of God who is the Saviour of the World. WE LOVE TO FOCUS OUR  MINDS ON HIS RESURRECTION.
 
This morning we're going to look at a narrative in Luke of the events surrounding the resurrection.
- Jesus was taken in the Garden of Gethsemane on a Thursday night.
- He's had a mock trial with Caiphas, Herod and Pilate
- On Friday - Although he's innocent he's condemned.
- The blindfolded, beat, and spat upon him.
- They whipped him with a cat of nine tails up to 200 times.
- They dressed him like a king and pounded a crown of thorns into his head.
- They've paraded him through the streets naked and bleeding.
- He's brought with his cross outside the city and crucified between two thieves.
- Weak and sinful mankind has mocked the holy and pure Son of God.
- God the Father turned his back upon His son and put our sin upon Him.
- Jesus paid our sin debt in full as He died on the cross for our sin. "It is finished!"
 
His body was put in a rich man's tomb nearby on Friday night. Two nights his body lay in that grave. (The Jews count any part of a day as a day - on the third day - He walked out of the tomb.)
 
Now - it is Sunday - the first day of the week.
(Luke 24) 
1  Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.
2  And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.
3  And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.
4  And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:
5  And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?
6  He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,
7  Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.
8  And they remembered his words,
9  And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.
 
exp. Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene in the Garden. Peter and John run to see the empty tomb. 
 
We'll pick up the story here this morning as recorded by the Gentile Physician Apostle - Luke.
 
text: Luke 24:33-53
 
We're going to look at Resurrecton Proofs and Truths this morning.
 
I. Resurrection Proofs.
exp. Resurrection is when someone who is dead is brought back to life. 
ill. I met an unbeliever who claimed to have been brought back to life. He was clinically dead for so many minutes before being "brought back to life." (That's not resurrection - that's resuscitation)
- Jesus had given up His Spirit.
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.
- A Centurion who's life would be forfeited if Jesus lived declared him dead.
Mark 15:44  And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead.
45  And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph.
- A spear had pierced his heart sack releasing water and blood.
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.
- He's been in a stone tomb for two nights guarded by soldiers.
exp. Jesus body was lifeless, cold and dead. The sorrow of the disciples at the death of Jesus is very real - because Jesus really died. 
note: Our story now has proofs of His resurrection.
A. proof 1 - Affirmation of His resurrection.
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.
def. To affirm is to state emphatically or publicly.
exp. The Bible told us that Jesus rose from the dead. Now the disciples make an affirmation declaring that this INDEED true.
ill. Islam teaches that Jesus either....
1.) Did not get crucified it was someone else.
2.) Did not die.
exp. But, the close followers of Jesus knew that....
1.) He was crucified.
2.) And that he died.
exp. But, now these close followers of the Lord Jesus declared emphatically that He has risen with an AFFIRMATION of His resurrection.
ill. When we find out surprising truth, it takes a while for us to take it in before we confidently affirm it. Sadly - we had a neighbour pass away this week in the United States. He had a severe stroke just before his return flight. Before you pass on serious information to others, you want to make sure that it is accurate. You don't affirm it if you are not convinced.
app. This bold declaration of the apostles affirming the resurrection of Jesus showed a convincement beginning to take place within them.
B. proof 2 - Confirmation of His resurrection.
35  And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.
ill. These who are speaking - had been weary travelers on the Emmaus Road that very day. 
- They had been sorrowing about the death of Jesus. 
- Jesus himself had joined their journey incognito as a fellow traveler. 
16 Their eyes were holden that they should not know Him.
- He's spoke to them about Christ's suffering in the OT, sat to eat with them.
- as he broke bread with them their eyes are opened.
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,
ill.  If you saw someone a couple days after attending their funeral, you wouldn't mind having someone else verify that what you saw is correct. It's not normal to see someone after they have died.
 exp. The resurrection of Jesus was contrary to natural law. Death was normally final. The disciples got confirmation of their affirmation.
C. proof 3 - Clarification of His resurrection.
36  And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
ill. A magician uses smoke and mirrors to give an illusion. They wouldn't want you to get to close or you would see through their illusion.
exp. What is wonderful about the resurrection is the abundance of proof God gives. God didn't just have Jesus wave at the disciples from a nearby hill top. "Jesus himself stood in the midst of them."
ill. Our bodies take a bit of time to assimilate truth. This has happened to all of us recently with Covid-19. We wake up thinking - did I dream that - or was that real. 
exp. God will give abundant proof to the disciples that Jesus has risen indeed as they affirmed.
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: 
exp. To put it in our language, they thought they saw a ghost - a disembodied spirit. Jesus knows what they are thinking and says - go ahead and touch me.
ill. Remember, the disciple Thomas - sadly we call him, "Doubting Thomas." He was skeptical of what he had heard about Jesus resurrection. He said, "I not only have to see it myself. I have to touch him."
John 20: 27  Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
28  And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
29  Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
app. Nobody can say, "Jesus didn't appear to anybody or undergo scrutiny after His resurrection." Those who knew him best saw him and had opportunity to touch him to see that he had come bodily out of the tomb.
D. proof 4 - Verification of His resurrection.
handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
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. Just in case any had not taken opportunity to touch Jesus, they hand him physical food and see Him eat it in front of them. Jesus isn't just hungry. Jesus is giving them yet another proof that resurrection is the body being brought back to ETERNAL LIFE.
note: When the Bible speaks about our coming resurrection - it is a bodily resurrection.
Joh 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:
ill. Job 19:26  And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
 app. If you are saved today, you know that you will never trully die. Why? Because if you enter the tomb like Jesus, you will exit the tomb like Jesus. 
1Th 4:16  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
transition - Praise God for the abundant RESURRECTION PROOFS found in our text this morning. Now - let's continue the story and look at RESSURECTION TRUTHS.
 
II. Resurrection Truths.
 exp. Our text is a record of resurrection day - what TRUTH does Jesus want to give His disciples?
A. Instruction.
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.
exp. Jesus is the Master Teacher. Is there ever a time where our Lord ceased to give instruction to His disciples? 
- He taught them on the hillsides, at the temple, in the garden.
- He taught them by illustrations from nature and life - birds, grains, coins, farmers
- He taught them by examples - great faith, great giving, great hypocracy etc.
exp. They have just come through something violent and unexpected. Jesus calls class to session and says, "This is what I was trying to tell you would happen."
Luk 9:22  Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.
ill. Moses - blood covering for man's sin in the garden, ark of salvation with one door, water of life flowing from the smitten rock, bronze serpent upon a pole.
Psalms - Messianic - Psalm 22 - They pierced his hands and his feet. Cast lots...
Psa 16:10  For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
Prophets - Isaiah 53 - He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities...
app. The great teacher would take us to His Word this morning for instruction reminding us that God's Word prophetically declared the crucifixion and resurrection.
B. Illumination.
45  Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
exp. This truth would not be taken into them if Jesus didn't make it possible.
ill. This illustration will take some imagination in Scotland. If you have a long dry spell and you get rain - you may have a lot of the rain run off your soil - the reason is water attracts water. (cohesion forces) You see it on your windows when drips run together. If you want your soil to absorb water, you need to PREPARE IT WITH MOISTURE.
exp. The simple truth about our ability to take in God's truth is WE CAN NOT DO SO WITHOUT GOD'S HELP. God must prepare the soil of our hearts with His Spirit.
1Co 2:14  But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
ill. When someone gets saved they often say, "Why didn't I see this before, it is so obvious." It is obvious because God has opened their eyes to His truth.
app. Have your eyes been opened to God's truth? Has Jesus opened your eyes to understand the Scriptures? Jesus shows them the truth through illumination.
C. Salvation.
1. Jesus had to die.
46  And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, 
 exp. Behoved - means necessary - it must needs be.
ill. Jesus cried out in the garden, "If it be possible, let this cup pass from me, nevertheless, not as  I will but as thou wilt." BUT THERE WAS NO OTHER WAY.
- Man could not save himself - to avoid death and hell - he must be sinless.
- Nobody is sinless.
Jas 2:10  For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
ill. I had a three foot vertical jump when I was in highschool. If you and I were to jump - you may be able to touch higher than me - but none can reach the top of a light pole. 
exp. You may feel like you are a better sinner than me - but you're still a sinner. Neither of us reaches God's standard of perfection and we come woefully short.
Rom 3:23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
- The punishment for sin is death.
Eze 18:20  The soul that sinneth, it shall die.
Rev 21:8  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
 
app. Jesus was God's substitute to die in our place. Rom 6:23  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. JESUS HAD TO DIE.
2. Jesus had to arise.
and to rise from the dead the third day:
exp. If Jesus didn't rise, we could not live.
Acts 2:23  Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
24  Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.
note: The same power God gave Jesus to rise again is given to those who are saved.
Joh 14:19  Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
exp. Men are hopeless without God's salvation. 
ill. It would be like God leaving Adam and Eve naked and ashamed in the garden and providing no way of restoration TO HIMSELF through an atonement and covering.
app. Praise God - He has provided a way of salvation so that we can be restored. It is through His death and resurrection. Jesus emphasized this truth on His resurrection day.
D. Commission.
 exp. The truth Jesus shared on His resurrection day ends with a commission given to His disciples.
A. Go and preach.
47  And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
exp. The death and resurrection of Jesus for the salvation of mankind was a message the world needed to hear. Jesus gave the command to go and teach the DOCTRINE OF SALVATION.
Ill. We were enjoying a doctrinal study on Sunday nights before the pandemic. Bible docrine is WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT ________ IN THIS CASE SALVATION.
 app. Good Bible doctrine is vital - people need to know how God says to be saved! We are to tell them.
B. Go and testify.
48  And ye are witnesses of these things.
exp. They had a doctrinal message as well as a personal testimony of their experience. They were to share that experience - WE CALL THAT A PERSONAL TESTIMONY.
ill. Paul's personal salvation testimony - 3 times in God's Word.
Ill. I got saved after hearing my dad preach a message on Hell.
app. If you are saved, God's given you the doctrine of salvation and a testimony of your own conversion to share.
C. Go in 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. Jesus didn't just tell them to go preach and share their testimony - HE GAVE THEM THE POWER TO DO IT.
ill. Pentecost - was coming - the Spirit of God would come - Peter who denied Jesus before the coming of God's Spirit would be the main preacher as 1,000 received Jesus as their Saviour.
app. Jesus would emphasize resurrection truth to us today. We have the dotrine, testimony and power - we need to obey the great commission and get it out to the world.
 
 conclusion:
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.
 
It's resurrection Sunday. It's not an ordinance - but it is a wonderful provision to have a day that reminds the world of Jesus death and resurrection.
 
Luke gives us Resurrection Proofs and Truths.
 
Proof - 
The affirmation of the disciples. (confidently stating - he is risen)
The confirmation of the disciples. 
The clarification of Jesus. (appearing bodily)
The verification by Jesus (eating)
 
Truth - 
Instruction - this is just what God's Word said would take place.
Illumination - He opened the eyes of their understanding.
Salvation - Jesus had to die and rise again.
Commission - take this message to the world
Share the doctrine
and your testimony
in power.
 
Are you saved today? Do you believe that Jesus died for you and rose again.
Romans 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.
10  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
 
Are you telling others?
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?
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