The resurrection is the high point to the cross. John gives his witness of this central event of history. Praise the Lord for resurrection power and authority. Christ’s first message to His frightened and confused disciples is “Peace be with you”. May that be the case for you today.
John 20: The Resurrection
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.
2 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."
3 So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb.
4 Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.
5 And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in.
6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there,
7 and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself.
8 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed;
9 for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.
10 Then the disciples went back to their homes.
Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene
11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb.
12 And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet.
13 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."
14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus.
15 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."
16 Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned and said to him in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher).
17 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.'"
18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord"---and that he had said these things to her.
Jesus Appears to the Disciples
19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you."
20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.
21 Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you."
22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.
23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld."
Jesus and Thomas
24 Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came.
25 So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe."
26 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."
27 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."
28 Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!"
29 Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
The Purpose of This Book
30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book;
31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Things to think about…
1. It is interesting that when Mary came to the tomb and saw the stone rolled away her first response after running back to Peter and John (the disciple whom Jesus loved) was to say, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb”, John 20:2. She is speaking of the Romans. The Romans were the ones called to guard the tomb and the Jewish hierarchy sent them because they believed the disciples would take Jesus and hence promote a resurrection deception. All this points to more evidence for the miracle that it was, Christ rose by the power of the Holy Spirit. John was a faster runner, but Peter was more bold, as such Peter enters the tomb first. Peter is the one who needs to believe so a full transformation can take place in the heart of the man who had said three times “I do not know the man”.
2. If only Peter and John had hung around, they would have experienced first-hand the resurrected Christ. But this privilege was given to Mary Magdalene who lingered at the tomb, John 20:11-18. Jesus calls her by name, “Mary”. What an honour. Jesus calls us by name and bestows the blessing of His presence. The trouble oftentimes is that we do not want to wait for Him to appear. In your prayer time today – linger, wait until He visits you and gives you a personal word of encouragement.
3. Look at these words in John 20:19-23. Jesus’ first words are “Peace be with you”, He says it twice, vss 19, 21 and each time He enters their presence, vss 26. Jesus not only wants us to have His peace but that we also have full assurance of His resurrection. Jesus shows the disciples His hands and side, John 20:20. They believe and then He blows on them to receive the Holy Spirit, John 20:22. All disciples of Christ need to receive and be filled with the Holy Spirit. If your life lacks influence, power or boldness the Holy Spirit is your answer.
4. Thomas said he would not believe until he sees Christ’s hands and side just as the other disciples did. Jesus reappears 8 days later and even before Thomas asks again Jesus recalls the conversation with Thomas and said him to do what he requested over a week before, vs 25.. Remember this is before Pentecost, so the disciples received the Holy Spirit directly from Jesus. The first blessing of the Holy Spirit is that they believe in Christ. This is the same for us. But the presence influence and power of the Holy Spirit should be evident in every believers life.
5. What is the reason John is writing His gospel? The answer is found in John 20:31 “so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name”. May this be enough for you today and that eternal life is yours through believing in Jesus.
Vision Point for cell groups
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Title was “Israel an object of mercy” – Reading Ezek 28:20-26
1. Australia is a land that has received undeserved mercy. So have you. Discuss.
2. Israel was about to be judged, but Ezekiel speaks of future blessing, vss 25, 26. What is your understanding of how this will outwork?
3. Israel is very religious, but only have 2% Christians. Most are atheist or have some form of Jewish mindset and belief system. How will they come to see Yeshua as their Lord and Saviour?
4. How are we to provoke Israel to jealousy to follow Christ? Read and discuss Rom 10:19.
5. Pray for each other and the outreach of the gospel.
Prayer Points
1. AGM – 6th Nov after the service.
2. Carols service 18th December – Family fun Day afternoon 3pm-7pm.
3. Christmas Day Service
4. Pray for the leadership of our country.
5. Pray for the people of Iran and Ukraine.
6. The right choice for a full time Youth and Young Adults Pastor to start Jan 2023 and the finances to support them.
7. Health of Ross Goltz, Zac - sciatica
8. More young families and youth into the church.
9. Ministry leaders within the church.
10. Our One for Israel ministry.
11. Pray for other building projects – café roof, the repair of the house roof.
12. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. The marriage of James and Kirstine Smith.
2. Visitors to church on Sunday.
3. Some returning back to church after a while away.
4. Worship on Sunday – thankyou Suzy, Gina, Ashley. Bec on Words and Doug on sound. Thankyou. Suzy and Maddison in café always do a stellar job. Thankyou for those who welcomed at the door.
5. All those who faithfully serve in ministries, Worship, Sound/Technical/Kids Church/ Cell Groups/Admin - Bulletins/Finances/Property/Welcoming/Spiritual Leadership/Cafe
6. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Members Meeting – AGM 6th November after the service.
2. Remember to check your duty rosters.
3. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
4. Tune in again this week on our youtube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
