The central tenant upon which Christianity stands is the resurrection. If you remove the resurrection, you remove Christianity itself. Today we read of Christ’s resurrection and what it meant for the first disciples, and what it should mean for us.
Luke 24: The Resurrection
1 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared.
2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb,
3 but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel.
5 And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead?
6 He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee,
7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise."
8 And they remembered his words,
9 and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.
10 Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles,
11 but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.
12 But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marvelling at what had happened.
On the Road to Emmaus
13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem,
14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened.
15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them.
16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.
17 And he said to them, "What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?" And they stood still, looking sad.
18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?"
19 And he said to them, "What things?" And they said to him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people,
20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him.
21 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.
22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning,
23 and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive.
24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see."
25 And he said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!
26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?"
27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther,
29 but they urged him strongly, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So he went in to stay with them.
30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them.
31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight.
32 They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?"
33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together,
34 saying, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!"
35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.
Jesus Appears to His Disciples
36 As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, "Peace to you!"
37 But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit.
38 And he said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?
39 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."
40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.
41 And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marvelling, he said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?"
42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish,
43 and he took it and ate before them.
44 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."
45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,
46 and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead,
47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
48 You are witnesses of these things.
49 And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high."
The Ascension
50 Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them.
51 While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven.
52 And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy,
53 and were continually in the temple blessing God.
Things to think about…
1. In Luke 24:1-12 we see these three women Mary Magdalene, Mary mother of James and Joanna bringing spices to anoint the body of Christ. They remembered that a stone had been rolled in front of the tomb, yet they come. Sometimes we hear the Word of God and even though we fear or doubt, we go anyway. The Lord blesses in these situations. These ladies were met by two angels and told ‘He is risen’. This is our message, even when we doubt, let’s live out and share this timeless truth.
2. I love the ‘Road to Emmaus’ story in Luke 24:13-35. Imagine hearing this sermon about how Jesus is in the OT through the Law, Psalms and the Prophets from the lips of Christ! Look at verse 31. Their eyes were opened when Jesus blessed and broke the bread. When we fellowship with each other, especially around communion, the Lord indeed speaks. Can you remember a time when the Lord spoke to you during a communion service and in some way, opened your eyes? May we have the same statements as these men that our “hearts would burn within us” when we hear the Word of God”
3. Look at the three things the Lord reveals to the disciples when he appears to them as the resurrected Christ. 1. He shows who He is, Luke 24:38, 39. 2. He opens their minds to understand the scriptures, vs 45 and then 3. He asks them to be clothed with power from on high, vs 49 – we know this was Pentecost where they all received the Holy Spirit and gifts. As Christians we should have all three of these realities working out through our lives. Question:- are all three evident in your life? May there be plenty of examples.
4. Look at the Ascension in Luke 24:50-53. It says after He ascended that they worshiped Him, vs 52. Isn’t that what we do? Even though Christ is not here in bodily form, we worship Him. Do you sometimes doubt Christ’s presence when you are trying to worship? What are the factors that stop us from worshiping Him ‘in spirit and in truth’? May they all be removed and we see Him as He is – our resurrected Lord.
Vision Point for cell groups – Cell groups on break over the school holidays
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Sunday’s sermon “There is no greater joy than this” – reading Luke 10:1-24
1. Jesus’ fame began to spread with His message. He raised up the 12 disciples, but then 70 more. Where did these disciples go, what did they do and why were they sent?
2. The disciples rejoiced in the supernatural, Jesus said he “saw Satan fall like lightening” and not to rejoice in the supernatural work. Why?
3. Jesus says to rejoice that our names are written in heaven. What gets in the way of us doing this? What’s the remedy?
4. Pray for each other and current events locally and around the world.
Prayer Points
1. Pray for our Easter services.
2. Pray the Lord blesses the money sent to Polish Baptist Church in Chelm efforts to support Ukrainian refugees. This is the church we will be supporting.
3. Continue to pray for the flood clean-up and all those affected a second and third time round as well as the money donated to help.
4. Folk sick with Covid – Josh and others.
5. Ukraine to continue to repel Russia and peace to come. Pray for Mariupol other cities in the Ukraine.
6. Christ to be seen through us in our community.
7. Pray for other building projects – café roof, the repair of the house roof.
8. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. CBC has raised $2800 for Ukrainian refugees and $1200 in flood donations. I have been messaging Chelm Baptist Church and they are very appreciative of our support.
2. Russia seems to be gradually losing the war. Pray they are held accountable for war crimes.
3. The world is responding overwhelmingly to the war in Ukraine. It has united the west and others against Putin’s evil.
4. God’s word affecting people for Christ
5. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
6. Flood cleanup is restoring communities around Ipswich and Brisbane.
