AUDIO ONLY

- – -

- – -

The Bible tells us that God became man, live a life like ours, was tempted like we are – but did not sin. He did this so that he – the sinless One – qualified to represent sinful ones before God. On the cross he absorbed God’s judgment for my sin – for the sin of all those who would trust him as their sacrific. If, however, this was all that happened death would have had the final say. But this wasn’t all that happened. Jesus beat death and the power of sin in every way. The grave could not keep him – he rose from the dead.

This morning I’d like to talk about the resurrection in a way that, I hope, encourages you. Do you believe Jesus rose from the dead? The reality of the resurrection was, in many ways, the very thing that put fuel under the first disciples. So maybe it can fuel us this morning as well.

- – -

Have you ever had your faith shaken? Have you ever had the cares and turmoils of this world overwhelm you to the point of despair and panic and doubt? The Bible is full of stories of people in great difficulty. Can you imagine being sold into slavery by your siblings – like Joseph? Can you imagine losing everything – wealth, family, health – like Job? As a nation, Israel had times like this. After living in the land God had promised them they were invaded by Babylon, swept into exile, and the temple was destroyed.

The Bible does not hide difficulty. The Bible does not hide pain and suffering. Rather, the Bible tells us that Jesus gives us purpose above the difficulty, purpose and hope above the pain and suffering. So, this morning I’d like to look at another story of discouragement – and I’d like you to try to feel what it might have been like to experience this.

Following the disciples as they follow Jesus is very interesting. 2,000 years ago Israel was looking forward to the time that God would deliver them – again. Not from the Egyptians this time. Not from the Babylonians this time. Not from the Persians this time – but from the Romans. From about 63BC until 70AD the Jews were under Roman rule and again they were looking for delivery – they were looking for a Messiah. If you know your history, in 70AD Rome destroyed Jerusalem and the temple.

So in this period of Roman rule the Jews were anticipating a Messiah – a savior – a redeemer – someone to lead them to freedom. Messiah is a Hebrew term meaning “anointed one”. The Greek counterpart is Christos – Christ. Since they were already in their land the thought was that this savior would be a military/political figure who could get rid of Rome.

And so, now, at God’s appointed time, Jesus comes. And the testimony to who he is, or at least who he claims to be, is NOT hidden. His birth is amazing – and the angels break into our reality – terrifying the shepherds in the field – to praise God. At his baptism God the Father breaks into our reality and says, “This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased.” As Jesus grew older the miracles started to flow – he turned water into wine – publicly, he fed thousands of people from almost nothing, he created a catch of fish so big that the fishing boats couldn’t handle it. He walked on water, he calmed the storm, he healed the masses of sick people – publicly, he raised the dead – publicly, he cast out demons – publicly.

So far, so good – masses of people followed him – this is the guy – this must be the Messiah.

John 7:31 – …many of the people believed in him. They said, “When the Christ appears, will he do more signs than this man has done?”

GOOD NEWS – RIGHT?

Well, in addition to all of this, there was a few other things. Jesus not only represented himself as Messiah, he represented himself as God. He was the author of Scripture and he would NOT take a back seat to the religious and political structures of the day.

So, now, Jesus has with him a close group of close disciples – and they are witness to all of this. And they are IN!! They believe even though some leave when the going gets tough.

John 6:66–69 – Jesus was challenging folks to a deep, personal commitment – After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the Twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”

Jesus does not exactly conform to the picture of who they thought the Messiah would be. He is, at a minimum, going to change everything. So there is big tension building. He looks like he might be the Messiah but everything and everyone will need to take a back seat to this guy.

In many ways the disciples are in the middle. For 2 ½ to 3 years they have been where the action is. They’ve seen Jesus in action and everyone knows they’re aligned with him. Now this is great if Jesus is the Messiah. But if he’s not they could be in trouble.

Now we all know what happened. Jesus was executed like a criminal and the disciples were in turmoil. They had gone from being connected to the most popular guy around – the miracle-working Messiah to cowering behind locked doors.

John 20:19a – 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…

PETER BECAME BOLD

Acts 2:22–24 – “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know – this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.”

Acts 3:14–15 – But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses.

Acts 4:1–2 – And as [Peter & John] were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

- – -

Romans 6:9 – We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.

1 Peter 1:3 – Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…

- – -

Matthew 28:16–20 – 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.”

Jesus is the answer – Jesus us alive – everything he said is true – TAKE HEART