The Resurrection of Christ LUKE 24 The Resurrection

The Resurrection of Christ LUKE 24

The Resurrection of Christ The Turning Point of History • The day Christ died was the most important day in all human history • Matthew described how when Jesus was dying on the cross, the sun became dark for three hours, the veil of the Temple was torn from top to bottom, the ground began to rumble with an earthquake, and the graves of many righteous people around Jerusalem were opened (Matt 27: 45 -53)

The Resurrection of Christ The Turning Point of History • The Bible relates that the thief on the cross next to Jesus and even the Roman Centurion in charge of the execution became believers in Christ as a result of the miraculous events surrounding His crucifixion (Luke 23: 39 -47) • But something much greater was taking place

The Resurrection of Christ The Turning Point of History • The Bible relates that the thief on the cross next to Jesus and even the Roman Centurion in charge of the execution became believers in Christ as a result of the miraculous events surrounding His crucifixion (Luke 23: 39 -47) • But something much greater was taking place – Jesus was reconciling humans to God, He being the final sacrifice to take away sin

The Resurrection of Christ The Turning Point of History • John 3: 16 captures this: • “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. ”

The Resurrection of Christ • In detective shows like Naval Crime Scene Investigation (NCSI) in which the smallest fragments of cloth, droplets of fluid, a hair, or an imprint of a shoe can prove the guilt or innocence of persons implicated in a crime • In a similar fashion, the empty tomb of Jesus is an unparalleled piece of evidence • It points to an event so startling, so shocking, that no human being should pass through this life without giving it the greatest consideration and thought

The Resurrection of Christ • The empty tomb of Jesus is like a witness on the witness stand in court • Many theories have been spun to try to explain it, claims of “coincidence” or “accident” have been made, but in the end only one explanation satisfies all the varying facts • Let’s look at the things that empty tomb tells us

The Resurrection of Christ 1. We do not have to be afraid of Death Our Dreaded Enemy • We have many fears in our lives, but undoubtedly the worst is the fear of Death • It is the great unknown; it can usually only be reached by great suffering – by our physical bodies failing

The Resurrection of Christ 1. We do not have to be afraid of Death Our Dreaded Enemy • Many people think of it as a loss of personality or as nonexistence – which is false • Millions of people report have Near-Death Experiences, where they were still aware/conscious after death – feeling their spirit leave their bodies and often began moving through a dark tunnel or passageway at the end of which was a powerful light

The Resurrection of Christ 1. We do not have to be afraid of Death Our Dreaded Enemy • The Bible is more certain – there is Life after Death – We will all stand before God and give an account for our lives, whether good or bad • The resurrection of Jesus is the greatest Proof that there is Life after Death**

The Resurrection of Christ 1. We do not have to be afraid of Death The Death of Jesus • There was no question to any people present at Jesus’ crucifixion that He was completely and unalterably DEAD • The Jewish leaders made sure that He was dead. They were His enemies and wanted to make sure that He died. They waited at the foot of the cross until they were sure He was dead

The Resurrection of Christ 1. We do not have to be afraid of Death The Death of Jesus • Jesus’ disciples knew He was dead - they heard Him cry and breathe His last – they took His cold and still corpse from the cross and placed it in a tomb – later when some claimed He was alive, they did not believe it and had to be convinced that Jesus was alive

The Resurrection of Christ 1. We do not have to be afraid of Death The Death of Jesus • The most certain proof that Jesus died on the cross was the Roman soldier's method of execution – crucifying people was their everyday normal business – their lives would be forfeited if they let a prisoner live and escape

The Resurrection of Christ 1. We do not have to be afraid of Death The Death of Jesus • The soldiers watched Jesus “give up His spirit” – the last violent shaking of His body – they undoubtedly checked His body and noted that he became cold and stiff • And to make certain beyond all doubt, they thrust a spear into His rib cage – through all His vital organs • Jesus was DEAD**

The Resurrection of Christ 1. We do not have to be afraid of Death The Resurrection of Jesus • The certainty of His death makes even more awesome the power of His resurrection – His resurrection was unstoppable • No matter how badly they mutilated His body, they could not stop His resurrection • The Guards at the tomb could not stop it

The Resurrection of Christ 1. We do not have to be afraid of Death The Resurrection of Jesus • • The large stone and the seal could not stop it Pontius Pilate could not stop it The atheists, the liberals, the doubters could not stop it Not the President, nor the Parliaments, nor any power in the universe, heaven or hell, could stop it

The Resurrection of Christ 1. We do not have to be afraid of Death The Resurrection of Jesus • Paul tells us that there were 500 people at one time who saw Jesus after His resurrection – ALIVE (1 Cor 15: 4 -8) • Luke tells us that Jesus appeared to the disciples over a period of 40 days, in at least 12 appearances, with hundred seeing Him (Acts 1: 3) • His resurrection was unstoppable**

The Resurrection of Christ 1. We do not have to be afraid of Death The Long-Awaited Savior has Come • Jesus coming and dying for our sins was not unexpected – it was prophesied of in the Old Testament by over 332 specific prophecies about His life • Paul declared that the resurrection designated Jesus as God’s only Son (Romans 1: 3 -4)

The Resurrection of Christ 1. We do not have to be afraid of Death The Long-Awaited Savior has Come • Consider Hanegraff’s statement: • “The resurrection is not merely important to the historic Christian faith – without it there would be no Christianity. It elevates Christianity above all other world religions. Through the Resurrection, Christ demonstrated that He does not stand in a line of peers with Abraham, Buddha, Confucius, or Mohammad. Jesus Christ is utterly unique. He had the power not only to lay down His life, but also to take it up. ”

The Resurrection of Christ 1. We do not have to be afraid of Death* The Long-Awaited Savior has Come • Note also that in the Bible, Jesus is called Almighty, the Creator, God manifest in the flesh, Immanuel, King Eternal, Lord of Glory, Mighty God, Author of Life, Savior, and Word or God, among many other names*

The Resurrection of Christ 2. Sin and its Consequences are Conquered The Terrible Power of Sin • Ever since the Fall of man in sin, we have had sin imputed to us – we have sin in us – it is our inherent nature to sin • Romans 3: 23 says “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”**

The Resurrection of Christ 2. Sin and its Consequences are Conquered* Jesus Bore Our Sins • “But he was wounded for our transgressions, He was crushed for our inequities…and the Lord has laid on Him the inequity of us all” (Isaiah 53: 5 -6) • Once Jesus died for our sins, as our substitute, if we have surrendered our lives to Him, there can be no more accusation against us, because our debt is paid*

The Resurrection of Christ 3. The Promise of a New Life • How many of us would like to start life over • Would we leave a few things out? • Would we reverse a few dumb decisions

The Resurrection of Christ 3. The Promise of a New Life • How many of us would like to start life over • Would we leave a few things out? • Would we reverse a few dumb decisions • We can not do that, but we can start over in the sight of God • If Jesus can change prostitutes into saintly women, murders or judgmental and harsh men into apostles – then God can transform you – trust in Him

The Resurrection of Christ 3. The Promise of a New Life* New Life • Romans 8: 1: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” • There is nothing for you to feel bad about if you are trusting in Christ for your salvation • Your new life can begin today if you accept Christ as your Lord and Savior*

The Resurrection of Christ 4. Resurrection and Immortality are Possible Uncertainty Turned to Reality • Man’s uncertainty with death might be shown by the words of the Greek philosopher Socrates as he drank poison hemlock and lay down to die • When asked “Shall we live again? ”, the dying philosopher could only reply, “I hope so, but no man can know. ”

The Resurrection of Christ 4. Resurrection and Immortality are Possible Uncertainty Turned to Reality • However, Paul states: “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. ” (1 Cor 15: 20) • Christ’s resurrection, grounded in the truth of eyewitness testimony, changes everything • If God raised Christ from the dead, then Christ truly was the firstfruits, or the first of many who would also be raised from the dead

The Resurrection of Christ 4. Resurrection and Immortality are Possible It is Friday, but Sunday is Coming (from Lockridge) • It’s Friday! Jesus is praying, Peter’s straying, Judas is betraying – But Sunday is coming • It’s Friday. Pilate is judging, the council is fudging, the crowds are shouting, the disciples are pouting. Mary is crying and Peter is denying. But they don’t know – that Sunday is coming

The Resurrection of Christ 4. Resurrection and Immortality are Possible It is Friday, but Sunday is Coming (from Lockridge) • It’s Friday! With whips Jesus is torn; with scarlet robe and crown of thorns He’s adorned; by Him the Cross is borne. But they don’t know – that Sunday is coming • Its Friday! On the Cross Jesus hangs, and feels it pangs. Sin is crushing, His blood is gushing, His Life is rushing out. Can no one save Him? He who, so brave, dared face the grave? No one. Its Friday, but Sunday is coming

The Resurrection of Christ 4. Resurrection and Immortality are Possible It is Friday, but Sunday is Coming (from Lockridge) • It’s Friday! The earth trembles; the sky grows dark. My King yields His spirit. Death’s victory is stark. Sin has prevailed, the saints bewail and Satan’s laughter exhales • It’s Friday! Jesus was buried. At the tomb, the soldiers tarried. The stone was rolled, Death had its hold, and even the sun went cold. But…it was only Friday and Sunday is coming

The Resurrection of Christ 4. Resurrection and Immortality are Possible Then…It…Was…Sunday! • Heaven bended, God’s power rended, the angels descended! The soldiers quaked, the earth shaked, the stone popped, and time stopped! • It’s Sunday! Christ arose, matter froze. Lights flashed, darkness crashed; Hell reeled, Satan squealed, demons kneeled, and thunder peeled!

The Resurrection of Christ 4. Resurrection and Immortality are Possible Then…It…Was…Sunday! • Sin was defeated, death was cheated, and our salvation completed! Jesus ascended, the Throne He attended, our Sonship He extended, with lives un-ended • Praise God for the Resurrection of Jesus! It’s Sunday now, so let the Son set you free*

The Resurrection of Christ • As we look back at our study of Luke and the life of Jesus, how would you describe God?

The Resurrection of Christ • As we look back at Luke and the life of Jesus, how would you describe God? • Illustration: “Pursued by Love”

The Resurrection of Christ • Is not that the way it is between us and God? • We do not realize that our time is running out and that God – in His goodness – is trying to reach us to save us? • Why are we still running?

The Resurrection of Christ • Luke shows us that Jesus died for us on the Cross, so we do not have to suffer eternal punishment • All we must do is stop and accept His gift of eternal life!

The Resurrection of Christ Will you accept God’s gift of Eternal Life?