New Heights Christian Church, Kent, WA - Pastor Micah Adamson

Sunday, April16, 2016 - New Heights Christian Church, Kent, WA - Pastor Micah Adamson

New Heights Christian Church, Kent, WA - Pastor Micah Adamson

Title: Easter Sunday: The Resurrection to the Ascension

Text: Luke 24:1-53

Luke 24:26-27 (NIV84)

26 Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

Introduction: Luke 24

He is risen! (He is risen indeed!)
Good Sunday celebrations are even better after celebrating Jesus’ death on Good Friday!
Today we’re going to conclude our reading of Luke 18-24 from Palm Sunday and Good Friday
by reading Luke 24 where three groups of Jesus’ disciples come to believe in Jesus’ resurrection.
Luke 24:1-12 The Women at Jesus’ Empty Tomb learn about Jesus’ resurrection from Angels
Luke 24:13-35 Two disciples on the Road to Emmaus learn about Jesus’ resurrection from Jesus
Luke 24:36-53 Eleven Disciples in Jerusalem learn about Jesus’ resurrection from Jesus
Whenever you read the story of Jesus’death and resurrection from one gospel, many of the details that are filled in by other gospels are left out.
The differences between the gospel accounts are complimentary not contradictory.
It’s possible and enjoyable to read all four gospels and see how the stories fit together.
But, I want to focus on the way Luke tells the resurrection story to see the point he’s making.
All three groups of disciples in Luke go through the same four stagesin each story (Pastor Dan):
Confusion = or unbelief.
Rebuke = or getting in trouble for their unbelief.
Instruction = or information to help address their unbelief.
Witness = or telling other unbelievers what they learned.
As we read these stories, I encourage you to ask yourself what stage you are in.
Also, notice how God temporarily hides the truth about Jesus in order to reveal it later.
The disciples struggled most with believing Jesus could be the Christ since He suffered and died.
Today, many people struggle more with believing that Jesus really rose from the dead.
Both halves of the story are vital for our salvation, and both really happened!
Luke compiled the following eye witness testimony to help us believe in Jesus.

The Women at Jesus’ Empty Tomb learn about Jesus’ resurrection from Angels

Luke 24:1-4a (NIV84)Phase 1: Confusion

1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this…

Confusion: Wondering. Not drawing the logical conclusion that Jesus had risen from the dead.
Notice that they are looking for “the body of the Lord Jesus” = Bodily resurrection.
Is this how you would describe your opinion about Jesus resurrection: you wonder about it?
I encourage you to take the time to wonder enough to come to a conclusion.

Luke 24:4b-8 (NIV84)Phase 2-3: Rebuke and Instruction

4 …suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ”[Luke 18:33]8 Then they remembered his words.

Rebuke: The angelstold the women that they should have believed what Jesus told them!
Jesus’ death happening just like He said would, should have been evidence that
Jesus’ resurrection would happen just like He said it would too.
Instruction: The angels reminded them ofJesus’ words aboutdying and rising andthey remembered.
Do you know the story well enough to remember Jesus predicting His death and resurrection?
I encourage you to read it again. Jesus said His dying and rising would prove all His other claims.
Do you know the story of Jesus’ resurrection well enough to be trouble for not believing it?

Luke 24:9-11 (NIV84)Phase 4: Witness

9 When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles.

Witness: 3 women listed by name + others, told 11 disciples + others.
The women told the disciples all these things = everything they saw and all the angels said.
Do you know the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection well enough to share it with others?

Luke 24:11-12 (NIV84)Back toPhase 1: Confusion…

11 But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. 12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.

Confusion: They did not believe, it seemed like nonsense, end up wondering like the women did.
The women’s witnessing started the next round of the cycle.
The disciples need to be rebuked for not believing evidence from the women, angels, and Jesus.
The truth of Jesus’ resurrection is still hidden from them. They need God to open their eyes.
Are you still confused about Jesus’ resurrection? Wonder enough to investigate!

Two Disciples on the Road to Emmaus learn about Jesus’ resurrection from Jesus

Luke 24:13-24 (NIV84)Phase 1: Confusion

13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him.

17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”

They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?”

19 “What things?” he asked.

“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.”

Confusion: They did not believe credible witnesses who reminded them of what Jesus said.
They only believe Jesus was a prophet. They no longer believe Jesus would redeem Israel.
They sound like they don’t even believe that the women really saw angels, just a vision.
Notice again that they “didn’t find his body” = Bodily resurrection.
Jesus is keeping Himself hidden in order to reveal Himself for all of who He really is as the Christ.
Are you confused about Jesus?Read the gospels to see Jesus claimed to be more than a prophet.

Luke 24:25-26 (NIV84)Phase 2: Rebuke

25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?”

Rebuke: Jesus calls these two foolish and slow of heart for not believing the OT about the Christ.
The main thing they didn’t get from the OT Prophets was that Jesus had to suffer before His glory

1 Peter 1:10-11 (NIV84)

10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.

The disciples’ inability to see that the Christ had to suffer before His glory was directly related to their struggles to understand their own need to be willing to suffer before their glory.

Do you need to be rebuked for not believing inJesus because He didn’t end all suffering yet?
I encourage you to wrestle with the truth that we are still waiting for perfection at Jesus’ return.

Luke 24:27-32 (NIV84)Phase 3: Instruction

27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.

30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

Instruction: The first part of their instruction was a Bible study of the whole OT: Law + Prophets.
I used to lament that they didn’t write down what Jesus said on the road to Emmaus.
But now, I trust what apostles wrote in the book of Acts and the rest of the NT came from Jesus.
The second part of their instruction was recognizing Jesus when He broke the bread.
These words match almost exactly what Jesus did both at the last supper and the feeding of the 5,000 both are connected to Jesus giving Himself to us to eat by faith (Luke 9:16, 22:19, John 6).
Jesus was hidden from them until their eyes were opened to see that the Messiah had to give His body as a sacrifice for sin before He began to reign as king.
Hearing about Jesus made their hearts burn even before they recognized Jesus.
Do you need further instruction about Jesus fulfilling the OT? Read the NT, watch the footnotes.

Luke 24:33-35 (NIV84)Phase 4: Witness

33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

Witness: They immediately walked/ran the 7 miles back to Jerusalem to share this news!
This time the Eleven disciples are more willing to listen since the witnesses are mounting up!

The Eleven Disciples in Jerusalem learn about Jesus’ resurrection from Jesus

Luke 24:36-37 (NIV84)Phase 1: Confusion

36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost.

Confusion:Even after the witness of the women, the two disciples, and Peter, when Jesus appears they think they see a ghost! (It sounds like how the two said that the women had seen a vision).
Seeing someone’s ghost is universally accepted as evidence that they are dead, not alive.
They don’t believe in Jesus’ bodily resurrection yet.They didn’t believe what they saw.
Jesus’ appearance almost sounds like He’d been there all along, but they couldn’t see Him yet, like He was with the two on the road (in John 20:19 it sounds more like He walked through the wall).
Are you confused about Jesus’ resurrection? If you think Jesus only rose from the dead spiritually or metaphorically, reread the gospels and see that this explanation doesn’t fit.

Luke 24:38-42 (NIV84)Phase 2: Rebuke

38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”

40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence.

Rebuke: Jesus asked them why they would be troubled or have doubts about His resurrection.
Jesus emphasizes the reality of His bodily resurrection by eating.If Jesus wasn’t resurrected bodily, then what happened to the fish?
I’m glad Jesus provided additional proof of His bodily resurrection after the two were kept from recognizing Jesus, and He miraculously appeared in the room with the eleven disciples.
Remember that Jesus could do miraculous things with His body like walking on water, even before He died and rose again (Matt. 14:22-36, Mark 6:45-56, John 6:16-21).
Notice that even their joy and amazement kept them from believing.
Do you need to be rebuked for failing to believe the evidence because it’s too good to be true?
See if there’s good evidence for Jesus’ resurrection, before you ask how you feel about it.

Luke 24:38-42 (NIV84)Phase 3: Instruction

44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”

45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Instruction: Jesus explained to the Eleven the same thing that He explained to the two: the Christ had to suffer and die for our sins before being raised from the dead and sharing this news with the world.
Jesus doesn’t just remind the disciples of His own predictions of His death and resurrection like the angels did, Jesus reminded them of the OT prophesies in the Law + Prophets + Psalms.
Do you need instruction about how the OT teachesChrist must suffer? We’ll review shortly.

Luke 24:48-50 (NIV84)Phase 4: Witness

48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

50 When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.

Witness: Jesus assigned the disciples to preach after He returned to heaven and sent the Holy Spirit.
Their joy led them to worship Jesus and praise God the Father this time, waiting for the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit coming to give new hearts and forgive sin in the New Covenant was prophesied in the OT just as Jesus’ coming to die for our sinwas (Ezek. 36:26-27, Jer. 31:33-34, Joel 2:28-32).
Do you know the gospel well enough to be witnesses? Do you witness as a joyful act of praise?

The Messiah had to Suffer: in the whole OT= Law + Prophets + Psalms

Law:
Exodus 12:21-23 – God provided a sacrificial lamb on Passover whose blood saved His people from His judgment.
Luke 22:7,19-20 – On Passover, Jesus told His disciples that His blood was shed for them.
1 Peter 1:18-21 – Christians taught that Jesus is our true Passover lamb whose blood redeems us through faith.
Prophets:
Isaiah 53:1-12–The Messiah was described as a suffering servant and lamb sacrificed for sin.
Luke 22:37 – On Passover, Jesus quoted Isaiah 53 about Himself to say that His death the next day would be counted for our sin.
Acts 8:27, 32-35, 1 Peter 2:20-25 –Christians taught that Isaiah 53 showed that Jesus had to die to save us.
Psalms:
Psalm 118:22-23,27 – One of the most quoted OT passage in the NT is a Psalm sung at Passover, saying the Messiah would be rejected by the leaders before being used by God as the cornerstone.
Luke 19:38, 20:17-18 – Jesus accepted praise from Psalm 118 when He entered Jerusalem on Passover and then quoted it as the conclusion of a parable the next week to show that He would be violently rejected by men before He was given His rightful place as king by God.
Acts 4:10-12, 1 Peter 2:7-9 – Christians taught from Psalm 118 that Jesus’ rejection by the religious leaders was evidence that He was God’s Messiah.

God Hides Jesus in order to Reveal Jesus