This is an exposition of Luke 24:36-43. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, March 11, 2018.
Intro:
We live in a scientific age. A time in which truth is more and more determined through a scientific methodology. The dominate ethos of our time is that our problems will be solved through science. We no longer look to the church. We look to the academy.
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We do not want to know what the Bible says we want to know what the social sciences tell us about us? Who are we? What are our greatest needs and how can we find true happiness? While biblical faith is not anti-scientific, it is not in opposition to reason it is mysterious. There are things we do not understand, things we cannot reconcile with our normal daily experience. Thus there are things we accept by faith. It’s not “blind” faith. It is not a “leap in the dark”. It is not faith for no reason but it is faith based on what God has spoken to us through His Word. It may not seem reasonable to you. It might even contradict your experience but it is none-the-less true. Our experience tells us dead people do not get up and walk out of cemeteries. Yet central to our faith, in fact essential to our faith is the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul said to the church at Corinth, “I delivered to you what was of primary importance…that Jesus died for our sins, according to Scripture, he was buried and he rose again on the third day.” In fact Paul makes it clear, without the resurrection there is no Gospel.
The Nicean Creed says, “We look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.” The Apostle’s Creed states, “We believe in the resurrection of the body.” This has been the confession of the church from its earliest days. It is an essential doctrine. First, that Christ rose from the dead and second, that we will rise. Yet there are many who do not believe. They are convinced that this life is it. This is all there is and there is nothing to follow. Others would say, there is a life to come but it is a “spiritual” existence. The soul returns to God or whatever is out there. Still others hope there is something and hope the body is raised but doubts that such a thing will actually happen. After all, dead bodies are…well, lifeless. And what about when it returns to dust? It just seems so impossible.
The disciples certainly didn’t believe. The day began with an extraordinary report. Some women had gone, just before dawn, to the garden tomb. They returned with a fantastic tale about the tomb being empty and some angels saying that Jesus was alive. The disciples dismissed it as the hysterical rantings of a few women. But Peter ran to the tomb and found it empty. He wasn’t sure what to make of it so he went home wondering about what it meant. Throughout the day others went and confirmed that the tomb was empty. Various reports began to come in from those who claim to have seen the Lord. Late in the afternoon two disciples where on their way home to Emmaus when a stranger joined them. This stranger began to teach them from the Old Testament how the Messiah must suffer, die and be raised to life in order to enter into his glory. After reaching their home their eyes were opened and they realized that had been walking and talking with the resurrected Lord. Once they recognized him, he vanished. They hurried back to Jerusalem with the news. Upon arrival they learn that the Lord had appeared to Peter. The two then told their story and as they all tried to wrap their minds around what had happened…the Lord Jesus entered the room. Our text this morning is found in the 24th chapter of Luke.
Text: Luke 24:36-43
You have to keep in mind this all happened in just one day.
They watched him die.
They saw him buried.
Then beginning early that morning - “He’s alive!”
Various reports throughout the day and now - here he is.
As we work through this text I want to remind you that…
Thesis: At the heart of the Christian gospel is this remarkable, unbelievable, astonishing and yet absolutely essential truth of the bodily resurrection of Jesus.
It is not that the influence of Jesus lives on.
It is not that we have his teaching and our wonderful experience with him.
No, it is that he, bodily, physically rose from the dead.
Not a ghost or a disembodied spirit - but Jesus, the whole person, body, soul and spirit.
I say this is essential because Paul said if he didn’t physically rise from the grave our preaching is in vain, your faith is worthless and we are still in our sin. We are lost, and to be pitied more than anyone on the planet.
I want us to note 3 things as we move through this passage.
- A Startling Appearance and a Remarkable Gift (24:36-37)
- A Gracious Rebuke and Convincing Proof (24:38-43)
- A Curious Expression but an Understandable Response (24:41)
Conclusion:
It had been an incredible day. So much had happened in such a short time. It was just so remarkable, so unbelievable, so astonishing they could not believe it - but they did believe it and so must you.
For at the heart of the Christian gospel is this remarkable, unbelievable, astonishing and yet absolutely essential truth of the bodily resurrection of Jesus.
Without it there is no Gospel.
Do you believe?
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