He Is Risen

He Is Risen!

April 24, 2011

Introduction

Last Sunday we spoke of the gospel. We referred to (1 Cor 15:1-4 NKJV) as Paul wrote: “Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, {2} by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you; unless you believed in vain. {3} For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, {4} and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,

Last Sunday we spoke of His Cross, of His death, and of how it shows His great love for us, and the Father’s love. Today, we look at the gospel again, but this time a more joyous message: the message of hope, the message that He is Risen.

Our very calendar bears the mark of our Lord’s coming into the world, April 24, 2011. 2011, because according to those who did the calculations, it was 2011 years ago that Christ was born. Without His death, burial, and resurrection, He would not have made the dramatic impact on the history of the world.

Not only did He change history, He changed lives. He is risen!

Body

I. “He is Risen!”

The angel delivered the message of hope.

(Mat 28:5-7) “But the angel answered and said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. {6} "He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. {7} "And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you."

1. An event that changed the history of the world.

2. Our calendar bears the mark of our Lord’s coming into the world: 2011!

Paul said the resurrection means everything.

(1 Cor 15:12-23 NKJV) Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? {13} But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. {14} And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. {15} Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up; if in fact the dead do not rise. {16} For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. {17} And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! {18} Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. {19} If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. {20} But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. {21} For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. {22} For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. {23} But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming.

II. Those on the road to Emmaus were so excited about a risen Savior!

(Luke 24:13 NKJV) Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem. {14} And they talked together of all these things which had happened. {15} So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. {16} But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him. {17} And He said to them, "What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?"

A. Their hopes had been crushed. They were sad.

B. Jesus begins to talk to them in a way they have no idea Who He is.

(Luke 24:18) Then the one whose name was Cleopas answered and said to Him, "Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You not known the things which happened there in these days?" {19} And He said to them, "What things?" So they said to Him, "The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, {20} "and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death, and crucified Him.

C. They are sad because their hope is gone.

{21} "But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened. {22} "Yes, and certain women of our company, who arrived at the tomb early, astonished us. {23} "When they did not find His body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive. {24} "And certain 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."

D. Jesus began to explain the scriptures to them.

(Luke 24:25) Then He said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! {26} "Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?" {27} And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.

E. Jesus doesn’t intrude. He needs an invitation.

(Luke 24:28) Then they drew near to the village where they were going, and He indicated that He would have gone farther. {29} But they constrained Him, saying, "Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent." And He went in to stay with them.

F. They realize Who Jesus was.

(Luke 24:30) Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. {31} Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.

G. For whatever reason, they had failed to act on their impulse, or instinct.

(Luke 24:32) And they said to one another, "Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?"

H. Being face to face with their risen Lord re-energized them.

(Luke 24:33) So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, {34} saying, "The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!"

1. It’s late. Time to turn in for the evening.

2. Jerusalem is 7 miles away, my guess is that they covered the ground pretty quickly.

3. The risen Lord had changed their lives.

4. Sadness and hopelessness had been replaced with joy and excitement.

I. They were glad to share their story.

(Luke 24:35) And they told about the things that had happened on the road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of bread.

J. Jesus appears

1. He authenticates their story.

(Luke 24:36) Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, "Peace to you." {37} But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit.

2. He reassures them of Who He is.

(Luke 24:38) And He said to them, "Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? {39} "Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have." {40} When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. {41} But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, "Have you any food here?" {42} So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb. {43} And He took it and ate in their presence.

3. He explains to them that He is the fulfillment of prophecy.

(Luke 24:44) Then He said to them, "These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me." {45} And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. {46} Then He said to them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day,

4. How are we affected?

(Luke 24:47) "and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

5. Their future is spelled out.

(Luke 24:48) "And you are witnesses of these things. {49} "Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high."

III. The risen Lord changed lives like Saul of Tarsus who became the apostle Paul.

A. Saul was one who was persecuting the church.

(Acts 9:1-6 NKJV) Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest {2} and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. {3} As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. {4} Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" {5} And he said, "Who are You, Lord?" Then the Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads." {6} So he, trembling and astonished, said, "Lord, what do You want me to do?" Then the Lord said to him, "Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."

B. Saul met the risen Lord on the way to Damascus, and he was never the same again.

(1 Tim 1:12-15 NKJV) And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, {13} although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. {14} And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. {15} This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.

III. Peter was met by the risen Lord and turned his life around.

A. The Lord restored Peter after He had denied Him three times.

(John 21:15-17 NKJV) So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Feed My lambs." {16} He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Tend My sheep." {17} He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep.

B. Restoration isn’t always easy.

1. It’s great to know that He loved us enough to die for us.

2. It’s great to know the power of His resurrection.

IV. Because He lives, we have hope of living also.

A. Paul said His resurrection gives us the hope of a resurrection also.

(2 Cor 4:14 NKJV) knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you.

B. He was raised to give us life.

(Rom 4:25 KJV) Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Conclusion

He is Risen! And the world has never been the same.

He is Risen! And he gives hope to everyone who is in Him, that we too can be raised to live with Him eternally.

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