jefferis peterson

 

Genuine faith causes you to love everyone equally.                                                                            

Snobbery is inconsistent with the realities of your Christian practice and faith in Christ.

James 2:1 My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. 

What did Jesus say about favoritism and how he demonstrate how to handle snobbery? 

Matt. 22:16 They decided to send some of their men along with the Herodians to ask him this question: “Sir, we know you are very honest and teach the truth regardless of the consequences, without fear or favor. 

 Genuine faith causes you to see the value in everyone.                                                                       Snobbery leads you to misplace the value of yourself.

James 2:2-4 For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, (3)and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” (4)have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?  

Snobbery places you as the judge in the place of God. 

James 2:4 Have you not then made the distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 

Snobbery places you as sovereign in the place of God.

James 2:5 Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? 

Snobbery places you in alignment with the enemies of God.

James 2:6-7 But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? (7)Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called?

Write this down: 

If I am connected to the Bible, then I am connected  to the Body.

We cannot separate human fellowship from divine relationship. 

John 4:20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship. 

Application: Always first, look for ways to value the people in your lives.

Genuine faith causes you to receive and give mercy.                                                                                        Snobbery denies mercy and will condition the judgment you will receive on Judgement Day. 

James 2:8-13 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture. “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. (9)But if you show partiality, you are committing a sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. (10)For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. (11)For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, Do not murder.“ If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 

(12)So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. (13)For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.  

The practice of mercy is evidence that God’s grace has produced a transformation in your heart.

 Genuine faith causes you to realize that you are hurting yourself, your relationship with God and others.

Snobbery deceives you to think you are just hurting others.

Matt. 7:1-2 “Judge not, that you be not judged. (2)For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 

Matt. 6:14-15 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. (15)but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

All that you do as a follower of Christ is filtered thru God’s Word.

Love God.

Love others.

Moses: The Making Of A Mighty Hero
Exodus 3, 4:1-5

The making of a mighty hero begins with a divine appointment.
Exodus 3:1-5 Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. (2) And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. (3) And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” (4) When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” (5) Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”

The making of a mighty hero hears God’s announcement.
Exodus 3:6-10 And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. (7) Then the LORD said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, (8) and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. (9) And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. (10) Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.”

The making of a mighty hero obeys God’s assignment.

When we say “I have no…”, God says “I AM”.
Excuse:
“I have no ability.”
Exodus 3:11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?”

God’s answer:
“I will be with you.”
Exodus 3:12 He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”

“I have no message.”
Exodus 3:13 Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?”

“I am your message.”
Exodus 3:14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”

“I have no authority.”
Exodus 4:1 Then Moses answered, “But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, ‘The LORD did not appear to you.’”

“I give authority.”
Exodus 4:2 The LORD said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A staff.”

“I have no eloquence.”
Exodus 4:10 But Moses said to the LORD, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.”

“I made your mouth”
Exodus 4:11 Then the LORD said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the LORD?

“I have no inclination.”
Exodus 4:13 But he said, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.”

God gives Aaron to assist

NOAH:  HERO OF A SAVING GRACE

Gary Fine – July 8, 2018

 

One of the most famous stories in the Bible is the story of Noah.  A movie about Noah came out about 5 years ago.  Written by Darren Aronfsky, an atheist, it was true to the Bible in only one aspect.  They spelled his name correctly. Noah is said to be the Bible’s greatest financial genius.  He “ floated stock while everyone else was in liquidation.”

The real story is found in Genesis 6: 5-22.  The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.  And the LORD regretted that he had made man on earth, and it grieved his heart.  So the LORD said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals, and creeping things, and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry I made them.  But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.  These are the generations of Noah.  Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation.  Noah walked with God.  And Noah had three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.  Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence. And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all  flesh had corrupted their way on the earth.  And God said to Noah, “I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy the earth.  Make yourself an ark of gopher wood.  Make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch.  This is how you are to make it: the length of the ark 300 cubits, its breadth 50 cubits and its height 30 cubits. Make a roof for the ark, and finish it to a cubit above, and set the door of the ark in its side.  Make it with lower, second, and third decks. For, behold, I will bring flood waters upon the earth to destroy all flesh in which is the breadth of life under heaven.  Everything that is on the earth shall

 

die.  But I will establish a covenant with you, and you shall come into the ark, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you.  And of every living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every sort into the ark to keep them alive with you.  They shall be male and female. Of the birds according to their kinds, and of the animals according to their kinds, of every creeping thing of the ground, according to its kind, two of every sort shall come in to you to keep them alive.  Also take with you every sort of food that is eaten, and store it up.  It shall serve as food for you and for them.  Noah did this; he did all God commanded him.

This is an incredible story, not just of animals or the flood, but of how Noah could have maintained such an amazing faith.  Hebrews 11:7 says, By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear, constructed an ark for the saving of his household.  By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

How would you describe Noah’s great saving faith?  Interestingly, in Hebrews 11: 7, it never says Noah had faith or believed.  But his faith is revealed by his actions.  Notice what it does say about Noah’s faith in the Genesis account:

1. Genesis 6:9 & 7:1  Noah was a righteous  He was blameless. Righteous means he was a just man; he was lawful, he was without blemish, he was obedient, and walked with God.  He had a Godly lifestyle.
2. Genesis 6:22 & 7:5 – He did all God commanded him to do.

Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.  (Genesis 6:8)  Noah’s faith in God resulted in his salvation from the judgement of God. This is the same kind of faith mentioned Ephesians 2:8 – For by grace we are saved through faith.

 

The characteristic of faith that saved Noah is the same kind of faith that saves us.   Noah did not have the same information we have this side of the cross.  But the Holy Spirit utilizes Noah’s faith as a lesson for us to reveal to us what faith must be.  The eleventh chapter of Hebrews focuses on the activity of faith.  We cannot describe our saving faith in any other way; it is faith consumed in the activity of God’s commands.

Hebrews 11:7 – By faith, Noah, when warned about those things not yet seen, in reverent fear built an ark to save his family.  By faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.  For 120 years, “by faith” Noah was consumed with obeying God’s prophesy and command for his salvation.  Every day he lived according to what God spoke about his salvation.

Saving faith is not a single act of asking Jesus into your heart and that all else that happens is something added on to that. In other words, saving faith is more than a single act of receiving Jesus. Saving faith receives Jesus in order to go on trusting Him.   ‘Once saved always saved’ can be misleading. We must live everyday obediently. The heroes in Hebrews, chapter 11, were people who were still living by faith when they died.  Heroic faith stays the course.  Hebrews 10:39 says, But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.  Look at what is at stake!  “Shrink back = destruction.”  “Press on” means to preserve the soul.  Authentic saving faith presses on – day by day.

Faith that saves us from destruction and preserves the soul is future oriented.  It is looking forward to God’s promises.  It is an ever growing faith – not an add-on.

 

 

 

Now faith is the confidence of things hoped for, and the assurance of things not seen.  Hebrews 11:1.

There are four (4) Non-Watered Down Truths about a Life of Faith:

1. First, there is always a promised work of God.
   1. God speaks and promises that in the future He will do something. This is the object of faith – trusting God! What He says He will do, He will do.
   2. Faith is always based on God’s word. Noah was warned by God a flood was coming. He was told to save his family. Noah listened to God’s word and believed. That’s what faith is.  It comes from hearing – hearing the word of God.
   3. Things Not Seen. Noah had no prior knowledge of a flood. He had never seen rain fall from a cloud in the sky.  Genesis 2:5-6 says that instead of rain, streams or mist came up from the ground and watered the earth. The area where Noah lived is believed to have been in Mesopotamia which was located between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. No oceans or lakes were nearby.  Noah had God’s word about these things, and he had to totally trust Him about an event he had never seen or experienced.
   4. A life of faith is built on God’s word. God tells us there will be a second coming.  We have no visual reference to this except His word.  And we know without a doubt, this will definitely occur. He says salvation only comes through Christ.  We believe this to be true because God/ Jesus have assured us there is no other way. How are you living in light of His return?

 

1. Today’ Warning: 2 Thessalonians 1: 6-9  God is just:  He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well.  This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with His powerful angels.  He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our LORD Jesus.  They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the LORD and from the glory of His might.
2. Secondly, in the life of faith there is always an inner response of faith. The scriptures say, In reverence, he prepared an ark. Noah was moved with Godly fear. Noah acted out of fear of God’s judgement.  He did not want to displease God. He revered, or respected, or feared God’s word.  He recognized God would act as He spoke.  The same verbiage is used in Hebrews 5:7 describing Jesus praying in the garden with Godly fear saying, “Not my will, but thine be done.”

Here is my point:  God spoke, Noah believed and there was an inner response of faith, humility and trembling with joy before God’s words were spoken.  Without the inner life of faith, the outer acts are mere acts of performance. In Matthew 23: 27. Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees, calling them whitewashed tombs who looked good on the outside but on the inside they were like the bones of the dead and everything unclean. The outer response is the fruit of the inner experience.  Genuine saving faith, by its very nature, results in radical change.  From hearing God speak to his inner being, Noah was told to build a boat and  he did.

 

If you are saved, God is speaking to you.  We feel His word within us so we pray and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  Forty-seven years ago, when I was 16, I was told by God to serve Him.  I didn’t know exactly what that meant at the time, and initially I resisted it. However, eventually, I knew that was what I was supposed to do. I didn’t know where it would lead, or how I would serve.  In time, He ultimately brought me here.

3. Thirdly, the life of faith involved an external response. Saving faith changes the inner man and changes the way you live.  Noah had a major change in his life!!!  He built an ark.

There are four (4) External Responses to a Saving Faith.

• Convinced – “Prepared” Noah was looking at the flood as a reality.  He was convinced he needed to build a boat  to survive.
• Comprehensive – “All” Noah was “ all in.” He followed God’s specific instructions as to how to build the ark.  He did it God’s way.  He could have built a smaller boat.  It would have taken a lot less time and work.  But to serve God we are not to take short-cuts.  There were no shortcuts to the price of our salvation.  God expects the same from us.

Once a man who had built homes for 40 years for a wealthy man told him he would build one last house before he retired.  They man gave him a $200,000 budget. The builder decided to make some money on the side to have a bigger profit. He used inferior materials

 

 

and cut corners to pocket what he “saved”.  At the completion of the home, he went to the wealthy man to tell him he had finished.  When he did, the man handed the keys to the home to the builder saying, “This one is yours.”

• Commitment  Noah spent 120 years building the ark.  He had no prior experience as a builder, he had no easy supplies, he even had to chop down the gopher trees and carry them to the site.  People around him ridiculed him.  They thought he was a fool to prepare for a flood – whatever that was.  It would have been nice to have had come assurance.  “But faith is the assurance of things hoped for.”  Like Caleb, he was determined to finish strong.  He didn’t quit or back down.  He was the type of man referred to in Matthew 24:13.  “He who stands firm till the end will be saved.”

 

• Communicate 2 Peter 2:5 says Noah was a preacher of righteousness and tried to warn the ungodly people around him to accept what he believed and what God had spoken. This is so important now as it was then. Don’t miss the act of God’s love.  The end is coming; things are being prepared for judgement.  As John the Baptist cried out in the wilderness, “Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand.  Your non-watered down external response to saving grace is to tell others the redemptive plan of God’s salvation.

 

 

 

 

4. Fourthly, the life of faith has a measure of rewards. Noah prepared the ark to save his household and became the heir of righteousness.  This he received years later when he died.  Romans 8:17 says, As believers we are heirs with Christ to the cross, but our inheritance will be in heaven with God.

But a saving faith has rewards now.  We can be declared righteous.  We may be imputed as “Not Guilty.”  We are imparted.  We desire to have right conduct.

Just as the ark was the ONLY means of salvation from God’s judgement, so the LORD Jesus Christ is the ONLY way that God has provided for salvation from his coming judgement.  Those who were in the ark were saved. Those who were out were lost.  In Noah’s day it wasn’t a matter of being a good swimmer. It’s not a matter of being good enough. It’s about our saving faith in God.

 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.      2 Corinthians 5:21

At the time of Jesus’ crucifixion and death, the Jews were distraught and confused. They had hoped for a Messiah who would free them from Roman domination and persecution. The disciples were especially distressed and filled with grief. Jesus had died. He was gone. They felt lost. Then, Jesus reappeared to them (and to others as well.) Their disappointments quickly turned into joy. Jesus showed them the scars on his hands and feet, He asked them to share their meal with Him, and then reminded them of the Old Testament prophesies that foretold the events of His life and death. He opened their minds, and they understood. He promised them a baptism of the Holy Spirit and put forth directives to begin a movement to spread the Word to the ends of the earth. A new normal had begun. They knew they had Jesus once more and forever, and their lives would never be the same again. Once their hearts were captured, they had to yield their lives.

After 40 days, Jesus ascended into heaven. Now it was time for the apostles to earnestly begin moving forward to carry on everything Jesus had begun. It was the beginning of a new movement. The church became an active body which required commitment and sacrifice. The Book of Acts is the account of the development of the church.

The Greek word for church is “ekklesia.” When translated, this means a gathering of people around an idea. This is what the first church was; a movement of people dedicated to carrying the word of God to every outreach possible. It could be compared to the Pro-Life Movement today. People who are involved promote the protection of unborn babies with rallies and demonstrations and letters to influence others of their belief. It is active and involved. It is not stagnant. The early church was movement around the idea that Jesus is the Savior and Lord of all. In Acts, this message was embraced by many, and the Word was taken to places as far as possible. The early church had begun.

Then, about 400 AD the Dark Ages began. During this period, people began to associate the idea of church as simply a place where you sat through a religious service. This was a time of spiritual darkness. The church became an institution. It was a place where powerful people manipulated and controlled the minds of others. The fundamental way people related to the church shifted from a movement of the idea of Jesus’ atoning work to an event you just sat through. Church was a place where people were influenced by church leadership. Most people were uneducated, and their lives were controlled by the mindset of others of authority. People had little opportunity to grow in their faith and knowledge. It was a dark period in every aspect.

In the 16th century, the Protestant Reformation began. God raised up a group of people called ‘Reformers.” Men like Martin Luther, John Calvin, and Ulrich Zwingle, a Swiss reformer who opposed the Catholic Church, began to express their views. A key figure during this period was William Tyndale, an English spokesperson. He stated, “The church is an assembly built around a movement. If followers were going to be devoted to that purpose, they had to understand the message and its power.” Most of these men died as martyrs. Tyndale did as well. His last words before his execution in 1536 were, “LORD, open the eyes of the king of England.” The LORD did. Work on the King James Bible began in 1604. For the first time, common people had a copy of God’s word available to them. This began a desire to be educated, and many people learned to read so they could read the Bible.
In every age, there are dangers, past and present. This happens in a church when it ceases to be a movement. If it exists just to minister to people through service, that is not enough. While good in part, the main purpose of the church is to spread the Word of God. What’s worse is for a church to simply become a place to attend. Sitting in a pew is a passive activity. A passive church is not moving forward. If you are part of a movement, you move!

This was the concept of the Acts Church. The inception of the church was a movement of people. They were empowered by the Holy Spirit. Their lives were built around the conviction that Jesus died as a Savior of all. He was raised from the dead. This proved He was who He said He was. He now is the LORD over all the earth. He commands repentance and obedience, and He invites us to His heavenly home. This was the message delivered to all who heard the Word of God at that time.

In Acts 1:6, Jesus had gathered together with the apostles. They asked, “Lord, is it time for you to restore the kingdom to Israel?” In the next two (2) verses, Jesus said the timing was of God. Their mission was to receive the power of the Holy Spirit which would equip them to be witnesses of Him throughout all of Judea, Samaria, and to the end of the earth. A witness is one who has seen and heard the events about which he testifies. The apostles were to spread the news of all they had experienced in their journeys with Christ.

Then Jesus ascended into Heaven. The broken hearts of the apostles became burning hearts. Once they had been fearful runaways. Now they were to become bold stepping stones.

What changed them?
1. It was the message that captured their minds and hearts. Acts 4:12 “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
2. Jesus died as a substitute for our sins. He was not a prophet. He was God, Himself. His death was a sacrificial payment for our sins.
3. Jesus rose from the grave. The apostles saw it. They had proof.
4. Jesus was their only hope. “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
5. Their lives were yielded to the leadership of the Holy Spirit. They realized Jesus was their only hope. They believed His message, and it moved them. Luke told the skeptic, Theophilus, in Acts 1:1, “I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach…..”

In every chapter of Acts, the church is simply following the Holy Spirit. He is the mover of the followers. He empowers them to speak. They are filled with the Holy Spirit.
1. Acts 2:4 –“the Apostles at Pentecost declare God’s praises.”
2. Acts 4:8 – Peter preaches to the rulers.
3. Acts 4:31 – The disciples speak the Word boldly despite persecution.
4. Acts 9:20 – Paul preaches in synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.

What are our excuses that keep us from witnessing??
1. I don’t have what it takes. The Spirit of God is constantly at work around you preparing their hearts. The same Spirit uses you to speak the Word of God.
2. It’s not my gift. Sharing Jesus is more of a responsibility than a gift.
3. I don’t have time. As you go through life, share what you know about Christ.
4. I witness with my life. The gospel is not about a good example of you, but the message of what Jesus has done.

Acts 1:8 – “But you will receive the power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you………..”
Say to yourself: But, (insert your name) will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon (your name) and (your name) will be my witness.

Our challenge is to do it! We should be so grateful that the apostles embraced this message and carried it to others.
When Gary was 16 years old, he had a dream that impacted his life. He was standing in line in Heaven, and some of his friends were not in line. They were headed another direction. It was to Hell. It impacted his life. He thought about a friend who had drowned. He felt horror because he had not witnessed to him. A movement moves. He became who he is today.

Charles H. Spurgeon said: “ If Jesus is precious to you, you will not be able to keep the good news to yourself. You will be whispering it into your child’s ear; you will be telling it to your husband; you will be earnestly imparting it to your friend; without charms of eloquence you will be more than eloquent; your heart will speak, and your eyes will flash as you talk of His sweet love.

EVERY CHRISTIAN IS EITHER A MISSIONARY OR AN IMPOSTER. You will either try to spread abroad the kingdom of Christ, or else you do not love Him at all.

It cannot be that here is a high appreciation of Jesus and a totally silent tongue about Him…. If you really know Christ, you are like one that has found honey; you will call others to the taste of sweetness; you are like a beggar who has discovered an endless supply of food; you must go tell a hungry crowd that you have found Jesus. And you are anxious that they should find Him too.”

MOVEMENTS MOVE! IF YOU ARE NOT MOVING, HAVE YOU REALLY BELIEVED THE MESSAGE?

Luke 24:31-53 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. (32) They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” (33) And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, (34) saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” (35) Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread. (36) As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” (37) But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. (38) And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? (39) See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” (40) And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. (41) And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” (42) They gave him a piece of broiled fish, (43) and he took it and ate before them. (44) Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” (45) Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, (46) and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, (47) and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. (48) You are witnesses of these things. (49) And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” (50) And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. (51) While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. (52) And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, (53) and were continually in the temple blessing God.

1. Change of heart…
From broken hearts to burning hearts
(31) And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. (32) They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?”

2. Doors of opportunity…
From impossible locked doors to possible locked doors.
(33) And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, (34) saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” (35) Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Life’s biggest opportunities are not obvious and not the most convenient.

3. Presence and power of the resurrected Jesus…
From invisibility to invincibility

Physical evidence
Presence and Peace of Jesus
(36) As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” (37) But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. (38) And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? (39) See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” (40) And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. (41) And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” (42) They gave him a piece of broiled fish, (43) and he took it and ate before them.

Biblical evidence
Purpose and promise of Jesus
. (44) Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” (45) Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, (46) and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, (47) and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. (48) You are witnesses of these things. (49) And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

Personal evidence
Transformed lives – From invisibility to invincibility
(50) And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. (51) While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. (52) And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, (53) and were continually in the temple blessing God.

Romans 8:11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.