Who is Jesus?
Here’s a hidden truth we often miss……
++The writers/follower’s in the N.T. considered themselves hero’s of faith, but were totally honest with their unbelief and struggle believing who Jesus is.
But the Resurrection changes everything.
Is this the end?
1 When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb.
Mark 16: 1-2, ESV
And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?”
Mark 16:3, ESV
And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back-it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed.>
6 And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him.>
7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” 8 And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone for they were afraid.
Mark 16:4-8, ESV
Resurrection Message
- God has already _worked out_ what you are _worried_ about.
- God has already taken steps for your _miracle_ as you take steps _toward_ Him.
- God has the final say so……. _This is not the end_!!
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.
Luke 24:11-12, NIV
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.
Luke 24:36-37, ESV
He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds?
Luke 24:38, ESV
36 As they were taking 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.
Luke 24:36-37, ESV
And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?
Luke 24:38, ESV
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.
Luke 24:44-47, ESV
The resurrection changes our “witness”
++You are witnesses of these things.
Luke 24:48, ESV
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!
1 Peter 1:3a
++LIVING HOPE
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1 Peter 1:3, ESV
To an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, unfading, kept in heaven for you,
1 Peter 1:4, ESV
6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith- more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire-
1 Peter 1:6-7a
The N.T. disciples, followers (both men and women) witnessed the worst possible pain and suffering to the very best person they had ever known.
God is not absent in our pain or suffering but because Jesus who suffered and sacrificed Himself and conquered death, He is present in our time of greatest need. (Ref: Hebrews 4:16)
18 Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. >
20 He was forknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you 21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
1 Peter 1:18-21, ESV
Resurrection changes everything:
1. Doubt to _Faith_ that endures.
- We know God is with us because Jesus died for us.
2. Hopelessness to _living hope_.
- Suffering is not evidence of God’s absence but because of Jesus resurrection there is assurance of God’s presence.
Heaven is real!!
++Hope is Relevant!!
3. Weakness to _Witness_.
- Victim to Victor-a trophy of Jesus triumph.
Failure to _forgiveness_.
- Available to all.