After The Resurrection Series

INTRO.- ILL.- It was following the resurrection and disciples were still somewhat scattered about Jerusalem and the surrounding villages. John finds Peter and runs up to him. Excitedly he says, "Peter, Peter! I’ve got some good news and some bad news."

Peter takes ahold of John and calms him down. "Take it easy, John. What is it? What’s the good news?"

John says, "The good news is Christ is risen." Peter says, "That’s great! But, what’s the bad news?" John, looking around, says, "He’s really steamed about last Friday."

No, not really. What Jesus suffered on the cross was a part of God’s plan even before He created the world, but of course, it was not pleasant. Jesus submitted to His Father’s will.

ILL.- General William T. Sherman said, “War is hell.” I think he was wrong. I think war is hellish but not hell. Hell is far worse than any war this world has ever seen. But what Jesus suffered on the cross was hell. Hell is described in the Bible as “separation from God” and Jesus suffered separation from His Father.

Matthew 27:45-46 “From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?”

(which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”)

It’s hard to imagine or understand why God would do this and especially, for sinful man. BUT HE DID! He did because He is love! He allowed Jesus to suffer for us on the cross and the cross still speaks loudly today! The problem is that many people aren’t paying any attention to the cross!

I Peter 2:24 “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.”

BY HIS WOUNDS. By His suffering, His death, His separation we are healed, forgiven, saved, and headed to heaven! Wow! Is there anything better? Is there anyone better who would do this for you???

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

Jesus became sin for us. He became our sin on the cross. UNBELIEVABLE! From a human perspective, it’s unbelievable, but with God all things are possible. All good things are possible. God deals in doing good for His creation and this was the greatest good thing He could have ever done for all mankind! HE MADE A WAY TO ETERNAL LIFE!

We’re on this side of the cross and the resurrection, consequently, the question about these truths should be settled with people. They’ve had enough time to believe and come to faith in the living, resurrected Jesus. But many people are somewhat like to the two men in our text who are so close to believing in the resurrected Christ and yet they don’t.

PROP.- Our text reveals how some may respond to the resurrection.

1- Some consider but do not believe

2- Some agonize but find no joy

3- Some see but they don’t see

I. SOME CONSIDER BUT DO NOT BELIEVE

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.

The two guys ”were talking with each others about that everything that had happened.” What things? The crucifixion of Jesus.

I don’t think you will find many people talking about the crucifixion of Jesus today unless it’s in church. It’s a rare to talk about His crucifixion, but the incident had just happened so it was big news.

When something big happens today, good or bad, it’s on the internet and TV in a matter of minutes! It’s on CNN Headline News almost immediately and other stations.

Even though the gospel is over 2000 years old don’t you wish more people would consider Jesus? That is, His death and resurrection? Wouldn’t that be wonderful? And how could they not come to faith in Him if they would consider Him?

ILL.- Vince Antonucci is the preacher of the Verve Church in Las Vegas. What’s a “Verve” church? I never heard of such before. I figured it was a “made-up” word, but I found out that it isn’t made up. “Verve” means enthusiasm, vigor, lively, or perhaps exciting.

Vince Antonucci believes we must love people before we ever tell them the truth about Jesus and the Bible. It’s the old idea of people don’t care how much we know until they know how much we care. AND HE’S RIGHT. We must “love” people into the kingdom of God or the church. But that’s not how Vince made it.