THE RISEN JESUS PROVIDES PEACE (Outline)
April 6, 2008 –
EASTER 3 -
Luke 23:36-49
INTRO: Today’s gospel spoke of Jesus walking on the way to Emmaus with some disciples (Luke 23:13-35). It took them a long time to see and believe. Thomas would not believe until he had seen the nail prints in Jesus’ hands and feet. Seeing is believing. Today Jesus is not going to appear to us physically and show us his hands and feet. We will not be able to touch the scars that the nails left on him. Yet by faith through grace, you and I and every believer is able to see and believe. God’s word is the word of peace that our risen Savior, Jesus provides. "Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls"(1 PETER 1:8,9). Be filled with joy today as we study what the peace of God means for mankind and us.
THE RISEN JESUS PROVIDES PEACE.
I. Jesus’ peace is positive proof.
II. Jesus’ peace is to be proclaimed.
I. JESUS’ PEACE IS POSITIVE PROOF
A. Please read today’s gospel (listed below and above). The Emmaus disciples return to Jerusalem.
1. They have great news. Before they can speak the Jerusalem disciples share their news.
2. “Christ is alive”, just as the women said. “The tomb is empty”. “Peter saw this miracle”.
B. Verse 36. Jesus speaks “peace” to those in the midst of all this excited discussion.
1. Jesus knows they need to hear peace to calm their fears. They are still scared, verse 37.
2. All the witnesses claimed that Jesus was alive but this truth was still not easily believed.
C. Verse 38. Jesus allows no time for doubting questions. “Look at my flesh…touch”, verse 39, 40.
1. The disciples were still amazed beyond belief, verse 41. Jesus actions will speak volumes.
2. Verses 41b, 42. Jesus asks for food. There is nothing more mortal than eating.
3. Verse 43. Jesus ate in their presence. Jesus’ words said “peace”. His actions proved it.
D. In the midst of seeing Jesus there was still utter amazement and doubt. Are we any different than those early disciples? Do we always believe and trust in God above all things? At times, our doubt can cause us to not believe all the precious promises of our Savior. Jesus came to the disciples in the midst of a storm, walking on the water. With great faith Peter walked out to the Lord on the water at Jesus’ invitation. But, then, we are told Peter saw the wind. Peter began to sink. Peter did not drown. "Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ he said, ‘why did you doubt?’" (MATTHEW 14:31). Jesus does the same for us. When we begin to sink Jesus reaches out to save us from the abyss of doubt. Every furious wave of doubt can be calmed by the words of Jesus’ peace.
E. Why do we doubt? Why do sink in the worries of this life? This happens simply because we lose our focus. Like Peter we see the turbulence all around us. We take our eyes off of Jesus and doubt becomes an anchor. We take our eyes off of Jesus and self-trust weighs us down. Anytime we do not fear, love, and trust in God above all things we sink in the sinfulness of our own making. Jesus says to us “peace”. "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God"(HEBREWS 12:2).
F. This peace of Jesus is positive proof that he has overcome all things for us. The cross took the life of Jesus for our freedom from sin. The grave held Jesus briefly for our victory over death forever. Jesus rose again to life to prove to all of creation that nothing can overcome his power or his love for mankind. Truly this is the peace of God. This is the peace of Jesus, our Savior, which the world cannot give. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid"(JOHN 14:27). The world offers the peace of wealth. But people are still physically, spiritually, and morally bankrupt. The world offers the peace of health but mankind still suffers with the insidious infection of sin. The world offers peace but the peace of this world always fails. Jesus’ peace is the forgiveness of sins provided by Jesus’ resurrection. Jesus’ peace does not fail!
THE RISEN JESUS PROVIDES PEACE.
Jesus’ peace is positive proof of his victory,
our victory.
II. JESUS’ PEACE IS TO BE PROCLAIMED
A. Jesus walked and talked and ate with his disciples. All of this was positive proof that he was alive.
1. Even in the disciples’ midst in flesh and blood – there was still doubt. Jesus proclaims peace.
2. Jesus explains in verse 44. The Old Testament foretold all these events.
3. These things Jesus had told the disciples while he walked with and taught them.
B. Jesus continued to explain so that there would not be misunderstanding nor doubt, verse 46.
1. The disciples saw Jesus crucified, buried, and now – now alive! Now they would believe.
2. Verse 45. Jesus opened minds to believe. The disciples did not believe by their own strength.
C. Jesus tells the disciples of the importance of sharing this peace, verse 47. Many others needed peace.
1. V. 49. Jesus promised to provide them the Holy Spirit. The Spirit would come on Pentecost.
2. Another small verse with great meaning, verse 48. The disciples are witnesses of these things!
D. Today, you, every believer, and I also “are witnesses of these things”. Today, the message of Jesus’ peace is needed more than ever. All too many are troubled beyond belief. With our fear-mongering media more and more people are worrying themselves sick about the things of this world. Jesus’ message of peace is that Christ fulfilled all of Scripture – for us, for our sins, and for the sins of the world. "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed"(ISAIAH 53:5). Now this is peace, eternal.
E. Jesus’ peace needs to be proclaimed by faithful witnesses. All too many today are trying to remove the cross of Christ from the church. People would like to dismiss or erase the concept of sin. After all, sin is just too messy and unpleasant to even talk about. Sin is still sin. One sin condemns us all. Until one sees the need for help that person will not believe in help. The law is needed to show us our sin. The gospel comes and shows us our Savior – the solution for all of our sin. God’s truth is simple. "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord"(ROMANS 6:23). We sin daily and we sin much and earn death for ourselves. None can escape. We thank God. For God provides us the GIFT of eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. This is God’s peace for the world and us.
F. Churches can easily become sidetracked from proclaiming what is truly important. Some have given up the gospel of Christ for the social gospel. Is it really the duty of the church to change society? The answer is not really. But believers who live changed lives will have a profound effect on society. The apostle Paul reminds us of the purpose of the church that follows Christ. "For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures"(1 CORINTHIANS 15:3,4). This basic Scriptural teaching has been tossed aside by too many churches today. May we never, ever give up this gospel of Christ that we know, believe, and confess to be true. Christ lived, died, and rose again!
CONC.: The risen Jesus provides peace. In Philippians this peace is described as a “peace that transcends human understanding”. How true. Once again, we have only scratched the surface of the depth of comfort and strength Jesus’ peace provides. Each Sunday Jesus comes into our midst and says, “Peace be with you”. Whenever we read or study God’s word Jesus comes and says, “Peace be with you”. The peace of Jesus is positive proof that our Savior is alive and well --- and, living in us. Jesus’ peace is to be proclaimed. Our loving Lord God Almighty freely provides all of these blessings. "The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace"(PSALM 29:11). THE RISEN JESUS PROVIDES PEACE to us and for us to proclaim. Amen. Pastor Timm O. Meyer
SERVICES:
SAT – 1:00pm @ NCF Min.,
+ SUN – 12:00pm @ NCF Medium / 9:30am @ Redeemer
Sunday radio broadcast @ 9:05am on KQNK 106.7FM or 1530AM + www.kqnk.com
EASTER 3 readings:
ACTS 2:14a, 36-47;
1 PETER 1:17-21;
LUKE 24:13-35;
(PSALM 67)
