Resurrection Power

John 20:19-31

Purpose: To see how the resurrection changed the disciples.

Aim: I want the listener to love and serve Christ passionately.

INTRODUCTION: The southernmost tip of Cape Town, South Africa is Cape Point, which has experienced treacherous storms over the centuries. For many years no one knew what lay beyond that cape, for no ship attempting to round that point had ever returned to tell the tale. Among the ancient mariners it was known as the Cape of Storms, and for good reason.

But then a Portuguese explorer in the fifteenth century named Vasco De Gama successfully sailed around that very point and found beyond the wild raging storms, a great calm sea, and beyond that, the shores of India. The name of that cape was later changed from the Cape of Storms to the Cape of Good Hope.

Until the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, death was a dark and foreboding prospect. But, when Jesus rose from the dead He gave us a new hope for life beyond the grave. For the risen Christ says to us, "because I live, you will live also" (John 14:19).

That same powerful transformation can be yours today. As we look at what happened to the people in today's text (John 20:19-31) ask yourself, "Have I personally met the risen Christ? Has Jesus transformed my life?"

On one level it is amazing that these men were actually afraid. The women had already reported to them that Jesus was alive, and the two Emmaus disciples had added their personal testimony (Luke 24:33-35). In spite of that, Jesus continued to pursue these fearful, doubting disciples. It could be that Jesus is also pursuing you this morning.

Vs.19-23 I. Our Purpose is Fulfilled in Christ's Resurrection

Jesus came to earth because we need to be changed. His resurrection has the power to change despair into hope, fear into joy, and doubt into faith. "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come" (2 Corinthians 5:17).

These verses show us that our deepest needs of joy and significance are satisfied in Christ.

Vs.19-20 A. The resurrected Christ gives joy

"The disciples then rejoiced when they saw the Lord"

Vs.19 1. Jesus provides peace "Peace be with you"

"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1).

Because Jesus controls all storms, He can calm any storm.

Vs.20 2. Jesus provides pardon "He showed them both His hands and His side"

"But the wounds meant more than identification; they also were evidence that the price for salvation had been paid and man indeed could have 'peace with God.'" [1]

The only "imperfect" thing in heaven will be the scars on the body of Christ: "And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain..." (Revelation 5:6).

Believers will live in a perfect body for all of eternity. Jesus will live in a scared body for all of eternity!

Is Jesus your joy? Is it a burden or a blessing to come to church where Jesus is preached? Is it a burden or a blessing to spend time in private prayer Christ?

Vs.21-23 B. The resurrected Christ gives life meaning

Here Jesus shows us how we can please Him.

Vs.21 1. Our duty is to go "I also send you"

We aren't supposed to JUST enjoy the majesty of Christ, we are to export the message of Christ. Notice that Jesus spoke these words to the Apostles, the other disciples and the women. In other words, this is a command that applies to all of us.

"And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, 'All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit' " (Matthew 28:18--19).

Vs.22 2. Our strength is from God "Receive the Holy Spirit"

God always enables us to do what He calls us to do.

"but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth" (Acts 1:8).

Jesus was promising spiritual life the same way we received physical life. "Then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being" (Genesis 2:7).

Vs.23 3. Our message is the Gospel "sins have been forgiven"

We know that Jesus is NOT saying that we can forgive sin. "... who can forgive sins but God alone?" (Mark 2:7). Again, notice that Jesus said this to everyone present, not just the Apostles. If someone repents, we have the authority to say, "Friend, if you have repented of your sins and are trusting Christ to forgive your sins then on the authority of God's Word I can assure you that you are forgiven."