The Living Truth
Notes
Transcript
The book of Acts records for us that the apostles were sharing Jesus Christ risen from the dead and because of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection… there was forgiveness of sin! The religious leaders were not happy with this message that they were spreading… and wanted to stop them! One of them however named Gamaliel spoke these fascinating words… Acts 5:35-39
And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you propose to do with these men. “For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men joined up with him. But he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. “After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census and drew away some people after him; he too perished, and all those who followed him were scattered. “So in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or action is of men, it will be overthrown; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God.”
Those before did disperse and come to nothing, but remember… those before had died and stayed dead… but three days later after Jesus was crucified… Sunday morning came! Matthew 28:1-10
Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave. And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it. And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. The guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. “He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. “Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you.” And they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to report it to His disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and take word to My brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me.”
Powerful Promise Kept
Powerful Promise Kept
I love the message of the angel… “He is not here, He is risen… just as He said!”
Jesus had told His followers and others this throughout His ministry…
Matthew 16:21… He would be killed and be raised on the third day
Mark 8:31 & 9:31… rejected by religious leaders, killed be raised three days later
Luke 9:22… his suffering, death and resurrection three days later
Luke 18:31-33… Jesus lays out the whole plan of suffering death, betrayal, spit upon, and raised three days later
John 2:19-21… destroy this temple and I will raise it up in three days
Matthew 20:18-19… going to Jerusalem to die and raised on third day
John 10:17-18… I will lay my life down and I will raise it up again
Matthew 26:32 & Mark 14:28… after I am raised I will meet you in Galilee
I think it is important to note that they did not get it! If they had they all would have been sitting at the tomb on Sunday morning in eager expectation!
They were hiding & grieving
Hope was lost, they were aimless
The women were going to care for a body… a dead body
They heard the promise yet they failed to hold to its POWER:
Power to bring hope
Power to overcome
Power top remove fear
But that Third morning the Tomb was empty and Jesus resurrection brought a power with it like nothing ever before!
There were some however that did not miss what Jesus said and they were a little concerned… Matthew 27:62-66
Now on the next day, the day after the preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered together with Pilate, and said, “Sir, we remember that when He was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I am to rise again.’ “Therefore, give orders for the grave to be made secure until the third day, otherwise His disciples may come and steal Him away and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last deception will be worse than the first.” Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go, make it as secure as you know how.” And they went and made the grave secure, and along with the guard they set a seal on the stone.
Prevailing Over Persistent Falsehood
Prevailing Over Persistent Falsehood
The guard was placed to prevent those who were grieving, scared, hopeless and powerless from staging a “fake resurrection”
Interesting that they considered that Jesus being raised from the dead was worse than people believing He was the Son of God!
THE GUARD:
Trained military elite soldiers
Most likely Roman soldiers
They were there to prevent another uprising of these Jesus followers
They see the angel and faint out of fear
As they lay on the ground like dead men the women rush off to tell the others Jesus was risen
Matthew 28:11-15 tells us what happened with those Roman Soldiers…
Now while they were on their way, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all that had happened. And when they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, and said, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we were asleep.’ “And if this should come to the governor’s ears, we will win him over and keep you out of trouble.” And they took the money and did as they had been instructed; and this story was widely spread among the Jews, and is to this day.
In fear they go to the chief priest…
Notice there is a plan developed
Backup plans if something should develop
They are paying good money
And… the story spreads!
Can we consider just a few things…
For a Roman soldier to sleep on watch held a severe penalty sometimes death
If they were sleeping… how do they know who took the body
There is bribery involved, why do you ever need to bribe someone and direct their story unless you are trying to cover something up???
This lie is still believed today! Ironic however that we are aware of it… under pressure, guilt, or maybe just wanting the truth out there… We know this occured!
Lies tend to unravel over time, sometimes not much time at all
Consider Watergate in our own nation… it was not long before they all were speaking up to save their hides
In the contrasting light of these religious leaders and skilled soldiers consider the followers of Jesus…
Perseverance Amid Persecution
Perseverance Amid Persecution
Like I stated earlier… these men were hiding in fear, they were terrified!
Peter was scared to stand up to a servant girl
They had two swords total and we all know Peter was not the best with a sword
They had given up… no plan to keep going
They were even too scared to be around as Jesus died on the cross
When the women tell them, they hesitate to believe and they go look
Thomas even though the rest declare Jesus is risen doubts
So what changed… ??? What impacted these men to the point that we see them in Acts standing for Christ openly even willing to be scourged for the sake of the gospel???
JESUS CHRIST RAISED TO LIFE ON THE THIRD DAY!
This changed everything! Matthew 28:16-20
But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. 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, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
They preached the good news of Jesus death burial and resurrection in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth…
Acts 6:7 “The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.”
Acts 9:31 “So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.”
Acts 12:24 “But the word of the Lord continued to grow and to be multiplied.”
Acts 16:5 “So the churches were being strengthened in the faith, and were increasing in number daily.”
Paul would later encourage and challenge the Corinthian church … 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 16-20
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied. But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep.
Jesus said I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail. Gamaliel had no idea…
This movement, this message, this was NOT of men…
Even in the midst of persecution it grew
The message of Jesus Christ death, burial, and resurrection went forth
This was not of men but of God Almighty
It will not and can not be overthrown!
The world will oppose this message, fight it, distort it, spread lies but it is of no use
Jesus Christ has overcome the world
Jesus Christ has overcome sin
Jesus Christ has conquered death!!!
HE HAS RISEN… and because He lives you and I can face the day, we can live for Him, we find HOPE, PEACE, and we are given POWER through the Holy Spirit!
