4th Sunday of Easter – Sermon 99
Prayer to start
May the word of my lips and the thoughts of our hearts be graciously received for the Glory of our Lord Jesus Christ
AMEN
Introduction
Sun-shine it makes all the difference –
When the Sun’s out – we feel much better –– especially after a long gloomy winter –
The Sun gives us light – warmth – a sense of – get up and Go!
Easter too is all about the Son coming out –
After the darkness of the cross – we have the brightness and hope of the resurrection
With the light of Christ – we can brighten up – those shadowy areas of our lives – tinted with selfishness – confusion and doubt –
With the light of Christ – we can start again – on a new pathway to freedom – and love
Jesus brings light – and hope and a new beginning
And for those first disciples – in particular – the
Arrival of the Son – was to change their lives more than – they could ever imagine –
Point 1
Our NT reading takes up the story – with the disciples together – in a room in Jerusalem –
rumours were circulating – that Jesus had been seen – alive – now these two men – had come claiming – they’d been with Him – on the Emmaus Road and talked with Him –
Then – in the heat of the discussions – Jesus was there – standing amongst them –
“peace be with you “ He said –
“Why are you so perturbed? Why do doubts arise in your minds?”
The disciples couldn’t believe their eyes – they – thought they’d seen a ghost –
“Look at my hands – and my feet – It is I myself – touch me and see – no ghost has flesh and bones – as you can see that I have”
Jesus wanted to make sure they could see – the marks of His suffering – So that they would know that the Jesus – they saw die on the cross – was the same Jesus they see standing before them
But they were still not convinced – so He asked – for something to eat –took a piece of fish – and ate it before their eyes –
This was to prove to them – that He was no phantom – or hallucination –He was real – Jesus knew – they didn’t expect Him to rise from the dead – in fact – they expected the exact opposite-
He knew they would need convincing – there would be those who would find it hard to believe – even from His closest friends – so He had to provide them with undisputable – bodily proof of His resurrection
It was important for their salvation and for the mission He had planned for them –
Faith begins with God – and from our personal encounter with Jesus – its not about how hard we try – to understand – or how much effort we put into it – Our relationship with Jesus cannot be learned or earned – it must be experienced –
The disciples were slow to believe – and their true faith had to be re-awakened
What changed them – wasn’t the touching or the eating – it was realizing that everything that Jesus had told Him had come true – and that by His resurrection Jesus has shown Himself to be no less than what He claimed – “the Son of God” –
Point 2
Then Jesus said to Them –“This is what I meant by saying – ‘While I was with you – that everything written about me in the Laws of Moses and in the Prophets and Psalms – were bound to be fulfilled”
The death and resurrection of Jesus didn’t happen out of the blue – it was foretold – in the Scriptures – and taught by Jesus –Himself –
It was all part of God’s plan –not – an emergency measure – that was used – when all else failed – but the way that God had chosen –to show us – His eternal love –
Jesus made reference to His death and resurrection many times – in His teachings and parables-– Luke has six references – including the parable of the vineyard –
Clearly the disciples had listened to Him – but not properly understood – or believed it would actually happen –
And it was only when Jesus now explained it all – and recounted the Scriptures to them – that the penny finally dropped –
So you see said Jesus – Scripture foretells the sufferings of the Messiah – and His rising from the dead on the third day – and declares that in His name – repentance bringing forgiveness of sins – is to be proclaimed to all nations – beginning from Jerusalem”
Recounting Scripture is an important part of our discipleship – and an important part of our witnessing to others –
In our OT reading – we are given a passage from Isaiah’s prayer of revival –
He begins by telling them about His understanding of God’s past mercies – and draws from – the book of Exodus – and the Psalms – recounting how the Lord – in the midst of His people – remained faithful – and true despite their unfaithfulness –
Isaiah read out these words – to give hope – and to challenge – Hope for what God can achieve through them – and to challenge – their constant temptation to forget and to question their relationship with Him
God has done many good things – for His people – brought them out of slavery – to a land flowing with milk and honey – defeated their enemies – protected His people –enabled them to prosper – All out of compassion and love –
And today as we look to the cross – we see that love and compassion again in full view – God loved us so much – that – He sent His only son – Jesus Christ – as a sacrifice for our sins – and bring us back to God –
For those who encounter Jesus – the Bible is not just a book – but a lens – through which Jesus is clearly visible – Jesus provides the link between the past and the future – the Old and he New –
Through Jesus – and the Scriptures – we have both a relationship to claim – and a message to proclaim
And as He reminded them – We -are to be witnesses to it all –
Point 3
but first –
As beneficial as Scripture is –for witnessing to others – its incomplete without the holy Spirit – acting as our translator –
“I am sending on you the gift promised by my Father, wait her in this city until you are armed with power from above”
The Holy Spirit will turn – our feeble best -into something wonderful – for God –
Jesus wants us to not only listen and understand – but to go out and make His message known to others – and for this we will need more than words – we’ll need real power –
This is what He had prepared them for – and this is why they had been chosen –
Jesus must go back to the Father – and His disciples must now carry the Gospel message on to others – They must go out and represent Him – in the world – even approach the very people who had just tortured and crucified Him –
– Jesus shows us what the Father is like – and He expects us to show others – what the Son is like – Who else knows the Father but the Son – Who else knows the Son but His church –
Through the Spirit Jesus gives us – the authority – and po
wer – to tell the world of God’s promise to forgive sins – to tell of God’s love and Grace and His offer of reconciliation –
The disciples had seen and heard the risen Christ – they had experienced His presence – and believed He was truly alive – and now they were to go out and tell the world –
Through Jesus we are made new people – with a story to tell – and people to reach – Our story must witness to the power and presence of Jesus – in our lives – and In His church –
As John Wesley once said – “We must take the whole Christ for our Saviour – the whole Bible for our Book – the whole church for our fellowship – and the whole world for our mission –
Ending
At our Baptism service – we are given a lighted candle – and commanded to go out – and “Shine as a light in the world – to the Glory of God the Father”
wherever we go – we take the light of Christ – with us – whenever we fail to respond – and turn away – that part of God’s worlds- is left in darkness-
The message of the early church is not only that Jesus Christ is alive, but that we can actually meet Him ourselves – We can experience His presence within us – today – here in Lymm – we can see Him at work in others – transforming them – into a new creation – and as followers of Jesus – we are to play our part – in His mission of forgiveness and love –
Jesus’ disciple had to wait for the power to come upon them – For us – today – that power is already here –
Look around you – The Son is shining – what are we waiting for?
Prayer to finish
In the name of the Father Son and Holy Spirit
AMEN