The central tenant upon which Christianity stands is the resurrection. Luke goes into detail of Jesus reappearing to various disciples after He rose from the grave.
Luke 24: The Resurrection
1 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared.
2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb,
3 but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel.
5 And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead?
6 He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee,
7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise."
8 And they remembered his words,
9 and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.
10 Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles,
11 but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.
12 But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marvelling at what had happened.
On the Road to Emmaus
13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem,
14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened.
15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them.
16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.
17 And he said to them, "What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?" And they stood still, looking sad.
18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?"
19 And he said to them, "What things?" And they said to him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people,
20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him.
21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened.
22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning,
23 and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive.
24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see."
25 And he said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!
26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?"
27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther,
29 but they urged him strongly, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So he went in to stay with them.
30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them.
31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight.
32 They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?"
33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together,
34 saying, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!"
35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.
Jesus Appears to His Disciples
36 As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, "Peace to you!"
37 But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit.
38 And he said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?
39 See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have."
40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.
41 And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marvelling, he said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?"
42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish,
43 and he took it and ate before them.
44 Then he said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled."
45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,
46 and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead,
47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
48 You are witnesses of these things.
49 And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high."
The Ascension
50 Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them.
51 While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven.
52 And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy,
53 and were continually in the temple blessing God.
Things to think about…
1. The 2 angels appearing, Luke 23:4 remind the women at the Lord’s tomb of His words that He would be crucified and rise 3 days later, vs 7. The text says “And they remembered his words”, vs 8. Some scriptures are hidden from us until they are revealed in the right time of life to hear and receive them. I have seen this over the years with my own walk with the Lord. The disciples remembered the Lord’s word and were about to be used to testify to its message. Mary Magdalene, Mary mother of James and Joanna and others were bringing spices to anoint the body of Christ, vs 10. They remembered that a stone had been rolled in front of the tomb, yet they come. Sometimes we hear the Word of God and even though we fear or doubt, we go anyway. The Lord blesses in these situations. These ladies were met by two angels and told ‘He is not here, but has risen”, vs 6. This is our message, even when we doubt, the Spirit emboldens us to share this timeless truth.
2. I love the ‘Road to Emmaus’ story in Luke 24:13-35. Imagine hearing this sermon about who the Messiah is within the OT through the Law of Moses, the Psalms and the Prophets from the lips of Jesus! The sermon on the Mount would be considered the most transformative sermon to humanity ever recorded. I believe this sermon from our risen Lord after His resurrection was the most transformative sermon not recorded, simply because of the fruit displayed by these disciples after hearing it. Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount says those who call someone ‘a fool’ are in danger of hell fire, Matt 5:22. But consider here Jesus calls these 2 disciples “foolish ones”, vs 25. When truth is being ignored this is an appropriate descriptor. These men were genuine in seeking truth but their minds were dull, foolish even.
3. Consider Luke 24:31-35. Their eyes were opened when Jesus blessed and broke the bread. When we fellowship with each other, especially around communion, the Lord indeed speaks. Can you remember a time when the Lord spoke to you during a communion service and in some way, opened your eyes? May we have the same statements as these men that our “hearts would burn within us” when we hear the Word of God.
4. What a blessing for these 2 disciples. They have a second visitation from Jesus as they are testifying to their experience with the other gathered disciples in Jerusalem. Look what happens when we see Christ for who He truly is. We forget everything about our worldly pursuits, and we do everything to tell others about Him. After Jesus reveals who he is these 2 disciples return to where they had come from earlier, vs 33, 34 “And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" When God gets hold of our heart, we want to be involved in bible study, meeting with others, get involved in church ministry and giving to extend the gospel. Pray we see more of this in our corner of the vineyard.
5. Look at the three things the Lord reveals to the disciples when he appears to them as the resurrected Christ. 1. He shows who He is, Luke 24:38, 39. 2. He opens their minds to understand the scriptures, vs 45 and then 3. He asks them to be clothed with power from on high, vs 49. We know this was at Pentecost where they all received the Holy Spirit and gifts. As Christians we should have all three of these realities working out through our lives. Question:- are all three evident in your life? May there be plenty of examples.
6. Jesus confirms in Luke 24:47 what He had said prior to His crucifixion in John 16 that when the Holy Spirit Helper comes our preaching will include a declaration of sin, righteousness and judgement. Here our resurrected Lord confirms that the message of the gospel must assert “that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations”, Luke 24:47. Pulpits may teach about bible stories, current anecdotes, personal stories of courage and triumph. They may be very inspiring and encouraging, but if they do not include repentance and forgiveness through Christ, they have no right being described as gospel messages.
7. Look at the Ascension in Luke 24:50-53. It says after He ascended, they worshiped Him, vs 52. Isn’t that what we do? Jesus would return a number of times before He would have Hios final appearance and ascension to heaven. Even though Jesus is not here in bodily form, we worship Him. Do you sometimes doubt Christ’s presence when you read His word, pray or praise? What are the factors that stop us from worshiping Him ‘in spirit and in truth’? One day, all doubt will be removed, and we see Him as He truly is – our resurrected Lord who will return in glory and power.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Prayer points
1. Pray God’s word on Sunday bears fruit of obedience and blessing.
2. Pray for Iran and the overthrow of a wicked regime.
3. Pray for the Sacred Minds podcast and our online ministry
4. Pray for One for Israel and their witness in this time of challenge and conflict.
5. Pray for the church in Australia that it focuses on Christ, His Word and holiness.
6. Pray for our leaders in Australia that they press in closer to Christ.
7. The Royal Commission that the Jewish people will feel safe in Australia.
8. Pray for new people to step into ministries at CBC – eg worship, café, Kids@church, sound/technical, giving, podcast.
9. Reform and Revival over our city and country.
10. Finances to cover our needs
11. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to increase.
Praise Points
1. Praise God for Doung’s message on Sunday and for online activity to our messages.
2. Praise God for new people stepping into the technical ministries.
3. Praise the Lord for the encouragement the Word of God brought people over the weekend.
4. Praise God for ministries – Life Groups, Prayer meetings, Kids@Church
5. Café team every week. Thankyou to all those who serve and bring food. Especially Fiona, Maddie and Suzy and those who supply it every week Eg Ros - Milk.
6. Worship, Admin and Technical teams – Peter, Nita, Brendon, AJ, Suzy, Maddie, Mathys, Doug.
7. Kids Church teachers – Jacqueline, Maddie, Elise, Anastacia and Fiona
8. The Lord’s faithfulness this year to CBC and all who have served in ministries
9. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Members meeting on Sunday - 7th June after church.
2. All Life Groups - Wednesdays.
3. Kids@Church starts up this week.
4. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
5. Tune in again this week on our YouTube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for June...
Q. 2. What else did God make? A. God made all things.
