Back to Life Again

Introduction: The resurrection of Jesus.

Following His Resurrection from the dead, Jesus made a number of appearances to his followers—no less than ten of these are recorded in Scripture. Beginning on Resurrection Sunday, He “showed himself alive . . . by many infallible proofs” (Acts 1:3, KJV) and instructed His apostles and many other followers periodically for forty days.

He then ascended from Mount Olivet, near Jerusalem, while the apostles watched (Acts 1:9–12).

Believing that the Lord Jesus Christ rose from the dead is essential for Christians. Merely recognizing that He died for our sins is not enough; we must accept His resurrection in order to receive eternal life.

Christ paid our debt, but His sacrifice on the cross means nothing if He possesses no power over the grave. In vanquishing evil and death, the Lord made our salvation possible!

https://www.christianity.com/wiki/christian-terms/what-does-the-resurrection-mean-for-us.html

• Jesus’ resurrection proved He was able to remove sin and its penalty. Assuming Christ remained dead would mean accepting the opposite – that believers are still in sin.
• And the inevitable end of a sinful life is death. Consequently, a person who denies Christ’s eternal nature looks toward a void future.

Bertrand Russell, a famous atheistic philosopher, offered this sad description of such hopelessness: “Brief and powerless is man’s life. On his and all his race, the slow sure doom falls, pitiless and dark.”

‘Instead of enjoying Christian liberty and anticipating a home in heaven, those who reject resurrection are slaves to the present, with no real hope or meaning in life. Career, family, and good works can offer brief pleasure but not the kind of joy that comes from knowing we are right with the Lord and working in His will’.

Interrogative: So, what Happens after the Resurrection and what does Jesus do/teach/show/restore before the ascension?

Here is a great source for post-resurrection activities by Jesus before ascension. https://answersingenesis.org/jesus/resurrection/the-sequence-of-christs-post-resurrection-appearances/

Timeline of the Post-Resurrection Appearances (Based in Totality of all 4 Gospels and Acts)

Resurrection Sundy

• Seen by Mary Magdalene (John 20)
• The Other Mary, Salome, Jaonna, and at lest one other woman (Matt. 28; Mark 16; Luke 24)
• Simon Peter – Luke 24; 1 Corinthians 15)
• Clopas and companion on Road to Emmaus (Luke 24)
• The eleven disciples, Minus Thomas (Luke 24; John 20)

+ 8 days

• The Eleven including Thomas

Over the Next Few weeks

• Disciples and large gathering at a mountain in Galilee (Matt. 2; 1 Corinthians 15)
• James (1 Corinthians 15:7)

40^th Day

• Disciples (possibly in Jerusalem before He led them out to the Mt. of Olives, gave the Great Commission, and ascended into heaven (Luke 24; Acts 1)

Paul included a summary statement in 1 Corinthians 15 that provides information about these appearances and others unrecorded in the Gospels or Acts.

For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. (1 Corinthians 15:3–7)

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Transition: On the most practical end, I want to speak about things/matters, Jesus wants to ‘Bring Back to Live Again!’

1. Hope – Road to Emmaus

v. 19, ‘…he was a prophet who did powerful miracles…’

v. 21, ‘We had hoped he was the Messiah who came to rescue Israel…’

Corinthians 15:19 ‘And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world’. (NLT)

• Trust – Cast your nets on the other side.

John 21:1-6 – Peter goes to fish, others follow, but they catch nothing!

Love this wording, ‘Cast your net on the right side…’

John 21:7-9

• Life! –

Peter restored – John 21 – ‘Do you love me?’

John 11:25 – ‘I am the resurrection and the Life!’
John 10:10 – ‘I am come that you might have life…’

Matthew 28:16-17,

Others returned to fish – Caught nothing till Jesus told them to cast their nets on the other side.

Jesus pursued Peter to restore Him: To relationship, purpose and pursuit.

Road to Emmaus

Conclusion/Interrogative: What do you need brought to Life Again?

• Faith? Fire?
• Vision & Purpose
• Joy?
• Dreams?
• Sense of Purpose?

• Marriage?
• Relationship to Children?
• Witness?
• Accountability?