IT’S SUNDAY
Luke 24:1-53
Introduction
(Video - It's Sunday - Available At ImageVine)
It’s early Sunday morning. All is quiet
On Friday - They Crucified My Jesus
- Noon - He’s Dead ---- All is silent - it grows dark
- Soldiers pierce His side to make sure He’s dead.
- all afternoon people scurry – whisper about what has happened
- Disciples take Him to the Tomb of Joseph.
- carefully prepare his body for burial and lay Him in tomb
- Stone rolled over opening of the tomb.
- Fri Night – tomb is still – No life — All is still
- Sat. Morn. Comes - It’s a holy day.
- all Jer. is quiet.
- Sat. Afternoon - it is silent
- Sat. Night — People come and go
Early Sunday Morn. Comes
- Jerusalem begins to get back to normal
- The labourers head for work
- Crowds will soon fill the marketplace
- Religious Leaders are about to re-assert their control
- The women head for the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus.
BUT IT’S SUNDAY
- and the doors of the fortress of sin and death, and bondage and hopelessness are about to be blown off.
IT’S SUNDAY
(Should Reach This Point as Stone Rolls Away)
* Early In The Morning The Women Make Their Way To The Tomb
- Spices to Anoint (vs 1)
- Stone Rolled Away (vs 2)
- TOMB IS EMPTY
- Women are perplexed (vs 4)
- He Is Not Here (Vs 4-7)
- HE IS RISEN
- remembered His Words
* What is the meaning of the Empty Tomb?
If The Tomb Is Empty, What Are The Implications For Us?
- what difference does it make for everyday life.
- are there any practical implications.
I. It’s Sunday And We Are Free 24:1-12
1. We Are Free From Sin And Judgement
* The Empty Tomb means that Christ’s payment on the cross for our sin has been accepted and we are free. You don’t owe anything anymore.
i. Freedom Of Forgiveness
He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. (Col. 1:13-14)
* Peter Denied The Lord 3 times.
- restored by Risen Lord (John 21:15-19)
ii. Freedom Of Justification
It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification. (Rom. 4:24-25 NKJ)
God will also declare us to be righteous if we believe in God, who brought Jesus our Lord back from the dead. He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised from the dead to make us right with God. (Rom. 4:24-25 NLT)
2. We Ought To Be Excited To Tell Others vs 9-12
II. It’s Sunday And He Emblazons Us 24:13-35
- Heading to Emmaus 7 miles NW of Jerusalem
(Tell story - Jesus joins them– not know Him – discuss events)
- Angel said He was alive (vs 23)
- What in world were they doing going away from Jerusalem
(Continue Story)
1. He Walks With You On The Everyday Journey Of Life
I serve a risen Saviour, He’s in the world today;
I know that He is living, whatever man may say;
I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer,
And just the time I need Him, He’s always near.
- He Lives, He Lives, Christ Jesus lives today;
He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.
He lives, He Lives, Salvation to Impart!
You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.
2. He Enlightens You Along The Way vs 27
- sometimes you don’t know all the answers
- you don’t know which way to turn
- you can’t understand how God’s Word can help you, etc.
3. He Encourages Us vs 32
Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked with us on the road
- They compare hearts not notes.
- Man, wasn’t that great as we walked with him.
My heart was on fire.
"Hearts kindled like sparks flying up to God" (Matthew Henry)
- Hearts raised and elevated.
- Kindle a Holy Zeal.
Note: - vs 33-35 - went back to Jerusalem to tell others.
- They were heading out – going home – done. But they met the risen Lord and they were back in the game.
It’s Sunday - risen Saviour walks with you to emblazon and encourage your heart for the journey - You are not alone
- Knowing my risen Saviour is with me, I can face anything. He gives me courage and lifts my heart.
I AM EMBLAZONED BY THE DAILY, MOMENT BY MOMENT PRESENCE OF THE LIVING CHRIST IN MY LIFE.
III. It’s Sunday And He Is Here 24:36-43
- Proves to them that He is alive. It’s Him.
- Critics put up lots of opposition but to make sure the truth is preserved He shows Himself to disciples.
"Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have." (Luke 24:39)
— Check out my hands - my feet. - touch me. – Ate fish.
IT’S SUNDAY AND HE IS HERE!
- Away with all the foolish doubts and excuses - Judas Gospel, Da Vinci Code, etc. unbelief
1. Look Here, It’s Me
- ate with them
"Look at my nail-scarred hands"
"Look at my feet"
"Take a good look"
IT’S SUNDAY AND I’M HERE.
* Ah, but we thought you were dead - ah, we put you in the grave. I mean, ah, aren’t you ... ah, I mean you’re ... How ? ... We don’t understand.
THAT WAS FRIDAY – BUT NOW IT'S SUNDAY AND "HERE I AM"
- Death could not hold me.
- Sadducees could not control me
- Romans could not restrain me.
- The Stone could not stop me.
- The Grave could not hold me.
- The Demons of hell could not hinder me.
- Satan could not defeat me.
IT’S SUNDAY AND HERE I AM.
** GET IT FOLKS; SINCE THAT FIRST EASTER -EVERY DAY IS SUNDAY
** Every circumstance of life. He is with you.
2. Have My Peace vs 36
"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." John 16:33
IT’S SUNDAY AND JESUS IS HERE.
He Brings Peace With God
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Rom. 5:1)
He Brings The Peace Of God To My Heart
- Peace in the midst of the storm.
He heals the broken heart.
He strengthens my shaking knees.
He calms the water of despair.
He eases my fearful heart.
He steadies my trembling hand.
IT’S SUNDAY. HE IS HERE AND HE BRINGS PEACE TO MY SOUL.
IV. It Is Sunday And He Is Faithful 24:44-46
- Jesus instructs them
- everything in OT points to Christ
- He helped them understand
* Everything God said He would do, He did.
IT IS SUNDAY, AND HE IS FAITHFUL
- every promise He makes He keeps.
* The Resurrection of Jesus Christ from Dead, Proves to Me That I CAN TRUST HIM.
Illustrate:
- My Journal: Entries – times of struggle and discouragement and doubt.
- I think God has forsaken me - forgotten me
- only to see in the end that God was faithful to promises.
- I write "Oh, Lord, I’m so ashamed that I doubted you. You have always been faithful to me and I’m so ashamed that I didn’t trust you this time".
- I don’t always understand - I can’t comprehend what’s going on
- Sometimes I don’t like what’s going.
IT’S SUNDAY AND I CAN TRUST HIM.
* HE IS FAITHFUL - IT’S SUNDAY AND YOU CAN TRUST HIM
V. It Is Sunday And He Empowers Us 24:49
* As you go through life – don’t you need a little help sometimes.
* HE GIVES YOU THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
- Day of Pentecost – Spirit came to dwell in believers.
and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death (Phil. 3:9-10)
* IT’S SUNDAY, AND THE SAME POWER THAT RAISED JESUS FROM THE DEAD IS THE POWER THAT RESIDES IN YOU
Vi. It Is Sunday And The Best Is Yet To Come 24:50-52
Acts 1:9-11
* Jesus Ascended to Heaven.
* This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven. (Acts 1:11)
* Reminded them that someday Jesus will return. BLESSED HOPE
1. We Have A Good Life Under The Good Hand Of God
- I enjoy life. I love everyday walking with my risen Lord.
- I love being a Pastor – I love being your Pastor
- God has been good to me.
- I have a home – not the best
- Family – not the best
- Church – not the best
- Food on the table - not the best
** Sometimes Life Has Its Struggles and Difficulties (ever notice that)
– sometimes get Homesick for Heaven
* The Fulfilled Promise and Power Displayed In The Resurrection, Is Assurance That The Promise Of His Return Will Be Fulfilled.
IT’S SUNDAY, AND THE BEST IS YET TO COME.
2. The Best Will Be To Come When We See Him Face To Face
- Don’t care about the golden streets
- Want To See Jesus
- To look on the face of the One who redeemed us by His grace – that is heaven.
THE BEST IS YET TO COME - AND THE BEST WILL BE TO SEE OUR JESUS FACE TO FACE.
- When all of the trials of life are past - when all the sorrow is gone - when all the heartache is taken away.
WE SHALL SEE JESUS (Repeat) (Repeat)
Conclusion
God Bless You. IT’S SUNDAY.
