Sermon Theme
The Usual Easter Propaganda
We all do it for all sorts of reasons… There even is a special day in the year when we all need to be on our toes and do this often! Doubting is something we all do from time to time if not every day.
We may doubt someone is telling us the truth whom we know to be a regular liar On April Fool’s Day we will be skeptical about any BIG news someone will share with us Today there are those who still doubt there ever has been a landing of human on the moon!
It is unsurprising Satan would have us doubt the physical resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ Even from within the church there are those who deny that Jesus literally rose from the dead
There are of course those outside the faith who have never believed.
- The reports of Jesus’ resurrection found in the Bible are said to be myth or the result of the need of the disciples to believe that Jesus actually did rise again.
- 1996 was a memorable year. Media outlets reported an archaeological find supposedly casting doubt on the resurrection. Three coffins found in a tomb in Israel marked ‘Joseph’, ‘Mary’ and ‘Jesus’
- IT’S HUMAN TO DOUBT
- THE BLESSING OF BELIEVING
- GRACE TO LIVE BY
Readings reproduced on this page:
The Holy Bible: New International Version. 1996, 1984. Grand Rapids: Zondervan
Sermon Outline
Readings
Luke 24:13–35 (NIV84)
13Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem.
14They were talking with each other about everything that had happened.
15As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them;
16but they were kept from recognizing him.
17He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast.
18One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?”
19“What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people.
20The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him;
21but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place.
22In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning
23but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive.
24Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.”
25He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!
26Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?”
27And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
28As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther.
29But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.
30When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them.
31Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.
32They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
33They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together
34and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.”
35Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.
Text
John 20:19–23 (NIV84)
19On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”
20After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
21Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”
22And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
23If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
