Don't Ever Forget the Resurrection
It gives hope in our PRESENT circumstances.
It is the reality of our entire FUTURE.
It is the source of our confidence.
We need HOPE for today
and
CONFIDENCE for tomorrow.
“In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven…3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.”
-Acts 1:1-3
On the Road to Emmaus
13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus… 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him.17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their face downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does 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. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but 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. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.” 25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. … 32“Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
–Luke 24
The greatest convincing proof is how Jesus meets us
in the greatest area of our need,
namely, Forgiveness and Acceptance.
Convincing Proves from OT Prophecy
“He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised… and we held him in low esteem. 4 Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering…5 He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. 6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all… For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was punished. 9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death… 10 Yet ... though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days…11 After he has suffered, he will see the light of life … will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.”
-Isaiah 53:3-11
Remember
God said it!
That should settle it!
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
-John 8:12
Two humorous anecdotes about "The light at the end of the tunnel":
"Due to budget cuts,
the light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off."
"The light at the end of the tunnel is a train."
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.
In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
-John 16:33
We need HOPE for today
and
CONFIDENCE for tomorrow.
Jesus & His resurrection are both.
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