CHRIST’S RESURRECTION: OUR PEACE, PROOF, PARDON & POWER

The Bodily Resurrection of Jesus Christ is Crucial…but just part of the whole Gospel

7 Key Aspects of The Gospel of Jesus Christ:

Supernatural Conception

Humility of Birth & Life

Tempted but Sinless

Preaching The Kingdom

Suffering & Death

Bodily Resurrection

Ascent & Return

Luke 24:36-53

And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. “Peace be with you,” He said. But the whole group was startled and frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost!

  • Significance of ‘Peace be with you’ (In John’s version He says it twice)
  • Even the guys who were with Him on the road (Whole Group)

Why are you frightened?” He asked. “Why are your hearts filled with doubt? Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do.” As he spoke, he showed them his hands and his feet.

  • Humans are wired for doubt, Jesus addresses it head on
  • He want to show us He is real

Still they stood there in disbelief, filled with joy and wonder. Then he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he ate it as they watched.

  • Christ wanted the Disciples to be clear that He had been ‘Bodily Resurrected’
  • Spirits don’t eat. He had a physical body, but it was a glorified body

Then he said, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.

  • Christ points to the Hebrew Scriptures to validate what they are experiencing
  • It is the same with us: we filter our experience through scripture (objective)
  • Only through belief will Scripture make sense (Holy Spirit / Christ in Person)
  • Fulfilled Prophecy Proves Christ’s Sovereignty

And he said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day.

  • The foretold Messiah would prove He was God Incarnate by dying & RISING

It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ You are witnesses of all these things.

  • Messiah = God…His Authority proclaims: Repentance = Forgiveness
  • If in repentance you make His name the ultimate authority: your sin is pardoned
  • They witnessed the reality: We too have witnessed the reality: ‘Testify’ w/ life
  • They have all the information to put the picture together…SO DO WE!

 

And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.”

  • Now that HE has fulfilled everything He depart and sent ‘The Helper’
  • The Father Promised the sending of the Spirit
  • It is God’s Spirit that in effects Resurrects all who repent & surrender
  • The power over sin and death is given to Christ’s disciples

Joel 2:28-29

‘And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions. And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.’

Then Jesus led them to Bethany, and lifting his hands to heaven, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up to heaven. So they worshiped him and then returned to Jerusalem filled with great joy. And they spent all of their time in the Temple, praising God.

  • In Acts Luke states that for 40 days after resurrection He appeared many times
  • He blessed them with present experience authenticated with historical reality!
  • There is total understanding by Disciples that Jesus is God, so they worshiped
  • The joy of knowing The Risen Christ reshaped their priorities…

The Resurrection Completes the Process that gives us true Shalom With our Creator

The Resection fulfilled Prophecy, Proving The Sovereignty of Christ Jesus (God)

The Resurrection Demonstrates God’s Power over Sin, So Christ can Pardon Yours

The Resurrection Begins the time when God’s Spirit dwells in His People in (Power)

IF Christ’s Resurrection is your Peace, Proof, Pardon and Power…We Worship!

Application Questions:

How & why does the Resurrected Christ bring peace to your life?

How do you address your doubts when it comes to Christ Jesus?

Why is it important, as a disciple of Christ, to know He is bodily Resurrected?

Why does it matter if you believe the whole Old Testament is about Christ?

How do you connect Christ’s Resurrection with the pardoning of your Sin?

How real is God’s Holy Spirit in your daily faith walk? What role does Scripture play?

How do you experience worship of the Risen Christ in your average week?

 

(V28-29) …Jesus went on toward Jerusalem, walking ahead of his disciples. As he came to the towns of Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives, he sent two disciples ahead.

  • Leading them into purpose, example
  • Even though He leads us He sends us as well (Luke 9 sends the Twelve & 72)

(V30-31) “Go into that village over there,” he told them. “As you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks, ‘Why are you untying that colt?’ just say, ‘The Lord needs it.’”

  • Humility happen is real life in the shared spaces…
  • What Christ leads them to obedience without seeking to justify / explain

(V32-34) So they went and found the colt, just as Jesus had said. And sure enough, as they were untying it, the owners asked them, “Why are you untying that colt?” And the disciples simply replied, “The Lord needs it.”

  • Jesus Christ demonstrates to them His sovereignty.
  • His Sovereignty is the cornerstone of OUR HUMILITY!

(V35-36) So they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it for him to ride on. As he rode along, the crowds spread out their garments on the road ahead of him.

  • The humbled is honored
  • How different than how it works in our world
  • Would you put your coat down on the road for an animal to walk on it?

Matthew 21:4-5 This took place to fulfill the prophecy that said,“Tell the people of Jerusalem, ‘Look, your King is coming to you. He is humble, riding on a donkey—riding on a donkey’s colt.’” (combo of Isa. 62:11 & Zach 9:9)

  • Matthew was focused on a Jewish audience so He mentions their scriptures
  • The specificity of ‘Donkey’s Colt’

(V37) When he reached the place where the road started down the Mount of Olives, all of his followers began to shout and sing as they walked along, praising God for all the wonderful miracles they had seen.

  • Still well outside of Jerusalem, the crowd is growing
  • The attention is on God because of the way Jesus rolls…

(V38) “Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in highest heaven!” (‘Hosanna’: Matthew 21:9)

  • These are the highest of all praise, there is identification as the Messiah!
  • Matthew records use of the word ‘Hosanna’ which means ‘Save Us’

(V 39-40) But some of the Pharisees among the crowd said, “Teacher, rebuke your followers for saying things like that!” He replied, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!”

  • Pharisees never show ANY humility…only ‘false humility’
  • They try to get Christ to play their game
  • Jesus responds W/ reality, humility does not exclude Him or us from being real
  • Spiritual Reality: creation will rejoices in The Messiah (Then, Now and Future)

(41-42) But as he came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep. “How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes.”

  • Jerusalem represents The Corrupt Jewish Religious Establishment (Temple)
  • Christ again demonstrates His sovereignty so we can be humble (He knows)
  • Recognizing factual reality and dealing with it, as it is, takes humility (U know)
  • We can truly care for the spiritual wellbeing of other is to be humbled by love

(V43-44a) “Before long your enemies will build ramparts against your walls and encircle you and close in on you from every side. They will crush you into the ground, and your children with you.”

  • Roman Invasion of Jerusalem in 77AD (perfect description of it)

(V44b) “Your enemies will not leave a single stone in place, because you did not recognize it when God visited you.”

  • The ‘Stones’ speak of The Temple which was completely destroyed
  • They put their faith in their religion (pride of performance) opposite of humility
  • Lack of humility will keep you from recognizing who God really is: Christ!

Application Questions:

At this moment of popular recognition, why does Jesus exemplify true humility?

How important is humility in the life of a Disciple of Christ? Rate your humility 1-10.

How do you react to getting attention for ‘Being Spiritual’?

What makes you react to attention like Christ? What has made you more humble?

When in your life has your true humility been honored by God?

What is the connection between humility and concern for people far from God?

If some people will not recognize Jesus, why obey God by trying to make disciples?

Discipleship: Hidden In Christ / Clothed In Christ

Colossians 3:1-15

Discipleship matters because maturity matters because Christ matters!

Discipleship is who we are & how we live…It’s our Ethos, Attitude, Worldview

It’s our identity (Who we are truly meant to be)

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.

  • Are you there? By what means have you been ‘Raised to New Life’?
  • Eternal perspective is a result of God’s Spirit being in you.
  • If you believe you’re raised by the Gospel, part of that is where Christ is now

Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.

  • Think about things = The Practice of Focused Attention
  • Towards ‘Heavenly Perspective’ means away from ‘Temporal Perspective’
  • We are not disciples because we live for this life, we are dead and dying to it
  • Being ‘Hidden in Christ’ means God is not judging you on your life but on Christ
  • Biblical Gospel: Christ is coming back! His Disciples share His glory!

So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.

  • Putting them to death means you don’t let them have a place in your life
  • This list is happens when your flesh runs the show
  • It takes God’s Spirit, not religious rituals / posing / new ideas (see last week)

Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language.

  • ‘These Sins’ speak of unrepentant sin
  • That was who we were before surrendering our lives to Christ
  • Willful, Deliberate, Joyful Obedience

Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.

  • Old Self = Dishonesty / New Self = Truth
  • Participate intentionally in fully becoming your ‘New Nature’ (Discipleship)
  • Renewing… Learning… Becoming! (It’s a progression)

In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.

  • The past is not the determiner of your future
  • Christ levels the playing field for us as disciples (Each ‘Saint’ has His Spirit)

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

  • Recognition of His call to ‘Follow Me’
  • Following Christ is ‘Being’ these five things

Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

  • Hidden in Grace / Clothed in Grace
  • Recognition of what you have been forgiven creates the standard you forgive
  • Matthew 18: The parable of the unforgiving debtor

Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

  • More clothing…Most important clothing
  • Only one way for ‘the peace that comes from Christ to rule your heart’
  • Thankfulness is a byproduct of your recognition of your eternal union W/ Christ!

APPLICATION QUESTIONS:
Describe how you have died to this life & have been raised with & hidden in Christ

What does it look like to ‘put to death’ the sinful things lurking within you?

Describe ‘Stripping off’ your old sinful nature & putting on your new & renewed nature

What things about your past hinder your belief in Christ choosing you to live in you?

Of the five things listed in V 12, where are you strongest? Where are you weakest?

How does your level of forgiveness match up with what you have been forgiven?

How might you better cultivate love & peace from Christ ruling in your heart?

Why do you think Paul ends this passage with a call to be thankful?

Colossians Part 5: Relationship Over Rules OR Connection Over Compliance

2:11-23
When you came to Christ, you were “circumcised,” but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision—the cutting away of your sinful nature. For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.

  1. Paul is connecting old testament with new
  2. Spiritual Circumcision is God placing His (Christ’s) Spirit in you, permanently
  3. The baptism he is referring to is the ‘Immersion’ of God’s Spirit
  4. Circumcision & Baptism are rituals to help us experience God setting us apart
  5. We get Baptized to ‘Confess’ what God has done, and our trust in it

You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.

  1. Sin awareness is crucial, we are all spiritually dead until surrendered to Christ
  2. We are spiritually alive eternally when we trust Christ to forgive that SIN
  3. Christ’s death on the cross cancels our Spiritual Death (when we surrender)

In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed (Exposed) them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.

  1. God showed evil / darkness / rebellion / death / destruction to be powerless!
  2. God let those forces do their worst…and then He did His best!

So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality.

  • We trust God, not religious traditions or ceremonies
  • Christ is to be our reality, not our ability to follow rules and create facades
  • God used the Law to set His people apart to bring Christ out of them

Don’t let anyone condemn you by insisting on pious self-denial or the worship of angels, saying they have had visions about these things.

  • Control by condemnation is classic ‘Cult / Heretic’ behavior
  • Leaders with ‘Unique Vision’ or ‘Special Revelation’ are not Orthodox Christians
  • These thing will always appeal to some form of pride

Their sinful minds have made them proud, and they are not connected to Christ, the head of the body. For he holds the whole body together with its joints and ligaments, and it grows as God nourishes it.

  • Worship of self, not Christ. Not Indwelt with Holy Spirit. Not disciples of Christ
  • John tells us to ‘Test The Spirits’ (1st John 4)
  • We need to be connected to Christ, through the body to grow to maturity

You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world. So why do you keep on following the rules of the world, such as, “Don’t handle! Don’t taste! Don’t touch!”?

  • Have you died with Christ? Tough question…
  • It is the ONLY way to be set free from the power of evil in this world
  • But if you have died then only Kingdom rules will matter

Such rules are mere human teachings about things that deteriorate as we use them. These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person’s evil desires.

  • Phariseeism, that is what it used to look like
  • Rules can never deliver you from evil without and within
  • The Law (Old Testament) was given to prove this point

Application Questions:
How would you describe ‘Biblical Salvation’? What role does Christ play?

Where are you in regards to receiving complete forgiveness from God in Christ?

What does it mean to your daily life that Christ ‘Disarmed’ the powers of evil?

Are there ares in your Christian life where you seek compliance over connection?

What influences your life, pointing you towards something other than Christ?

Where do you struggle with a compliance to rules over relationship to Christ

How might you live out connection over compliance in your discipleship of Christ?

 

Colossians Pt. 4: The Struggle for Simplicity
Chapter 1:28 – 2:10

So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ.
Proclaim, Convict, & Inform EVERYONE… Led by God’s Wisdom (H.S.)
We are guided in our own discipleship and the discipleship of others by The H.S.
This is how we create a culture of discipleship (every generation builds their own)
We have a lofty goal: All followers of Jesus Christ growing to maturity (‘Perfect’)

That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me. I want you to know how much I have agonized for you and for the church at Laodicea, and for many other believers who have never met me personally.
The ‘That’s’ here is the vision of disciple building
Do we have a vision of ‘Biblical Disciple Building’?
That vision is dependent on Christ’s power, not our programs and organization
It doesn’t just serve our own church but even those we do not know personally
Paul had a special burden… should we have some burden?

I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
What Christ’s Disciples are to live like, that means US… NOW!
Focus on Christ…
Author and Perfecter
The Way, The Truth and The Life

The person of Jesus Christ, in all that He is & has done & will do is our simple focus

I am telling you this so no one will deceive you with well-crafted arguments. For though I am far away from you, my heart is with you. And I rejoice that you are living as you should and that your faith in Christ is strong.
Purpose in focus on Christ: (knowing the truth is the cure for deception)
The idea of ‘The Church of Christ’s Disciples’ all being one body with one goal

And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
It takes God’s power and faith in it to get ‘Saved’, same with discipleship
Root your life on Christ: Roots are the source of growth & stability
Strong rooting (foundation) in the person of Jesus Christ is the plan
Doing it right will make us thankful to God

Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.
We need this warning just like they did…
Our ‘Media / Entertainment’ is Corrupt, Godless and Destructive

For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.
Everything we need to know about God is contained in The Christ of Scripture
Being united with Christ by God’s Spirit is all we need: Connected to the Top!

APPLICATION QUESTIONS:
What is your role in ‘presenting others perfect in their relationship to Christ’?

What are opportunities to participate in building disciples personally & corporately?

How might you be more intentional in your focus on THE PERSON of Jesus Christ?

What are ways to strengthen your faith in Christ?

What would it look like to build more of your life on ‘Christ as Lord’?

In what ways are you letting ‘Wisdom of this World’ influence you rather than Christ?

What things can keep you from union with Christ?

What Christ Jesus Did and Who He is

Colossians 1:11-20

We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need.

May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light.

For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.

Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth.

He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see— such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.

Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything.

For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.

Realities of those who are Disciples of Jesus Christ:
They draw strength from the glorious power of Christ Jesus.
They are joyful based on God making them His people.
They have been rescued, freed and forgiven.
They see Christ Jesus as GOD.
They experience Jesus Christ as the center of all creation (seen and unseen).
They believe Jesus Christ to be preexistent of and sovereign over all creation.
They follow him as the head of the body they are part of, always putting Him first.
They are reconciled to God by Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death.

Application Questions:
How do you connect with Christ’s power to strengthen you with endurance & patience?

What are some ways you can thank God and experience joy?

In what ways do you thank God for rescuing you from the ‘Kingdom of Darkness?

How would you describe Christ’s role as ‘The Center of All Creation’?

What experience do you have with the ‘Unseen World’?

As part of the body that Christ is the head of, how do you & should you relate to Him?

How do you live out the reality of being reconciled to God through Christ Jesus?

COLOSSIANS Pt. 1: A Prescription for Growth

Colossians 1:1-10

This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy. We are writing to God’s holy people in the city of Colosse, who are faithful brothers and sisters in Christ. May God our Father give you grace and peace.

We always pray for you, and we give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all of God’s people, which come from your confident hope of what God has reserved for you in heaven. You have had this expectation ever since you first heard the truth of the Good News.

This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace.

You learned about the Good News from Epaphras, our beloved co-worker. He is Christ’s faithful servant, and he is helping us on your behalf. He has told us about the love for others that the Holy Spirit has given you.

So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding.

Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.

Paul’s Five Point Prescription for Spiritual Growth / Christ Discipleship

#1. Receive Grace / Experience Christ’s Forgiveness

#2. Expect God to work in you, build your hope by recognizing HE does.

#3. Practice loving others by God’s Spirit (loving the unlovable)

#4. Keep asking God to reveal Himself and spiritual wisdom to you through others

#5. Live out what He is growing in you: Relational / Experiential Reality

Application Questions:

In your normal week how do you receive God’s grace and peace?

How does the Reality of Jesus Christ help you live with confident hope?

How is the Gospel ‘bearing fruit’ in your life? Are you continuing to change?

Who is an example to follow of someone with ‘Spirit Given’ love for others?

Who prays that God would make you more Spiritually Mature’? Who do U pray this 4?

Who could you approach to help you grow in spiritual wisdom and understanding?

What is an intentional change to the ‘way you live’ that will grow your discipleship?

Discipleship Ownership

Luke 14:26-27
“If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.”

Luke 14:28
“But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it?”

Philippians 2:12-13
Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

Application Questions:
Where are you W/ making Jesus #1 in your life? What are ‘Costs’ you would consider?

How would you rate the past ‘Results of Your Salvation’?

How would you rate your trust that God is at work in you so you can please Him?

What areas of your life might you become more of disciplined in?

How can you ‘Get in Training’ for the ‘Eternal Prizes’ of Disciple Building?

What Goals can you set to address you discipleship needs?

What are some initiatives that will move you toward those goals?

The Art of Discipleship: Doing it Jesus Way… Biblical Disciple Building Principals: Communal  /  Progressive  /  Practical 5 Key Initiatives: Prayer  /  Relationship  /  Situations  /  Content  /  Accountability Prayer: Ephesians 6:18 And […]