Forty Plus Ten - Week 1: Peace!

Scripture: Acts 1:3, Luke 24:36-47, John 14:27, Philippians 4:7.

What does the sermon series "Forty Pus Ten" mean?
There were forty days from Jesus’ resurrection to His ascension. Pastor will focus on the convincing proofs of Jesus resurrection demonstrated in what Jesus’ final words and actions during the forty days and will show us how they still speak to our lives today. There were ten days from Jesus’ ascension to the Day of Pentecost. Pastor will focus on what happened on Pentecost and what that means for our Christian walk and daily lives. Jesus lives!  This is the most important event of the planet since creation! Join us and see why!

Our study for today is on the evening of Jesus’ resurrection. They are experiencing fear, confusion and uncertainty. They’ve heard some of the stories going around that Jesus was alive and risen from the grave but just days earlier they had seen Him arrested, crucified, put to death and placed in a tomb. They were not expecting a resurrection!

On Resurrection Sunday morning the tomb had been found empty. As they gathered together in fear in a locked room, there was also confusion. They had heard the reports of people seeing and talking to Jesus.  There was uncertainty - how could this be true? And then, “While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.’” Luke 24:36

How is this story relevant for us today? All of us has encountered fear and Jesus speaks to us, just as He spoke to His followers that day: “Peace” Shalom. He spoke into their fears, confusion and uncertainties and He speaks Peace to each of us into our lives to our fear, confusions and uncertainties.

Jesus goes on and says why are you troubled? Why do doubts rise in your minds and then He shows them His hands and feet. In effect saying that it really is Him!  He tells them to touch Him and then He eats food - He’s in the flesh, He is alive.

He goes on to tell them how all that is written about Him in the Old Testament must be fulfilled and as He continues it begins to become clear to their minds - Jesus opens their mind explaining the what the Scripture declared all along has been about Him. Then He goes on to say what’s ahead, “He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” Luke 24:46-47

What this means for us today - because Jesus is alive it changes everything and it changes each one of us!

It changes:
    ⁃    How we look at life
    ⁃    The way we handle difficulties, fears, uncertainty, doubts and troubles
    ⁃    The way we look at the future
    ⁃    What matters in life

It gives us:
    ⁃    A reason for living
    ⁃    True living - forever!

Application
    ⁃    The call is personal to encounter Jesus Christ. To encounter Him and His Peace
    ⁃    We are called to heed the scriptures and to listen to them. As we listen - He comes into our hearts
    ⁃    We are called to experience a new mind - the Holy Spirit changes us from within.

Jesus is ALIVE!  His resurrection is not only the most significant event in the history of the world, it is the most important thing in each of our lives. 

No matter what we are going through - the fact that He is alive and that we by faith receive what He offers: forgiveness, hope, assurance and life forever —- that changes everything!

Pastor closes with the words from the chorus of a song from Bill and Gloria Gaither.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
 Because He lives, all fear is gone;
 Because I know He holds the future,
 And life is worth the living,
 Just because He lives!

Life is worth living, just because He lives!!!

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