He Is Risen LifeWay

Transcription

1 He Is Risen 64 He is risen

2 How can we know Jesus is alive? The facts are in. In the courtroom, only two things matter: the evidence and the testimony of witnesses. Hearsay doesn t count. Opinions don t count. Just the evidence and eyewitness testimony. On the surface, the resurrection of Jesus a dead man coming to life after three days sounds as outlandish as a supermarket tabloid headline. Yet untold millions of people have believed that story and grounded their lives and hope in it. Why? Evidence and eyewitness testimony. Jesus has risen from death, and He is alive. Massive evidence points to the reality of this event. Hundreds of people saw Jesus after He came out of the tomb. In this study, we re only going to scratch the surface of this evidence. Luke 24 clearly confirms that yes, as sensational as it sounds Jesus is alive! Derwin L. Gray Derwin L. Gray is the founding and lead pastor of Transformation Church, a multi-ethnic community with two campuses in South Carolina. Previously, Derwin played for the NFL, and it was during his time with the Indianapolis Colts that He encountered the risen Christ. He and his wife Vicki have two children. He is the author of Crazy Grace for Crazy Times (LifeWay Press). BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 65

3 SPECIAL FOCUS HE IS RISEN 66 He is risen

4 When have you been completely surprised? QUESTION 1 #BSFLRisen BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 67

5 THE POINT The resurrection of Jesus is a fact you can build your life on. THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE Pain, doubt, and disappointment. Too often we find ourselves struggling with these in our lives. To one degree or another, I m sure we ve all faced those moments when the world just seemed to go dark. We had no idea what would happen next or what we should do to help the situation. In Luke s Gospel, we read an account of a group of women who felt just such doubt and disappointment. They trudged on to do what needed to be done in spite of their feelings, but they were caught off-guard and were joyfully surprised by what happened next. Jesus was alive and that changed everything. Jesus is still alive, and that changes everything for us too. In those moments when despair and doubt arise, we can respond with hope and life because Jesus has risen. Are you ready to discover how? 68 SPECIAL focus

6 WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY? Luke 24:1-6a (CSB) 1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb. 3 They went in but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men stood by them in dazzling clothes. 5 So the women were terrified and bowed down to the ground. Why are you looking for the living among the dead? asked the men. 6 He is not here, but he has risen! Easter is a time of great celebration. But that first Sunday morning after Jesus crucifixion was anything but a celebration for His disciples. It was a day of death, doubt, and disappointment. The disciples witnessed Jesus excruciating death, and all they could do was grieve. Jesus died mere hours before the Jewish Sabbath began. With sundown quickly approaching, all Jesus followers could do was to wrap His body and place it in a tomb. When sundown came, darkness filled the night sky and another kind of darkness filled their minds. The One they had pinned all their hopes on was dead. And for some of His followers a small group of women that included Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James (Luke 24:10) they had just one more act of love left to complete before they returned to what life was like before they met Jesus. With the first rays of sun on Sunday morning, the women went to the tomb with spices to prepare Jesus body properly for burial. The burial ritual was typically carried out by women, which would include washing the body and anointing it with oil. They also would wrap His body in strips of linen cloth as a sign of respect. The women knew the task before them, but Mark s Gospel notes they had no idea how they would get into the tomb with such a large stone in front of it (Mark 16:3). That question was answered for them when they arrived at the tomb and found the stone rolled away from the tomb (v. 2). That surprise was What are some ways our culture tries to explain away Jesus resurrection? QUESTION 2 BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 69

7 THE POINT The resurrection of Jesus is a fact you can build your life on. met by a second, even bigger surprise: the tomb was empty. They found no body in the tomb and of course the women didn t know what had happened. But two men who suddenly appeared explained what the women could not: He is not here, but he has risen! (v. 6). How do we know Jesus is alive? His tomb is empty! Numerous attempts have been made to explain away the resurrection, but we can t explain away an empty tomb. Had Jesus body been stolen, or if the women had merely gone to the wrong tomb, the idea of a resurrection easily could be laid to rest simply by going to the right tomb or by producing Jesus dead body. But the women were not mistaken, and the disciples would not have faced persecution and death for a lie that Jesus was resurrected rather than stolen and hidden away. If Luke had been trying to invent something that did not happen, he most likely would have made the first witnesses to the empty tomb be some of Jesus twelve apostles some of the twelve men. Why? At that time, a woman s testimony was not valid in court. But Luke stuck to the facts: Jesus tomb was empty and the women were the first witnesses to it. Luke 24:6b-8 (CSB) 6 Remember how he spoke to you when he was still in Galilee, 7 saying, It is necessary that the Son of Man be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and rise on the third day? 8 And they remembered his words. The tomb was empty, but that should not have been a surprise to these women or any of Jesus followers. Jesus repeatedly announced His death long before anyone else could see His arrest on the horizon (9:22,44; 17:25; 18:31-33; 22:37). Why is it significant that Jesus knew in advance what would happen to Him? QUESTION 3 70 SPECIAL focus

8 Far more than that, though, who possibly could have predicted his own resurrection? No one except Jesus, the Son of God. ]] Jesus death was no unfortunate accident. Jesus came to earth on a rescue mission of love that began in eternity. Adam and Eve were to be God s image bearers, casting forth the glory of God throughout the earth. When Adam and Eve rebelled against God, sin and death were unleashed. Yet God, who is relentless in His love, launched a rescue mission. Through a man named Abraham, the nation of Israel was brought into being (Genesis 12:1-3). And through Israel, the Messiah would fulfill God s promise of rescuing and blessing the world by reversing the curse of sin (Romans 5:12-21). Jesus came to earth to fulfill His Father s mission. He faithfully lived out God s commands because humanity could not. Humans are born with a sin nature because of Adam and Eve s sin. In the same way your children inherit certain characteristics of yours, we inherited a nature to sin from Adam and Eve. It is impossible for us to perfectly live out God s commandments. As a result, we are separated from God, but Jesus lived perfectly for us. ]] Jesus died on the cross in our place. Jesus willingly went to the cross. He had no sins of His own to pay for, but He died for our sins. He did this so that we could be eternally forgiven and our sin could be eternally forgotten. As a result, we are eternally declared to be righteous in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21). ]] Jesus defeated death for us. When God raised Jesus from the dead, death lost its power over us (Acts 2:24). Jesus rose from the dead, and so will we (2 Corinthians 4:14). Through faith in Jesus, we are eternally united to Him (Romans 6:1-11). Only God Himself could accomplish all this and He did! BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 71

9 THE POINT The resurrection of Jesus is a fact you can build your life on. "The gospel is the gospel of the risen Christ. There would be no gospel for sinners if Christ had not been raised." H.A. IRONSIDE How has Jesus proven Himself to you in the past? QUESTION 4 OUR MIGHTY CONQUEROR Jesus defeated our greatest enemy, death, so we could live with Him forever. This truth gives us hope: He can conquer anything and everything we struggle with today. What enemies do you need victory over in your life? (Mark all that apply.) Finances Work Health Image Relationships Big decisions Anxiety Other: Since Jesus defeated death, I believe He can help me. This week, I will to remind me of His power and victory in my life. 72 SPECIAL focus

10 Luke 24:36-40 (CSB) 36 As they were saying these things, he himself stood in their midst. He said to them, Peace to you! 37 But they were startled and terrified and thought they were seeing a ghost. 38 Why are you troubled? he asked them. And why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself! Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have. 40 Having said this, he showed them his hands and feet. The disciples were not expecting to see Jesus. In fact, they were startled and terrified (v. 37) just as the women had been earlier (v. 5). They had heard the reports, but even now, they thought they were seeing a ghost a disembodied Jesus. Jesus knew what they were thinking their fright no doubt was evident in their body language and He asked why they were troubled. And why do doubts arise in your hearts? (v. 38). Some obviously still doubted the reality of the resurrection, and some may have wondered exactly who was standing in front of them. Was he a ghost or a physical person? Jesus squelched those doubts with an invitation: Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself! Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have (v. 39). What further proof was needed? The tomb was empty just as Jesus had said it would be, and He now stood before them in a physical body. History was forever transformed when Jesus rose from the dead. Sin and death were defeated by the conquering King. No longer would humanity be forced into the slavery of sin, shackled by the fear of death, or burdened by the oppression of evil. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead now indwells those who trust Him (Romans 8:9-11). Because Jesus has risen from the grave, new life is now available through faith in Him. What makes the resurrection so important for believers today? QUESTION 5 BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 73

11 THE POINT The resurrection of Jesus is a fact you can build your life on. LIVE IT OUT How will the truth of the resurrection make a difference in your life? ]] Believe. Christ s resurrection means that we can be forgiven of our sin. If you ve not yet trusted Christ as your Savior and want to know more, talk with your group leader or read the article on the inside front cover of this book. ]] Study. Learn more about the historical evidence that proves the resurrection of Christ. Check out Buried Hope or Risen Savior by Charles L. Quarles (B&H Publishers) or The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel (Zondervan). ]] Share. Ask God for chances to share what you believe about Jesus with someone who isn t a Christ-follower. Pray for wisdom to communicate all that we re given in Christ. Doubt, pain, and disappointment will come, but they don t have to define your life. Hope is readily available Jesus has risen from death, and He is alive! My thoughts 74 SPECIAL focus Share with others how you will live out this study: #BSFLRisen

12 3 WAYS SIRI CHANGED MY PRAYER LIFE BY SCARLET HILTIBIDAL Too often, and I sure hope I m not alone, saying I ll pray for you is a nice little substitute for, AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! I m not sure what I m supposed to say right now! Whether it s a close friend asking me to pray about a troubling diagnosis or a neighbor asking me to pray about her working relationship with her back-up babysitter, I, of course, agree wholeheartedly and have the best intentions to follow through. But, even if I do follow through, the prayer I pray is often two seconds Oh, and I pray for Anne during a casual car prayer or a brief breakfast beseechment in front of my daughters or while reading an article about which states have the BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 75

13 highest number of sinkholes (Tennessee, Florida) or which Weird Al song most defines you ( Harvey the Wonder Hamster ). I know, through experience and by reading James 5, that the prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective, but because I m not always intentional in how I go about praying, I don t always truly enjoy the result. Recently, during a season where many around me were hurting and needed prayer, I stumbled into growth in this area with the help of a digital prayer assistant. Because I m quite scatterbrained and very busy chasing my children around, I looked to Siri (the voice on the iphone) to help me get better at this. Here are three ways that Siri changed my prayer life: 1. My Intercession Is More Consistent Siri, remind me to pray about so-and-so every morning at 9. Okay, Skinny. I ll do that. Free side-note: programming Siri to call me Skinny is one of the best decisions I ve ever made. That s how this experiment started. I asked Siri to remind me to pray for one person every day. Her little reminder would flash up on my phone each day, and at first, my prayers were, as they always had been, short and sweet. But I got it done. Then, because I set the reminder for every day, my prayers didn t stay short and sweet. Prayer isn t just talking to a wall. It s back-and-forth communication with God. So, as I continued to pray, my focus grew and my prayers got more specific. As I saw God work in that one situation, I added more people to my Siri prayer list. This experiment led to me praying more often, for more people, and in more detail than I ever had before. Watching God move and acknowledging Him in all that happens in my life and in the lives of the people around me reminds me that He is real. 2. My Follow-up Is More Frequent The fact that when Siri reminds me to pray, I m already holding the device I use to communicate with people is hugely helpful. Having my phone tell me to pray led me to want to follow-up with the people I was praying for. I send Anne a text: How did that meeting go? Praying for you. She shares details that allow me to see how God worked. Also, following up naturally 76 BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE

14 deepened all of my relationships and centered them around the work God is doing in our lives. 3. My Faith Is Growing Seeing God s faithfulness and being able to ask Siri to stop reminding me to pray for people because God has worked has been incredible. It s as simple as this: watching God move and acknowledging Him in all that happens in my life and in the lives of the people around me reminds me that He is real. As I continued to pray, my focus grew and my prayers got more specific. In the process of praying for others, God has done a work in me. He has used this season to deal with lifelong fears I ve had. He s given me the strength to replace bad habits and negative thought patterns with the good habits of preaching the gospel to myself daily and intervening for my brothers and sisters. And all of this is just an added benefit of being more consistent in my prayer life. Thank you, God. (And thank you, Siri.) Scarlet Hiltibidal is a writer living in Nashville, TN. Scarlet has a degree in biblical counseling and currently writes small group curriculum for children and articles on motherhood for Smart Mom. Scarlet is wife to Brandon and Mommy to her daughters, Ever Grace and Brooklyn Hope. Visit her blog at scarlethiltibidal.com and follow her on This article was originally published on the Group Ministry blog (LifeWay.com/GroupMinistry). Used with permission. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 77