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Bless God Continually

Find reasons to bless God daily

Luke 24.36–53

Don Ruhl • Savage Street, Grants Pass, Oregon • July 8, In the year of our Lord, 2018

Persuasion:

  1. Luke 24.36–43 | The Resurrection Verified
    1. He appears speaking peace—24.36.

      36 Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you” (Luke 24.36).

      1. The two were discussing the resurrection.
        1. Apostles’ minds were tuned acutely to Jesus.
        2. Thus not in a daze, sleeping, day-dreaming.
      2. Miraculous appearance.
      3. Speaking peace.
        1. He knew they would be fearful.
        2. He came to earth to bring the peace of God.
    2. Nevertheless they were frightened—24.37.

      37 But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit (Luke 24.37).
    3. His perplexity at their trouble—24.38–40.

      38 And He said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.” 40 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet (Luke 24.38–40).

      1. Their trouble perplexed Him
        1. He had prophesied
        2. There were witnesses
        3. Prophecies of Scriptures
      2. He encouraged investigation
        1. He did not accept gullibility, even in receiving truth.
        2. Investigation leads to reason (1Pe 3.15).
      3. It was truly Jesus in the body in which they had known Him.
      4. A spirit is not flesh and bones, but inhabits flesh and bones.
    4. Further verification of the resurrection—24.41–43.

      41 But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, “Have you any food here?” 42 So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb. 43 And He took it and ate in their presence (Luke 24.41–43).

      1. Disbelieved for joy.
        1. Saying, “I can’t believe it!” happily.
      2. Wondered.
        1. Knowing it did indeed happen, but not knowing how.
      3. Eating.
        1. Rigors of crucifixion and associated events would create hunger.
        2. Had not eaten for 3 maybe 4 days.
      4. Acts 10.40–41

        40 “Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, 41 not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead” (Acts 10.40–41).
      5. 1 John 1.1–4

        1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life— 2 the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us— 3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things we write to you that your joy may be full (1 John 1.1–4).
  2. The Great Commission (Luke 24.44–49)
    1. Things in Old Testament about Jesus fulfilled—24.44.

      44 Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me” (Luke 24.44).

      1. Not His words for the present to be fulfilled in future.
      2. What Old Testament prophecy of Jesus is unfulfilled?
    2. He interpreted those things—24.45.

      45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures (Luke 24.45).

      1. Not mystical experience.
      2. He interpreted so minds opened, causing understanding.
      3. Verse 46 shows how he did it.
    3. A summary of what he taught them—24.46–47.

      46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24.46–47).

      1. That the Christ should suffer.
        1. Psalm 22.
        2. Isaiah 53.
      2. That He would be resurrected.
        1. Psalm 16.8–11.
        2. Jonah.
      3. That preaching should be done:
        1. Of repentance in his name.
          1. Main message of Bible
        2. Of remission of sins in His name.
        3. To all the nations.
          1. Genesis 12.3.
          2. Israel was separated to identify the Savior.
        4. Beginning at Jerusalem.
          1. Isaiah 2.2–4.
          2. Romans 1.16.
    4. Two-fold ability—24.48–49.

      48 “And you are witnesses of these things. 49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high” (Luke 24.48–49).

      1. Being witnesses gave them credibility.
        1. They could verify all these facts.
        2. We can give their testimony, but technically we are not witnesses.
      2. Heavenly power would accompany them.
        1. The promise of power to accomplish:
          1. Preaching without completed written revelation.
          2. Rapid evangelism.
        2. Promise limited.
          1. They were to wait in Jerusalem.
  3. Blessing God Continually (Luke 24.50–53).
    1. He blesses them a final time—24.50.

      50 And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them (Luke 24.50).
    2. He is taken to heaven—24.51.

      51 Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven (Luke 24.51).

      1. Departed while blessing.
        1. He came to earth to bless.
        2. Man cursed him horribly but he left giving a blessing.
      2. Ascended to heaven.
    3. Their three-fold response—24.52–53.

      52 And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen (Luke 24.52–53).

      1. Worship.
      2. Obedience with great joy.
      3. Blessing God continually.
        1. Nothing else mattered.
        2. In a place most associated with God on earth
    4. Bless the Lord at all times
    5. Bless the Lord in all the issues of life
    6. Bless the Lord in private
    7. Bless the Lord in the public assembly
    8. Bless the Lord when you are well and when you are sick
    9. Bless the Lord when you are rich and when you are poor
    10. Bless the Lord when you are loved and when you are hated
    11. Bless the Lord when you have a job and when you do not have one
    12. Bless the Lord when you know things and when you do not
    13. Bless the Lord when you understand and when you do not
      1. Blessing the Lord does not mean we are always happy
      2. It means we give Him the glory
  4. All the People We Admire in the Scriptures
    1. They all blessed the Lord
    2. Such as the apostles in Luke 24
      1. Subsequently they changed the world
      2. You also will influence people

Exhortation:

  1. All Has Been Done.
    1. Book of Acts shows fulfillment and continuing mission.
  2. What do you believe about Jesus?
    1. Savior, God in the flesh, Lord, etc.