Bodily Resurrection & The message of Revelations.
Last week Ps Paul talked about how Jesus is not a weak man, but powerful, defeating death so we could know God.
This morning I want to carry on the story in the same vein and look at the greatness and power of Jesus Christ, starting with the story of the resurrection.
Luke 24:1-53
24 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” 8 Then they remembered his words.
9 When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. 11 But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. 12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.
13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles[a] from Jerusalem. 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 faces 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.
28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.
30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” 33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.
36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”
40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence.
44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” 45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
The Ascension of Jesus
50 When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.
Let’s pray
Jesus was now different, Risen from the dead he had a new type of body. 1 Corinthians chapter 15 talks about Jesus resurrection body and about our future resurrection bodies, but basically; Jesus was able to suddenly disappear, teleport, eat fish, and show off his physical wounds that his followers could touch and feel.
He was now transformed into his complete glory, having conquered death, he now has an eternal physical body.
His body won’t age, because he won’t die.
He is transformed, loosed the mortal body of death and now in an eternal glorified body.
Acts 2:24
But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.
Jesus put an end to deaths power by rising into eternal physical life. Not a ghost or a soul, but a physical full whole eternal body with supernatural abilities.
But why is this important?
But Jesus’ rising from the dead was the first step in Gods bigger plan - first Jesus rises and conquers sin and death, then because of his victory in rising again- we have a real hope that we will rise to a physical eternal existence like him, with a body like his.
Some people can fall into the trap of focusing on a belief of simply making into heaven, and without much further thought, believing that heaven is the eternal end of the story. But that’s not what the bible teaches us. The bible teaches that Jesus rose bodily, and will return to rule and reign here on earth, because the earth is God’s good creation, and he hasn’t given up on it. God is really good at making broken things brand new.
Let’s look at some scripture about this:
1 Cor 15:20-23
“But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in turn: Christ, the first fruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.”
Philippians 3:20
20 But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Saviour. 21 He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.
The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ rose from the dead with a physical, yet supernatural body. And that he is not to stay for eternity in heaven but will come to earth to make this his home. The bible also tells us that this is the plan for us. The spiritual place we understand as heaven or paradise, is actually a temporary place. The plan of God is that we (Christians) will rise from the dead like Jesus did, with a physical and supernatural body. After Jesus judges the living and the dead in Revelations chapter 20-21 God makes his dwelling place with people here on earth- and then the plan is complete.
John, one of the new testament writers has a very frightening and radical vision on the island of Patmos, it is packed with references to things recorded in Isaiah, Daniel and other prophetic literature, and it is very relevant to the generation it is written to, but here near the end of the vision we see a powerful picture giving us a glimpse of the great plan of God for humanity:
Revelation 20:12-15
12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15 Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.
Revelations 21:1-3
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,”[a] for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.
Now before you think that God will throw the old earth into the trash and send us all to a different planet, that’s not what it means by new earth. He means he will make it new. Just like he makes you and I brand new. The bible says when we receive the Holy Spirit we are born again and transformed into new people. That we are a new creation in Christ Jesus. This is something that happens in a powerful moment, but it also takes time to manifest and become a reality and God works his kingdom in our personal lives. The same can be said for God’s plan on earth – One day creation will be made totally new, and you and I will be made totally new – the final completion of the ongoing work and plan of God.
He has a kingdom he wants to manifest on earth, and he wants us to begin the process. not so people can just escape earth to get into heaven, but so they can be a part of his kingdom here on earth.
Heaven is not the final destination in Gods big plan. The end goal is here on earth.
So we see that Jesus will return to set things right, to destroy evil, to judge living and the dead and to put an end to the chaos. Jesus will come triumphant and powerful. God will also then make his dwelling place on earth with his children. But we, we will not just be ghosts, we will have glorified bodies. - Bodies like Christ that are physical and yet supernatural. We won’t age or die, and it will be a gift from God for those that love him.
The inheritance we receive from Adam is death. The inheritance we receive from Jesus Christ defeating death is to be resurrected into a supernatural, physical eternal existence. This is our hope.
Romans 8:18-24
18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.
22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.
The bible teaches of an earthly manifestation of the kingdom of God where Jesus returns to earth, in glory and in body, to reign in a physical manifestation of the kingdom of God. That means that here matters.
Too often do we live as though we are waiting to live for eternity in a heavenly spiritual place, leaving earth with a one way ticket. It leads us to not care about his kingdom coming to earth, as long as I personally know where I am going.
It leads us to a selfish way of living – not caring about the earth, or fate of the world. Even though there will be hardship – biblically speaking the fate of the world is not headed for destruction, it’s headed for restoration.
Jesus will come to earth and stay. Jesus will become the judge of the living and the dead, to restore order and make things right.
Where Jesus reigns, he judges, when Jesus judges he sets everything in the right order.
He makes order from the human chaos. Human sin and selfishness and rebellion will judged and dealt with, and everyone will answer before Jesus.
Humanity is broken because of the effects of sin - but Christ will return to make things right.
This is our future hope as Christians what we look forward to - Jesus coming here. Jesus reigning as king here. Jesus judging and making things right. True righteousness and justice prevailing over the injustice caused by the evil and brokenness of us humans. we look forward to a day where Jesus Christ comes to make things right.
Jesus judging gives Christians comfort.
And This is our hope - Jesus is coming to make things right.
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So we understand our future hope, but what is our present task?
while we wait, what do we do?
In Acts Chapter 3, After Peter explains to the crowd about who Jesus is, he pleads with them to repent from sin and leave evil and darkness behind, to come into the light of God, a life of righteousness and love.
Acts Chapter 3 Verses 19-21 | Verse 40 | Verses 42-47
19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 20 and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. 21 Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.
we skip down to verse 40
40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”
⁃ for those outside the group it was a message of urgent repentance, but for those inside the group it is an exciting new way of life.
⁃ The early church was known as “the way” Its a new Jesus - influenced way of living here & now
These first followers of Jesus were a group of believers exploring the question; what does the kingdom of God coming here and now look like? What would it looked like if we created a space for God to reign here, and became a group of people that manifested this future reality, here and now.
and so Peter addresses the crowd and urges them to accept Jesus and turn from sin - then story continues on to show us what happens to this group of people that want the kingdom of God here and now:
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
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BAND UP
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When we repent from one way of living and come into the leadership of Jesus, we get to experience a whole new way of life.
It’s the way of thy kingdom come, thy will be done, Here as it is in heaven
There is a new way - to experience now.
A new way of life for you,
-A new way of life for your marriage
Anew way of life for your Family
-A new way of life for our communities and churches to experience
The kingdom way
Jesus invites us to participate in creating pockets of kingdom of God on the earth, places, churches, families where the kingdom of God is manifested and where the ways of God, the truth of God, the righteousness of God the justice of God, the goodness of God and the presence of God is there, and it is ruling culture and society, reigning as the way.
Jesus wants to rule and reign in your life
When Jesus reigns, judges and rules he makes things right - he restores things to it’s original intended purpose.
Jesus wants to do this in your life.
-Will you allow Jesus to rule and reign in your private life? In your house? so his kingdom can reign in your home?
Will you allow Jesus to rule and reign in your marriage? So his kingdom can come in your marriage?
-Will you allow Jesus to rule and reign in your family? in the way you parent? Will you welcome Jesus to reign, with kingdom culture and the ways of God in your workplace? in the way to talk and behave at work?
See God desires his kingdom, his justice and righteousness, his way to reign in all the earth, in every nation and every culture.
He will restore all things. That is the Christian hope.
The mission of a Christian is to usher in, and bring his ways and his kingdom to wherever you are. To give like a powhiri a welcome of His kingdom and His presence to earth.
Thats our privilege - to say “come lord, rule and reign here!”
So:
Our future hope is christ ruling and reigning here on earth with us, resurrected and we - witnessing and worshipping as he makes all things new.
Our present task is to enjoy creating pockets of Kingdom here and now. To co-labour with Christ welcoming him into every part of our lives and allowing him to rule and reign in our families and communities here and now.
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To finish this morning, we’re going to pray.
I want to give people here that don’t know God an oppertunity to meet him. The Holy
Spirit that poured out on disciples of Jesus is the same Holy Spirit that wants to reveal
Jesus to you
maybe this morning you are not a child of God, maybe you are still a child of the world. Maybe you are Living a worldly life and living in darkness.
God is calling you into the light
You will stand before the Judgment seat of Christ, you will need to answer and be accountable for your decisions, all of your words and behaviour.
So repent, come and give your life to Jesus, that he can be your leader, your king and you will get to enjoy this wonderful new way of life!
If you want to do this - pray with me now:
Dear Lord Jesus
Today I give you my heart
I recognise you as God and Lord of My life
You can have my future
Father God I trust you to protect me and provide for me,
Holy Spirit I invite you To lead me and change me from the inside out. I give my whole life to you today.
AMEN
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