NEW SERIES begins April 23, 2017

Who are you? Start with Christ. 

Most of us struggle with our identity at some point in life. Not knowing who you are can really mess up where you are and what you do. 

I know that to be true from personal experience. When I was in my early twenties, I was a passenger in life, traveling through my days without a destination. I had grown up in a great environment, but I had made a total mess of my circumstances. 

Jesus changed all that. He changed me, and now my identity is wrapped up in Christ. 

In these six sessions, we’ll see what God says about who we are and who we can be in Christ. Our identity in Christ alters our identity at church, in our homes, at our places of work, and everywhere else. We never lose our uniqueness in our various roles, but those roles are transformed by our life of faith—our true, defining identity. 

Let this study help you be sure of who you are in Christ and how you can live out that identity.

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE 

Who am I? That’s not always an easy question to answer in one specific way. For example, I’m a husband, a father, and a friend. All of these relationships help to define me. What’s certain is that how I define and see myself—my identity—will affect my thoughts and actions. 

The world understands this truth, which is why it tries to shape how we see ourselves. Advertisers want us to see ourselves in a certain way—and then believe their product will enhance that image. 

What truly affects our identity is how we see Jesus. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” How these men saw Jesus changed their lives because it changed how they saw themselves. 

The same is true for us. How we see Jesus shapes how we define ourselves. Without correctly understanding who Jesus is, we will never truly understand who we are. Consider, then, life’s most important question: Who is Jesus?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Luke 9:18-20 

18 While he was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” 19 They answered, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, that one of the ancient prophets has come back.” 20 “But you,” he asked them, “who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “God’s Messiah.” 

During the short period in which the disciples were with Jesus, they saw Him do amazing things—feed the hungry; raise the dead; heal the lame, blind, and diseased; and more. Jesus went from an unknown carpenter in a small town in Galilee to the biggest celebrity in all of Palestine. Many people came to love Him, yet others despised Him. (It seems not much has changed over the last 2,000 years!) 

The conversation we’re studying in Luke 9 happened in “the region of Caesarea Philippi” (Matt. 16:13), which had served as a spiritual and cultic center for thousands of years. In that place of spiritual deception and confusion, Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” They responded with the various opinions people had about Jesus’ identity. Their opinions differed, but they all shared one thing in common: Jesus was somebody of importance. 

We hear similar responses today. To your Muslim neighbor, Jesus is a prophet. To your Buddhist friend, He’s an enlightened teacher. Even many atheists regard Jesus as a person of inspiration. All of this is interesting, but the real question—the one Jesus would ask each of us—is the one He asked His disciples: “Who do you say that I am?” 

Peter identified Jesus as the long-awaited Christ—a revelation that would transform Peter’s understanding of himself and change his future. Only when Peter rightly understood who Jesus is could he correctly align his own life and identity.

Luke 9:21-22 

21 But he strictly warned and instructed them to tell this to no one, 22 saying, “It is necessary that the Son of Man suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and be raised the third day.” 

Peter correctly identified Jesus. Yet, it is surprising what Jesus told Peter and the other disciples to do with that information. He told them not to tell anyone. 

What? Aren’t we called to proclaim Jesus as the Messiah? Yes, and later Jesus gave these same disciples the commission to be His witnesses—to tell anyone and everyone about Jesus (see Acts 1:8). At this particular moment in time, though, Jesus didn’t need the full truth about Himself announced. 

Jesus had a precise appointment with death, and He would not die a moment too soon. The word Messiah had become a term that was full of political significance. Many would-be revolutionaries saw themselves as “messiahs.” While many eagerly awaited the Messiah, others saw the “Christ” title as a threat. So, if the disciples went around declaring this new information about Jesus, the political expectations or fears of people would have limited His ability to travel freely and preach the good news of God (see Mark 1:14). 

Although it was not yet time to publicly proclaim Jesus as the Christ, it was important for the disciples to know the truth. Since they acknowledged their full awareness of who Jesus was, He told them, “The Son of Man suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and be raised the third day.” 

At that point, the disciples probably believed, as most Jews did, that the Messiah would be a political leader who would free them from the oppressive rule of Rome in some type of military victory. The disciples likely were crushed to hear that Jesus would not lead them to military victory, but instead He would suffer and die.

Any political leader might expect opposition and death, but Jesus didn’t expect just to die; He told them He would be raised again. He told them before it happened so they would not be surprised, as if the work and ministry of Jesus had all been a mistake and for nothing. It was all part of God’s plan that Jesus would die—but He would also rise again! (See Acts 2:23-24.) 

As hard as this may have been for the disciples to hear, Jesus was about to add a shocking challenge: He was not the only one that must die!

Luke 9:23-26 

23 Then he said to them all, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me will save it. 25 For what does it benefit someone if he gains the whole world, and yet loses or forfeits himself? 26 For whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and that of the Father and the holy angels. 

Just as the apostles began to catch their breath after hearing the news of Jesus’ divine appointment with death, Jesus told them of their own. Luke 9:23 is one of the most important verses for any follower of Jesus. 

We will never understand who we are until we understand what this verse means for our lives. 

If we want to call ourselves followers of Christ, we must say yes to Jesus, which means we must also say no to ourselves. We must pick up our cross and die to self—daily. Every day, we must say no to our desires, our wishes, and our dreams, and we must say yes to Christ’s lordship over our lives. 

All of this is extremely difficult in our culture. Why? Because we live in a world that caters to self. By the world’s standard, everybody is in it for themselves—and everyone is drowning! 

• Drowning in broken relationships because he demands everything be centered on him. 

• Drowning in debt because she has to have it all. 

• Drowning in illness and disease because they have to eat or experience it all. 

How many times have you seen people work at jobs they hate to buy stuff they don’t need so they can impress people they don’t even like? How many times have you been in that cycle yourself? 

Jesus calls us to be different. 

Jesus calls us to make a decision about Him. But it can’t be a private decision. Nobody can be a Christian and keep his or her faith completely private. Jesus wants His followers to be loyal to Him, to die to self, and to publicly proclaim their faith in Him: “For whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and that of the Father and the holy angels.” 

We must understand who Jesus is so that we can understand who we are. Our identities are built on the foundation of His identity. Once we’ve made that connection, our decision to follow Jesus— and to follow Him daily—changes everything else.

LIVE IT OUT

Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. How will you respond to that truth in the days to come? Consider these suggestions. 

• Research. Take some time to read through your church’s statement of faith. (You can start with the church website, or with a staff member.) What are some specific truths that statement teaches about Jesus? 

• Surrender. Saying yes to Jesus as Lord means saying no to yourself. Do a self-examination and surrender any areas of selfishness to Him. 

• Share. We are called to tell everyone who Jesus is. Think of someone you know who needs Jesus. Pray as a group for this person to come to know Jesus, and pray about your part in that process: sharing your testimony, inviting him or her to church, answering questions, and so on. 

Who are you? That’s an interesting question. An important question. But you’ll never find the best answer without understanding that your identity is directly tied to Christ. 

Teacher Notes

The comedian Don Rickles died on April 6 at the age of 90. He was often described as an insult comic. Rickles would always answer the question of who you are with humor allowing you, just for a moment, to laugh at yourself always in fun. 

Video: Don Rickles’ Roast Bob Hope

Click Here to Watch

Sometimes when we let others define our identity it can get out of control. There is a Netflicks Series on called “13 Reasons Why” taken from the 2007 young adult novel written by Jay Asher. The show revolves around a student struggling with her identity and she ends up committing suicide because of 13 people in school that labeled her, bullied her and/or did nothing to stop it. It’s a pretty compelling watch – my son/wife believe it should be required viewing among high school. My reaction to this series was, “If a student can just survive high school.”

We all have our own personal stories of coming to terms with, who we are.

In our next six lessons, we’ll see what God says about who we are and who we can be … in Christ. This is key – our identity “in Christ” alters our identity in everything else. It all starts with Christ.

So, in Luke 9 - records Jesus’ commissioning of the Twelve disciples (see vv. 1-6). The disciples traveled from village to village ministering in Jesus’ name. Jesus then miraculously fed over 5,000 people with five loaves of bread and two fish (see vv. 12-17). These events brought more and more attention to Jesus as He carried out His public ministry. About midway through His earthly ministry, Jesus gathered His disciples to discuss His identity and its implications for their lives.



Luke 9:18-22
18 While he was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” 19 They answered, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, that one of the ancient prophets has come back.” 20 “But you,” he asked them, “who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “God’s Messiah.” 21 But he strictly warned and instructed them to tell this to no one, 22 saying, “It is necessary that the Son of Man suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and be raised the third day.”



What truly affects our identity is how we see Jesus. Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?”



If someone were to ask you who Jesus is, what would you say to them?

Savior, God's Son, God in the flesh, Counselor, Friend, Redeemer, Lord

Why is Jesus’ true identity so important to us as believers?

• How these men saw Jesus changed their lives because it changed how they saw themselves.

How we see Jesus shapes how we define ourselves.

Co-worker, grandparent, employer, counselor, teacher

Luke 9:23-26

23 Then he said to them all, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me will save it. 25 For what does it benefit someone if he gains the whole world, and yet loses or forfeits himself? 26 For whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and that of the Father and the holy angels.


Luke 9:23 is one of the most important verses for any follower of Jesus.

• While watching a football game on television have you ever noticed someone holding a sign that reads “John 3:16”? It’s one of the most memorized verses in the Bible. It communicates a great truth. In that one verse we learn that God loves us, Jesus died for us, and we can have eternal life through Him. I’ve never seen someone holding up a sign that reads “Luke 9:23.” Luke 9:23 also records Jesus’ words. I can understand why no one would paint that verse on a sign and hold it up for all to see. It doesn’t make a very appealing advertisement for Christianity. In fact, it might make it difficult to recruit new Christians. But the truth is that John 3:16 and Luke 9:23 go together in order for there to be an accurate understanding of the gospel’s invitation. John 3:16 emphasizes believing. Luke 9:23 focuses on following. Those two things are necessary and must go together. There is no believing without following.

We will never understand who we are until we understand what this verse means for our lives.

So, Jesus says that if we choose to follow Him it will require two radical other choices: deny self and take up your cross.

What does it mean to deny ourselves and take up our cross daily?

• We must say yes to Jesus, and no to ourselves. We must pick up our cross and die to self—daily. Every day, we must say no to our desires, our wishes, and our dreams, and we must say yes to Christ’s lordship over our lives. Jesus challenged His followers to lives of self-denial in which they laid aside their personal agendas to submit to His agenda. 

• A surrendered life. Jesus made it clear that if we are to follow Him, a casual no-strings-attached arrangement isn’t a possibility. You can’t “come with” Jesus without denying yourself. It means to forget that one exists or to cease to consider one’s own interests in the slightest degree. Followers denying themselves say, “I choose Jesus over my family, money, career, freedom, and what people think of me.”

• A committed walk. The cross was an instrument of torture and death. When Jesus said “take up his cross” it would translate in today’s vernacular as “take up his electric chair” or “take up his lethal injection.” He was saying “Come and die.” As Dietrich Bonhoeffer put it, “When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die.” To carry a cross meant certain death. Jesus took the most despised and rejected symbol of His time and said, “If you want to follow Me, take this up.” He invites us to die.

• What Jesus was telling them is that they needed to put to death their own plans and desires, and then turn their lives over to Him and do His will every day. You see, Jesus doesn’t simply call us to believe that He existed, or even to believe that He can save us. He calls on us to commit our whole lives to Him—to trust Him alone for our salvation, and then to follow Him as His disciples. He said, “Anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:27).

• If anyone, man or woman, wants to follow Jesus, to be his disciple (be a “Christian” we tend to say), then he must do two things. He must “deny himself” and “take up his cross.” When Luke tells this same story, he clarifies that we are to take up our cross “daily” (Luke 9:23). What does this mean? The answer to this question shows why the path is so different form the world. To “deny” yourself means to say “No” to yourself and “Yes” to God. Paul is not talking about asceticism — forgoing earthly possessions, not eating certain foods, ignoring the world, etc. To say it differently, the process of denial is “to humbly submit my will to God.” It is to go through life repeating the words that Jesus said the night before He died. When He was praying in the garden, He said to God His Father, “Not My will but Yours be done.” It is what millions of Christians have prayed for centuries when they repeat what we call the “Lord’s Prayer.” “Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). What does it look like to live out this prayer? Someone hurts you. Your natural reaction is to lash back, to get angry. But the path of discipleship is “not my will but Yours.” It is humbly submitting my will to God’s will. Instead of getting angry, we realize that God is calling us to forgive even our enemies. When I am hurt, I am called to submit my will to God’s will and follow his example. This is what it means to “deny” yourself.

• What does it mean to “daily take up your cross”? The cross was a horrid symbol of pain, shame, and death. A person hung on it, naked, until his skeletal structure collapsed and he suffocated to death, without air and with his body drowning itself in its own fluids. Every day we are to live in such a way that it is apparent to everyone that we have died to ourselves, to our selfish ways and ambitions, and live for God. Another translation words the verse: “If any of you wants to be My follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow Me” (NLT).

• Something unfair happens and instinctively we want to get even. But we have died to that “right,” we have prayed “not my will but Yours be done.“ Hopefully we humbly submit our will to God’s will, and we respond in kindness and humility. Will you always do this right the first time? Of course not, and that is, in a sense, okay. Life is a journey. God understands that over the years we have created habits of our heart that are not easily broken, and He is patient with us as we learn to walk the new path. Nevertheless, we are called daily to humbly submit our will to His.

Why is the new path of discipleship (following Jesus, being a Christian) different? It’s because we have been changed. We now follow Jesus, and the new longings in our heart are to do His will, not our own.


Don’t be frightened. God is not standing there with a scowl on His face, arms folded, with a whole new list of things we can do and things we can’t do. Remember Psalm 16:11 “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore”. The path of discipleship is the path of joy, but it is also a path that is different. Because Jesus is different.

What did Jesus mean when He said, “Take up your cross and follow Me”?

(Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23)

Let’s begin with what Jesus didn’t mean. Many people interpret “cross” as some burden they must carry in their lives: a strained relationship, a thankless job, a physical illness. With self-pitying pride, they say, “That’s my cross I have to carry.” Such an interpretation is not what Jesus meant when He said, “Take up your cross and follow Me.”

When Jesus carried His cross up Golgotha to be crucified, no one was thinking of the cross as symbolic of a burden to carry. To a person in the first-century, the cross meant one thing and one thing only: death by the most painful and humiliating means human beings could develop.

Two thousand years later, Christians view the cross as a cherished symbol of atonement, forgiveness, grace, and love. But in Jesus’ day, the cross represented nothing but torturous death. Because the Romans forced convicted criminals to carry their own crosses to the place of crucifixion, bearing a cross meant carrying their own execution device while facing ridicule along the way to death.

Therefore, “Take up your cross and follow Me” means being willing to die in order to follow Jesus. This is called “dying to self.” It’s a call to absolute surrender. After each time Jesus commanded cross bearing, He said, “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?” (Luke 9:24-25). Although the call is tough, the reward is matchless.

Wherever Jesus went, He drew crowds. Although these multitudes often followed Him as Messiah, their view of who the Messiah really was—and what He would do—was distorted. They thought the Christ would usher in the restored kingdom. They believed He would free them from the oppressive rule of their Roman occupiers. Even Christ’s own inner circle of disciples thought the kingdom was coming soon (Luke 19:11). When Jesus began teaching that He was going to die at the hands of the Jewish leaders and their Gentile overlords (Luke 9:22), His popularity sank. Many of the shocked followers rejected Him. Truly, they were not able to put to death their own ideas, plans, and desires, and exchange them for His. Following Jesus is easy when life runs smoothly; our true commitment to Him is revealed during trials. Jesus assured us that trials will come to His followers (John 16:33). Discipleship demands sacrifice, and Jesus never hid that cost.

In Luke 9:57-62, three people seemed willing to follow Jesus. When Jesus questioned them further, their commitment was half-hearted at best. They failed to count the cost of following Him. None was willing to take up his cross and crucify upon it his own interests. Therefore, Jesus appeared to dissuade them. How different from the typical Gospel presentation! How many people would respond to an altar call that went, “Come follow Jesus, and you may face the loss of friends, family, reputation, career, and possibly even your life”? The number of false converts would likely decrease! Such a call is what Jesus meant when He said, “Take up your cross and follow Me.” If you wonder if you are ready to take up your cross, consider these questions:

• Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing some of your closest friends?

• Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means alienation from your family?

• Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means the loss of your reputation?

• Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing your job?

• Are you willing to follow Jesus if it means losing your life?


In some places of the world, these consequences are reality. But notice the questions are phrased, “Are you willing?” Following Jesus doesn’t necessarily mean all these things will happen to you, but are you willing to take up your cross? If there comes a point in your life where you are faced with a choice—Jesus or the comforts of this life—which will you choose?

Commitment to Christ means taking up your cross daily, giving up your hopes, dreams, possessions, even your very life if need be for the cause of Christ. Only if you willingly take up your cross may you be called His disciple (Luke 14:27). The reward is worth the price. Jesus followed His call of death to self (“Take up your cross and follow Me”) with the gift of life in Christ: “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it” (Matthew 16:25-26).




Story: When Cortez landed at Vera Cruz in 1519 to begin his dramatic conquest of Mexico with a pocketsize force of 700 men, he purposely set fire to his fleet of eleven ships. His men on the shore watched their only means of retreat sinking to the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico. With no means of retreat, there was only one direction in which to move, forward into the Mexican interior to meet whatever might come their way.



This is what Jesus asks: Move forward committed to Him, no turning back. What old ways of retreat or going back do you need to set fire to?





Who are you? That’s an interesting question. An important question. But you’ll never find the best answer without understanding that your identity is directly tied to Christ…is it?



Hope to see you on Sunday!


In His Love,


David & Susan

Easter Lesson April 16, 2017

Look at the facts. Jesus is alive! 

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 just as outlandish as some of the tabloid headlines we read at the supermarket. Yet untold millions of people have believed that story and grounded their lives and hope in it. 

Why? 

The answer is as simple as it is profound: evidence and eyewitness testimony. 

Jesus has risen from death, and He is alive. Massive evidence points to the reality of this event, including hundreds of people who saw Jesus after He came out of the tomb. We’re only going to scratch the surface of this evidence as we study Luke 24 together. Even so, it will be clear that—yes, as sensational as it sounds—Jesus is alive!

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE 

Pain, doubt, and disappointment. We’ve all struggled with these at one time or another. I’m sure we’ve all faced those moments when the world just seemed to go dark—when 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 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 rise up with the risen Christ. 

The resurrection of Jesus is solidly grounded in fact. In the midst of your pain, doubt, and disappointment, His resurrection meets your life in surprising ways. Are you ready to discover how?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Luke 24:1-6a 

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. 6a “He is not here, but he has risen! 

All across the world—any place where Christians gather—Easter is a time of great celebration. But that first Sunday morning after Jesus’ crucifixion was anything but a happy moment for His disciples. It was a day of death, doubt, and disappointment. 

Jesus died a brutal, shameful death as a public spectacle. In the Roman culture of the first century, crucifixion was so heinous that well-to-do Romans wouldn’t even mention it in public. The disciples had 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. 

With the first rays of sun on Sunday morning, a group of women including Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James (see Luke 24:10) went to Jesus’ tomb with spices to prepare His body for burial. This was a ritual typically carried out by women, which included washing the body and anointing it with oil. They also planned to wrap Jesus’ body in strips of linen cloth as a sign of respect. 

Despite their plans, the women were in for a big surprise: the tomb was empty. They found no body. Luke described the women as “perplexed,” meaning they were mentally at a loss and saw no way to a solution. But two men who suddenly appeared explained what the women could not: “He is not here, but he has risen!” 

How do we know Jesus is alive? His tomb is empty! People have tried to explain away the resurrection, but we can’t explain away an empty tomb. Had Jesus’ body been stolen, or if the women had simply gone to the wrong tomb, the idea of a resurrection would have been rejected by going to the right tomb or by producing Jesus’ dead body. That didn’t happen. 

Similarly, if Luke was trying to invent something that didn’t happen, he most likely would have identified some of Jesus’ apostles as the first witnesses to the empty tomb—some of the men. Why? At that time, a women’s testimony wasn’t valid in court, which made them less than ideal as witnesses. But Luke stuck to the facts: Jesus’ tomb was empty, and the women were the first witnesses to it.

Luke 24:6b-8 

6b 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 empty tomb should not have been a surprise to these women— or to any of Jesus’ followers. The angels reminded them that Jesus had repeatedly predicted both His death and His resurrection. 

Jesus knew the cross was coming. That’s another fact recorded multiple times in Scripture, which lends further credibility to the historical fact of the resurrection.

Look at what else this fact reveals: 

• Jesus’ death was no unfortunate accident. Jesus came to earth on a rescue mission of love that began in eternity. Adam and Eve were supposed 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, and through Abraham the nation of Israel was brought into being (see Gen. 12:1-3; Gal. 3:7-9). From Israel came the Messiah—the Son of Man—who fulfilled God’s promise to rescue and bless the world by reversing the curse of sin (see Rom. 5:12-21). 

• 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 (see 2 Cor. 5:21). 

• Jesus defeated death for us. When God raised Jesus from the dead, death lost its power over us (see Acts 2:24). Jesus rose from the dead, and so will we (see 2 Cor. 4:14). Through faith in Jesus, we are eternally united to Him (see Rom. 6:1-11). 

Jesus came to earth as the fulfillment of a plan that had literally spanned thousands of years. This was a plan that has covered the breadth of human history and continues to impact the world today. 

Only God could accomplish such a plan—and He did!

Luke 24:36-40 

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. 

This was no hallucination. Yes, we can sometimes convince ourselves we see something because we really want to see it, but the disciples were not expecting to see Jesus. In fact, “they were startled and terrified,” just as the women had been earlier (see v. 5). They thought they were seeing a ghost!

Jesus knew what they were thinking, and He offered to relieve their doubts: “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.” What further proof was needed? The tomb was empty, just as Jesus had said it would be. And now, He stood before them in a physical body—alive and well. 

Doubt and faith are often co-mingled in our lives. Sometimes our faith is robust, yet at other times doubts threaten to derail our walk with God. Still, in every step of our journey, Jesus provides us with grace to trust Him even in the midst of doubt. 

And, just like He provided His first disciples with proof of His bodily resurrection, He provides us with proof as well. That proof may be a friend whose life was changed or the overwhelming historical evidence that Jesus rose from the dead. Either way, the proof of Christ’s resurrection brings us peace. 

History was forever transformed when Jesus rose from the dead early on a Sunday morning. Sin and death were defeated by the conquering King. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is now at work in those who trust him (see Rom. 8:9-11). 

Because Jesus has risen from the grave, His perfect life is now ours through faith in Him.

LIVE IT OUT

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a historical fact. Consider these options for responding to that fact in the week to come: 

• Believe. If you’ve never embraced the truth of Christ’s resurrection and what that means for your life, do so now. The inside front cover of this book will help you. Talk to your group leader about your decision to trust and follow Christ. 

• Study. Read further about the historical evidence that proves the resurrection of Christ. Consider a book such as Buried Hope or Risen Savior by Charles L. Quarles or The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel. 

• Share. Ask God each day to provide opportunities for you to share your faith with someone who has yet to believe in Christ. 

The disciples were afraid. They doubted the truth of the resurrection. And yet they were ultimately transformed by Christ and used in marvelous ways to advance His kingdom in this world. The same can be true of us.

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Teacher Notes:

Which is more important, Christmas or Easter?

• This is subjective, but it seems that historically, the church has emphasized Easter Sunday the most. This makes sense since the Resurrection is the centerpiece of Christian theology and redemptive history. Easter morning is the turning point of world history and the defining moment for Christianity. This is the day when God’s new world began. It’s the day when our own resurrection from the dead was secured. It’s the first time in history when someone went through death and came out the other side – victorious, in glory, mysteriously new and yet the same. 

Why doesn’t Easter get as much attention as Christmas?

• Why do we only celebrate Easter for a day and not a season? In general, the resurrection of Christ is considered of vital importance. While His birth is important because His life was, Christians consider Christ's ultimate mission to include His death and resurrection. Of course, most Christian cultures make a much bigger deal out of Christmas than Easter.

How do you accept the resurrection story to be true?

• A doctrinal tenant – what I’ve been taught.
• The conviction of a subjective religious experience – your personal encounter with Christ. 
• The resurrection of Jesus is solidly grounded in fact.

The resurrection of Jesus is a fact you can build your life on.

3 Facts of the resurrection. 

I. The Empty Tomb Luke 24:1-6a 

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. 6a “He is not here, but he has risen! 

Why is the empty tomb evidence enough of Jesus’ resurrection?

• People have tried to explain away the resurrection, but we can’t explain away an empty tomb. Had Jesus’ body been stolen, or if the women had simply gone to the wrong tomb, the idea of a resurrection would have been rejected by going to the right tomb or by producing Jesus’ dead body. That didn’t happen. Similarly, if Luke was trying to invent something that didn’t happen, he most likely would have identified some of Jesus’ apostles as the first witnesses to the empty tomb—some of the men. Why? At that time, a women’s testimony wasn’t valid in court, which made them less than ideal as witnesses. But Luke stuck to the facts: Jesus’ tomb was empty, and the women were the first witnesses to it.

Suddenly two men stood by them in dazzling clothes. So the women were terrified and bowed down to the ground. “Why are you looking for the living among the dead?"

Is there a question here for us today? How would this question apply to us today: another way of asking this question could be, “Why do you look for life where there is no life?” 

• We want a life that is truly alive — one with purpose, calling and joy. God, through this question, is calling us to abandon our search for this life among dead, lifeless things. Our obsession with money or our fear of the lack of it; our lust for pleasure and leisure; and our drive for power and prestige. What we need is an alternative, another place to go to find what our lives need, what we are designed for.
• The answer the angels give is our answer as well. The missing ingredient is the Risen One, the Lord Jesus Christ. He has come to give us abundant life (John 10:10). This question pushes us, like the women, to leave the empty tomb (the past) and get about searching for Him (in the present) and spreading the good news of His Resurrection.
• Many people are still looking for Jesus among the dead. Scholars who study the words of Jesus and the gospel manuscripts but do not believe in Christ’s resurrection. Archaeologists who two thousand years later are still trying to find Jesus’ body and bones in the tomb but keep coming up empty. People who finger the body of Christ on their crucifixes but do not know the reality of the living Christ. These people all have one thing in common. They are all looking for Jesus among the dead. And if you are looking for Jesus among the dead, you will not find him. He is not there.

Is Jesus living in your present? Where do you look for Him, today?

II. Jesus’ Words Luke 24:6b-8 

6b 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. 

Why should Jesus’ Words have been enough evidence of His resurrection?

• The empty tomb should not have been a surprise to these women— or to any of Jesus’ followers. The angels reminded them that Jesus had repeatedly predicted both His death and His resurrection. Jesus knew the cross was coming. That’s another fact recorded multiple times in Scripture, which lends further credibility to the historical fact of the resurrection.

Why should Jesus’ Words be enough for us to believe and to trust in Him?

• The Lord’s Word is given to us to teach and prepare us for what lies ahead. Even in what appears to be the worst of circumstances, God is still in control, and He will accomplish His redemptive plan and fulfill His Holy purpose.
• But now, in one glorious moment, it begins to make sense, verse 8: Then they remembered His words. Can you imagine their thrill when suddenly they realize that it all fits together after all, that it was all meant to be, that everything will be all right?

III. The Disciples’ Testimony Luke 24:36-40 

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. 

Why is the testimony of the disciple’s evidence enough of Jesus’ resurrection? What is your testimony of His resurrection and that He is alive?

Doesn’t Jesus come to us still today? Why do we have doubt in our hearts?

• Jesus comes to reveal Himself to us. He challenges us to test that He is who He says He is and capable of doing what He says He will do. Our experiences with the living Lord prepare us to share the truth of Christ with others.

How has Jesus proven Himself to you in the past?

Think about the times in your life that Jesus showed up – when has Jesus come to you?

Do you live each day expecting Jesus to show up?

Conclusion: The significance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ? 

• The Resurrection is what Christianity is all about. If you take the Resurrection out of our faith all you have is a list of dos and don’ts. A guy named Arthur Ramsey put it bluntly: “No resurrection, no Christianity.” The resurrection is the core of all the promises of God.

10 Reasons the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is so Important

1. Means that we are justified before God. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. (Romans 4:25) The resurrection of Jesus confirms that God accepted Christ’s sacrifice for sin on the cross and gives us access to a right relationship with him.
2. Shows that Jesus defeated death. Romans 6:9 Death is the enemy of mankind and the just punishment for each person’s individual sins (Romans 6:23). The mortality rate is and will always be 100%. No amount of effort, medical technology, power or riches can escape the clutches of death. “O death where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! (1 Corinthians 15:55-57)
3. Means that believers are united with Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:14 When we believe in Christ, we are united to Him in faith. Union with Christ means that when God looks at us, He does not see our unrighteousness, but the righteousness of Christ. It means that we have died with Him and will also live with Him (Romans 6:8).
4. Confirms the truth of Scripture. Isaiah 53 & Psalm 16 - Isaiah 53 and Psalm 16 are among the many examples of Scriptures that prophesied about the resurrected life of Jesus.
5. Proves the gospel to be true. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 The fact that Jesus is alive today means that He is able to save today. This was a major argument of Paul’s in 1 Corinthians 15, where he defends the truth of the resurrection by explaining the whole Christian gospel depends on it: And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain…and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. (1 Corinthians 15:14; 17-19) Paul explains that the resurrection is not only a fundamental part of the gospel, but it is the glue that holds every part of the gospel together. 
6. Proves that Jesus is the Son of God. Romans 1:4 …[Christ] was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead… (Romans 1:4)
7. Means that the Holy Spirit will be poured out into the hearts of those who believe. After Christ had risen and ascended, he was able to send the promised Holy Spirit to continue his work on earth. This means that Christ’s earthly ministry continues today through His people, in whom He dwells by the Holy Spirit. This also means that Christ will help his people by the Spirit, strengthening them, convicting them, guiding them into the life that God desires.
8. Gives Christians a living hope. Being forgiven of our sins and justified before God gives Christians tremendous hope. Christians are changed from being an enemy of God bound for hell, to becoming a forgiven son of God with an eternal inheritance in heaven that can never be taken away. What can be better news than that?
9. Means that we will be raised like Him. 1 Corinthians 15:20-22 Christ is described as the firstfruits of the resurrection from the dead, meaning that His resurrection is a precursor to the resurrection that all believers (1 Corinthians 15:20). 1 Corinthians 15:21-22 explains, “For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.”
10. Means that Christ will judge the world in righteousness. Acts 17:30-31 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now He commands all people everywhere to repent, because He has fixed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom He has appointed; and of this He has given assurance to all by raising Him from the dead. (Acts 17:30-31)

All of the world will one day be judged for the things they have done and be held accountable before God. Unbelievers will be held accountable for breaking God’s law, facing the condemnation of God and going to hell. Believers will be held accountable for the things they have done, and will be rewarded by God in heaven based on their actions as believers. The sign God gave to confirm this fact was the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

The way to obtain forgiveness and eternal life is by believing in Jesus and turning from your sin. Believing in Jesus is what makes all of the benefits of the resurrection yours. Faith is what unites us to Christ and allows us to be saved from our sin.

I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this? (John 11:25-26)

Hope to see you in church on Easter!! 

In His Love, 

David & Susan