The Disciples' Christ (Luke 24:18-27)

The unnamed centurion carries out murder. This is not to say that everyone who has died by his hand has been murdered, but his carrying out an order to kill an innocent man is murder. We noted on Friday that the centurion praised God for Christ’s innocence. He saw this with his Roman bias and in darkness.

This is contrasted with the disciples who are familiar with Christ’s ministry. They are perplexed because they thought Christ was the messiah, but Christ died. Christ’s death does not fit into their system. The disciples never thought that Christ’s death has to take away death and definitively destroyed by Christ’s resurrection. So often we think about Christ’s death, but we do not see the significance of his resurrection. This is a reminder that we need to discern who God is rather than define him by our cultural expectations.

Skeptics Find Truth (John 20:1-31)

Mary goes out to the tomb to pay her respects to her dead teacher. She finds that the tomb is disturbed, the stone is rolled away, and someone has taken her Lord. She tells the disciples and they believe her report. The disciples are locked in a room, hiding away, and their Lord appears to them two times. How does Christ deal with these skeptics? How does Christ deal with the skeptic who does not believe the apostles' report? How does Christ show that his mission is not just to confirm God's promises, but to shepherd his people?

Christ’s Prisoner or Imprisoned for Christ? (2 Timothy 1:8-18)

Paul is detained by Rome because of Christ's gospel. The good news of Christ seems to be halted because Paul is in prison. In fact, there are some who have turned against Paul because of his current circumstances. It would seem that this would deter Paul. He would see his imprisonment as a negative thing. However, he does not see himself as Rome's prisoner, but as Christ's prisoner. How is it a blessing to be Christ's prisoner? How does being Christ's prisoner shift his perspective from being Rome's prisoner?

Baptized into Christ (Romans 6:1-14)

Our Lord commands that the church would go forth baptizing in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  The church is called to make disciples and baptize in the name of the trinitarian God.  What is the significance of this sign of baptism?  What does this sacrament communicate?  Why does the apostle Paul say that were were baptized into Christ’s death and also his life?  Does this baptism automatically work, does it merely symbolize something, and so what is the purpose of baptism?  How does baptism encourage us in our Christian walk?

Truth Confirmed (John 20:1-18)

The resurrection is something that is radical and rather unbelievable to be honest.  However, the resurreciton is necessary for Christ to conform the grace and truth of the Lord's promise.  How does this truth come to bear on the immediate audience?  What does that teach us about ourselves today?

Why A Sign of Jonah? (Matthew 12:22-37)

It seems that the leaders of Israel are coming around to understanding the significance of Christ’s ministry.  They simply want a sign, but Christ is upset with them for requesting a sign.  Jesus gives them a sign, but he gives them a sign of the AWOL prophet in the Old Testament.  Does this mean that Jesus is going to go AWOL or is there something deeper that Christ desires to communicate? 

The Resurrection Reception (Luke 24:1-12)

We would not think that death could hold our Lord, but then we have the record of his resurrection.  Why is the resurrection of Christ so essential?  Why do we have such a huge problem understanding the resurrection of Christ?

Sojourning Under the Sun: Sabbath Sighting (1 Corinthians 15:50-58)

The goal of the Christian life is to make it to the end of the age without turning from the Lord.  How can we do this, and what assurance do we have that our Sabbath rest is worthwhile?

Easter Fools (1 Corinthians 15:45)

The resurrection of Christ is a difficult doctrine for us to defend.  I mean the absurdity of this is when recognize that we are coming together on April Fools day to talk about the resurrection of some guy who clearly died on the cross.  How can this be possible?  More importantly is it really that important to talk about the Resurrection of Christ?

My Redeemer! (Job 19:1-29)

Job continues to consider his life, his struggle, and what he has become.  He has moved from a man who possessing great prestige in society, among the wealthiest, but has been reduced to one who hopes that there is someone who will take his case to the highest court.  In chapter 19 Job moves from one who hopes there is a lawyer/advocate who can plead his case to now clinging to a redeemer.  Why is this is a significant shift for Job?

Easter’s Champion Servant Warrior (Isa. 52:13-53:12)

On Good Friday we considered this servant song from the perspective of the suffering servant.  We saw that the sermon was clearly presenting a suffering warrior.  This is not a song that we normally associate with resurrection.  Is there a message of resurrection in this song?  Or is the resurrection something that is only taught in the New Testament?

Our Only Comfort (John 11:17-27)

Please enjoy this message on Lazarus from Mr. Austin Reed while Pastor Paul Lindemulder enjoys a break from the pulpit. . 

Absurdity of a False Means (1 Corinthians 15:1-11 (LD 35; Head 5; Art. 14)

It is tempting to take out the doctrines of the Christian faith that do not seem to be that high of a priority.  We could do this with the doctrine of the resurrection.  We could try to make the case that this is a doctrine that only impacts us at the end of life rather than impacting us right now.  Is that something that the Apostle Paul would affirm?  Why does Paul make such a big deal about the resurrection and the gospel?  What does the Corinthian church teach us about the continuing nature of the church?

Don’t Worry He’s Sovereign: Life (Mark 15:40-16:8)

Resurrection and Incarnation (1 Corinthians 15:45; BC 19)

We talked last time about the incarnation of Christ being something that is challenging for us to understand because it is a doctrine that is difficult to grasp.  It does not make sense that the second person of the Trinity would take on flesh like our flesh.  It does not make sense that He would submit to death and then be raised up again.  Why all this drama?  What is the purpose of Christ taking on the flesh and then dying?  How does this have a meaningful impact right now instead of at the end of our 80 years of walking this earth?

His Death and Exaltation (John 20:1-18)

The disciples know where they buried Christ.  They are the ones who placed Christ in the grave.  They showed their care for the Lord in their provision for Him, but yet Christ is not where they put him to rest.  What has happened?  Why does it seem like the only rational for Christ being some place else is because of grave robbers?  What other option is there that we should see, appreciate, and love?

The First Tests (Mark 12:13-27)

The pharisees and the sadducees finally have Christ right where they want him.  In their minds they have trapped Christ into either losing credibility with the people or being charged as an insurrectionist.  How is Christ going to get out of this trap?  What does Christ teach as He responds to their trap?

Your Kingdom Come (1 Corinthians 15:20-28 (LD 48)

The Lord is the king who rules over heaven and earth.  He is the one who triumphs and has while continuing to manifest His might, His power, and the strength of His hand.  So, if this is true then why would we ask that His kingdom would come if He is strong enough to establish it?  What does the resurrection have to do with this request?  Why would the resurrection be so essential for the Christian life?

Death Defying Lordship (Mark 5:21-43)

Our Lord rules over the heavens and the earth.  There is no doubt that He is busy and has many things to tend to daily.  How do we know that He really cares about the little people that He has redeemed?  How do we know that He is sovereign enough to overpower everything in this age? 

How Are We Benefited by Christ’s Resurrection? (John 17:3; LD 22)

We are invited to listen to the last prayer of Christ prior to going to the cross.  What sort of things matter to Christ in this prayer?  What does this prayer communicate about the benefits of Christ’s resurrection?  What information could we even glean about the resurrection if Christ has not even died at this point in His ministry?  So, how are we benefitted by Christ’s resurrection right now?