The resurrection is a demonstration of sacred power, and sends the message of resurrection power to disciples in every age. But, as stated last week, is this the kind of power that people actually want?
What people want is an afterlife without any serious this-life commitment. What they want is something for them rather than something for others. If so, then what they are not seeking is resurrection power.
During the Easter season, readings from the Hebrew scriptures (Old Testament) are replaced by readings from Acts. Therefore, we consider Acts 5 and how the 'Jesus people' respond to the religious rulers of the Sanhedrin who desperately want them to shut up already! They're jailed (Acts 4).
Then in Acts 5, having been busted out of jail by an angel, they're preaching again in the Temple about Jesus and the new life of the Kingdom. Now the Sanhedrin is really ticked off, but the 'Jesus people' stubbornly won't back done. What does that tells us about resurrection power?
In John 20, the risen Jesus appears to the disciples, but misses Thomas. Thomas hears about it when he returns, but scoffs at the report, stating he will only believe it if he can touch Jesus' wounds.
A week later, the risen Jesus visits again, inviting Thomas to check out his wounds. Thomas declares his faith. But Jesus teaches about the need to believe, not doubt. Find out how that is connected to the exercise of resurrection power by downloading the sermon text below.
(Sorry, no video this week. One of the batteries must not have been charged, and the video camera quit early.)
(Also, I will be off for 2 weeks, so this page goes quiet until after May 19 when I return. Behave yourself while I'm gone!)
What people want is an afterlife without any serious this-life commitment. What they want is something for them rather than something for others. If so, then what they are not seeking is resurrection power.
During the Easter season, readings from the Hebrew scriptures (Old Testament) are replaced by readings from Acts. Therefore, we consider Acts 5 and how the 'Jesus people' respond to the religious rulers of the Sanhedrin who desperately want them to shut up already! They're jailed (Acts 4).
Then in Acts 5, having been busted out of jail by an angel, they're preaching again in the Temple about Jesus and the new life of the Kingdom. Now the Sanhedrin is really ticked off, but the 'Jesus people' stubbornly won't back done. What does that tells us about resurrection power?
In John 20, the risen Jesus appears to the disciples, but misses Thomas. Thomas hears about it when he returns, but scoffs at the report, stating he will only believe it if he can touch Jesus' wounds.
A week later, the risen Jesus visits again, inviting Thomas to check out his wounds. Thomas declares his faith. But Jesus teaches about the need to believe, not doubt. Find out how that is connected to the exercise of resurrection power by downloading the sermon text below.
(Sorry, no video this week. One of the batteries must not have been charged, and the video camera quit early.)
(Also, I will be off for 2 weeks, so this page goes quiet until after May 19 when I return. Behave yourself while I'm gone!)
| 04-28-19-ff-answers.pdf |
| 04-28-19-resurrection_power.pdf |