The Promise of Jesus' Return

COLERAINE EVANGELICAL CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 5 APRIL 2025 pm – MR JOSHUA BLUNT

 

All companies, big or small, they all have a mission statement. A mission statement is a brief description of what this company's mission is. What is their purpose? What do they strive to do? What is their values? What is their goal? And so, I thought I'd bring to you some different missions statements from different famous companies. So Google, that's a pretty big company and their mission statement is to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful. That's their goal. That's what they're there for. To organize the world's information and make it universally access accessible and useful. Another one, Coca-Cola, a very famous big company all over the world. Theirs is to refresh the world, to inspire moments of optimism and happiness, to create value and make a difference. Then on a different line, maybe not so much of a company as an organization, but the Red Cross, their mission statement is to provide compassionate care to victims of disaster. See, these three mission statements, they're from three famous organizations, but they're all different because each of these companies, they have different purposes. But each one of these statements, they all accurately describe the function and the purpose and the goal of these companies. What are they there for? What are they doing? And as we look at scripture this evening, we are focusing now on the period of 40 days between Jesus' resurrection, when he rose from the tomb, the time when he ascended to heaven. And we're going to focus on those 40 days and what Jesus did in them. Because in those 40 days, Jesus gave his disciples, his followers, he gave them their mission statement. What is their purpose? What are they here for? What is their goal? What are their mission? So that's where we're take looking at this evening. So if you could open your Bibles to Acts chapter 1 verses 1 to 14.

 

This is a really interesting passage which shows the interactions with Jesus and his disciples post resurrection after he's risen from the grave. We're going to focus here on verses 6 to 12. But to introduce the section Luke, this is the author of this Acts is Luke. He gives us a little prologue introduction. Acts was written by the same author as the gospel of Luke and it starts with this incredible statement. “The former treatise have I made O Theophilus.” Luke has written to Theophilus previously in his own letter. “And he said of all that Jesus began both to do and teach.” The Gospel of Luke is the first book that he wrote. And it like John, it closely follows the life of Jesus right up until the final chapter. Then chapter verse 24 when Jesus was carried up into heaven, his ascension. Jesus would not stay on earth. He had fulfilled his father's plan and purpose. He had lived a perfect life. He had been tempted and yet was without sin and ultimately he died and as we know and remember from this morning he would rise again victoriously over death but Jesus would not stay on earth forever. But even though the Gospel of Luke ends in chapter 24 with Jesus ascending to heaven, Luke starts Acts saying Jesus only began to do his ministry. Even after Jesus' ascension, when he would go to heaven, his ministry would continue through the work of the Holy Spirit, which Jesus promises to the disciples to comfort them and enable them to fulfil their mission. “The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach.” This is implying that this book of Acts is the continuing work of Jesus through the work of the Holy Spirit.” But Luke, as he continues on, has this little prologue section, he details what Jesus was up to in those 40 days. Verse 3, “to whom also he showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them 40 days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.” So Jesus in these 40 days is doing two things. Firstly, he's proving that he is alive by many infallible proofs. As we looked at this morning, Jesus' resurrection is the stamp of authenticity that he is the Son of God, that he is who he says he is. He proves that, he appeared with them eating with them. He's not a ghost. He appeared once to over 500 people. Jesus is really alive. So that's what he's doing firstly. But secondly, he's teaching them the true nature of the kingdom and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. He's teaching what does the kingdom of God look like? What are his disciples and his followers? What are their roles in that kingdom? And so then coming to verse 6, the disciples ask a very fair question, a natural question. As Jesus teaches on the kingdom of God, they are wondering about this. And so they asked Jesus this question. “Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” This is exactly what Jesus has been teaching about. It's a natural question. And so Jesus answers them. Verse 7, “it is not for you to know the times or the seasons which the father hath put in his own power.” Jesus' response indicates that the problem with the disciples question isn't with the content. The kingdom will come. The kingdom of God will come as Luke himself writes in Luke 1:32-33. What he writes is “he will be great and will be called the Son of the most high. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David. And he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. And of his kingdom there will be no end.” He will establish his kingdom. His kingdom will come. The problem with the disciples question is with timing. The disciples are concerned about when is this going to happen and Jesus makes it very clear to them that that knowledge is solely for God. You know I think today even Christians all around the world, even in churches are so focused on when Jesus' return is going to be. Yes, we should be expectant and we should wait eagerly in expectation and excitement and hope for the day when Jesus will return. But Jesus says, don't focus on the when. That day will come like a thief in the night. No man knows when a thief comes. No man knows apart from God himself when that day will come because that is not your purpose. That is not your mission. Instead, Jesus now goes on and says, "You have a mission. Don't worry about this. But you have a mission which will take all of your energy and focus. The company Google, focuses on collaborating information and making it accessible and useful. Do you know what Google's not doing? It's not going to go and try and start a pig farm or it's not going to try and start a hospital or it's not going to try and start some other business venture because that's not their mission. Coca-Cola is not trying to send packages all around the world like Amazon. The Red Cross is not trying to make millions out of Coca-Cola. Their mission is what they are focused on. And as believers, Jesus is saying, don't consume yourself with when Jesus is coming back. Yes, expect it. But concern yourself with the mission that he is going to give. The kingdom commission. And so we come to Acts 1:8. This is an incredible verse. I think it's the key verse in the whole book of Acts that sums it up. “But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you shall be my witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and in Samaria and unto the uttermost part of the world."  As disciples this is your mission statement. This is your purpose. This is what you are to pursue instead of focusing and being distracted by when is Jesus coming back. In the first week in Bible college in September there was this YouTube clip going viral of a Nigerian pastor saying that the 25th of September was going to be the day when the Lord was going to come back. Jesus says it is not for you to know the times or seasons which the Father has put in place. Don't be distracted by that focus on the mission. You are a witness. This is the theme of Acts. The gospel witness through the Spirit's enabling power. The Spirit is going to come and fill you and empower you and enable you to be a witness to proclaim the gospel. That is the theme running through Acts. That is the mission of believers. Acts 2 verse 32 – it is after Pentecost and Peter is boldly preaching to the crowds. This is what he's doing. “This Jesus hath raised up whereof we are all witnesses.” Talking about the disciples and Peter addressing another crowd in the temple Acts chapter 3 verse 15 “But ye denied the holy one, and the just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you, and killed the prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead, whereof we are witnesses.” Chapter 10 verse 39, when Peter was explaining the gospel to the centurion, and God sent Peter to testify the gospel to the centurion. “we are witnesses of all things which he both did in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they slew and hanged on a tree, him God raised up on the third day and showed him openly.” And even the commission of the man named Saul turned Paul, God told him through Ananias, chapter 22 verse 15, “for thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.” This is the story line, the thread running through Acts - of gospel proclamation through the disciples witness. What does this mean? What does it even mean to be a witness? Well, a witness in a court, they tell what they've seen, what they've heard, what they've experienced, what they know is true. These disciples, they're testifying to the gospel of Christ. That Christ, as these people are saying, as Peter says whom they slew and hanged on a tree, him God raised up on the third day and showed him openly the gospel. That Jesus died and rose for the salvation of sinners of all people. That is the gospel of Christ. There are many fake gospels out in the world today. People saying you have to do this or do that. There are even some similar to Christianity that look so close to Christianity, like Jehovah's Witnesses, or others but this message is not like theirs. This message is not join an organization, do this or do that. It's not complicated religious systems or practices. No, this gospel that they're testifying to is the gospel of Jesus Christ. His life as the perfect Son of God, his death, an unjust death on the cross, bearing the sins of all who believe, and his resurrection that he conquered death to save those who believe on him. If you have not put your trust in Christ this is what Jesus has done for you. He's already done it. And if you are a believer here this evening this is what you're called to witness to. To proclaim. As Jesus says, "You shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost has come upon you and ye shall be witnesses unto me.” It is a costly commitment to be an effective witness. You can't just talk the talk. You must walk the walk. It demands authenticity. Not only did Peter walk out in that street on the day of Pentecost, and not only did he boldly proclaim the gospel of Christ to thousands of people probably from all different nations, not only did he do that, declaring the truth of God, his saving grace, he lived it out. He walked in godly wisdom. He devoted himself to prayer. Even when God in a vision spoke to him and told him to go to Cornelius and declare the gospel. Even then he was on his knees in prayer seeking God. He not only talked the talk, he walked the walk. Think about Paul, the incredible apostle Paul who wrote so much of the New Testament. Not only did he write in Philippians about the incredible joy of the gospel of Christ and exhorted all believers to steadfastly hold to Christ even under trials. He also rested and trusted in the sovereignty of God when he was locked in prison, when he was beaten, whipped, shipwrecked, cast out, despised, rejected, and he held to the truths of God and walked in his joy and wisdom. He not only talked the talk, he walked the walk. A costly call. For effective witness, there must be authentic fellowship with God. This call to be a witness is for all believers. It's a call to share the gospel to all people. You and I will meet people that Jesus calls us to share and witness the gospel to them. And you will meet people that I will never meet. You will meet people in your work, in your school, maybe in your grocery store, maybe your neighbourhood.  Jesus' commission is to witness to them in your conversations, in how you interact with people, in everyday life. This is a call to gospel witness, but it must come from authentic walk. It must come from a heart that seeks God. This is a privileged calling. If you are a personal ambassador for a king, you get sent by a king to deliver a message to another country or another person. That is an honourable position. That person must be a trusted servant, a steward. That position is a honourable position. But now think of the incalculable privilege, incomprehensible privilege and honour of being an ambassador and witness not for an earthly king who is temporary but for a heavenly king who has all authority and power. David Livingstone, a missionary back in the 1800’s went to Africa to share the gospel. And it was at a time when Africa was known as the white man's grave. The cost was great, he had to go and leave his home country of England and go to a place where quite likely he would never come back from. But what he wrote was this. “If a commission by an earthly king is considered an honour, how can a commission by a heavenly king be considered a sacrifice?” This is a privileged position to bear witness to, to testify to, to proclaim the gospel of Christ. As a believer because of the resurrection, because Jesus has transformed your life. That is what you're testifying to - his goodness, his greatness, the salvation which you have received. Is this through your own willpower and strength? Is this through your own might and power? Is this through your own greatness? Is this through your own great communication skills? Is this through your great smart ability to be able to do one-on-one evangelism? Is this through that? No, it is not. This is through the help of the Spirit which Jesus promised to his disciples. A helper. The Spirit is going to come and fill you and empower you and enable you to witness and testify and proclaim the gospel. As it says verse 8, “but ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you and ye shall be my witnesses.” The power of the Holy Ghost is to come upon you to propel you into witness, to proclaim the gospel. Where is this mission to? “You will be my witnesses unto me in both in Jerusalem, Judea, in Samaria, and the uttermost part of the earth.” It starts where they're at and it goes outward to all people everywhere. This gospel must be proclaimed to all people across the earth. It is echoing the great commission in Matthew chapter 28:1 19 which says, "Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. And lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." This gospel starts here. Maybe you cannot go to the uttermost parts of the world, but certainly you can go to your neighbour. Start where you are to the ends of the earth. But pray for those who have gone to the ends of the earth. Pray for them because the cost is great for those people. The kingdom commission, a call to be a witness, testify to the greatness and goodness and salvation of God. And the kingdom advances. These are Jesus' very last words recorded on earth. And then we're given an incredible picture. “And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight.” While they beheld, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight. Jesus ascended right before their very eyes. Taken up to heaven. Imagine the awe and wonder. This man Jesus who they know now is the Messiah, the Son of God, who they know now has risen from the grave and he ascends to heaven. Again, realizing the supernatural, the divine, the power and the nature of Jesus. Again, proof of the authenticity of Christ. Jesus is not just a moral teacher. He's not just a good man. No, he is the Son of God who came to save. Verse 10. “And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven, as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, which also said, "Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven. This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner, as ye have seen him go into heaven." This commission to go and proclaim the gospel, to witness is set against the backdrop and the hope that Jesus has ascended but he will come back. The hope that he will return - "shall so come in like manner as you've seen him go into heaven." He will come back. He has ascended as Hebrews 12 verse 12 says “He is ascended and seated at the right hand of the throne of God. He has completed his mission. And now he sits glorified at his Father's right hand." And see these angels, they appear beside these men. These men, they gaze in wonder. And I imagine they're just staring up into space. But the angels make it very clear. They ask, "Why are you standing here? Why are you still here? This Jesus, he will return as he has promised to do. His kingdom will come. But in the meantime, you have a job to do, you have a mission, a gospel to proclaim. You have a witness to testify to. Don't wait for him to come back. He will come back. That's the promise. But you have a mission. As Jesus said in verse 7, it is not for you to know the times or seasons which the father has put in his own plan. He will come back in the time God has ordained. But as believers in Christ, we have a mission. Like Google's mission statement is to organize information, Coca-Cola is to refresh the world, Red Cross is to care for victims, believers witness to the gospel, proclaim the gospel. To proclaim the greatest event the world has ever seen, the world has ever known, that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, would come and live and die for wretched sinners like us. To save us for an eternity in the riches and glory of heaven. We don't deserve it, but that is what he has done. He has poured out his love upon us. Let us proclaim that. There are people going around door to door sometimes with electricity bills or selling insurance. Sometimes I feel terrified going around the door sharing the gospel. What will people think? Sometimes I'm terrified of knocking on people's doors to share the gospel. But remember we're sharing the greatest news. Who cares about an insurance company when you have the gospel of Christ which could save people's souls? And yet I'm too scared to knock on that person's door to share with them the greatest news perhaps they will ever hear.  Can I encourage you to do what the disciples did after hearing the angels? Verse 12, “then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem, a Sabbath day journey.” They stopped looking into the sky, idling away their time. They looked down and they got on with the mission that Jesus had given them. They got up and went on and got on with that task. They waited as Jesus said until Pentecost when the Spirit would come and then filled with the Spirit they stepped into that street and boldly proclaimed the gospel. Let us do the same. Let us pray. Let us seek God. Be devout and authentic in our walk with him. Seeking his counsel and his wisdom, being filled with his spirit. And then let us step out in boldness to proclaim and testify and witness to the gospel of salvation through Christ Jesus' life, his death, resurrection. An incredible event in the history of humanity which has cut history from BC to AD. The greatest lesson, the message of salvation. Let me finish with this story and illustration. Imagine a man who was a doctor and he was a very smart doctor and he had tons of medicines and experience. And then over this country there came a terrible sickness that plagued everyone. Nobody knew how to fix it. People were trying all manners of things. It wasn't working. They were dying. Nobody could do anything. No one knew what to do apart from this doctor. He had the medicine. He had been given the medicine to fix everyone in that whole country. That's incredible news. He had this bottle of medicine which can heal every one of those people and make them better. That's incredible. Nobody has to die because this doctor is there and has this medicine. But this doctor, he lives in a nice house with some nice chairs. He's comfortable in his house but outside the world is dark and dying and in sickness. And so this doctor does not give his medicine to anyone because it's too hard. He doesn't want to leave his house. He might have to associate with people he doesn't really want to associate with. And he decides just to keep it for himself in his nice comfortable house. That's a tragedy I'm sure you would agree. Let us not be like that doctor with the gospel. We have the greatest news that the world has ever and will ever know. And let us not keep it to ourselves because of comfortability or any other reason. But let us through the power and the help of the Holy Spirit be a witness here, now and to the uttermost parts of the earth, seeking God for his wisdom, his courage, and his boldness. Because it's only through him and his strength that we will have the courage to walk in his ways and testify to his goodness.

 

New Life in Christ

 

COLERAINE EVANGELICAL CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM SUNDAY 5 APRIL 2026 – MR JOSHUA BLUNT

 

1440 in the mid- 15th century was the invention of the printing press. Well, you ask me what's that got to do with this sermon on Easter Sunday? Well, that transformed the culture that that we live in today. Before the printing press, people monks had to write out each individual book, each individual letter of a book. Books were priceless. They were chained to libraries. It meant that ideas couldn't really travel. Meant that people weren't really educated. But when the printing press was invented, suddenly everyone had access to books. Everyone had access to education. And it just changed how the world worked. Similarly, in the 1900s, there was the first flight in an aircraft that was heavier than air. changed history because it changed the way that people travel and move around forever. It doesn't take 5 months to get to Africa anymore or Australia. It takes what, 24 hours. People can travel more, move around more. It's changed history. Another thing which has tragically changed history and put a mark on the human calendar was which I'm sure some of you will remember is 911. That was a tragic day, a dark day in human history, but it marked history forever. Another thing is the dawn of the digital age. 30 years ago, there was no internet, no phones, no YouTube, none of these things. But since these have been invented, it's radically changed how people operate, how people work, how people communicate. So events like these have shaped and transformed the course of history in the world. But there is one event, there is one single momentous event which outweighs all others. No other historical event in the history of mankind can compare to the dramatic and radical consequences of this event which occurred 2,000 years ago. This event has changed hundreds of thousands of lives. It's an event which we remember today. The Lord Jesus Christ is alive. He rose from the grave. And today, this morning, as we look at the word, we're going to dwell on the incredibleness of this event. The joy of this moment, and the hope that we as believers have because of it. So, if you could open your Bible to John chapter 20 verses 1 to 31.

 

This is an incredible story with some incredible emotions and interactions going on through it. But think back to Friday. Ironically called Good Friday, which if you think of it straightly seems anything but good. Jesus was unjustly tried before Pilate and sentenced to be crucified. A death reserved only for the worst, the scum of the society. Roman citizens would never be crucified. It was below them. The worst death renowned at the time for its brutality. And this was how Jesus, the son of God, who had done no wrong, was treated. And he died and was buried in Joseph's tomb and sealed by the stone being rolled across its entrance. dead. A dark day in human history when man condemned the perfect son of God to be crucified. And you see here in this passage, you see Mary's love for Jesus. You see, she took the Sabbath, rested according to the Israelites law. But as soon as she could, early on the first day when it was still dark, she came to the tomb. She couldn't rest. She couldn't stay in bed. She couldn't sleep. Her love for Christ and her Lord drove her to that tomb that morning. This man Jesus was the man that had rescued Mary from the seven Jesus had sent those seven demons which had entrapped her. He had sent them out of her. This man Jesus was the man that Mary and the disciples believed was the Messiah. Mary and these disciples, they believed that Jesus was the one sent from God. And so they loved him and they followed him. They left their jobs and their families and their houses and their homes and they followed him and now he's dead, killed upon the cross. Imagine the emotions going through their head. Imagine what they're thinking at the present time. This wasn't meant to happen. Jesus was meant to establish his kingdom. Maybe disappointment, confusion, despair, disbelief. The whole world has just crumbled. The man they're following has just been buried. The life they imagined living with Jesus has just vanished. And Mary comes to the tomb. Verse one, early when it was yet dark.  But she's distraught because her Lord is dead. We know from the other gospels that Mary is coming with several other women to anoint Jesus with spices. It's an act of honouring a king, showing their devotion and their love for Jesus. But it's also an act of finality in the sense that Jesus is dead and they don't expect him to come back. Which makes the next part so much more shocking for Mary. “when it was dark, … unto the sepulchre, the tomb, and seeth the stone roll taken away.” She's shocked. This is not what she expected to see. And so her first response is found in verse 2 “then she runneth and cometh to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved and saith unto them, they have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre and we know not where they have laid him.” The stone is rolled away and Jesus is not there. Mary assumes that someone has taken the body of Jesus. They've stolen the body of Jesus. It just adds to her anguish and her sorrow. Not only is Jesus dead, but they have stolen his body and now she cannot honor him with these spices. And the disciples, Peter and John want to see for themselves. And so they leave Mary and they run straight back to the tomb. “Peter therefore went forth and the other disciple with them. And so they both ran together.” It's interesting. This is written by John and he mentions that he outrun Peter. Maybe he's quite happy with that. But he outran Peter anyway. And they came to the tomb. John stops, but Peter, always the more bold one, heads straight into the tomb. And what do they see? Well, they see the empty tomb, but it's not quite empty. Verse 5 “And stooping down and looking in saw the linen cloths lying.” Verse 7 “the napkin that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.”  Jesus had been wrapped in these cloths. They are still there but Jesus was gone. He was not there. But these cloths were lying placed neatly where he had been. Something has happened here. Something strange has happened here. And they realize what had happened. Have a look there at verse 8 “they went in also and the other disciple which came first … and he saw and believed.” Did he believe what Mary had told him that Jesus was gone? No. He believed now that Jesus had risen. He didn't fully understand yet. As verse 9 says, they didn't understand. “They knew not the scriptures that he must rise again.” But they believed that God had worked. It's incredible proof of the resurrection. I mean, if anyone was going to steal the body anyway, they'd hardly take the time to unwrap the whole body and lay them up neatly and then walk off. Jesus has risen and they believed it. But what does it say? They knew not the scripture that he must rise again from the dead. This resurrection of Jesus which John believed and the disciples were witnesses to was and is the fulfilment of all scripture. All scripture points to this one event – Jesus’ resurrection. They didn't know the scriptures but the scriptures were telling them, pointing them to this event. This one story is the story describing the redeeming of God's people through his son Jesus. And everything points towards that. Like Abraham when he was asked to offer up his son Isaac on the altar. That's a crazy story. But then God provided a ram to take Isaac's place and the ram was killed for the sake. That's what Jesus has done for us. Or Jonah in the belly of the fish for three days. Jesus was in the tomb for three days. In the Old Testament, the scapegoat, which was when the priests would confess the sins to a goat and lay the blood on the goat and then send it out into wilderness to bear the sin of the people. And this all foreshadows and is pointing towards the ultimate sacrifice and substitute, Jesus Christ, his death and resurrection. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15 3-4, “for I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures and that he was buried and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures according to the scriptures.” The scripture was fulfilled. It's a stamp of authenticity. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead marks that he is who he says he is. He is the son of God as in John 2 verse 19 to 21. This is evidence of who he is. Jesus himself says that when the crowds are pressing in on him. He says to them something strange. He says, "Tear down this temple and I will rebuild it in 3 days." And the Jews are all like, "You can't be serious. This took 40 years to build." But it's talking about his own body. If they didn't rebuild it, then don't believe him. But as we know and as the disciples are realizing, Jesus was speaking of himself and his body and he did rise again on the third day. This is the proof that he is the son of God. I have to be honest, maybe because I'm not that old but I had never ever used a cheque before about a month ago and I had no idea what to do with this thing. Someone had gave me a piece of paper with some writing on it and I'm like “and that's meant to be money.” I had to ring my parents. I was like, "Right, so I got given this piece of paper. What like what am I meant to do with it?" You see that cheque, you really have no idea whether it's a proper cheque or if that person's account has any money in it anyway. You don't really know because it's just a piece of paper until you cash it in. And when it comes through, well then you know that it is real and it's authentic. Jesus, he can say everything about himself but if he had just died a normal death and didn't come back to life, well then he is just a normal person who's made up some big grand story. But the fact is that Jesus himself came back to life, proving who he was, who he is, taking the judgment for sin which we deserve. As Romans 4 verse 24 says, "But for us also to whom it shall be imputed if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered for our offenses and was raised again for our justification." Take encouragement and confidence in this. Jesus rose from the dead according to the scripture, according to the word foretold. He rose for your justification. That's a big word which means made right before God. So be encouraged, have confidence, have joy. This is what he's done for you as a believer. He rose for you. And well, if you're not a Christian, if you are unsure about who Jesus is. I have talked to lots of people on the street who are just unsure about who Jesus is. They think maybe he's a moral teacher, maybe he's a good guy, maybe he doesn't even exist. But the fact is that Jesus himself claims to be the son of God and then proves it by rising again. So if you're not a Christian, can I urge you to consider Christ. So the scriptures are fulfilled. All scripture points to this one day when Jesus would fulfil his mission and rise from the grave. But then also the disciples are encouraged. After the two disciples left with joyful and believing hearts, we see Mary come to the tomb again. She is still distraught. She loved Jesus and his message and now he is gone. But then as she looks in, she sees something incredible. Verse 12. “And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head and the other at the feet where the body of Jesus had lain. And they asked her, "Woman, why weepest thou?" And she saith unto them, "They've taken away my Lord, and I know not where they lay him." This Jesus was her Lord, her king. Her heart's desire is to bring him honour, to anoint him in even in his death. And now he's gone. She's distraught. And then she turns around and she sees this man. She sees Jesus, but she doesn't recognize him. And Jesus said to her, "Why weepest thou? Whom seeketh?" She mistakes him for a gardener, saying, "Where have you laid him?" And Jesus said unto her … One word, and it's a word filled with comfort and love and compassion, ‘Mary.’ And she turned and recognized him. This Jesus is alive. She says, "Raboni," which means master, Lord, teacher, her Lord is alive. Imagine the joy. Imagine the wonder. This man who was dead in the tomb, buried for 3 days, who you have come to tomb expecting to anoint is now standing right before you alive. And Jesus immediately commands her, "Go and tell the disciples. Tell them of this great event which has happened. Tell them that I ascend unto my father and to your father and to my God and your God. Tell them of this great event.” Jesus is alive. Jesus appeared throughout this time on earth for these 40 days. He appeared to Mary here comforting her. Verse 19, he appeared to all the disciples commissioning them to wait for the Holy Spirit and then to go with his authority. And then he appeared specifically to Thomas in verse 26, demolishing any doubt about the authenticity of his resurrection. You know, Jesus didn't have to appear to all of his disciples after he rose. He could have gone straight up to heaven and his mission still would have been fulfilled. But again, he proved by his physical appearing to hundreds of people that he was really alive. What is the impact? What is the response? Well, we can know from the disciples response. Mary's tears and anguish and distraught was turned to joy. The disciples fear as they locked themselves in this room, terrified of the Roman authorities who are probably going to come and try and kill them. Their fear turned to courage. In only a few short days, they would all be out proclaiming the gospel boldly in the streets. And Thomas is doubting. He has witnessed the crucifixion. He had sworn that Jesus was dead. His doubt was turned to confidence. He confessed Lord and God. It is the same for us here as believers, you can have joy in the resurrection. Jesus has fulfilled his ministry. If God did nothing apart from send his son for us, if he did absolutely nothing for us, God blesses us abundantly. Even living in this country God blesses us abundantly. But if the only thing that he ever did was send his son, we have reason for joy. We can have courage in the face of trials and the unknown, not because it's easy, but we have confidence of the hope of heaven. And then ultimately, we can have confidence in Jesus, his resurrection, and the gospel. The scripture is fulfilled. The disciples are encouraged and finally the Lord brings life. Why? Why did Jesus do that? Why did he go to the cross? What's this plan? What's his purpose? What is the whole story of the Bible? What's it all about? Well, let the author speak for himself. Verse 31 “These are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God, and that by believing ye may have life through his name.” Jesus came to earth proclaiming the kingdom of heaven. And this gospel of John follows the life of Jesus, he writes down his teaching, his parables, his interactions, and it's written ultimately to prove that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God, who came to earth to make a way for sinful man to know God. Jesus rose the third day, according to the scriptures for our justification that we may be made right before God. We have a problem since the garden of Eden, the fall in Genesis. Sin has entered and corrupted the world and created this inseparable barrier between God and humanity that humans simply cannot cross. No matter how good you are, no matter how many times you come to church, it will never be enough to save you. And so Jesus came to tear down that barrier, to take our sin and judgment that we deserve so that we through him we may know God. When Jesus died on the cross there was the big thick curtain in the temple that separated the most the holy place from the common people. That was torn in two so that all who call on his name can inherit eternal life and know God. That is the story of the Bible. That is the story of the gospel. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15, "If the dead are not raised, then is Christ not raised? And if Christ be not raised, your faith is in vain. Ye are not yet in your sins, then they also which have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and has become the first fruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all died. For so in Christ shall be made alive.” That is the story of the Bible. That is the story of the gospel. Through one man came death, Adam. Sin entered the world and from that day corruption. But through one man, Jesus, and his resurrection, all who believe in him shall be made alive to an eternal life in heaven. If you're a Christian here today, again, rejoice. Rejoice not in the great chocolate you're going to get this afternoon. Rejoice in the greatest gift of God that the world has ever known, the greatest gift of love. And again, if you're not a Christian, I urge you to consider Christ and what he has done for you. The gospel of John, is a biography. It follows the life of Jesus, but it's not a normal one. A biography usually starts when a person is young and ends when they die. But the gospel of John, it doesn't finish when Jesus is died. It continues on because the story is not finished. Jesus would rise again. And today as we remember, he has risen again so we have joy and confidence in him, his truth, and what he has done in his salvation.