WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.720 Certainty is something that we all want. 00:00:03.200 --> 00:00:07.419 We want to be sure about the things that we put our faith or trust in. 00:00:07.780 --> 00:00:11.060 We want to make sure that they are right and true. 00:00:11.060 --> 00:00:16.519 But the question we always ask ourselves along the path to certainty is, 00:00:17.219 --> 00:00:17.859 how do you know? 00:00:18.740 --> 00:00:21.379 How do you know this is true? 00:00:21.460 --> 00:00:23.019 How do you know that is correct? 00:00:23.539 --> 00:00:26.500 We're not going to just put our faith and trust in anything. 00:00:27.039 --> 00:00:29.519 We want to make sure that the facts are correct. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:31.780 They will stand up to the test. 00:00:32.619 --> 00:00:35.460 Our word is not simply enough here. 00:00:35.719 --> 00:00:40.219 If we want to be heard ourselves and accepted ourselves for what we believe, 00:00:40.620 --> 00:00:42.600 we must back it up with proof. 00:00:43.439 --> 00:00:45.480 We're not going to just believe anyone what they say, 00:00:45.960 --> 00:00:48.400 and so why should they always believe us what we say as well? 00:00:49.359 --> 00:00:53.879 And lest we find ourselves made out to be fools for believing it isn't true, 00:00:54.299 --> 00:00:59.179 lest that we are embarrassed for how silly we were to hold to such convictions to state publicly, 00:00:59.179 --> 00:01:02.799 we want to make sure that we have certainty. 00:01:03.560 --> 00:01:07.739 We want to make sure that what we put our faith and trust in is for real and certain, 00:01:07.939 --> 00:01:13.200 so we don't become fools, so we don't end up being embarrassed. 00:01:13.200 --> 00:01:17.760 Kind of like this guy here on screen, Harold Camping. 00:01:19.079 --> 00:01:26.100 Harold, a preacher and is also head of the ministry called Family Radio in the United States. 00:01:26.719 --> 00:01:29.100 Also a self-proclaimed prophet of God, 00:01:29.480 --> 00:01:33.060 he made a prediction in 2011, 21st of May, 00:01:33.060 --> 00:01:35.140 the world was going to end, 00:01:35.740 --> 00:01:39.280 and that Jesus was going to take his followers up from the world to heaven, 00:01:39.519 --> 00:01:44.659 and for the next five months there were going to be fire and brimstone and judgment upon the world 00:01:44.659 --> 00:01:48.840 up until October 21st where the world would end. 00:01:49.700 --> 00:01:54.939 Now Harold convinced millions of people that he was correct. 00:01:54.939 --> 00:02:01.519 He convinced and made certain towards millions of people that Jesus was coming back on this date, 00:02:01.659 --> 00:02:03.759 May 21st, so be ready. 00:02:04.819 --> 00:02:08.960 And because he had made people so certain that what he was saying was true, 00:02:09.759 --> 00:02:11.939 people sold everything they had. 00:02:12.639 --> 00:02:15.079 They gave up their jobs, they sold their houses, 00:02:15.479 --> 00:02:16.539 they sold their cars, 00:02:16.680 --> 00:02:20.479 and gave all their money to Harold to advertise the end of the world was coming, 00:02:20.680 --> 00:02:21.400 so be ready. 00:02:21.400 --> 00:02:27.640 He made sure that they were certain the end was coming. 00:02:28.620 --> 00:02:32.800 I remember the day quite clearly in 2011, May 21st. 00:02:33.099 --> 00:02:34.460 I was working at Optus. 00:02:34.599 --> 00:02:37.379 I used to run an Optus store back in Castle Hill. 00:02:37.860 --> 00:02:40.020 I opened the store as I normally did that morning. 00:02:40.439 --> 00:02:43.159 I served a lot of customers, fixed a lot of phone problems, 00:02:43.520 --> 00:02:44.939 fixed a lot of billing issues, 00:02:45.480 --> 00:02:48.580 got yelled at as I do usually by a lot of customers 00:02:48.580 --> 00:02:51.460 for how wrong I am and for how much Optus is ripping him off. 00:02:51.820 --> 00:02:54.700 I showed grace and love and return of always. 00:02:56.000 --> 00:02:58.780 Then I went home, put my feet up, put the TV on, 00:02:59.380 --> 00:03:00.780 and the world was still going. 00:03:02.220 --> 00:03:04.600 Jesus hadn't come back, like Harold had said. 00:03:05.500 --> 00:03:07.760 He is coming back, by the way, just not on May 21. 00:03:09.280 --> 00:03:10.420 He hadn't come back. 00:03:11.180 --> 00:03:13.080 Harold was proven wrong. 00:03:13.080 --> 00:03:16.320 His certainty was misplaced. 00:03:16.780 --> 00:03:18.840 He was made out to be a fool. 00:03:20.220 --> 00:03:23.580 And therefore, he suffered the consequences of that. 00:03:24.180 --> 00:03:27.600 Examples such as Harold's are the reason why we ask the question, 00:03:28.040 --> 00:03:28.940 how do you know? 00:03:29.740 --> 00:03:30.640 How do you know? 00:03:30.720 --> 00:03:33.980 How can you be sure that what you believe and think is true and correct? 00:03:34.080 --> 00:03:35.160 How can you be certain? 00:03:35.159 --> 00:03:39.799 We want certainty before we just jump into anything 00:03:39.799 --> 00:03:41.919 and believe it and have faith in it. 00:03:43.620 --> 00:03:47.340 Christianity makes some pretty big claims, 00:03:47.479 --> 00:03:50.079 particularly about Jesus himself. 00:03:50.979 --> 00:03:52.780 Christianity makes some great promises 00:03:52.780 --> 00:03:55.939 that God loves you, that our sins can be forgiven, 00:03:56.340 --> 00:03:58.599 that one day all things will be renewed, 00:03:58.780 --> 00:04:01.019 that we won't have to suffer and have pain anymore, 00:04:01.019 --> 00:04:03.819 there'll be no more tears and no more crying, 00:04:03.819 --> 00:04:08.579 that we can have hope for not just in this life, 00:04:09.039 --> 00:04:12.239 but hope for eternal life to come, beyond death. 00:04:12.639 --> 00:04:15.060 All these things sound quite incredible, 00:04:15.859 --> 00:04:20.000 but there is one crucial fact that all of this hangs upon, 00:04:20.839 --> 00:04:24.740 and that is whether or not Jesus rose from the dead. 00:04:25.699 --> 00:04:28.759 That is, whether or not the tomb is empty. 00:04:28.759 --> 00:04:32.000 What we claim as Christians is bold. 00:04:33.719 --> 00:04:35.740 And many people, I'm sure, have asked you, 00:04:35.899 --> 00:04:37.139 or you've maybe asked yourself, 00:04:37.839 --> 00:04:38.980 how do you know this? 00:04:39.480 --> 00:04:41.300 How can you be sure this is true? 00:04:41.639 --> 00:04:43.500 How do you know it's not actually made up? 00:04:44.060 --> 00:04:45.099 And if it is true, 00:04:45.599 --> 00:04:48.079 how can I know that God will actually love me? 00:04:49.539 --> 00:04:51.659 How can I know that it actually matters at all 00:04:51.659 --> 00:04:54.099 that Jesus rose from the dead? 00:04:54.100 --> 00:04:57.920 The how do you know question is a really important one, 00:04:58.300 --> 00:05:00.180 because if it isn't true, 00:05:00.460 --> 00:05:02.520 if Jesus did not rise from the dead, 00:05:02.660 --> 00:05:04.740 then what we are doing here is pointless. 00:05:05.180 --> 00:05:06.379 You come to the church tonight, 00:05:06.460 --> 00:05:07.360 it's just pointless. 00:05:07.879 --> 00:05:09.800 As Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15, 00:05:10.260 --> 00:05:11.580 for if the dead are not raised, 00:05:11.680 --> 00:05:13.280 not even Christ has been raised. 00:05:13.720 --> 00:05:15.300 And if Christ has not been raised, 00:05:15.379 --> 00:05:17.000 your faith is futile, 00:05:17.080 --> 00:05:18.460 and you are still in your sins. 00:05:18.460 --> 00:05:23.340 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 00:05:23.339 --> 00:05:27.419 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, 00:05:28.019 --> 00:05:31.359 we are of all people most to be pitied. 00:05:32.719 --> 00:05:35.539 If Christ has not been raised, 00:05:36.239 --> 00:05:38.739 then when we die, that's it. 00:05:39.639 --> 00:05:40.799 There is no more hope. 00:05:41.199 --> 00:05:42.039 That's the end. 00:05:43.739 --> 00:05:47.539 So, can we be certain that what we hear 00:05:47.539 --> 00:05:51.120 from the gospel, from Christianity, is true? 00:05:51.120 --> 00:05:53.059 That there is hope beyond death? 00:05:53.339 --> 00:05:56.060 Can we be certain that Jesus rose from the dead, 00:05:56.219 --> 00:05:58.560 and that profoundly impacts us now? 00:05:59.359 --> 00:06:01.159 That God does love you? 00:06:01.939 --> 00:06:04.159 That there is forgiveness for our sins? 00:06:04.219 --> 00:06:05.939 That there is hope beyond death? 00:06:05.939 --> 00:06:09.420 I think we can be. 00:06:10.480 --> 00:06:14.699 And this is why we are thankful for the biblical witness, 00:06:15.100 --> 00:06:18.259 particularly for Luke's gospel account here. 00:06:18.740 --> 00:06:21.220 Because Luke had set out to make certain 00:06:21.220 --> 00:06:22.860 the things that we have been taught, 00:06:23.000 --> 00:06:24.420 things like Christianity, 00:06:24.620 --> 00:06:27.139 things like what Jesus had done and accomplished. 00:06:27.420 --> 00:06:29.079 In chapter 1, verse 4, 00:06:29.139 --> 00:06:32.220 he says very clearly why he has written his gospel. 00:06:32.220 --> 00:06:35.100 It says that you may have certainty 00:06:35.100 --> 00:06:38.300 concerning the things you have been taught. 00:06:38.780 --> 00:06:41.240 This is the whole purpose of Luke's gospel, 00:06:41.340 --> 00:06:44.420 to give us certainty that what Jesus has done, 00:06:44.920 --> 00:06:45.860 what he has come to do, 00:06:45.940 --> 00:06:46.700 what he has accomplished, 00:06:47.320 --> 00:06:47.660 happened. 00:06:47.940 --> 00:06:49.860 It's historical, and you can believe it, 00:06:49.920 --> 00:06:50.880 and therefore know, 00:06:51.140 --> 00:06:52.600 and have no doubt in your mind, 00:06:52.880 --> 00:06:54.140 that he rose from the dead, 00:06:54.400 --> 00:06:55.940 that your sins are paid for, 00:06:56.100 --> 00:06:57.240 that he loves you, 00:06:57.240 --> 00:06:59.420 and wants you to be in relationship with him, 00:06:59.620 --> 00:07:01.740 that there is hope beyond this life, 00:07:01.860 --> 00:07:02.639 beyond death, 00:07:03.639 --> 00:07:05.120 hope for eternity. 00:07:07.019 --> 00:07:09.720 And the way Luke helps us to be certain, 00:07:09.860 --> 00:07:11.840 particularly in this chapter here, 00:07:11.960 --> 00:07:12.860 in chapter 24, 00:07:13.460 --> 00:07:15.420 is by telling us the story, 00:07:15.540 --> 00:07:17.220 the beautiful story, 00:07:17.220 --> 00:07:21.160 of how the disciples came to have certainty 00:07:21.160 --> 00:07:23.800 that Jesus was alive, 00:07:24.199 --> 00:07:25.439 that he'd rose from the dead. 00:07:25.439 --> 00:07:27.560 He tells us this story, 00:07:27.939 --> 00:07:29.100 and invites us, 00:07:29.300 --> 00:07:30.259 as his reader, 00:07:30.680 --> 00:07:32.819 to journey with the disciples, 00:07:33.480 --> 00:07:35.240 on their path of discovery, 00:07:35.620 --> 00:07:38.199 as they begin to uncover the evidence themselves, 00:07:38.759 --> 00:07:40.100 that Jesus has risen, 00:07:40.319 --> 00:07:44.279 so we will also begin to uncover the evidence as well. 00:07:45.139 --> 00:07:46.860 It's an unfolding drama, 00:07:47.060 --> 00:07:49.420 and we take our place inside that drama, 00:07:49.819 --> 00:07:51.040 as Luke tells the story. 00:07:51.439 --> 00:07:54.420 So the first piece of evidence that Luke brings up, 00:07:54.420 --> 00:07:55.879 is the empty tomb. 00:07:57.140 --> 00:07:58.120 In the opening scene, 00:07:58.180 --> 00:07:59.000 we have a bunch of women, 00:07:59.100 --> 00:08:00.759 who upon arriving at the tomb, 00:08:01.180 --> 00:08:03.100 discovered the tomb itself, 00:08:03.360 --> 00:08:04.160 was empty. 00:08:05.040 --> 00:08:05.980 And that would have been, 00:08:06.080 --> 00:08:06.980 pretty shocking. 00:08:07.360 --> 00:08:07.920 These are the women, 00:08:08.020 --> 00:08:09.720 who loved and followed Jesus. 00:08:09.980 --> 00:08:11.819 They came to anoint his body, 00:08:12.020 --> 00:08:13.480 with spices and perfumes. 00:08:13.480 --> 00:08:15.160 They thought he was dead. 00:08:15.259 --> 00:08:16.520 They expected a dead body, 00:08:16.600 --> 00:08:17.420 when they rocked up, 00:08:17.879 --> 00:08:18.759 there was no body. 00:08:19.200 --> 00:08:20.879 The tombstone was rolled away, 00:08:20.879 --> 00:08:22.920 and this left them perplexed, 00:08:22.959 --> 00:08:23.600 and shocked. 00:08:23.699 --> 00:08:25.219 And before they could even deal, 00:08:25.500 --> 00:08:26.519 with their shock, 00:08:26.759 --> 00:08:27.740 and their confusion, 00:08:28.740 --> 00:08:29.019 two, 00:08:29.139 --> 00:08:29.560 we're told, 00:08:29.680 --> 00:08:31.620 two dazzling men appeared. 00:08:32.100 --> 00:08:33.519 Men who looked like lightning, 00:08:34.480 --> 00:08:35.419 presumably angels. 00:08:35.939 --> 00:08:37.139 And they said to the women, 00:08:37.139 --> 00:08:39.860 why do you seek the living, 00:08:40.419 --> 00:08:41.299 among the dead? 00:08:42.500 --> 00:08:44.519 It's a bit of a weird question to ask, 00:08:44.580 --> 00:08:45.059 I think. 00:08:45.620 --> 00:08:47.779 Because the women were clearly there, 00:08:48.419 --> 00:08:49.360 to seek the dead, 00:08:49.419 --> 00:08:50.039 among the dead. 00:08:50.179 --> 00:08:51.860 They expected a body, 00:08:51.939 --> 00:08:53.000 that was not alive. 00:08:53.419 --> 00:08:54.620 They had come to anoint, 00:08:54.759 --> 00:08:56.240 a body of perfume and spice, 00:08:56.240 --> 00:08:57.840 because the body was to decay. 00:08:58.819 --> 00:08:59.879 They did not expect, 00:08:59.980 --> 00:09:00.879 Jesus to be alive. 00:09:01.000 --> 00:09:02.039 And the reason why the angel, 00:09:02.200 --> 00:09:03.279 says that question, 00:09:03.659 --> 00:09:04.639 why you seek the living, 00:09:04.799 --> 00:09:05.419 among the dead, 00:09:05.419 --> 00:09:06.639 is just to highlight, 00:09:06.860 --> 00:09:07.799 that contrast. 00:09:09.259 --> 00:09:11.519 They did not expect, 00:09:11.699 --> 00:09:13.919 a risen Lord Jesus. 00:09:14.219 --> 00:09:15.120 They expected, 00:09:15.599 --> 00:09:16.759 Jesus to remain, 00:09:17.019 --> 00:09:17.959 in the tomb. 00:09:18.539 --> 00:09:20.120 They had lost all hope, 00:09:20.819 --> 00:09:21.799 and all certainty, 00:09:22.319 --> 00:09:24.199 that Jesus was God. 00:09:24.559 --> 00:09:26.360 But the angels themselves, 00:09:27.299 --> 00:09:28.639 they said something different, 00:09:28.939 --> 00:09:29.219 about him. 00:09:29.719 --> 00:09:30.500 They said this, 00:09:30.919 --> 00:09:31.959 he is not here, 00:09:32.480 --> 00:09:33.519 he is risen. 00:09:33.519 --> 00:09:33.620 Listen, 00:09:35.199 --> 00:09:35.620 this, 00:09:36.299 --> 00:09:37.019 is immensely, 00:09:37.360 --> 00:09:37.960 exciting, 00:09:38.319 --> 00:09:38.919 and shocking, 00:09:39.059 --> 00:09:40.000 all at the same time. 00:09:40.319 --> 00:09:41.079 They've been trying, 00:09:41.139 --> 00:09:41.939 to deal with the fact, 00:09:42.019 --> 00:09:43.279 they lost their Lord, 00:09:43.480 --> 00:09:44.539 and their Messiah, 00:09:45.480 --> 00:09:46.319 who was crucified, 00:09:46.460 --> 00:09:46.899 on the cross. 00:09:46.960 --> 00:09:47.319 And now, 00:09:47.379 --> 00:09:48.139 they've been told, 00:09:48.259 --> 00:09:48.939 that he's risen, 00:09:49.039 --> 00:09:49.720 from the dead. 00:09:50.039 --> 00:09:51.039 This has been confirmed, 00:09:51.199 --> 00:09:51.819 by angels. 00:09:51.939 --> 00:09:53.159 The tomb is emptying. 00:09:54.100 --> 00:09:54.620 Who knows, 00:09:54.699 --> 00:09:55.899 what to think of all of this, 00:09:55.980 --> 00:09:56.579 all of a sudden. 00:09:57.939 --> 00:09:58.579 And it's not until, 00:09:58.579 --> 00:09:59.679 the angels point back, 00:09:59.779 --> 00:10:00.620 to what Jesus, 00:10:00.620 --> 00:10:01.799 had taught, 00:10:01.879 --> 00:10:02.799 about his death, 00:10:02.840 --> 00:10:03.360 and resurrection, 00:10:03.620 --> 00:10:03.980 the women, 00:10:04.139 --> 00:10:05.259 begin to remember, 00:10:05.820 --> 00:10:07.139 what Jesus had said. 00:10:07.519 --> 00:10:08.879 They say to the women, 00:10:09.279 --> 00:10:10.759 remember how he told you, 00:10:11.200 --> 00:10:12.200 while he was with you, 00:10:12.240 --> 00:10:12.720 in Galilee? 00:10:13.100 --> 00:10:13.860 The son of man, 00:10:13.940 --> 00:10:14.720 must be delivered, 00:10:14.919 --> 00:10:16.120 over to the hands of sinners, 00:10:16.659 --> 00:10:17.399 be crucified, 00:10:17.779 --> 00:10:18.620 and on the third day, 00:10:18.720 --> 00:10:19.860 be raised again. 00:10:20.919 --> 00:10:21.440 Then, 00:10:22.179 --> 00:10:22.940 they remembered, 00:10:23.379 --> 00:10:24.100 his words. 00:10:24.899 --> 00:10:25.740 It's not until, 00:10:25.740 --> 00:10:26.759 they are reminded, 00:10:26.960 --> 00:10:28.419 of Jesus' own words, 00:10:28.419 --> 00:10:29.360 do they begin, 00:10:29.679 --> 00:10:30.699 to understand. 00:10:31.559 --> 00:10:32.459 So they rush back, 00:10:32.539 --> 00:10:33.120 to the disciples. 00:10:33.419 --> 00:10:34.079 They tell them, 00:10:34.120 --> 00:10:34.860 the good news. 00:10:34.939 --> 00:10:35.339 They tell them, 00:10:35.379 --> 00:10:36.519 that the tomb was empty, 00:10:36.599 --> 00:10:37.699 that angels confirmed, 00:10:37.699 --> 00:10:38.240 to them, 00:10:38.500 --> 00:10:39.860 that Jesus was not there, 00:10:39.879 --> 00:10:40.579 that he had risen. 00:10:40.759 --> 00:10:41.559 But the disciples, 00:10:42.839 --> 00:10:43.719 they didn't believe. 00:10:44.839 --> 00:10:45.919 They considered it, 00:10:46.120 --> 00:10:46.579 nonsense. 00:10:47.539 --> 00:10:48.319 As if they were, 00:10:48.319 --> 00:10:49.799 grasping for straws. 00:10:50.559 --> 00:10:51.000 Again, 00:10:51.620 --> 00:10:52.079 showing, 00:10:52.679 --> 00:10:53.659 there was no, 00:10:53.659 --> 00:10:54.599 expectation, 00:10:55.159 --> 00:10:55.719 that Jesus, 00:10:55.879 --> 00:10:56.799 was going to rise. 00:10:57.319 --> 00:10:58.360 There was no plan, 00:10:58.419 --> 00:10:59.559 to try and make it up. 00:10:59.839 --> 00:11:01.419 They were so downcast, 00:11:01.500 --> 00:11:02.379 they were so filled, 00:11:02.439 --> 00:11:03.039 of sorrow, 00:11:03.399 --> 00:11:04.279 that he had died. 00:11:04.419 --> 00:11:05.839 There was no expectation, 00:11:06.000 --> 00:11:06.759 of any hope, 00:11:07.299 --> 00:11:08.019 that he might, 00:11:08.319 --> 00:11:09.339 rise again. 00:11:10.219 --> 00:11:10.579 However, 00:11:10.779 --> 00:11:11.099 Peter, 00:11:11.740 --> 00:11:13.399 Jesus' most beloved disciple, 00:11:13.620 --> 00:11:14.519 did not dismiss, 00:11:14.740 --> 00:11:15.439 the women's report, 00:11:15.559 --> 00:11:16.000 straight away. 00:11:16.120 --> 00:11:16.879 He checked it out, 00:11:16.939 --> 00:11:17.539 for himself. 00:11:18.019 --> 00:11:19.299 He went to the tomb. 00:11:20.059 --> 00:11:20.559 He saw, 00:11:20.639 --> 00:11:21.179 that it was empty. 00:11:21.299 --> 00:11:21.719 He saw, 00:11:21.719 --> 00:11:23.019 Jesus' burial close. 00:11:23.360 --> 00:11:24.059 And he's left, 00:11:24.279 --> 00:11:24.699 wondering, 00:11:25.219 --> 00:11:26.179 what is going on? 00:11:26.179 --> 00:11:28.399 What is happening? 00:11:30.399 --> 00:11:32.039 There is great reason, 00:11:32.439 --> 00:11:33.319 to believe here, 00:11:33.359 --> 00:11:34.059 that something, 00:11:34.179 --> 00:11:34.899 incredible, 00:11:35.399 --> 00:11:36.019 has happened. 00:11:36.819 --> 00:11:37.079 Jesus, 00:11:37.139 --> 00:11:38.059 at the very least, 00:11:38.319 --> 00:11:39.419 is no longer dead. 00:11:40.079 --> 00:11:41.120 The tomb is empty, 00:11:41.419 --> 00:11:43.079 and angels have confirmed this. 00:11:44.000 --> 00:11:44.599 But now, 00:11:44.719 --> 00:11:45.879 we have the same question, 00:11:45.959 --> 00:11:46.799 as disciples do. 00:11:47.139 --> 00:11:48.339 What is going on? 00:11:49.000 --> 00:11:49.899 What is happening? 00:11:50.679 --> 00:11:51.979 Why is this happening? 00:11:51.980 --> 00:11:54.580 These disciples, 00:11:54.899 --> 00:11:55.639 who were so, 00:11:55.639 --> 00:11:57.300 filled with sorrow, 00:11:57.800 --> 00:11:58.460 and doubt, 00:11:59.860 --> 00:12:00.139 now, 00:12:00.259 --> 00:12:01.300 there's a glimmer of hope. 00:12:02.180 --> 00:12:03.240 They now have a glimmer, 00:12:03.539 --> 00:12:04.259 of hope. 00:12:04.779 --> 00:12:05.500 But there's still, 00:12:05.600 --> 00:12:06.379 some uncertainty. 00:12:07.120 --> 00:12:07.860 They haven't seen, 00:12:07.980 --> 00:12:08.500 Jesus yet. 00:12:09.580 --> 00:12:10.759 But this is the beginning. 00:12:11.720 --> 00:12:12.500 This is the beginning, 00:12:12.500 --> 00:12:13.240 of the story, 00:12:13.700 --> 00:12:14.560 of how the disciples, 00:12:15.600 --> 00:12:16.420 begin to see, 00:12:16.539 --> 00:12:17.360 that Jesus is, 00:12:17.500 --> 00:12:17.960 alive. 00:12:18.360 --> 00:12:19.039 And the second piece, 00:12:19.039 --> 00:12:19.420 of evidence, 00:12:19.539 --> 00:12:20.039 that we have, 00:12:20.159 --> 00:12:20.940 from Luke's gospel, 00:12:20.940 --> 00:12:22.100 here in chapter 24, 00:12:22.520 --> 00:12:23.500 is the revelation, 00:12:24.200 --> 00:12:25.260 of the word. 00:12:26.220 --> 00:12:26.420 Now, 00:12:26.480 --> 00:12:27.400 Luke transports us, 00:12:27.440 --> 00:12:28.220 from the tomb site, 00:12:28.320 --> 00:12:29.620 to another event, 00:12:29.660 --> 00:12:30.240 that took place, 00:12:30.320 --> 00:12:31.340 later in that day. 00:12:31.700 --> 00:12:32.240 We are told, 00:12:32.360 --> 00:12:33.800 that there are two men, 00:12:33.880 --> 00:12:35.140 on their way to a village, 00:12:35.600 --> 00:12:36.360 who are discussing, 00:12:36.600 --> 00:12:37.080 with each other, 00:12:37.240 --> 00:12:38.340 everything that had happened, 00:12:38.580 --> 00:12:39.460 from the death, 00:12:39.920 --> 00:12:40.080 to the, 00:12:40.220 --> 00:12:41.640 to what had happened, 00:12:41.680 --> 00:12:42.080 that morning. 00:12:42.680 --> 00:12:43.460 We know this, 00:12:43.520 --> 00:12:44.400 because they say, 00:12:44.820 --> 00:12:45.400 they talk about, 00:12:45.460 --> 00:12:46.160 the women's report, 00:12:46.580 --> 00:12:47.840 to a particular stranger. 00:12:48.340 --> 00:12:48.960 They talk about, 00:12:48.960 --> 00:12:49.620 these things, 00:12:49.900 --> 00:12:50.500 that had happened, 00:12:50.940 --> 00:12:51.780 and they're not sure, 00:12:51.840 --> 00:12:52.620 what's going on. 00:12:53.740 --> 00:12:54.460 And then, 00:12:54.920 --> 00:12:56.080 we're told by Luke, 00:12:56.500 --> 00:12:57.440 there's a third character. 00:12:58.500 --> 00:12:59.360 While they were walking, 00:12:59.440 --> 00:12:59.800 and talking, 00:13:00.020 --> 00:13:00.940 Jesus himself, 00:13:01.680 --> 00:13:02.520 decided to walk, 00:13:02.520 --> 00:13:03.300 alongside them. 00:13:04.100 --> 00:13:05.720 This is the first appearance, 00:13:06.200 --> 00:13:07.040 of the Lord, 00:13:07.340 --> 00:13:08.200 Jesus risen. 00:13:08.740 --> 00:13:09.460 This is the one, 00:13:09.520 --> 00:13:10.520 who has conquered death, 00:13:10.780 --> 00:13:11.580 who was shown, 00:13:11.800 --> 00:13:13.020 that he is king, 00:13:13.340 --> 00:13:13.960 and has accomplished, 00:13:14.020 --> 00:13:15.260 his work on the cross. 00:13:15.840 --> 00:13:16.280 Therefore, 00:13:16.400 --> 00:13:17.020 there is hope, 00:13:17.020 --> 00:13:17.840 for eternal life, 00:13:17.980 --> 00:13:18.240 hope, 00:13:18.320 --> 00:13:19.240 for forgiveness of sins, 00:13:19.240 --> 00:13:20.080 hope, 00:13:21.039 --> 00:13:22.399 for the disciples. 00:13:23.539 --> 00:13:24.360 And Luke just says, 00:13:24.460 --> 00:13:24.960 that he just, 00:13:25.080 --> 00:13:25.720 turned up, 00:13:25.860 --> 00:13:27.019 and walked alongside them, 00:13:27.240 --> 00:13:28.360 as if it was nothing. 00:13:29.600 --> 00:13:30.440 But the thing was, 00:13:30.500 --> 00:13:31.039 it was, 00:13:31.480 --> 00:13:32.139 a non-event. 00:13:32.879 --> 00:13:33.680 Because we're told, 00:13:33.799 --> 00:13:34.720 in verse 16, 00:13:35.440 --> 00:13:36.299 these disciples, 00:13:36.539 --> 00:13:36.980 were kept, 00:13:37.200 --> 00:13:38.500 from recognising Jesus. 00:13:40.000 --> 00:13:40.879 So you must remember, 00:13:41.080 --> 00:13:42.120 Luke is presenting, 00:13:42.120 --> 00:13:43.159 the narrative here, 00:13:43.240 --> 00:13:43.740 in a way, 00:13:44.139 --> 00:13:45.440 they are experiencing it, 00:13:45.460 --> 00:13:45.820 not the way, 00:13:45.820 --> 00:13:46.520 that we might, 00:13:46.640 --> 00:13:48.120 expect to experience it. 00:13:50.060 --> 00:13:51.140 And so the whole idea, 00:13:51.220 --> 00:13:52.379 is we're going to experience it, 00:13:52.460 --> 00:13:53.440 with the disciples. 00:13:54.280 --> 00:13:55.300 But right here, 00:13:55.720 --> 00:13:57.440 Luke's also informing us, 00:13:57.800 --> 00:13:59.320 about what really is going on. 00:14:00.020 --> 00:14:00.980 This is no stranger. 00:14:01.940 --> 00:14:02.980 This is Jesus. 00:14:03.640 --> 00:14:05.000 And he is risen. 00:14:05.540 --> 00:14:06.100 And so we, 00:14:06.240 --> 00:14:06.879 as the reader, 00:14:07.120 --> 00:14:09.520 are in this privileged position, 00:14:09.520 --> 00:14:11.660 to know what exactly, 00:14:11.660 --> 00:14:12.540 is going on, 00:14:12.539 --> 00:14:14.099 so that we can see, 00:14:14.819 --> 00:14:15.579 the irony, 00:14:16.099 --> 00:14:17.939 and the disciples' despondency, 00:14:18.719 --> 00:14:19.519 as they are so, 00:14:19.519 --> 00:14:21.019 saddened, 00:14:21.299 --> 00:14:22.099 by what they think, 00:14:22.159 --> 00:14:22.620 has happened. 00:14:23.480 --> 00:14:24.059 They say, 00:14:24.159 --> 00:14:24.719 to the stranger, 00:14:24.839 --> 00:14:25.500 in verse 21, 00:14:25.719 --> 00:14:26.579 after explaining, 00:14:26.679 --> 00:14:27.379 what's been happening, 00:14:28.179 --> 00:14:28.879 we had hope, 00:14:29.039 --> 00:14:30.459 that he was the one, 00:14:30.819 --> 00:14:31.480 who was going to, 00:14:31.579 --> 00:14:32.159 redeem Israel. 00:14:33.059 --> 00:14:33.559 For them, 00:14:33.639 --> 00:14:34.899 the crucifixion of Jesus, 00:14:34.980 --> 00:14:35.839 was the end. 00:14:36.279 --> 00:14:36.879 Any claim, 00:14:36.879 --> 00:14:37.679 that he was God, 00:14:37.759 --> 00:14:38.620 was now false. 00:14:38.759 --> 00:14:39.259 Any claim, 00:14:39.319 --> 00:14:40.079 that he was going to come, 00:14:40.159 --> 00:14:41.099 and save his people, 00:14:41.279 --> 00:14:42.259 was now false. 00:14:42.539 --> 00:14:43.879 Because a dead king, 00:14:43.939 --> 00:14:44.879 can't do anything. 00:14:45.639 --> 00:14:46.519 Any claim, 00:14:46.599 --> 00:14:47.419 that he was going to, 00:14:47.419 --> 00:14:48.740 save the world, 00:14:49.620 --> 00:14:50.599 was now false. 00:14:51.839 --> 00:14:53.019 Because a dead God, 00:14:53.099 --> 00:14:53.980 can't do anything. 00:14:56.620 --> 00:14:57.500 The irony, 00:14:57.819 --> 00:14:58.980 is astounding here, 00:14:59.539 --> 00:15:00.079 for us, 00:15:00.159 --> 00:15:00.759 as the reader. 00:15:01.659 --> 00:15:03.219 Because we can see, 00:15:03.579 --> 00:15:05.240 Jesus is alive. 00:15:05.980 --> 00:15:07.439 And in his resurrection, 00:15:08.000 --> 00:15:08.919 he has achieved, 00:15:09.000 --> 00:15:10.120 exactly what, 00:15:10.439 --> 00:15:11.240 God had planned, 00:15:11.319 --> 00:15:12.000 for him to achieve, 00:15:12.000 --> 00:15:12.759 on the cross. 00:15:13.580 --> 00:15:14.179 Jesus didn't, 00:15:14.179 --> 00:15:15.299 disarm the powers, 00:15:15.379 --> 00:15:16.320 of this world, 00:15:16.720 --> 00:15:17.659 by destroying, 00:15:17.879 --> 00:15:19.000 the enemy's weaponry. 00:15:19.399 --> 00:15:20.299 He didn't come in, 00:15:20.320 --> 00:15:21.759 as a conquering general, 00:15:21.919 --> 00:15:22.659 with an army, 00:15:23.600 --> 00:15:24.620 and kicked out, 00:15:24.720 --> 00:15:25.220 the Romans. 00:15:26.340 --> 00:15:27.059 In a physical, 00:15:27.220 --> 00:15:27.919 kind of sense. 00:15:28.580 --> 00:15:28.899 You see, 00:15:29.019 --> 00:15:30.139 Jesus disarms, 00:15:30.279 --> 00:15:30.919 the powers, 00:15:30.980 --> 00:15:31.679 of this world, 00:15:31.779 --> 00:15:33.340 by dying on the cross, 00:15:34.139 --> 00:15:35.000 and then rising, 00:15:35.159 --> 00:15:36.139 into new life again. 00:15:36.139 --> 00:15:37.120 He showed that, 00:15:37.120 --> 00:15:38.039 he has power, 00:15:38.139 --> 00:15:38.899 over death, 00:15:39.439 --> 00:15:40.159 our worst, 00:15:40.259 --> 00:15:41.259 and final enemy. 00:15:41.799 --> 00:15:43.080 And through his death, 00:15:43.699 --> 00:15:44.980 we can have life. 00:15:46.019 --> 00:15:47.319 And then that death, 00:15:47.740 --> 00:15:48.679 was vindicated, 00:15:49.139 --> 00:15:50.120 proven powerful, 00:15:50.779 --> 00:15:52.559 by Jesus' own resurrection. 00:15:53.679 --> 00:15:53.879 And so, 00:15:53.980 --> 00:15:55.220 Jesus pushes back here, 00:15:55.220 --> 00:15:56.180 and rebukes, 00:15:56.180 --> 00:15:57.399 these two disciples, 00:15:57.540 --> 00:15:58.139 and says to them, 00:15:58.600 --> 00:16:00.040 how foolish you are, 00:16:01.080 --> 00:16:02.519 and how slow to believe, 00:16:02.720 --> 00:16:04.200 all the prophets have spoken. 00:16:04.639 --> 00:16:05.680 Did not the Messiah, 00:16:06.100 --> 00:16:07.500 have to suffer these things, 00:16:07.740 --> 00:16:08.620 and then enter, 00:16:08.860 --> 00:16:09.560 his glory? 00:16:10.160 --> 00:16:11.440 And beginning with Moses, 00:16:11.840 --> 00:16:12.800 and all the prophets, 00:16:13.240 --> 00:16:14.220 he explained to them, 00:16:14.399 --> 00:16:15.399 what was said, 00:16:15.600 --> 00:16:16.759 in all the scriptures, 00:16:17.300 --> 00:16:18.300 concerning himself. 00:16:19.180 --> 00:16:20.620 Notice how Jesus said, 00:16:20.620 --> 00:16:22.659 he calls them foolish. 00:16:23.919 --> 00:16:24.759 They believed only, 00:16:24.960 --> 00:16:26.720 what made logical sense, 00:16:27.060 --> 00:16:28.159 according to the world. 00:16:28.460 --> 00:16:29.179 That dead people, 00:16:29.419 --> 00:16:30.639 don't rise from the dead. 00:16:31.200 --> 00:16:32.120 That someone who claims, 00:16:32.139 --> 00:16:33.320 to be God and dies, 00:16:33.639 --> 00:16:35.179 probably isn't God. 00:16:35.879 --> 00:16:36.799 That a dead God, 00:16:36.840 --> 00:16:38.039 can't really do much, 00:16:38.779 --> 00:16:39.560 in this world. 00:16:40.980 --> 00:16:42.240 But Jesus spends time, 00:16:42.320 --> 00:16:42.940 with these two, 00:16:43.399 --> 00:16:45.080 unpacking the entire scriptures, 00:16:45.200 --> 00:16:45.759 to show, 00:16:46.139 --> 00:16:47.879 that what might seem foolish, 00:16:48.320 --> 00:16:49.759 is actually the true wisdom, 00:16:50.080 --> 00:16:50.560 of God. 00:16:50.620 --> 00:16:51.080 That although, 00:16:51.759 --> 00:16:53.159 in the world's eyes, 00:16:53.519 --> 00:16:53.899 death, 00:16:54.340 --> 00:16:55.600 can't accomplish, 00:16:56.000 --> 00:16:56.639 anything, 00:16:57.500 --> 00:16:58.899 the scripture testifies, 00:16:59.139 --> 00:16:59.740 that the death, 00:17:00.039 --> 00:17:01.320 of Jesus Christ, 00:17:02.120 --> 00:17:03.600 and along with resurrection, 00:17:04.259 --> 00:17:05.539 accomplishes, 00:17:05.680 --> 00:17:06.359 all along, 00:17:06.720 --> 00:17:08.259 what God had planned, 00:17:08.859 --> 00:17:09.259 throughout, 00:17:10.019 --> 00:17:10.599 the scriptures, 00:17:10.819 --> 00:17:11.119 throughout, 00:17:11.279 --> 00:17:11.900 what the Bible, 00:17:12.400 --> 00:17:13.160 has taught us. 00:17:13.160 --> 00:17:14.720 The whole point, 00:17:15.079 --> 00:17:16.319 of the biblical witness, 00:17:16.759 --> 00:17:17.720 was to point us, 00:17:17.839 --> 00:17:18.660 towards Jesus, 00:17:19.079 --> 00:17:19.720 his death, 00:17:19.720 --> 00:17:20.579 and resurrection, 00:17:20.579 --> 00:17:21.500 as the means, 00:17:21.500 --> 00:17:22.259 of how God, 00:17:22.259 --> 00:17:22.900 would save, 00:17:22.900 --> 00:17:23.559 his people, 00:17:23.559 --> 00:17:24.779 in the end. 00:17:26.900 --> 00:17:27.259 Here, 00:17:27.380 --> 00:17:28.319 we see the work, 00:17:28.559 --> 00:17:29.720 of God, 00:17:29.940 --> 00:17:30.799 in Christ, 00:17:31.480 --> 00:17:32.740 being vindicated, 00:17:32.740 --> 00:17:35.339 by his eternal word. 00:17:35.339 --> 00:17:36.579 what has happened, 00:17:36.579 --> 00:17:36.599 what has happened, 00:17:36.599 --> 00:17:38.139 is of no surprise, 00:17:38.240 --> 00:17:38.779 to God, 00:17:39.139 --> 00:17:39.980 or to Jesus, 00:17:40.619 --> 00:17:41.959 but always part, 00:17:42.059 --> 00:17:42.559 of the plan, 00:17:42.639 --> 00:17:43.459 from the very beginning. 00:17:46.659 --> 00:17:47.399 It's beginning, 00:17:47.480 --> 00:17:48.019 to dawn, 00:17:48.179 --> 00:17:49.019 on these two, 00:17:49.119 --> 00:17:50.039 disciples, 00:17:50.959 --> 00:17:51.799 what's been happening, 00:17:51.799 --> 00:17:53.240 and they urged, 00:17:53.240 --> 00:17:53.940 the stranger, 00:17:54.419 --> 00:17:55.339 to come back, 00:17:55.440 --> 00:17:56.099 to their house, 00:17:56.359 --> 00:17:56.980 to have dinner, 00:17:56.980 --> 00:17:57.500 with them. 00:17:58.440 --> 00:17:59.559 And this is what takes place, 00:17:59.619 --> 00:18:00.419 it's very astounding. 00:18:00.579 --> 00:18:01.119 Verse 30, 00:18:01.700 --> 00:18:03.019 when he was at the table, 00:18:03.019 --> 00:18:03.480 with them, 00:18:03.559 --> 00:18:04.419 he took bread, 00:18:04.980 --> 00:18:05.740 gave thanks, 00:18:06.299 --> 00:18:06.859 broke it, 00:18:07.139 --> 00:18:08.399 and began to give it to them. 00:18:09.339 --> 00:18:10.740 Then their eyes were opened, 00:18:11.480 --> 00:18:12.659 and they recognized him, 00:18:13.720 --> 00:18:14.720 and he disappeared, 00:18:14.720 --> 00:18:15.440 from their sight. 00:18:16.579 --> 00:18:17.339 He took bread, 00:18:18.279 --> 00:18:19.059 gave thanks, 00:18:19.059 --> 00:18:20.659 and broke it, 00:18:21.240 --> 00:18:22.700 and began to give it to them. 00:18:23.859 --> 00:18:25.159 What does that sound like, 00:18:25.240 --> 00:18:25.599 to you? 00:18:27.159 --> 00:18:27.960 It's just something, 00:18:28.079 --> 00:18:28.799 we just did. 00:18:29.779 --> 00:18:30.259 Communion. 00:18:31.019 --> 00:18:31.759 Or in other words, 00:18:32.019 --> 00:18:32.399 here, 00:18:32.679 --> 00:18:33.599 the Passover meal. 00:18:34.339 --> 00:18:35.379 The Passover meal, 00:18:35.460 --> 00:18:36.619 was celebrated each year, 00:18:36.659 --> 00:18:37.740 by the Jewish people, 00:18:38.740 --> 00:18:39.359 in remembrance, 00:18:39.500 --> 00:18:40.299 of how God, 00:18:40.440 --> 00:18:41.819 saved us, 00:18:42.279 --> 00:18:43.500 from being enslaved, 00:18:43.619 --> 00:18:44.099 to the Egyptians. 00:18:45.079 --> 00:18:46.200 Jesus then celebrated, 00:18:46.419 --> 00:18:47.179 with his disciples, 00:18:47.399 --> 00:18:48.919 just before his death, 00:18:49.059 --> 00:18:50.339 in order to redefine it, 00:18:50.359 --> 00:18:51.440 to show that he was now, 00:18:51.440 --> 00:18:52.759 going to save his people, 00:18:53.480 --> 00:18:54.799 through his sacrifice, 00:18:55.299 --> 00:18:56.179 on the cross, 00:18:56.779 --> 00:18:57.559 as his body, 00:18:57.700 --> 00:18:58.419 was being broken, 00:18:58.559 --> 00:18:59.240 and his blood, 00:18:59.399 --> 00:19:00.419 being poured out. 00:19:01.679 --> 00:19:03.299 That we might be saved, 00:19:03.419 --> 00:19:04.159 from our sins, 00:19:04.539 --> 00:19:04.940 just, 00:19:05.480 --> 00:19:05.899 as that, 00:19:06.220 --> 00:19:07.299 Israel had been saved, 00:19:07.379 --> 00:19:08.419 all those years, 00:19:08.779 --> 00:19:09.139 ago. 00:19:12.819 --> 00:19:13.779 And so when Jesus, 00:19:13.980 --> 00:19:14.659 breaks the bread, 00:19:16.000 --> 00:19:17.019 and gives it to them, 00:19:17.019 --> 00:19:19.639 they finally see, 00:19:20.400 --> 00:19:21.799 this is Jesus. 00:19:23.039 --> 00:19:23.859 This is the one, 00:19:23.940 --> 00:19:25.039 who broke his body for me. 00:19:25.779 --> 00:19:26.740 This is the one, 00:19:26.819 --> 00:19:27.839 who went to the cross, 00:19:28.180 --> 00:19:28.559 died, 00:19:29.500 --> 00:19:30.039 that I might, 00:19:30.400 --> 00:19:31.420 be free from my sin, 00:19:31.460 --> 00:19:32.359 and now he's risen, 00:19:33.720 --> 00:19:34.799 that I can have life. 00:19:36.180 --> 00:19:36.960 And as soon as, 00:19:37.019 --> 00:19:37.980 their eyes are opened, 00:19:39.139 --> 00:19:39.940 he's gone, 00:19:40.680 --> 00:19:41.160 disappears. 00:19:41.160 --> 00:19:44.200 But finally, 00:19:44.640 --> 00:19:45.160 they see. 00:19:45.680 --> 00:19:46.259 And finally, 00:19:46.540 --> 00:19:47.820 they have brought up to us, 00:19:48.160 --> 00:19:48.640 the reader, 00:19:49.560 --> 00:19:50.740 who we've known all along, 00:19:50.860 --> 00:19:51.480 who is Jesus. 00:19:52.620 --> 00:19:53.720 Now they see as well, 00:19:53.820 --> 00:19:54.720 that Jesus' death, 00:19:55.000 --> 00:19:55.700 and resurrection, 00:19:55.860 --> 00:19:56.640 is not some, 00:19:56.640 --> 00:19:58.500 event that's out of place. 00:19:59.180 --> 00:20:00.380 It is the culmination, 00:20:00.380 --> 00:20:01.940 of what God has always planned, 00:20:02.040 --> 00:20:03.000 in his word. 00:20:03.160 --> 00:20:04.420 It can be testified, 00:20:04.700 --> 00:20:05.200 and grounded, 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:07.220 in the word of God. 00:20:07.980 --> 00:20:09.460 And it's been expressed now, 00:20:09.460 --> 00:20:11.680 in the visible word as well, 00:20:12.180 --> 00:20:13.000 the communion meal, 00:20:13.100 --> 00:20:14.000 the Passover meal, 00:20:14.440 --> 00:20:15.259 which we celebrate, 00:20:15.579 --> 00:20:16.500 just earlier on. 00:20:17.460 --> 00:20:18.539 Christ has completed, 00:20:18.660 --> 00:20:20.279 the work of salvation, 00:20:20.519 --> 00:20:21.400 through his death, 00:20:21.880 --> 00:20:22.519 and resurrection. 00:20:22.860 --> 00:20:24.299 And the word of God, 00:20:24.640 --> 00:20:25.700 vindicates it. 00:20:26.640 --> 00:20:27.559 And he himself, 00:20:27.640 --> 00:20:28.180 is the one, 00:20:28.420 --> 00:20:29.380 to explain it. 00:20:29.579 --> 00:20:30.779 But there are still questions. 00:20:32.240 --> 00:20:32.779 Is this, 00:20:32.779 --> 00:20:34.299 truly a resurrection? 00:20:35.360 --> 00:20:37.140 Or is Jesus a ghost, 00:20:37.539 --> 00:20:37.779 or an apparition, 00:20:38.700 --> 00:20:39.319 a spirit? 00:20:40.000 --> 00:20:40.279 I mean, 00:20:40.319 --> 00:20:41.819 he can just disappear like that. 00:20:42.259 --> 00:20:43.660 He can conceal himself. 00:20:44.380 --> 00:20:45.380 There are a lot of things, 00:20:45.480 --> 00:20:46.700 that we don't understand right now, 00:20:46.779 --> 00:20:48.319 about this resurrection. 00:20:48.940 --> 00:20:49.640 Which is why, 00:20:50.299 --> 00:20:51.940 Luke continues on, 00:20:52.620 --> 00:20:53.400 in his story, 00:20:53.799 --> 00:20:54.779 unfolding the narrative, 00:20:55.259 --> 00:20:56.079 of the disciples, 00:20:56.299 --> 00:20:57.319 discovering the resurrection. 00:20:57.860 --> 00:20:59.120 The third piece of evidence, 00:20:59.460 --> 00:21:00.100 we have here, 00:21:00.160 --> 00:21:01.740 is Jesus himself, 00:21:02.240 --> 00:21:03.019 in the flesh. 00:21:03.640 --> 00:21:04.200 The two men, 00:21:04.240 --> 00:21:04.799 had gone back, 00:21:04.920 --> 00:21:05.440 to the disciples, 00:21:05.559 --> 00:21:06.519 to explain what had happened, 00:21:06.519 --> 00:21:07.240 along the road. 00:21:07.819 --> 00:21:08.380 And before they could, 00:21:08.380 --> 00:21:09.380 even finish speaking, 00:21:09.460 --> 00:21:10.220 to the disciples, 00:21:10.860 --> 00:21:11.460 bam, 00:21:11.579 --> 00:21:12.299 there is Jesus, 00:21:12.539 --> 00:21:13.539 in the middle of the room, 00:21:13.900 --> 00:21:14.400 with them, 00:21:14.799 --> 00:21:15.160 saying, 00:21:15.360 --> 00:21:15.759 peace, 00:21:16.340 --> 00:21:17.180 be with you. 00:21:17.819 --> 00:21:18.640 Not like, 00:21:18.700 --> 00:21:19.860 on the road to Emmaus, 00:21:20.220 --> 00:21:21.360 he comes suddenly, 00:21:21.500 --> 00:21:22.059 and he stuttle, 00:21:22.059 --> 00:21:22.659 everyone, 00:21:22.659 --> 00:21:23.700 and everyone, 00:21:23.700 --> 00:21:24.339 and everyone can see, 00:21:24.480 --> 00:21:25.299 who it is. 00:21:26.220 --> 00:21:26.919 It is Jesus. 00:21:27.519 --> 00:21:28.379 He is risen. 00:21:28.919 --> 00:21:29.259 Jesus, 00:21:29.399 --> 00:21:30.419 in all his glory, 00:21:30.559 --> 00:21:31.139 and splendor, 00:21:31.159 --> 00:21:31.599 who has come, 00:21:31.679 --> 00:21:32.460 to bring peace, 00:21:32.619 --> 00:21:33.179 on earth, 00:21:33.240 --> 00:21:34.940 appears before the disciples, 00:21:35.059 --> 00:21:35.720 to confirm, 00:21:35.859 --> 00:21:36.919 that he is alive, 00:21:37.539 --> 00:21:38.240 that what he did, 00:21:38.259 --> 00:21:38.740 on the cross, 00:21:38.799 --> 00:21:40.079 was effective for us, 00:21:40.779 --> 00:21:41.639 that his resurrection, 00:21:41.839 --> 00:21:42.119 now, 00:21:42.519 --> 00:21:43.159 confirms, 00:21:43.419 --> 00:21:44.119 that power, 00:21:44.179 --> 00:21:44.759 and that work. 00:21:45.859 --> 00:21:46.700 But the disciples, 00:21:46.859 --> 00:21:47.460 they're afraid. 00:21:48.339 --> 00:21:49.019 They're not really sure, 00:21:49.019 --> 00:21:50.019 to think here. 00:21:50.700 --> 00:21:51.379 Jesus points, 00:21:51.480 --> 00:21:52.059 to his body, 00:21:52.180 --> 00:21:53.319 look at my hands, 00:21:53.420 --> 00:21:54.480 and look at my feet, 00:21:55.379 --> 00:21:56.119 pointing out the fact, 00:21:56.220 --> 00:21:57.180 that he probably had, 00:21:57.379 --> 00:21:58.440 nails driven through, 00:21:58.839 --> 00:21:59.200 both. 00:21:59.700 --> 00:22:00.500 And the scars, 00:22:00.599 --> 00:22:01.339 were to remain. 00:22:03.139 --> 00:22:04.019 But they still, 00:22:04.099 --> 00:22:04.759 are not sure. 00:22:04.960 --> 00:22:05.400 They still, 00:22:05.579 --> 00:22:06.240 are excited. 00:22:06.400 --> 00:22:06.839 They're like, 00:22:06.900 --> 00:22:07.059 wow, 00:22:07.119 --> 00:22:07.500 he's back, 00:22:07.539 --> 00:22:07.960 he's alive, 00:22:08.059 --> 00:22:09.460 but we're just not sure, 00:22:10.079 --> 00:22:11.220 about the nature of this. 00:22:11.339 --> 00:22:12.339 And so they get Jesus, 00:22:12.920 --> 00:22:14.119 or Jesus asks actually, 00:22:14.519 --> 00:22:15.440 for a broiled fish, 00:22:15.599 --> 00:22:16.000 to eat. 00:22:16.660 --> 00:22:17.339 And he's showing, 00:22:17.440 --> 00:22:18.700 that as he eats the fish, 00:22:19.019 --> 00:22:20.119 he is human, 00:22:20.259 --> 00:22:21.099 he is embodied, 00:22:21.259 --> 00:22:22.180 that he can eat, 00:22:22.279 --> 00:22:23.619 and digest food. 00:22:24.339 --> 00:22:25.400 He's not some ghost, 00:22:25.460 --> 00:22:27.000 he's not some spirit apparition, 00:22:27.339 --> 00:22:28.539 he is human. 00:22:29.400 --> 00:22:30.879 He is fully God, 00:22:30.879 --> 00:22:32.259 and fully man. 00:22:34.400 --> 00:22:35.240 But again, 00:22:35.359 --> 00:22:37.019 like the previous examples, 00:22:37.920 --> 00:22:39.059 it's not until Jesus, 00:22:39.220 --> 00:22:40.299 actually opens, 00:22:40.379 --> 00:22:41.460 the disciples' minds, 00:22:41.619 --> 00:22:42.180 to the scriptures, 00:22:42.819 --> 00:22:43.980 concerning himself, 00:22:44.139 --> 00:22:45.099 concerning the resurrection, 00:22:45.940 --> 00:22:47.299 do they actually, 00:22:47.539 --> 00:22:48.900 understand what's going on. 00:22:49.900 --> 00:22:50.359 It says, 00:22:50.359 --> 00:22:51.680 it says in verse 44, 00:22:52.480 --> 00:22:54.059 this is what I told you, 00:22:54.619 --> 00:22:56.359 while I was still alive with you. 00:22:57.139 --> 00:22:58.539 Everything must be fulfilled, 00:22:58.980 --> 00:23:00.099 that is written about me, 00:23:00.180 --> 00:23:01.160 in the law of Moses, 00:23:01.299 --> 00:23:02.539 the prophets and the Psalms. 00:23:03.079 --> 00:23:04.779 Then he opened their minds, 00:23:05.099 --> 00:23:06.220 so they could understand, 00:23:06.319 --> 00:23:06.740 the scriptures. 00:23:07.960 --> 00:23:09.680 They had everything now, 00:23:09.799 --> 00:23:10.799 that they needed to know. 00:23:11.460 --> 00:23:13.000 They had the end to him. 00:23:13.779 --> 00:23:14.460 The revelation, 00:23:14.460 --> 00:23:14.480 the revelation, 00:23:15.019 --> 00:23:16.000 of God's word. 00:23:16.619 --> 00:23:17.940 Jesus' death and resurrection, 00:23:18.079 --> 00:23:19.460 as the means of saving them, 00:23:19.960 --> 00:23:20.700 from their sin, 00:23:20.819 --> 00:23:21.720 and how the word of God, 00:23:21.839 --> 00:23:22.700 vindicates that. 00:23:23.400 --> 00:23:24.460 And now they had Jesus himself, 00:23:25.460 --> 00:23:26.480 in the flesh, 00:23:27.019 --> 00:23:27.859 before them, 00:23:28.220 --> 00:23:28.740 fully God, 00:23:28.799 --> 00:23:29.440 and fully man, 00:23:30.119 --> 00:23:30.559 resurrected. 00:23:31.900 --> 00:23:32.819 Luke's aim, 00:23:33.000 --> 00:23:34.240 to make us certain, 00:23:34.599 --> 00:23:35.299 is complete. 00:23:36.240 --> 00:23:37.039 There can be, 00:23:37.119 --> 00:23:37.759 no question. 00:23:37.759 --> 00:23:39.420 Having taken our place, 00:23:40.200 --> 00:23:41.539 in the disciples' journey, 00:23:41.700 --> 00:23:42.379 understanding, 00:23:42.660 --> 00:23:43.400 we can see, 00:23:43.539 --> 00:23:44.619 as they see now, 00:23:45.299 --> 00:23:47.019 that Jesus is alive, 00:23:47.099 --> 00:23:48.000 and he reigns, 00:23:48.359 --> 00:23:49.700 and this is certain. 00:23:50.799 --> 00:23:51.740 Some of you, 00:23:51.879 --> 00:23:53.619 might want to be wondering still, 00:23:53.759 --> 00:23:55.019 but how do you know? 00:23:55.599 --> 00:23:56.700 How can you be sure, 00:23:56.839 --> 00:23:58.160 that Luke's not making this up? 00:23:58.559 --> 00:23:59.559 How can you be sure, 00:23:59.660 --> 00:24:00.619 how can you know for certain, 00:24:00.700 --> 00:24:01.579 that someone has not, 00:24:01.720 --> 00:24:03.200 edited the documents, 00:24:03.500 --> 00:24:04.240 along the way, 00:24:04.319 --> 00:24:05.240 in the path of history? 00:24:06.339 --> 00:24:07.140 How do you know, 00:24:07.140 --> 00:24:07.620 still, 00:24:07.759 --> 00:24:08.620 even if it is true, 00:24:09.000 --> 00:24:09.700 that God, 00:24:10.300 --> 00:24:10.880 loves me? 00:24:12.460 --> 00:24:13.820 That's a very good question. 00:24:14.880 --> 00:24:16.440 We don't want to be like, 00:24:16.860 --> 00:24:18.500 the Harold Campions of the world, 00:24:19.060 --> 00:24:20.000 to put our faith, 00:24:20.100 --> 00:24:20.640 in something, 00:24:21.000 --> 00:24:21.780 that in the end, 00:24:21.880 --> 00:24:22.960 just proves us wrong. 00:24:23.680 --> 00:24:25.020 To believe something, 00:24:25.120 --> 00:24:25.880 and to be made a fool, 00:24:25.960 --> 00:24:26.360 because, 00:24:26.880 --> 00:24:27.480 it was wrong. 00:24:28.840 --> 00:24:29.759 Now there's a long answer, 00:24:29.780 --> 00:24:30.440 to that question, 00:24:30.860 --> 00:24:32.020 but for the sake of time, 00:24:32.080 --> 00:24:33.280 I'll just say a few things. 00:24:34.140 --> 00:24:35.080 Most historians, 00:24:35.080 --> 00:24:35.900 will tell you, 00:24:35.900 --> 00:24:37.100 the Bible, 00:24:37.600 --> 00:24:38.960 particularly the New Testament, 00:24:39.240 --> 00:24:39.820 is the most, 00:24:40.220 --> 00:24:42.019 it was the best preserved document, 00:24:42.160 --> 00:24:42.640 we have, 00:24:42.759 --> 00:24:43.440 in antiquity. 00:24:44.880 --> 00:24:46.600 We have so many manuscripts, 00:24:46.740 --> 00:24:47.640 and I can't stress that, 00:24:47.720 --> 00:24:49.259 we have so many manuscripts, 00:24:49.460 --> 00:24:50.220 of the Gospels, 00:24:50.480 --> 00:24:51.600 and of the New Testament letters, 00:24:51.960 --> 00:24:53.340 that date so closely, 00:24:53.500 --> 00:24:54.640 to their autographs, 00:24:54.900 --> 00:24:56.040 that's just overwhelming, 00:24:56.220 --> 00:24:57.400 the data is overwhelming, 00:24:57.400 --> 00:24:58.120 for us, 00:24:58.460 --> 00:24:59.240 in regards to, 00:24:59.240 --> 00:25:00.079 how much, 00:25:00.799 --> 00:25:01.519 of the sources, 00:25:01.680 --> 00:25:02.140 that are there. 00:25:03.099 --> 00:25:03.539 One, 00:25:04.380 --> 00:25:05.599 non-Christian, 00:25:06.079 --> 00:25:07.180 historian says this, 00:25:07.279 --> 00:25:08.460 about the Gospel story, 00:25:08.620 --> 00:25:10.000 about the Easter story. 00:25:10.940 --> 00:25:12.180 If the defeated, 00:25:12.380 --> 00:25:13.359 and depressed group, 00:25:13.799 --> 00:25:14.460 of disciples, 00:25:14.599 --> 00:25:14.940 overnight, 00:25:15.039 --> 00:25:15.740 could change, 00:25:16.140 --> 00:25:17.059 into a victorious, 00:25:17.359 --> 00:25:18.180 movement of faith, 00:25:18.680 --> 00:25:19.599 based only on, 00:25:19.680 --> 00:25:20.740 auto-suggestion, 00:25:20.980 --> 00:25:22.120 or self-deception, 00:25:22.559 --> 00:25:23.319 without a fundamental, 00:25:23.440 --> 00:25:24.460 faith experience, 00:25:24.460 --> 00:25:25.740 then this would be, 00:25:25.740 --> 00:25:27.120 a much greater miracle, 00:25:27.740 --> 00:25:29.039 than the resurrection itself. 00:25:29.640 --> 00:25:30.519 In a purely, 00:25:30.799 --> 00:25:32.079 logical analysis, 00:25:32.319 --> 00:25:33.360 the resurrection of Jesus, 00:25:33.500 --> 00:25:34.240 is the lesser, 00:25:34.740 --> 00:25:35.819 of two evils. 00:25:36.620 --> 00:25:37.539 For all those, 00:25:37.579 --> 00:25:38.120 who seek, 00:25:38.240 --> 00:25:39.640 a rational explanation, 00:25:40.160 --> 00:25:40.819 of the worldwide, 00:25:40.980 --> 00:25:41.600 consequences, 00:25:41.860 --> 00:25:42.880 of that Easter faith. 00:25:43.940 --> 00:25:44.720 Another guy, 00:25:45.120 --> 00:25:46.160 non-Christian historian, 00:25:46.500 --> 00:25:46.960 as well, 00:25:47.079 --> 00:25:47.720 says this, 00:25:48.700 --> 00:25:50.000 I do not regard, 00:25:50.259 --> 00:25:51.519 the deliberate fraud, 00:25:51.940 --> 00:25:52.759 as a worthwhile, 00:25:52.759 --> 00:25:53.500 explanation. 00:25:54.460 --> 00:25:55.279 Many of the people, 00:25:55.420 --> 00:25:56.279 in these lists, 00:25:56.400 --> 00:25:56.920 of witnesses, 00:25:57.480 --> 00:25:57.980 were to spend, 00:25:58.099 --> 00:25:59.380 the rest of their lives, 00:25:59.480 --> 00:26:00.079 proclaiming, 00:26:00.140 --> 00:26:00.980 that they had seen, 00:26:01.140 --> 00:26:02.240 the risen Lord. 00:26:03.000 --> 00:26:04.059 And several of them, 00:26:04.200 --> 00:26:05.339 would die for their cause. 00:26:06.259 --> 00:26:07.579 That Jesus' followers, 00:26:07.819 --> 00:26:08.700 and later Paul, 00:26:09.059 --> 00:26:10.819 had resurrection experiences, 00:26:11.279 --> 00:26:11.599 is, 00:26:11.839 --> 00:26:12.740 in my judgment, 00:26:13.380 --> 00:26:14.000 a fact. 00:26:16.380 --> 00:26:18.180 What the reality was, 00:26:18.539 --> 00:26:19.500 that gave rise, 00:26:19.500 --> 00:26:20.319 to the experiences, 00:26:20.880 --> 00:26:21.839 I do not know. 00:26:21.839 --> 00:26:24.439 Isn't that incredible? 00:26:25.220 --> 00:26:25.919 That we can have, 00:26:26.159 --> 00:26:26.599 before us, 00:26:26.679 --> 00:26:27.819 a non-Christian historian, 00:26:28.000 --> 00:26:28.259 say, 00:26:28.500 --> 00:26:30.139 what we have here, 00:26:30.179 --> 00:26:30.799 in the gospels, 00:26:30.859 --> 00:26:31.339 is true. 00:26:32.059 --> 00:26:32.939 So true, 00:26:33.039 --> 00:26:33.980 that I do believe, 00:26:34.059 --> 00:26:34.819 that they witness, 00:26:34.980 --> 00:26:35.879 or experience, 00:26:36.199 --> 00:26:36.799 a resurrection, 00:26:36.799 --> 00:26:37.639 of some sort. 00:26:37.899 --> 00:26:39.019 I just don't know, 00:26:39.099 --> 00:26:40.519 exactly what that looked like. 00:26:42.299 --> 00:26:43.619 The historicity, 00:26:44.259 --> 00:26:45.459 of the gospel message, 00:26:45.759 --> 00:26:46.799 the Easter story, 00:26:46.799 --> 00:26:48.579 is valid. 00:26:49.059 --> 00:26:50.399 Luke's account here, 00:26:50.899 --> 00:26:52.180 is valid. 00:26:53.039 --> 00:26:54.039 The question though, 00:26:54.819 --> 00:26:56.220 is do you accept it? 00:26:57.319 --> 00:26:58.220 Do you accept, 00:26:58.519 --> 00:26:59.819 what Luke labored, 00:26:59.899 --> 00:27:00.700 to make certain? 00:27:01.159 --> 00:27:01.919 Do you believe, 00:27:02.079 --> 00:27:02.659 that Jesus, 00:27:03.180 --> 00:27:04.259 rose from the dead, 00:27:04.440 --> 00:27:05.659 and that profoundly, 00:27:06.180 --> 00:27:06.740 impacts you? 00:27:07.500 --> 00:27:08.619 What will you do? 00:27:09.500 --> 00:27:10.740 How will you respond? 00:27:10.740 --> 00:27:14.000 The disciples, 00:27:14.120 --> 00:27:14.579 themselves, 00:27:14.680 --> 00:27:15.220 respond, 00:27:15.660 --> 00:27:16.900 by worshipping, 00:27:17.319 --> 00:27:17.640 God. 00:27:17.720 --> 00:27:18.500 As we told in, 00:27:18.599 --> 00:27:20.500 verses 52 and 53, 00:27:21.019 --> 00:27:21.680 they knew, 00:27:21.900 --> 00:27:22.339 finally, 00:27:22.759 --> 00:27:23.880 who Jesus was, 00:27:24.140 --> 00:27:24.960 that he had risen, 00:27:25.240 --> 00:27:25.859 from the dead, 00:27:25.940 --> 00:27:27.500 and the only proper response, 00:27:27.660 --> 00:27:28.539 was to worship, 00:27:29.039 --> 00:27:29.359 him. 00:27:30.259 --> 00:27:30.960 But let's look, 00:27:31.059 --> 00:27:32.160 how they worshipped. 00:27:32.940 --> 00:27:33.660 Verse 52, 00:27:33.799 --> 00:27:34.240 says this, 00:27:34.240 --> 00:27:35.400 Then they worshipped him, 00:27:35.460 --> 00:27:36.599 and returned to Jerusalem, 00:27:36.900 --> 00:27:38.180 with great joy. 00:27:39.099 --> 00:27:39.940 And they stayed, 00:27:40.099 --> 00:27:40.680 continually, 00:27:41.259 --> 00:27:41.980 at the temple, 00:27:42.640 --> 00:27:43.779 praising God. 00:27:45.279 --> 00:27:46.299 Their worship, 00:27:46.440 --> 00:27:47.079 was not, 00:27:47.700 --> 00:27:48.680 out of duty, 00:27:49.480 --> 00:27:50.759 or out of fear. 00:27:51.839 --> 00:27:53.740 They were worshipping God, 00:27:53.819 --> 00:27:54.920 with joy. 00:27:55.420 --> 00:27:56.420 So much joy, 00:27:56.480 --> 00:27:57.839 they could not contain it. 00:27:57.900 --> 00:27:58.680 They continued, 00:27:58.680 --> 00:27:59.400 to worship, 00:27:59.660 --> 00:28:00.539 in the temple, 00:28:00.859 --> 00:28:01.799 because Jesus, 00:28:02.200 --> 00:28:03.180 was king, 00:28:03.319 --> 00:28:03.940 and saviour, 00:28:03.940 --> 00:28:05.220 and he was risen. 00:28:05.660 --> 00:28:06.720 They now had hope. 00:28:07.039 --> 00:28:07.820 They had hope, 00:28:07.900 --> 00:28:08.759 for their future, 00:28:09.039 --> 00:28:09.759 as followers, 00:28:10.100 --> 00:28:10.840 of Jesus, 00:28:11.180 --> 00:28:12.059 who was alive, 00:28:12.340 --> 00:28:12.779 which meant, 00:28:12.900 --> 00:28:13.480 they could live, 00:28:13.600 --> 00:28:14.220 well now, 00:28:14.320 --> 00:28:15.059 in the present, 00:28:15.180 --> 00:28:15.820 with joy, 00:28:15.960 --> 00:28:16.700 and with hope. 00:28:18.200 --> 00:28:19.100 And here's why. 00:28:20.080 --> 00:28:20.840 The resurrection, 00:28:21.259 --> 00:28:22.700 gives us certainty, 00:28:23.140 --> 00:28:24.400 that Jesus' death, 00:28:25.000 --> 00:28:26.140 paid for our sin, 00:28:26.420 --> 00:28:27.360 showing that God, 00:28:27.360 --> 00:28:28.360 does love you, 00:28:28.360 --> 00:28:29.320 and wants you, 00:28:29.519 --> 00:28:30.160 in relationship, 00:28:30.380 --> 00:28:30.960 with him. 00:28:31.640 --> 00:28:32.380 The resurrection, 00:28:32.740 --> 00:28:33.720 gives us certainty, 00:28:33.720 --> 00:28:34.299 that death, 00:28:34.380 --> 00:28:35.160 is not the end, 00:28:35.220 --> 00:28:35.640 that death, 00:28:35.640 --> 00:28:36.799 has been swallowed up, 00:28:36.980 --> 00:28:37.920 in victory, 00:28:38.380 --> 00:28:39.420 through the resurrection. 00:28:40.539 --> 00:28:41.839 And so we can look forward, 00:28:41.940 --> 00:28:42.940 to eternal life. 00:28:43.720 --> 00:28:44.460 We have hope, 00:28:44.539 --> 00:28:45.500 beyond this world, 00:28:45.579 --> 00:28:46.620 we're not consumed, 00:28:46.620 --> 00:28:47.259 by this world, 00:28:47.339 --> 00:28:47.700 or overcome, 00:28:48.059 --> 00:28:48.680 by this world, 00:28:48.860 --> 00:28:49.600 by the pain, 00:28:49.700 --> 00:28:50.180 and the suffering, 00:28:50.279 --> 00:28:51.240 we experience here. 00:28:51.600 --> 00:28:52.620 We can look forward, 00:28:52.720 --> 00:28:53.299 to when God, 00:28:53.380 --> 00:28:53.799 is going to make, 00:28:53.880 --> 00:28:54.839 all things new, 00:28:55.720 --> 00:28:57.000 where there's no more tears, 00:28:57.660 --> 00:28:58.579 and no more pain. 00:28:58.579 --> 00:29:02.639 And such a wonderful promise, 00:29:02.859 --> 00:29:03.659 in the resurrection, 00:29:04.279 --> 00:29:04.759 bids, 00:29:04.899 --> 00:29:06.359 only one response, 00:29:07.399 --> 00:29:08.019 and that, 00:29:08.159 --> 00:29:09.000 is worship. 00:29:10.579 --> 00:29:11.699 We can have hope, 00:29:11.819 --> 00:29:12.500 in this life. 00:29:13.079 --> 00:29:14.039 We can have hope, 00:29:14.220 --> 00:29:14.839 now, 00:29:14.960 --> 00:29:15.639 for eternity. 00:29:16.299 --> 00:29:17.299 And it's based, 00:29:17.500 --> 00:29:18.179 in the risen, 00:29:18.779 --> 00:29:19.480 Lord Jesus. 00:29:19.480 --> 00:29:22.200 It's a hope, 00:29:22.440 --> 00:29:23.440 that anchors us, 00:29:24.039 --> 00:29:24.920 in this life, 00:29:25.460 --> 00:29:26.160 through the ups, 00:29:26.240 --> 00:29:26.839 and downs. 00:29:27.319 --> 00:29:27.839 A hope, 00:29:28.079 --> 00:29:29.059 that enables us, 00:29:29.120 --> 00:29:29.860 to live well, 00:29:30.640 --> 00:29:31.440 in the midst, 00:29:31.500 --> 00:29:31.880 of pain, 00:29:31.940 --> 00:29:32.460 and suffering. 00:29:35.259 --> 00:29:35.980 A hope, 00:29:36.079 --> 00:29:36.940 that we get to look forward, 00:29:37.099 --> 00:29:37.680 to one day, 00:29:37.779 --> 00:29:38.319 seeing God, 00:29:38.440 --> 00:29:39.259 face to face, 00:29:39.360 --> 00:29:40.319 and to be with him, 00:29:40.700 --> 00:29:41.380 for eternity. 00:29:44.140 --> 00:29:45.160 Because of this hope, 00:29:45.220 --> 00:29:45.759 we can say, 00:29:45.839 --> 00:29:46.180 with Paul, 00:29:46.279 --> 00:29:46.900 in Romans 8, 00:29:47.880 --> 00:29:48.759 for I am convinced, 00:29:48.819 --> 00:29:49.440 that neither death, 00:29:49.480 --> 00:29:50.279 nor life, 00:29:50.880 --> 00:29:51.519 neither angels, 00:29:51.640 --> 00:29:52.160 nor demons, 00:29:52.680 --> 00:29:53.299 neither the present, 00:29:53.339 --> 00:29:53.880 nor the future, 00:29:54.000 --> 00:29:54.660 nor any power, 00:29:54.779 --> 00:29:55.680 neither height, 00:29:55.799 --> 00:29:56.380 nor depth, 00:29:56.980 --> 00:29:57.839 nor anything else, 00:29:57.880 --> 00:29:58.799 in all creation, 00:29:59.380 --> 00:29:59.779 will be able, 00:29:59.779 --> 00:30:00.660 to separate us, 00:30:00.700 --> 00:30:01.599 from the love of God, 00:30:02.039 --> 00:30:03.579 that is in Christ Jesus, 00:30:04.120 --> 00:30:04.700 our Lord. 00:30:05.900 --> 00:30:06.860 Who is alive, 00:30:07.759 --> 00:30:08.680 who loves you, 00:30:09.920 --> 00:30:10.700 who has made, 00:30:10.779 --> 00:30:11.720 a way for you, 00:30:11.720 --> 00:30:12.660 to be saved. 00:30:13.960 --> 00:30:15.259 So how will you, 00:30:15.339 --> 00:30:15.740 respond? 00:30:16.779 --> 00:30:17.900 Will you join, 00:30:18.039 --> 00:30:18.900 in on the worship, 00:30:18.900 --> 00:30:20.300 of your Lord, 00:30:20.700 --> 00:30:21.500 and Savior. 00:30:21.500 --> 00:30:21.600 Amen.