WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.580 Well, good morning, everyone. My name is Nick. I am pastor for discipleship here at this church. 00:00:04.580 --> 00:00:08.560 It's my joy to be sharing God's word with you on this Easter day. 00:00:09.220 --> 00:00:16.160 On Friday, we heard the gravity of Jesus last night before his death. 00:00:16.160 --> 00:00:27.240 That in the Gethsemane Garden, Jesus glimpsed the cup of God's wrath that he must drink for the sin of all humanity. 00:00:27.239 --> 00:00:34.060 But it was not the pain or the shame or the torture of his death that was causing him to sweat blood. 00:00:34.339 --> 00:00:43.759 It was the abandonment from God, his Father, if he continued to plan their plan to save the world. 00:00:44.799 --> 00:00:51.560 Jesus showed us that there is nothing worse than being torn apart from God, the Father. 00:00:51.560 --> 00:01:00.960 And Jesus faced that greatest loss to give us the greatest thing imaginable, to have God. 00:01:02.280 --> 00:01:11.260 And on the third day after Jesus' burial on the cross, his followers were trying to come to grips with a similar loss. 00:01:11.260 --> 00:01:16.540 Because they thought they had found God, but he was dead. 00:01:18.560 --> 00:01:22.260 They'd lost God and they'd lost all their hope. 00:01:24.620 --> 00:01:29.000 The man on the screen, well, thank you tech team for trying to make things work. 00:01:29.260 --> 00:01:31.120 Can you see this strange looking man up here? 00:01:31.640 --> 00:01:32.800 His name is Pete Holmes. 00:01:32.799 --> 00:01:35.879 He is a fairly famous comedian. 00:01:36.480 --> 00:01:43.939 And he has this perspective that he brings into his comedy act about God and people. 00:01:44.459 --> 00:01:52.079 He thinks it's ridiculous that we as humans could ever think that we might be able to understand who God is. 00:01:52.679 --> 00:01:58.479 He says that humanity is, together we are like characters in a book. 00:01:58.480 --> 00:02:06.500 Characters in a book written by an author, but we can't get to the author. 00:02:06.719 --> 00:02:12.800 We can't get ourselves out of the book because God, we are in it and God is not in it. 00:02:12.900 --> 00:02:14.340 We are stuck in the book. 00:02:14.460 --> 00:02:20.819 We are like Harry Potter trying to figure out who J.K. Rowling is. 00:02:23.719 --> 00:02:27.219 Some of the author is reflected in Harry. 00:02:28.479 --> 00:02:33.239 As Pete says, like some of God is reflected in us. 00:02:33.299 --> 00:02:38.159 But that's as far as we can hope according to this guy. 00:02:39.259 --> 00:02:42.719 And this is helpful because, not because Pete is right, 00:02:43.560 --> 00:02:53.179 but because it shows how aware we in our world often are of our hopelessness without God. 00:02:53.180 --> 00:02:59.219 Even if we can see that there is an author and a writer and a creator of all of this, 00:03:00.060 --> 00:03:06.920 he needs to write himself into the story or else we have no way to have him. 00:03:08.300 --> 00:03:12.600 If we can't get God, there is no hope. 00:03:12.599 --> 00:03:18.400 The Bible describes human hopelessness very clearly. 00:03:19.280 --> 00:03:24.639 That all humanity is without hope and without God in the world. 00:03:25.780 --> 00:03:31.439 The world is our place and it seems like this is all we have while we live. 00:03:32.199 --> 00:03:40.699 We are hopeless spiritually without God and we are purposeless without meaning and hopeless. 00:03:40.699 --> 00:03:47.459 But Christians claim that there is proof that God wrote himself into the book. 00:03:48.439 --> 00:03:50.919 And when he didn't do it just to star in it, 00:03:51.259 --> 00:03:57.139 he did it to rescue the characters and give himself to us. 00:03:57.139 --> 00:04:09.319 So, we have Luke 24 before us and we're going to join Jesus' followers as they witness Jesus' unbelievable resurrection. 00:04:10.799 --> 00:04:18.539 The disciples were experiencing an acute spiritual hopelessness in this moment. 00:04:19.300 --> 00:04:20.519 They were anxious. 00:04:21.360 --> 00:04:23.779 They were asking, what do we do now? 00:04:23.979 --> 00:04:24.860 They had no leader. 00:04:24.860 --> 00:04:27.980 Their Messiah had just died. 00:04:28.699 --> 00:04:36.840 The disciple John adds in his gospel in chapter 20 that they even locked the door for fear of the Jewish authorities. 00:04:38.020 --> 00:04:40.379 Fearing violence against them. 00:04:42.080 --> 00:04:45.720 They were also disconnected, asking, who are we now? 00:04:46.460 --> 00:04:51.060 Earlier that day, two of the disciples had left Jerusalem. 00:04:51.060 --> 00:04:56.660 Instead of hiding in safety together, maybe that wasn't the safest option, they thought. 00:04:56.720 --> 00:04:58.019 And so, they left altogether. 00:04:59.680 --> 00:05:01.280 What if I stay with... 00:05:01.280 --> 00:05:03.680 Why would I stay with Jesus if he's not the Messiah? 00:05:06.379 --> 00:05:08.240 Incidentally, that was the video we were going to watch. 00:05:08.620 --> 00:05:14.079 We were going to hear about what happened on the road to Emmaus to those two disciples. 00:05:14.079 --> 00:05:18.319 And they were also confused. 00:05:19.919 --> 00:05:23.139 Do we dare hope that this isn't the end? 00:05:24.199 --> 00:05:28.240 Because that same two who left earlier that morning had now returned. 00:05:28.519 --> 00:05:30.000 They'd knocked on the locked door. 00:05:30.379 --> 00:05:32.399 They had said they'd seen Jesus. 00:05:33.279 --> 00:05:36.399 Luke even reports that Peter had seen Jesus too. 00:05:36.399 --> 00:05:46.479 And they either haven't heard or don't trust the women's report of the tomb being empty that Rachel read out during the singing today. 00:05:48.479 --> 00:05:50.079 They were standing in the locked room. 00:05:52.179 --> 00:05:56.359 Even hearing that angels had testified Jesus was alive. 00:05:56.679 --> 00:05:57.879 And they were wrestling. 00:05:59.079 --> 00:06:04.179 Would they give in to hope of these reports? 00:06:04.180 --> 00:06:06.160 Or would they give in to their doubt? 00:06:07.780 --> 00:06:11.500 And then in verse 36, as Janet read, Jesus appeared. 00:06:13.220 --> 00:06:15.180 And they still do not believe. 00:06:18.199 --> 00:06:21.560 Even when they heard his voice, they saw him. 00:06:21.840 --> 00:06:23.259 They saw his likeness. 00:06:24.840 --> 00:06:26.560 Standing in a locked room with them. 00:06:27.420 --> 00:06:30.259 They didn't lose their confusion or their unbelief. 00:06:30.259 --> 00:06:34.360 So how unbelievable is this hope? 00:06:35.060 --> 00:06:39.240 If you have a Bible in your hands, you hold eyewitness testimony. 00:06:39.959 --> 00:06:43.099 Gathered by a, what we now call Syrian. 00:06:44.060 --> 00:06:45.699 That's where Luke is from. 00:06:46.120 --> 00:06:48.379 Syrian, Greek-speaking journalist. 00:06:48.379 --> 00:06:56.300 Soon after these events occurred, he wrote all of this down to share it with you. 00:06:56.540 --> 00:07:02.680 And you need to decide whether it is reasonable to hope in something so unbelievable or not. 00:07:05.439 --> 00:07:10.920 There are four common doubts about Jesus' resurrection that this passage speaks against. 00:07:10.920 --> 00:07:17.920 And the first is to doubt the event itself, that the resurrection can't even happen. 00:07:18.680 --> 00:07:31.660 And for doubt to grow, for this doubt to grow, it's often planted in the assumption that people of this day weren't as educated as us nowadays. 00:07:32.580 --> 00:07:33.639 They were more gullible. 00:07:34.840 --> 00:07:36.120 They'd just believe anything. 00:07:37.700 --> 00:07:39.200 But this is upside down. 00:07:39.199 --> 00:07:40.539 Think about this. 00:07:41.019 --> 00:07:48.479 In modern day Chatswood, we are far more comfortable than Luke's audience with the idea that death can be held back. 00:07:48.819 --> 00:07:51.039 That death can be pushed away. 00:07:52.159 --> 00:07:56.759 Our life expectancies are more than double what they were back then. 00:07:57.939 --> 00:08:05.480 We have healthcare and medical miracles and resuscitations and those things that bring you back to life on the walls everywhere, 00:08:05.620 --> 00:08:08.279 including over there on the other side of church. 00:08:08.279 --> 00:08:09.379 It's common. 00:08:10.179 --> 00:08:17.399 But living under Rome, without hospitals, without modern medicine, death was closer than recovery. 00:08:18.500 --> 00:08:21.079 You cut your leg, it might be a death sentence. 00:08:21.079 --> 00:08:24.819 They were far more experienced with death. 00:08:24.919 --> 00:08:29.979 And arguably, they would have believed in a resurrection less than we might. 00:08:29.980 --> 00:08:44.840 But to add to this, no religion at the time in the known world included any expectations or the acceptance of a bodily resurrection. 00:08:44.840 --> 00:08:54.040 So, when the leaders of Israel react to Jesus being executed, 00:08:54.740 --> 00:09:01.120 they convince Pilate to seal Jesus' tomb and place a guard of Roman soldiers outside. 00:09:01.120 --> 00:09:03.960 Not because they were afraid of Jesus coming out. 00:09:04.779 --> 00:09:09.000 But because they'd heard what Jesus had said about rising again. 00:09:09.399 --> 00:09:14.899 And they worried that the disciples might break in and pretend that Jesus had risen. 00:09:15.019 --> 00:09:17.379 If you want to read about that, it's in Matthew 27. 00:09:17.379 --> 00:09:27.860 But even though Jesus had promised that he would rise, his disciples themselves had no belief the resurrection was possible. 00:09:28.600 --> 00:09:31.559 They made no attempt to fake it. 00:09:31.559 --> 00:09:39.159 Nobody in their right mind would create a story at the time based on resurrection. 00:09:41.019 --> 00:09:43.219 And that brings us to doubt too. 00:09:44.059 --> 00:09:46.679 The accounts of what happened must be fake. 00:09:48.979 --> 00:09:53.779 This assumes that the disciples in Luke created a lie, 00:09:55.599 --> 00:10:01.419 knowing that a Jewish audience would accept a resurrection. 00:10:02.479 --> 00:10:03.319 That's the assumption. 00:10:04.399 --> 00:10:07.639 Surely God's people expected their Messiah to rise. 00:10:08.179 --> 00:10:11.079 Well, according to modern day scholar N.T. Wright, 00:10:11.319 --> 00:10:17.439 there was no promise in the Old Testament of a bodily resurrection at all. 00:10:18.779 --> 00:10:19.659 Not one. 00:10:21.779 --> 00:10:26.559 The only similar resurrection is in Daniel 12 on the screen, verses 2 and 3. 00:10:26.879 --> 00:10:29.959 But it describes God's people rising together. 00:10:31.559 --> 00:10:33.359 Potentially the end of all things. 00:10:33.359 --> 00:10:34.899 With bodies that shine. 00:10:35.339 --> 00:10:39.819 Nothing like this mundane, normal body of Jesus that we've just heard about. 00:10:41.159 --> 00:10:47.000 Jesus' resurrection would have been the least believable lie that the disciples could tell. 00:10:49.399 --> 00:10:57.519 Luke is reporting eyewitness testimony that we must, just like them, either believe or make an alternative argument. 00:10:57.519 --> 00:11:05.439 You could start by trying to argue that, thirdly, the disciples didn't really believe Jesus had risen. 00:11:06.699 --> 00:11:10.419 And there's two reasons that doesn't make sense either. 00:11:10.419 --> 00:11:22.719 Firstly, some who were in that room in Luke 24 died testifying that Jesus was risen from the dead. 00:11:22.939 --> 00:11:25.259 Is a lie worth dying for? 00:11:25.259 --> 00:11:31.080 And they didn't just get killed because of their faith. 00:11:31.259 --> 00:11:33.159 They faced death with joy. 00:11:34.080 --> 00:11:39.919 Christians were known at the time to be hunted down and brutally killed while singing. 00:11:41.240 --> 00:11:42.299 They were joyful. 00:11:43.039 --> 00:11:45.899 They had the confidence that this was not going to be their end. 00:11:45.899 --> 00:11:51.539 That they too would be raised because they'd seen Jesus raised. 00:11:53.120 --> 00:11:56.459 And secondly, they lost the tomb. 00:11:57.679 --> 00:12:03.079 You can go to Jerusalem nowadays and you can pay money to see a tomb of Jesus. 00:12:03.419 --> 00:12:05.639 But there's no historical proof that that's the one. 00:12:06.220 --> 00:12:11.679 And the reason why we don't know where the tomb is is because the disciples lost it. 00:12:12.019 --> 00:12:12.879 No one cared. 00:12:12.879 --> 00:12:19.879 Church leaders ever since had graves that were venerated. 00:12:20.620 --> 00:12:25.759 People wrote down the date when they died and marked the place where they had been buried. 00:12:26.039 --> 00:12:30.840 People traveled long distances to pay respects to their church fathers. 00:12:31.460 --> 00:12:38.279 But the followers of Jesus completely forgot about Jesus' final resting place because he didn't have one. 00:12:38.279 --> 00:12:45.679 The disciples really believed that Jesus rose from the dead as a real person. 00:12:47.019 --> 00:12:51.480 And fourthly, they did not just have a spiritual experience. 00:12:53.480 --> 00:13:01.199 If you doubt that Jesus physically rose again in this passage, I offer you this. 00:13:01.200 --> 00:13:07.560 Did you think it was weird that Jesus asked to eat some fish? 00:13:08.700 --> 00:13:11.920 Why is this broiled fish story in there? 00:13:13.200 --> 00:13:14.800 It's so strange. 00:13:17.080 --> 00:13:26.060 Literature experts say that these kinds of verses in Luke prove that he's trying to convey history. 00:13:26.059 --> 00:13:28.539 Not write a myth or a legend. 00:13:29.699 --> 00:13:31.619 Because it makes no sense. 00:13:33.339 --> 00:13:39.500 Jesus either stood on the floor, talked, showed them the scars of his execution, 00:13:39.959 --> 00:13:43.339 and then asked to eat something and ate in front of them, 00:13:44.279 --> 00:13:47.339 or Luke's a crazy, terrible myth writer. 00:13:47.340 --> 00:13:54.100 It's far more likely, in fact, I believe it is true, 00:13:54.200 --> 00:13:59.920 that Luke is writing down what the disciples and he believe is the truth of what happened. 00:14:00.340 --> 00:14:01.440 That's Luke's testimony. 00:14:02.139 --> 00:14:03.620 Jesus is no ghost. 00:14:04.280 --> 00:14:05.399 He's eating. 00:14:07.379 --> 00:14:10.820 And Luke himself was talking to fellow Gentiles, 00:14:11.379 --> 00:14:15.820 knowing how outrageous Jewish religion was to the rest of the world already. 00:14:15.820 --> 00:14:20.940 So he would never tell something so outrageous and unbelievable 00:14:20.940 --> 00:14:24.440 is someone being provably killed and executed, 00:14:24.920 --> 00:14:31.160 and then on the third day rising to life and asking for some dinner? 00:14:33.379 --> 00:14:35.460 Unless it happened. 00:14:36.740 --> 00:14:40.780 You can't argue that there's only a spiritual resurrection. 00:14:40.779 --> 00:14:43.939 And as Jesus says in the first 39, 00:14:45.000 --> 00:14:49.259 a ghost has not flesh and bones, as you see I have. 00:14:50.299 --> 00:14:53.779 Either the resurrection and all Christianity itself 00:14:54.299 --> 00:14:59.199 is an illogical lie made up by insane people 00:14:59.199 --> 00:15:04.100 that no one would expect or believe to be true. 00:15:04.100 --> 00:15:07.600 or it's true. 00:15:09.920 --> 00:15:14.340 Either unbelievable nonsense or unbelievable hope. 00:15:14.340 --> 00:15:23.660 So let's see if Jesus can resurrect your hope in himself. 00:15:24.460 --> 00:15:26.320 And you might be like the disciples, 00:15:26.660 --> 00:15:30.240 a little frightened, troubled, confronted even. 00:15:31.740 --> 00:15:34.379 Even as doubts rise in your minds, 00:15:34.580 --> 00:15:36.000 just like the disciples, 00:15:36.220 --> 00:15:40.879 Jesus wants to prove to you that he is really him. 00:15:40.879 --> 00:15:44.939 Look at my hands and my feet. 00:15:45.820 --> 00:15:47.360 It is I myself. 00:15:47.779 --> 00:15:49.580 Touch me and see. 00:15:51.320 --> 00:15:55.019 Jesus really is himself. 00:15:56.399 --> 00:15:58.779 The friendship of God 00:15:58.779 --> 00:16:01.659 that the disciples had experienced 00:16:01.659 --> 00:16:03.200 was back on. 00:16:04.419 --> 00:16:08.039 Hope is resurrected in front of them. 00:16:08.039 --> 00:16:11.579 Jesus' physical body has been restored, 00:16:12.120 --> 00:16:13.219 not replaced. 00:16:14.919 --> 00:16:18.259 As he chewed fish and was held down by gravity, 00:16:18.379 --> 00:16:20.620 just like my hand here, 00:16:21.120 --> 00:16:23.039 and breathed the stuffy air, 00:16:23.799 --> 00:16:25.480 it's a bit nicer than it would have been 00:16:25.480 --> 00:16:27.759 in that locked room hiding from the Jews 00:16:27.759 --> 00:16:29.279 in that space. 00:16:30.919 --> 00:16:33.439 Jesus was recognisable 00:16:33.439 --> 00:16:36.779 by sight and sound. 00:16:36.779 --> 00:16:38.699 And he was touchable, 00:16:39.600 --> 00:16:41.480 flesh and bone like you and I. 00:16:42.439 --> 00:16:44.559 The disciples had their friendship 00:16:44.559 --> 00:16:46.779 with Jesus resurrected. 00:16:47.919 --> 00:16:50.480 One of the best parts about living in this city 00:16:50.480 --> 00:16:53.159 is enjoying food together. 00:16:53.899 --> 00:16:56.980 It is one thing that has always been a part 00:16:56.980 --> 00:17:00.100 of living in this community. 00:17:00.100 --> 00:17:02.180 I have had the privilege 00:17:02.180 --> 00:17:03.220 of going around to your houses 00:17:03.220 --> 00:17:05.660 and you giving me a meal. 00:17:06.640 --> 00:17:09.180 And that felt like an extension of 00:17:09.180 --> 00:17:10.700 I want to be your friend. 00:17:10.819 --> 00:17:11.920 I want to get to know you. 00:17:12.000 --> 00:17:12.880 And that is wonderful. 00:17:13.319 --> 00:17:15.940 But it was so much deeper than that back then. 00:17:16.120 --> 00:17:17.660 If you ate with someone, 00:17:18.519 --> 00:17:21.259 it was an invitation into friendship 00:17:21.259 --> 00:17:23.180 that everyone understood. 00:17:23.180 --> 00:17:27.259 And when Jesus ate the fish, 00:17:28.039 --> 00:17:29.799 know that he didn't have to do that. 00:17:30.640 --> 00:17:31.960 It doesn't mean he was hungry. 00:17:32.960 --> 00:17:35.340 It means he wanted to show 00:17:35.340 --> 00:17:38.320 that he wanted friendship, 00:17:39.000 --> 00:17:42.100 that we can have him back. 00:17:42.099 --> 00:17:45.339 And if you are someone 00:17:45.339 --> 00:17:47.859 that has a sense that 00:17:47.859 --> 00:17:49.839 there's a somebody out there 00:17:49.839 --> 00:17:52.299 who's going to complete you, 00:17:53.000 --> 00:17:54.919 think of Jerry Maguire 00:17:54.919 --> 00:17:59.500 or any movie or book 00:17:59.500 --> 00:18:02.539 or like pretty much every story 00:18:02.539 --> 00:18:04.439 has this longing in it. 00:18:04.639 --> 00:18:06.819 We're trying to find that person 00:18:06.819 --> 00:18:08.799 or we can never find that person 00:18:08.799 --> 00:18:10.539 or we're dealing with the grief 00:18:10.539 --> 00:18:12.519 of losing that special person. 00:18:14.500 --> 00:18:16.359 Jesus is that person 00:18:16.359 --> 00:18:17.899 who can bear the weight 00:18:17.899 --> 00:18:19.559 of all of our expectations 00:18:19.559 --> 00:18:22.220 of that special someone. 00:18:23.099 --> 00:18:24.619 Even if you have someone 00:18:24.619 --> 00:18:25.779 in your life right now 00:18:25.779 --> 00:18:27.019 who comes pretty close 00:18:27.019 --> 00:18:29.119 and won't be sitting next to you. 00:18:31.460 --> 00:18:33.599 Death always separates, 00:18:34.659 --> 00:18:36.319 but Jesus never dies. 00:18:37.599 --> 00:18:38.599 And he is saying, 00:18:38.599 --> 00:18:41.859 you can have me for real, forever. 00:18:42.959 --> 00:18:44.659 Our relationship with him 00:18:44.659 --> 00:18:47.000 will continue face to face 00:18:47.000 --> 00:18:48.079 for eternity. 00:18:48.480 --> 00:18:51.159 Jesus is really with us. 00:18:51.719 --> 00:18:54.379 He's not an imagined presence 00:18:54.379 --> 00:18:57.899 that we sometimes speak of in grief 00:18:57.899 --> 00:18:59.099 when someone dies. 00:18:59.959 --> 00:19:01.259 They're looking down on us. 00:19:01.459 --> 00:19:03.599 No, Jesus is really alive 00:19:03.599 --> 00:19:05.279 alive and one day 00:19:05.279 --> 00:19:08.219 will be physically present with you 00:19:08.219 --> 00:19:10.579 for he will raise you up 00:19:10.579 --> 00:19:11.559 like him 00:19:11.559 --> 00:19:12.919 to be with him. 00:19:15.319 --> 00:19:16.939 And he proves 00:19:16.939 --> 00:19:18.959 the depth of his love 00:19:18.959 --> 00:19:20.059 for his friends 00:19:20.059 --> 00:19:21.919 in his scars 00:19:21.919 --> 00:19:23.859 on his hands 00:19:23.859 --> 00:19:25.319 and his feet. 00:19:25.839 --> 00:19:26.359 He says, 00:19:26.539 --> 00:19:27.139 touch me 00:19:27.139 --> 00:19:28.439 and see. 00:19:28.579 --> 00:19:29.459 And he showed them 00:19:29.459 --> 00:19:30.119 his hands 00:19:30.119 --> 00:19:31.199 and his feet. 00:19:31.200 --> 00:19:32.460 the scars 00:19:32.460 --> 00:19:34.840 that bear the nail marks 00:19:34.840 --> 00:19:36.380 of crucifixion 00:19:36.380 --> 00:19:37.860 on his physical body, 00:19:38.259 --> 00:19:39.480 he still has them 00:19:39.480 --> 00:19:39.940 right now. 00:19:42.700 --> 00:19:43.299 They're scars 00:19:43.299 --> 00:19:43.980 that show us 00:19:43.980 --> 00:19:45.759 that Jesus didn't just die 00:19:45.759 --> 00:19:47.700 for himself 00:19:47.700 --> 00:19:49.840 in some kind 00:19:49.840 --> 00:19:51.400 of self-justifying act 00:19:51.400 --> 00:19:52.259 before God 00:19:52.259 --> 00:19:52.960 as a martyr. 00:19:53.539 --> 00:19:53.819 No, 00:19:54.220 --> 00:19:55.400 they prove 00:19:55.400 --> 00:19:56.740 his suffering 00:19:56.740 --> 00:19:58.039 achieved something 00:19:58.039 --> 00:19:59.799 for his followers. 00:20:01.119 --> 00:20:01.700 He suffered 00:20:01.700 --> 00:20:02.940 on their behalf. 00:20:03.579 --> 00:20:04.659 He achieved 00:20:04.659 --> 00:20:05.480 forgiveness 00:20:05.480 --> 00:20:06.059 of them. 00:20:08.019 --> 00:20:08.700 Steve mentioned 00:20:08.700 --> 00:20:10.079 this on Friday. 00:20:10.639 --> 00:20:11.680 Jesus' scars 00:20:11.680 --> 00:20:13.619 are like 00:20:13.619 --> 00:20:14.500 our receipt. 00:20:15.819 --> 00:20:16.680 There I claim 00:20:16.680 --> 00:20:17.700 that our debt 00:20:17.700 --> 00:20:18.759 of sin 00:20:18.759 --> 00:20:19.980 is paid. 00:20:21.119 --> 00:20:21.659 Just like 00:20:21.659 --> 00:20:22.519 when we leave the store 00:20:22.519 --> 00:20:23.059 and we're holding 00:20:23.059 --> 00:20:23.879 on to our receipt. 00:20:23.980 --> 00:20:24.700 This is our ticket 00:20:24.700 --> 00:20:25.299 to freedom. 00:20:25.599 --> 00:20:26.019 We're not going 00:20:26.019 --> 00:20:26.599 to get tackled 00:20:26.599 --> 00:20:27.679 by a security guard. 00:20:27.799 --> 00:20:28.799 We have proved 00:20:28.799 --> 00:20:29.879 that Jesus 00:20:29.879 --> 00:20:32.159 has paid 00:20:32.159 --> 00:20:33.319 our debt 00:20:33.319 --> 00:20:34.019 of sin. 00:20:34.199 --> 00:20:35.199 When we hold 00:20:35.199 --> 00:20:36.699 Jesus' scarred hands 00:20:36.699 --> 00:20:37.219 one day, 00:20:37.379 --> 00:20:38.299 we will hold 00:20:38.299 --> 00:20:39.240 the receipt 00:20:39.240 --> 00:20:41.819 that our debt 00:20:41.819 --> 00:20:42.579 for sin 00:20:42.579 --> 00:20:44.240 is paid. 00:20:45.219 --> 00:20:46.019 His scars 00:20:46.019 --> 00:20:47.779 are hope 00:20:47.779 --> 00:20:49.339 also 00:20:49.339 --> 00:20:50.759 for our own 00:20:50.759 --> 00:20:51.359 scars. 00:20:51.359 --> 00:20:54.559 if you are 00:20:54.559 --> 00:20:55.039 suffering 00:20:55.039 --> 00:20:57.559 through life. 00:20:58.799 --> 00:20:59.379 It might be 00:20:59.379 --> 00:20:59.740 pain, 00:21:00.759 --> 00:21:01.139 illness, 00:21:02.039 --> 00:21:02.399 physical, 00:21:02.899 --> 00:21:03.219 mental, 00:21:04.839 --> 00:21:05.879 events in the past, 00:21:06.259 --> 00:21:07.240 trauma in the past, 00:21:08.159 --> 00:21:08.740 things happening 00:21:08.740 --> 00:21:09.299 right now. 00:21:11.879 --> 00:21:12.719 All of what 00:21:12.719 --> 00:21:13.359 you face 00:21:13.359 --> 00:21:14.659 one day, 00:21:15.459 --> 00:21:17.719 you will see 00:21:17.719 --> 00:21:18.439 how it matters. 00:21:18.440 --> 00:21:20.279 you might not 00:21:20.279 --> 00:21:20.660 be aware 00:21:20.660 --> 00:21:21.120 of it yet, 00:21:21.500 --> 00:21:22.180 but one day, 00:21:22.559 --> 00:21:23.400 if you follow 00:21:23.400 --> 00:21:23.840 Jesus, 00:21:24.380 --> 00:21:24.960 you will 00:21:24.960 --> 00:21:25.460 one day 00:21:25.460 --> 00:21:26.160 be you 00:21:26.160 --> 00:21:28.160 in your body 00:21:28.160 --> 00:21:29.380 restored 00:21:29.380 --> 00:21:31.600 beyond your 00:21:31.600 --> 00:21:32.200 tears 00:21:32.200 --> 00:21:33.120 and your 00:21:33.120 --> 00:21:33.480 troubles 00:21:33.480 --> 00:21:34.740 and your 00:21:34.740 --> 00:21:35.519 story will 00:21:35.519 --> 00:21:36.220 continue. 00:21:36.720 --> 00:21:37.220 It will not 00:21:37.220 --> 00:21:37.980 be deleted 00:21:37.980 --> 00:21:40.279 and you will 00:21:40.279 --> 00:21:41.000 step out 00:21:41.000 --> 00:21:41.320 of your 00:21:41.320 --> 00:21:41.860 suffering, 00:21:43.039 --> 00:21:43.640 carrying your 00:21:43.640 --> 00:21:44.200 language 00:21:44.200 --> 00:21:44.980 and your 00:21:44.980 --> 00:21:45.680 personhood 00:21:45.680 --> 00:21:47.039 into the 00:21:47.039 --> 00:21:47.700 physical 00:21:47.700 --> 00:21:48.200 embrace 00:21:48.200 --> 00:21:48.759 of Jesus 00:21:48.759 --> 00:21:49.840 scarred 00:21:49.840 --> 00:21:50.759 hands. 00:21:52.140 --> 00:21:53.299 Your scars 00:21:53.299 --> 00:21:53.740 on that 00:21:53.740 --> 00:21:54.019 day 00:21:54.019 --> 00:21:55.500 will be 00:21:55.500 --> 00:21:55.960 shown as 00:21:55.960 --> 00:21:56.860 worth it 00:21:56.860 --> 00:21:58.039 following 00:21:58.039 --> 00:21:58.560 Jesus 00:21:58.560 --> 00:22:00.000 and his 00:22:00.000 --> 00:22:00.460 scars 00:22:00.460 --> 00:22:01.120 are proof 00:22:01.120 --> 00:22:01.600 to you 00:22:01.600 --> 00:22:02.039 of that. 00:22:04.600 --> 00:22:05.320 And you 00:22:05.320 --> 00:22:05.720 will never 00:22:05.720 --> 00:22:06.360 have to be 00:22:06.360 --> 00:22:06.960 apart from 00:22:06.960 --> 00:22:07.500 Jesus 00:22:07.500 --> 00:22:09.259 like Jesus 00:22:09.259 --> 00:22:09.820 was 00:22:09.820 --> 00:22:10.820 from his 00:22:10.820 --> 00:22:11.299 father 00:22:11.299 --> 00:22:13.359 and from 00:22:13.359 --> 00:22:13.579 his 00:22:13.579 --> 00:22:14.059 disciples 00:22:14.059 --> 00:22:14.759 for those 00:22:14.759 --> 00:22:15.899 three days. 00:22:16.440 --> 00:22:16.700 And the 00:22:16.700 --> 00:22:17.639 proof of 00:22:17.639 --> 00:22:18.180 this is 00:22:18.180 --> 00:22:18.579 that 00:22:18.579 --> 00:22:20.379 Jesus 00:22:20.379 --> 00:22:21.139 passes 00:22:21.139 --> 00:22:21.539 through 00:22:21.539 --> 00:22:22.159 walls. 00:22:24.460 --> 00:22:24.960 Here's an 00:22:24.960 --> 00:22:25.720 interesting 00:22:25.720 --> 00:22:26.799 question that 00:22:26.799 --> 00:22:27.500 I found in 00:22:27.500 --> 00:22:28.259 my reading 00:22:28.259 --> 00:22:28.700 in the last 00:22:28.700 --> 00:22:29.220 few weeks. 00:22:29.859 --> 00:22:30.139 I don't 00:22:30.139 --> 00:22:30.419 think I'd 00:22:30.419 --> 00:22:30.819 ever just, 00:22:31.099 --> 00:22:31.539 it's so 00:22:31.539 --> 00:22:31.859 simple, 00:22:31.980 --> 00:22:32.220 but I'd 00:22:32.220 --> 00:22:32.659 never thought 00:22:32.659 --> 00:22:33.039 about it. 00:22:33.799 --> 00:22:34.500 Why was 00:22:34.500 --> 00:22:35.059 the stone 00:22:35.059 --> 00:22:35.779 rolled away 00:22:35.779 --> 00:22:36.200 from the 00:22:36.200 --> 00:22:36.419 tomb? 00:22:36.420 --> 00:22:40.600 Why was 00:22:40.600 --> 00:22:41.120 the stone 00:22:41.120 --> 00:22:41.900 rolled away 00:22:41.900 --> 00:22:42.480 from the 00:22:42.480 --> 00:22:42.680 tomb? 00:22:44.680 --> 00:22:45.500 According to 00:22:45.500 --> 00:22:46.180 this passage, 00:22:46.300 --> 00:22:46.980 it's not so 00:22:46.980 --> 00:22:47.580 Jesus could 00:22:47.580 --> 00:22:48.120 get out. 00:22:49.480 --> 00:22:50.039 Walls 00:22:50.039 --> 00:22:50.539 couldn't hold 00:22:50.539 --> 00:22:50.759 him, 00:22:51.259 --> 00:22:51.600 he was 00:22:51.600 --> 00:22:52.019 physically 00:22:52.019 --> 00:22:52.680 resurrected, 00:22:53.279 --> 00:22:53.620 and yet 00:22:53.620 --> 00:22:54.380 he can 00:22:54.380 --> 00:22:56.120 never be 00:22:56.120 --> 00:22:56.920 limited by 00:22:56.920 --> 00:22:57.759 something like 00:22:57.759 --> 00:22:58.500 a stone 00:22:58.500 --> 00:22:59.259 or a 00:22:59.259 --> 00:22:59.620 wall. 00:23:00.300 --> 00:23:00.860 The stone 00:23:00.860 --> 00:23:01.380 was rolled 00:23:01.380 --> 00:23:01.840 away, 00:23:02.039 --> 00:23:02.519 not so 00:23:02.519 --> 00:23:03.019 Jesus could 00:23:03.019 --> 00:23:03.460 get out, 00:23:03.660 --> 00:23:04.160 but so we 00:23:04.160 --> 00:23:04.420 could see 00:23:04.420 --> 00:23:04.640 it was 00:23:04.640 --> 00:23:05.039 empty. 00:23:06.420 --> 00:23:09.360 Jesus could 00:23:09.360 --> 00:23:09.820 have knocked 00:23:09.820 --> 00:23:10.200 on the 00:23:10.200 --> 00:23:10.660 door of 00:23:10.660 --> 00:23:11.160 this room 00:23:11.160 --> 00:23:13.660 with his 00:23:13.660 --> 00:23:14.400 fearful 00:23:14.400 --> 00:23:14.960 disciples 00:23:14.960 --> 00:23:15.920 inside. 00:23:16.019 --> 00:23:16.360 After all, 00:23:16.380 --> 00:23:16.640 he's not 00:23:16.640 --> 00:23:17.180 a ghost, 00:23:18.200 --> 00:23:18.759 but he 00:23:18.759 --> 00:23:20.080 wanted to 00:23:20.080 --> 00:23:20.660 show his 00:23:20.660 --> 00:23:21.820 disciples that 00:23:21.820 --> 00:23:22.539 he could be 00:23:22.539 --> 00:23:23.220 with them 00:23:23.220 --> 00:23:24.380 anywhere, 00:23:25.320 --> 00:23:26.180 in the 00:23:26.180 --> 00:23:27.000 darkest hour 00:23:27.000 --> 00:23:27.600 of their 00:23:27.600 --> 00:23:27.960 life, 00:23:28.160 --> 00:23:28.539 in the 00:23:28.539 --> 00:23:29.160 darkest hour 00:23:29.160 --> 00:23:29.519 of their 00:23:29.519 --> 00:23:29.880 soul. 00:23:30.100 --> 00:23:30.500 There is 00:23:30.500 --> 00:23:31.640 no limitation 00:23:31.640 --> 00:23:32.320 for Jesus 00:23:32.320 --> 00:23:32.960 Christ. 00:23:34.160 --> 00:23:35.000 He will 00:23:35.000 --> 00:23:35.640 be with 00:23:35.640 --> 00:23:35.960 you. 00:23:36.420 --> 00:23:37.920 Just like 00:23:37.920 --> 00:23:38.720 Jesus didn't 00:23:38.720 --> 00:23:39.400 need to 00:23:39.400 --> 00:23:39.759 eat the 00:23:39.759 --> 00:23:40.440 fish to 00:23:40.440 --> 00:23:40.779 show that 00:23:40.779 --> 00:23:41.039 he was 00:23:41.039 --> 00:23:41.480 himself, 00:23:41.680 --> 00:23:42.600 he wanted 00:23:42.600 --> 00:23:43.000 to. 00:23:45.940 --> 00:23:46.640 And unlike 00:23:46.640 --> 00:23:47.340 Lazarus, 00:23:47.460 --> 00:23:48.340 who died 00:23:48.340 --> 00:23:49.000 again, 00:23:50.660 --> 00:23:51.100 Jesus, 00:23:52.620 --> 00:23:54.180 the death 00:23:54.180 --> 00:23:55.100 has lost 00:23:55.100 --> 00:23:55.900 its grip 00:23:55.900 --> 00:23:56.920 on Jesus. 00:23:58.880 --> 00:23:59.700 Jesus can 00:23:59.700 --> 00:24:00.940 disappear, 00:24:01.800 --> 00:24:02.580 as happened 00:24:02.580 --> 00:24:03.759 before the 00:24:03.759 --> 00:24:04.500 very eyes 00:24:04.500 --> 00:24:05.160 of the two 00:24:05.160 --> 00:24:05.720 on the road 00:24:05.720 --> 00:24:06.380 to Emmaus, 00:24:06.540 --> 00:24:07.120 and he 00:24:07.120 --> 00:24:07.300 can 00:24:07.300 --> 00:24:08.000 reappear. 00:24:08.840 --> 00:24:09.420 He lives 00:24:09.420 --> 00:24:09.880 in a 00:24:09.880 --> 00:24:10.660 realm beyond 00:24:10.660 --> 00:24:11.880 decay and 00:24:11.880 --> 00:24:12.480 limits. 00:24:13.100 --> 00:24:13.540 He isn't 00:24:13.540 --> 00:24:14.080 like any 00:24:14.080 --> 00:24:14.620 other religious 00:24:14.620 --> 00:24:15.120 founder, 00:24:15.860 --> 00:24:16.340 or any 00:24:16.340 --> 00:24:16.580 other 00:24:16.580 --> 00:24:17.560 resurrected 00:24:17.560 --> 00:24:18.300 person. 00:24:19.460 --> 00:24:20.279 He will 00:24:20.279 --> 00:24:21.019 never be 00:24:21.019 --> 00:24:21.519 held back 00:24:21.519 --> 00:24:21.980 from his 00:24:21.980 --> 00:24:22.360 people. 00:24:22.660 --> 00:24:23.100 We no 00:24:23.100 --> 00:24:23.840 longer need 00:24:23.840 --> 00:24:24.480 a temple 00:24:24.480 --> 00:24:25.440 or a 00:24:25.440 --> 00:24:26.480 priest to 00:24:26.480 --> 00:24:27.100 get close 00:24:27.100 --> 00:24:27.660 to God. 00:24:27.660 --> 00:24:28.820 We have 00:24:28.820 --> 00:24:29.420 Jesus 00:24:29.420 --> 00:24:30.779 himself. 00:24:30.779 --> 00:24:34.879 But none 00:24:34.879 --> 00:24:35.440 of this 00:24:35.440 --> 00:24:36.500 lands as 00:24:36.500 --> 00:24:38.119 true for 00:24:38.119 --> 00:24:38.700 his audience 00:24:38.700 --> 00:24:39.039 yet. 00:24:40.160 --> 00:24:40.899 Even with 00:24:40.899 --> 00:24:41.220 all this 00:24:41.220 --> 00:24:41.779 before them, 00:24:43.420 --> 00:24:44.299 the disciples 00:24:44.299 --> 00:24:44.799 didn't believe 00:24:44.799 --> 00:24:45.160 the women, 00:24:45.879 --> 00:24:46.420 the returning 00:24:46.420 --> 00:24:46.799 to, 00:24:47.359 --> 00:24:48.099 even Peter, 00:24:48.539 --> 00:24:49.099 and now 00:24:49.099 --> 00:24:49.440 they can't 00:24:49.440 --> 00:24:49.799 even believe 00:24:49.799 --> 00:24:50.500 their eyes, 00:24:51.500 --> 00:24:51.899 even with 00:24:51.899 --> 00:24:52.960 Jesus in 00:24:52.960 --> 00:24:53.279 front of 00:24:53.279 --> 00:24:53.460 them. 00:24:54.180 --> 00:24:54.519 And so 00:24:54.519 --> 00:24:55.000 Jesus 00:24:55.000 --> 00:24:55.599 needed, 00:24:56.399 --> 00:24:57.460 needed to 00:24:57.460 --> 00:24:58.879 open their 00:24:58.879 --> 00:25:00.139 minds so 00:25:00.140 --> 00:25:00.540 they could 00:25:00.540 --> 00:25:00.980 understand. 00:25:01.080 --> 00:25:01.300 Look at 00:25:01.300 --> 00:25:02.140 verse 45. 00:25:04.520 --> 00:25:04.920 Don't 00:25:04.920 --> 00:25:06.140 downplay the 00:25:06.140 --> 00:25:06.820 spiritual 00:25:06.820 --> 00:25:09.400 experience of 00:25:09.400 --> 00:25:10.500 believing in 00:25:10.500 --> 00:25:10.800 Jesus' 00:25:11.340 --> 00:25:11.780 resurrection. 00:25:13.660 --> 00:25:14.200 Luke has 00:25:14.200 --> 00:25:14.580 given us 00:25:14.580 --> 00:25:15.440 evidence for 00:25:15.440 --> 00:25:16.520 it, yet 00:25:16.520 --> 00:25:17.320 we now 00:25:17.320 --> 00:25:17.980 still need 00:25:17.980 --> 00:25:18.600 the same 00:25:18.600 --> 00:25:20.200 power to 00:25:20.200 --> 00:25:20.900 open our 00:25:20.900 --> 00:25:21.480 minds and 00:25:21.480 --> 00:25:22.400 illuminate these 00:25:22.400 --> 00:25:23.259 scriptures today 00:25:23.259 --> 00:25:24.380 as the 00:25:24.380 --> 00:25:25.259 disciples did in 00:25:25.259 --> 00:25:25.700 that room, 00:25:25.780 --> 00:25:26.420 or else 00:25:26.420 --> 00:25:27.040 we're going 00:25:27.040 --> 00:25:27.640 to stay 00:25:27.640 --> 00:25:28.240 just like 00:25:28.240 --> 00:25:28.500 Jesus' 00:25:28.700 --> 00:25:29.200 followers in 00:25:29.200 --> 00:25:29.920 verses 41. 00:25:30.140 --> 00:25:31.980 at best, 00:25:32.520 --> 00:25:33.220 we can be 00:25:33.220 --> 00:25:34.040 joyful and 00:25:34.040 --> 00:25:34.600 amazed, 00:25:35.480 --> 00:25:36.380 but stuck 00:25:36.380 --> 00:25:37.800 in unbelief. 00:25:38.680 --> 00:25:39.220 So Jesus 00:25:39.220 --> 00:25:39.980 opened their 00:25:39.980 --> 00:25:40.960 minds to 00:25:40.960 --> 00:25:42.340 the word 00:25:42.340 --> 00:25:44.360 of God 00:25:44.360 --> 00:25:44.800 and the 00:25:44.800 --> 00:25:45.660 truth in 00:25:45.660 --> 00:25:46.300 it about 00:25:46.300 --> 00:25:46.940 himself, 00:25:47.540 --> 00:25:47.920 gifting 00:25:47.920 --> 00:25:48.320 them 00:25:48.320 --> 00:25:49.240 understanding 00:25:49.240 --> 00:25:50.740 that carried 00:25:50.740 --> 00:25:51.380 with it 00:25:51.380 --> 00:25:52.860 belief. 00:25:54.080 --> 00:25:54.860 And it's 00:25:54.860 --> 00:25:55.580 specific 00:25:55.580 --> 00:25:56.740 belief in 00:25:56.740 --> 00:25:57.060 Jesus, 00:25:57.059 --> 00:25:57.200 Jesus, 00:25:57.799 --> 00:25:58.759 that he 00:25:58.759 --> 00:25:59.119 is the 00:25:59.119 --> 00:25:59.579 one who 00:25:59.579 --> 00:26:00.559 fulfills 00:26:00.559 --> 00:26:01.779 all that 00:26:01.779 --> 00:26:02.220 the Old 00:26:02.220 --> 00:26:02.639 Testament 00:26:02.639 --> 00:26:03.339 promised, 00:26:03.899 --> 00:26:04.460 that he 00:26:04.460 --> 00:26:05.119 rose from 00:26:05.119 --> 00:26:05.539 the grave 00:26:05.539 --> 00:26:05.839 on the 00:26:05.839 --> 00:26:06.379 third day, 00:26:06.940 --> 00:26:07.539 and that 00:26:07.539 --> 00:26:08.019 forgiveness 00:26:08.019 --> 00:26:08.720 of sins 00:26:08.720 --> 00:26:10.639 comes through 00:26:10.639 --> 00:26:11.359 repentance 00:26:11.359 --> 00:26:13.119 in his name. 00:26:13.119 --> 00:26:15.500 God 00:26:15.500 --> 00:26:15.959 today, 00:26:16.500 --> 00:26:17.819 you do not 00:26:17.819 --> 00:26:18.279 have to 00:26:18.279 --> 00:26:18.819 have all 00:26:18.819 --> 00:26:19.559 the answers, 00:26:21.079 --> 00:26:22.000 all the 00:26:22.000 --> 00:26:22.679 understanding, 00:26:23.239 --> 00:26:24.759 but if you 00:26:24.759 --> 00:26:25.379 believe that 00:26:25.379 --> 00:26:25.979 Jesus was 00:26:25.979 --> 00:26:26.519 raised from 00:26:26.519 --> 00:26:26.879 the dead, 00:26:28.500 --> 00:26:28.899 and that 00:26:28.899 --> 00:26:29.699 his scars 00:26:29.699 --> 00:26:30.779 have the 00:26:30.779 --> 00:26:33.239 power to 00:26:33.239 --> 00:26:33.579 offer 00:26:33.579 --> 00:26:34.279 forgiveness 00:26:34.279 --> 00:26:35.099 from sins, 00:26:35.099 --> 00:26:35.159 sins, 00:26:35.679 --> 00:26:37.019 then you 00:26:37.019 --> 00:26:37.779 need only 00:26:37.779 --> 00:26:39.319 turn and 00:26:39.319 --> 00:26:39.939 repent 00:26:39.939 --> 00:26:43.699 and believe 00:26:43.699 --> 00:26:44.099 in him. 00:26:45.319 --> 00:26:46.039 You will 00:26:46.039 --> 00:26:46.559 receive 00:26:46.559 --> 00:26:48.000 everything in 00:26:48.000 --> 00:26:48.459 Jesus, 00:26:48.919 --> 00:26:49.859 eternal life 00:26:49.859 --> 00:26:50.439 with God 00:26:50.439 --> 00:26:51.139 and a 00:26:51.139 --> 00:26:51.819 living hope 00:26:51.819 --> 00:26:52.439 that puts 00:26:52.439 --> 00:26:53.119 all the 00:26:53.119 --> 00:26:53.779 struggles and 00:26:53.779 --> 00:26:54.359 darkness of 00:26:54.359 --> 00:26:54.839 this world 00:26:54.839 --> 00:26:55.159 in a 00:26:55.159 --> 00:26:55.699 perspective 00:26:55.699 --> 00:26:57.059 that goes 00:26:57.059 --> 00:26:57.859 beyond it. 00:26:58.799 --> 00:26:59.279 Nothing 00:26:59.279 --> 00:26:59.819 else can 00:26:59.819 --> 00:27:00.359 offer you 00:27:00.359 --> 00:27:00.599 that. 00:27:02.000 --> 00:27:02.299 Jesus 00:27:02.299 --> 00:27:02.759 has 00:27:02.759 --> 00:27:03.919 reasoned 00:27:03.920 --> 00:27:04.300 with our 00:27:04.300 --> 00:27:04.680 anxious 00:27:04.680 --> 00:27:05.340 minds, 00:27:05.660 --> 00:27:06.080 and he's 00:27:06.080 --> 00:27:06.800 come near 00:27:06.800 --> 00:27:07.420 to those 00:27:07.420 --> 00:27:07.820 who are 00:27:07.820 --> 00:27:08.420 disconnected, 00:27:08.880 --> 00:27:09.420 and he's 00:27:09.420 --> 00:27:09.820 given them 00:27:09.820 --> 00:27:10.360 belief, 00:27:11.360 --> 00:27:12.120 and for 00:27:12.120 --> 00:27:12.820 all those 00:27:12.820 --> 00:27:13.300 who believe 00:27:13.300 --> 00:27:13.820 in Jesus, 00:27:14.539 --> 00:27:15.360 he also 00:27:15.360 --> 00:27:16.279 destroys 00:27:16.279 --> 00:27:17.660 our confusion 00:27:17.660 --> 00:27:18.600 at what 00:27:18.600 --> 00:27:18.980 is going 00:27:18.980 --> 00:27:19.340 on in the 00:27:19.340 --> 00:27:19.519 world, 00:27:19.600 --> 00:27:19.900 what do 00:27:19.900 --> 00:27:20.160 we do 00:27:20.160 --> 00:27:20.480 with our 00:27:20.480 --> 00:27:20.880 life, 00:27:22.100 --> 00:27:23.000 and our 00:27:23.000 --> 00:27:23.880 hopelessness, 00:27:24.880 --> 00:27:25.820 and graciously 00:27:25.820 --> 00:27:26.400 gives us 00:27:26.400 --> 00:27:27.039 purpose. 00:27:27.440 --> 00:27:27.860 Have a look 00:27:27.860 --> 00:27:28.180 at verse 00:27:28.180 --> 00:27:28.660 48. 00:27:31.800 --> 00:27:32.240 You are 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:33.039 witnesses to 00:27:33.039 --> 00:27:33.720 these things, 00:27:33.720 --> 00:27:34.600 Jesus says. 00:27:36.720 --> 00:27:37.319 Witnesses 00:27:37.319 --> 00:27:38.799 testify. 00:27:40.180 --> 00:27:40.700 They 00:27:40.700 --> 00:27:41.180 testify. 00:27:42.079 --> 00:27:42.940 Think of 00:27:42.940 --> 00:27:43.220 it this 00:27:43.220 --> 00:27:43.440 way. 00:27:47.180 --> 00:27:47.940 There have 00:27:47.940 --> 00:27:48.759 been countless 00:27:48.759 --> 00:27:50.200 people from 00:27:50.200 --> 00:27:51.140 that moment 00:27:51.140 --> 00:27:52.160 in that 00:27:52.160 --> 00:27:53.440 room to 00:27:53.440 --> 00:27:54.720 now who 00:27:54.720 --> 00:27:55.460 have testified 00:27:55.460 --> 00:27:56.160 of the 00:27:56.160 --> 00:27:57.140 truth of 00:27:57.140 --> 00:27:58.519 Jesus raised 00:27:58.519 --> 00:27:58.880 from the 00:27:58.880 --> 00:27:59.180 dead. 00:27:59.799 --> 00:28:00.180 Think of 00:28:00.180 --> 00:28:00.680 it like a 00:28:00.680 --> 00:28:01.079 chain. 00:28:02.160 --> 00:28:02.600 I'm thinking 00:28:02.600 --> 00:28:03.019 of one of 00:28:03.019 --> 00:28:03.460 those big 00:28:03.460 --> 00:28:04.019 industrial 00:28:04.019 --> 00:28:05.279 chains that's 00:28:05.279 --> 00:28:05.940 like holding 00:28:05.940 --> 00:28:06.440 a ship 00:28:06.440 --> 00:28:07.920 in place 00:28:07.920 --> 00:28:08.720 on the 00:28:08.720 --> 00:28:09.019 dock. 00:28:09.259 --> 00:28:09.779 Huge, 00:28:09.859 --> 00:28:10.319 big chain. 00:28:11.359 --> 00:28:12.180 Each link 00:28:12.180 --> 00:28:12.980 leads out 00:28:12.980 --> 00:28:13.279 of that 00:28:13.279 --> 00:28:13.619 room 00:28:13.619 --> 00:28:16.139 with these 00:28:16.139 --> 00:28:16.579 followers. 00:28:16.960 --> 00:28:17.359 It leads 00:28:17.359 --> 00:28:18.059 out across 00:28:18.059 --> 00:28:18.619 history, 00:28:19.119 --> 00:28:19.420 across 00:28:19.420 --> 00:28:20.420 hundreds of 00:28:20.420 --> 00:28:20.960 generations 00:28:20.960 --> 00:28:21.920 of believers 00:28:21.920 --> 00:28:22.759 who have 00:28:22.759 --> 00:28:23.539 each carried 00:28:23.539 --> 00:28:24.460 the gospel 00:28:24.460 --> 00:28:25.259 to the 00:28:25.259 --> 00:28:26.079 world to 00:28:26.079 --> 00:28:26.579 witness what 00:28:26.579 --> 00:28:26.759 they've 00:28:26.759 --> 00:28:27.259 seen. 00:28:27.259 --> 00:28:29.500 not in 00:28:29.500 --> 00:28:29.920 the room 00:28:29.920 --> 00:28:30.259 on that 00:28:30.259 --> 00:28:30.619 day, 00:28:31.619 --> 00:28:31.920 for there 00:28:31.920 --> 00:28:32.259 were only 00:28:32.259 --> 00:28:32.700 a few, 00:28:34.000 --> 00:28:35.039 but what 00:28:35.039 --> 00:28:35.319 they have 00:28:35.319 --> 00:28:35.859 seen through 00:28:35.859 --> 00:28:36.559 the testimony 00:28:36.559 --> 00:28:37.000 of the 00:28:37.000 --> 00:28:37.299 Bible. 00:28:37.940 --> 00:28:38.440 And that 00:28:38.440 --> 00:28:40.599 chain has 00:28:40.599 --> 00:28:41.019 led all 00:28:41.019 --> 00:28:41.420 the way 00:28:41.420 --> 00:28:42.839 into this 00:28:42.839 --> 00:28:43.039 room. 00:28:43.759 --> 00:28:44.519 We're still 00:28:44.519 --> 00:28:44.960 connected. 00:28:46.400 --> 00:28:46.740 And this 00:28:46.740 --> 00:28:47.559 happens because 00:28:47.559 --> 00:28:47.940 Jesus' 00:28:48.160 --> 00:28:48.700 followers have 00:28:48.700 --> 00:28:49.160 a purpose, 00:28:49.379 --> 00:28:49.619 and it's 00:28:49.619 --> 00:28:50.279 three things. 00:28:51.279 --> 00:28:51.839 Spirit, 00:28:52.140 --> 00:28:52.599 the word, 00:28:52.599 --> 00:28:53.079 and the 00:28:53.079 --> 00:28:53.439 plan. 00:28:54.339 --> 00:28:54.679 First, 00:28:54.779 --> 00:28:55.500 Jesus promises 00:28:55.500 --> 00:28:55.980 that we 00:28:55.980 --> 00:28:56.319 will be 00:28:56.319 --> 00:28:56.980 clothed 00:28:56.980 --> 00:28:57.859 with power 00:28:57.859 --> 00:28:58.919 from on 00:28:58.919 --> 00:28:59.259 high, 00:28:59.399 --> 00:28:59.980 verse 49. 00:29:00.679 --> 00:29:01.079 And this 00:29:01.079 --> 00:29:01.399 is a 00:29:01.399 --> 00:29:01.980 reference to 00:29:01.980 --> 00:29:02.480 the coming 00:29:02.480 --> 00:29:02.879 of the 00:29:02.879 --> 00:29:03.579 Holy Spirit. 00:29:05.179 --> 00:29:05.919 The Spirit 00:29:05.919 --> 00:29:06.799 is God 00:29:06.799 --> 00:29:07.539 with us 00:29:07.539 --> 00:29:08.459 wherever 00:29:08.459 --> 00:29:09.259 we are, 00:29:10.199 --> 00:29:11.000 not just 00:29:11.000 --> 00:29:11.319 wherever 00:29:11.319 --> 00:29:12.079 Jesus stood. 00:29:13.159 --> 00:29:13.659 Because when 00:29:13.659 --> 00:29:14.019 he's in 00:29:14.019 --> 00:29:14.519 that room, 00:29:15.319 --> 00:29:15.899 that's where 00:29:15.899 --> 00:29:16.480 God is. 00:29:16.799 --> 00:29:17.279 That's how 00:29:17.279 --> 00:29:17.480 to be 00:29:17.480 --> 00:29:17.959 close to 00:29:17.959 --> 00:29:18.219 him. 00:29:20.059 --> 00:29:20.619 But there 00:29:20.619 --> 00:29:20.919 is an 00:29:20.919 --> 00:29:21.619 unbreakable 00:29:21.619 --> 00:29:22.119 connection 00:29:22.119 --> 00:29:22.699 with God 00:29:22.699 --> 00:29:23.159 through the 00:29:23.159 --> 00:29:23.679 Spirit that 00:29:23.679 --> 00:29:24.579 every Christian 00:29:24.579 --> 00:29:26.259 wears like 00:29:26.259 --> 00:29:26.799 a garment 00:29:26.799 --> 00:29:29.719 that empowers 00:29:29.719 --> 00:29:31.399 us to 00:29:31.399 --> 00:29:32.059 achieve 00:29:32.059 --> 00:29:33.539 Jesus' 00:29:33.779 --> 00:29:34.239 purpose. 00:29:35.319 --> 00:29:35.639 The 00:29:35.639 --> 00:29:36.139 confidence 00:29:36.139 --> 00:29:36.879 the disciples 00:29:36.879 --> 00:29:37.839 discovered 00:29:37.839 --> 00:29:38.459 through the 00:29:38.459 --> 00:29:39.879 Spirit was 00:29:39.879 --> 00:29:40.439 like having 00:29:40.439 --> 00:29:41.259 Jesus with 00:29:41.259 --> 00:29:42.279 them every 00:29:42.279 --> 00:29:42.979 moment of 00:29:42.979 --> 00:29:43.459 their life. 00:29:43.759 --> 00:29:44.379 He is 00:29:44.379 --> 00:29:44.959 with us 00:29:44.959 --> 00:29:45.779 in the 00:29:45.779 --> 00:29:46.159 Spirit. 00:29:46.699 --> 00:29:47.039 And that 00:29:47.039 --> 00:29:48.099 same Spirit 00:29:48.099 --> 00:29:49.839 speaks through 00:29:49.839 --> 00:29:50.559 the Scriptures. 00:29:51.399 --> 00:29:51.919 It's the 00:29:51.920 --> 00:29:52.440 Word of 00:29:52.440 --> 00:29:52.820 God in 00:29:52.820 --> 00:29:53.180 the Bible. 00:29:53.300 --> 00:29:53.660 It guides 00:29:53.660 --> 00:29:54.240 our life 00:29:54.240 --> 00:29:54.820 and it 00:29:54.820 --> 00:29:55.480 is our 00:29:55.480 --> 00:29:55.940 message. 00:29:56.460 --> 00:29:56.860 And Jesus 00:29:56.860 --> 00:29:57.640 is specific 00:29:57.640 --> 00:29:58.080 again. 00:29:58.460 --> 00:29:59.100 What words 00:29:59.100 --> 00:29:59.700 in particular? 00:30:01.560 --> 00:30:01.840 His 00:30:01.840 --> 00:30:02.420 summary in 00:30:02.420 --> 00:30:03.100 verse 44 00:30:03.100 --> 00:30:03.940 refers to 00:30:03.940 --> 00:30:05.300 the law 00:30:05.300 --> 00:30:05.860 of Moses, 00:30:06.000 --> 00:30:06.380 the prophets 00:30:06.380 --> 00:30:06.720 and the 00:30:06.720 --> 00:30:07.140 Psalms. 00:30:07.400 --> 00:30:07.900 And that's 00:30:07.900 --> 00:30:08.480 a description 00:30:08.480 --> 00:30:09.340 of how the 00:30:09.340 --> 00:30:10.120 Jewish Bible, 00:30:10.400 --> 00:30:10.860 what we now 00:30:10.860 --> 00:30:11.180 call the 00:30:11.180 --> 00:30:11.680 Old Testament, 00:30:11.880 --> 00:30:12.480 was structured. 00:30:13.039 --> 00:30:13.500 The law, 00:30:13.820 --> 00:30:14.340 the prophets 00:30:14.340 --> 00:30:14.900 and the 00:30:14.900 --> 00:30:15.259 writings. 00:30:15.680 --> 00:30:16.100 All of 00:30:16.100 --> 00:30:16.360 that, 00:30:16.500 --> 00:30:17.060 that we now 00:30:17.060 --> 00:30:17.420 call the 00:30:17.420 --> 00:30:18.560 Old Testament, 00:30:19.539 --> 00:30:20.440 everything in it 00:30:20.440 --> 00:30:20.980 points to 00:30:20.980 --> 00:30:21.319 Jesus. 00:30:23.000 --> 00:30:23.539 And it's 00:30:23.539 --> 00:30:24.059 also the 00:30:24.059 --> 00:30:24.740 words spoken 00:30:24.740 --> 00:30:25.839 through the 00:30:25.839 --> 00:30:26.660 apostles and 00:30:26.660 --> 00:30:27.759 the eyewitnesses 00:30:27.759 --> 00:30:29.640 to Christ in 00:30:29.640 --> 00:30:30.319 the New Testament. 00:30:31.279 --> 00:30:31.900 It's the 00:30:31.900 --> 00:30:32.900 activity of the 00:30:32.900 --> 00:30:33.500 Holy Spirit 00:30:33.500 --> 00:30:34.400 that inspired the 00:30:34.400 --> 00:30:34.779 prophets, 00:30:34.980 --> 00:30:35.500 historians, 00:30:35.839 --> 00:30:36.819 and the early 00:30:36.819 --> 00:30:38.000 church who 00:30:38.000 --> 00:30:38.980 witnessed these 00:30:38.980 --> 00:30:39.440 things. 00:30:40.599 --> 00:30:40.759 See, 00:30:40.799 --> 00:30:42.299 Christians find 00:30:42.299 --> 00:30:43.259 hope for 00:30:43.259 --> 00:30:44.460 living in the 00:30:44.460 --> 00:30:44.839 Bible. 00:30:46.360 --> 00:30:47.299 We're like 00:30:47.299 --> 00:30:48.079 trees, 00:30:48.700 --> 00:30:49.360 reliant on 00:30:49.359 --> 00:30:49.959 the sap 00:30:49.959 --> 00:30:51.479 of Scripture. 00:30:54.039 --> 00:30:54.639 All of 00:30:54.639 --> 00:30:55.179 us came to 00:30:55.179 --> 00:30:55.699 faith through 00:30:55.699 --> 00:30:57.539 words spoken 00:30:57.539 --> 00:30:58.000 by the 00:30:58.000 --> 00:30:58.500 Spirit in 00:30:58.500 --> 00:30:58.879 the Bible 00:30:58.879 --> 00:31:00.500 because we 00:31:00.500 --> 00:31:00.899 were not in 00:31:00.899 --> 00:31:01.159 the room 00:31:01.159 --> 00:31:01.500 with Him. 00:31:03.839 --> 00:31:04.439 And as 00:31:04.439 --> 00:31:04.919 the Spirit 00:31:04.919 --> 00:31:05.639 empowers us 00:31:05.639 --> 00:31:06.479 to share 00:31:06.479 --> 00:31:07.639 the words of 00:31:07.639 --> 00:31:07.939 Scripture, 00:31:08.179 --> 00:31:08.619 we are given 00:31:08.619 --> 00:31:09.279 a plan, 00:31:10.799 --> 00:31:11.500 a plan to 00:31:11.500 --> 00:31:11.879 share it 00:31:11.879 --> 00:31:12.219 with the 00:31:12.219 --> 00:31:12.599 world. 00:31:13.000 --> 00:31:13.339 And the 00:31:13.339 --> 00:31:13.799 plan is 00:31:13.799 --> 00:31:14.159 clear. 00:31:14.379 --> 00:31:15.119 Verse 47 00:31:15.119 --> 00:31:15.599 says, 00:31:15.599 --> 00:31:26.480 It's a 00:31:26.480 --> 00:31:26.879 plan that 00:31:26.879 --> 00:31:27.659 we partner 00:31:27.659 --> 00:31:28.379 with God 00:31:28.379 --> 00:31:29.219 in while 00:31:29.219 --> 00:31:29.740 He works 00:31:29.740 --> 00:31:30.500 the miracle 00:31:30.500 --> 00:31:31.319 of saving 00:31:31.319 --> 00:31:31.819 the world 00:31:31.819 --> 00:31:32.699 along the 00:31:32.699 --> 00:31:32.980 way. 00:31:34.000 --> 00:31:34.480 And Luke 00:31:34.480 --> 00:31:35.359 himself knew 00:31:35.359 --> 00:31:36.639 about the 00:31:36.639 --> 00:31:36.959 Spirit, 00:31:37.139 --> 00:31:37.519 the Word, 00:31:37.519 --> 00:31:37.879 and the 00:31:37.879 --> 00:31:38.179 plan. 00:31:38.439 --> 00:31:39.159 He knew 00:31:39.159 --> 00:31:41.019 because people 00:31:41.019 --> 00:31:41.519 from that 00:31:41.519 --> 00:31:41.960 room 00:31:41.960 --> 00:31:44.420 followed 00:31:44.420 --> 00:31:44.740 Jesus' 00:31:44.900 --> 00:31:45.240 plan. 00:31:45.839 --> 00:31:45.980 The 00:31:45.980 --> 00:31:46.539 gospel of 00:31:46.539 --> 00:31:48.299 Jesus had 00:31:48.299 --> 00:31:49.220 reached Luke 00:31:49.220 --> 00:31:50.539 where he 00:31:50.539 --> 00:31:50.920 was, 00:31:51.160 --> 00:31:51.660 countries 00:31:51.660 --> 00:31:52.119 away, 00:31:53.720 --> 00:31:54.279 speaking a 00:31:54.279 --> 00:31:54.779 different heart 00:31:54.779 --> 00:31:55.279 language. 00:31:56.200 --> 00:31:56.740 And he was a 00:31:56.740 --> 00:31:57.180 Gentile, 00:31:57.240 --> 00:31:57.700 he was an 00:31:57.700 --> 00:31:58.500 enemy of 00:31:58.500 --> 00:31:59.279 the Jews, 00:32:02.079 --> 00:32:02.700 but he 00:32:02.700 --> 00:32:03.119 found out 00:32:03.119 --> 00:32:03.579 that Jesus 00:32:03.579 --> 00:32:05.019 rose to 00:32:05.019 --> 00:32:05.480 give him a 00:32:05.480 --> 00:32:06.019 living hope. 00:32:06.019 --> 00:32:09.139 back in 00:32:09.139 --> 00:32:09.619 chapter 1 00:32:09.619 --> 00:32:10.059 of Luke, 00:32:11.279 --> 00:32:12.099 Luke tells 00:32:12.099 --> 00:32:12.799 us why 00:32:12.799 --> 00:32:14.139 he's gone 00:32:14.139 --> 00:32:14.680 and wrote 00:32:14.680 --> 00:32:15.160 all this 00:32:15.160 --> 00:32:15.460 down. 00:32:15.980 --> 00:32:16.420 It's to 00:32:16.420 --> 00:32:17.519 bring certainty 00:32:17.519 --> 00:32:18.940 about what 00:32:18.940 --> 00:32:19.259 he had 00:32:19.259 --> 00:32:19.599 heard, 00:32:20.599 --> 00:32:21.519 to go 00:32:21.519 --> 00:32:22.359 directly to 00:32:22.359 --> 00:32:23.559 the eyewitnesses 00:32:23.559 --> 00:32:25.859 and report 00:32:25.859 --> 00:32:26.279 back. 00:32:27.500 --> 00:32:28.059 And Luke 00:32:28.059 --> 00:32:28.960 calls those 00:32:28.960 --> 00:32:29.920 eyewitnesses, 00:32:29.980 --> 00:32:30.420 the people he 00:32:30.420 --> 00:32:31.180 spoke to, 00:32:31.579 --> 00:32:32.039 or the people 00:32:32.039 --> 00:32:32.879 who he heard 00:32:32.879 --> 00:32:33.420 about Jesus 00:32:33.420 --> 00:32:33.879 from, 00:32:34.539 --> 00:32:35.700 servants of 00:32:35.700 --> 00:32:36.120 the word. 00:32:36.340 --> 00:32:36.860 I think 00:32:36.860 --> 00:32:37.340 that's a 00:32:37.340 --> 00:32:37.779 beautiful 00:32:37.779 --> 00:32:38.519 description 00:32:38.519 --> 00:32:39.720 of the 00:32:39.720 --> 00:32:40.480 purpose of 00:32:40.480 --> 00:32:40.779 Jesus' 00:32:40.980 --> 00:32:41.299 people, 00:32:42.120 --> 00:32:42.460 to be 00:32:42.460 --> 00:32:42.920 servants 00:32:42.920 --> 00:32:43.980 of the 00:32:43.980 --> 00:32:44.360 word. 00:32:45.799 --> 00:32:46.160 And how 00:32:46.160 --> 00:32:46.840 thankful we 00:32:46.840 --> 00:32:47.240 should be 00:32:47.240 --> 00:32:47.720 to Luke 00:32:47.720 --> 00:32:48.140 that a 00:32:48.140 --> 00:32:49.180 servant of 00:32:49.180 --> 00:32:49.539 the word 00:32:49.539 --> 00:32:50.100 himself, 00:32:50.720 --> 00:32:51.640 nearly 2,000 00:32:51.640 --> 00:32:52.200 years later, 00:32:52.299 --> 00:32:52.620 we are 00:32:52.620 --> 00:32:53.720 hearing from 00:32:53.720 --> 00:32:54.720 eyewitnesses 00:32:54.720 --> 00:32:55.920 through his 00:32:55.920 --> 00:32:56.720 journalism. 00:32:59.480 --> 00:33:00.100 And Luke, 00:33:00.680 --> 00:33:01.019 at the 00:33:01.019 --> 00:33:01.620 beginning of 00:33:01.620 --> 00:33:02.120 his gospel, 00:33:02.340 --> 00:33:03.980 started by 00:33:03.980 --> 00:33:04.819 reporting what 00:33:04.819 --> 00:33:05.680 happened in 00:33:05.680 --> 00:33:06.259 the temple. 00:33:07.080 --> 00:33:07.460 When 00:33:07.460 --> 00:33:08.880 Zechariah was 00:33:08.880 --> 00:33:10.160 the first to 00:33:10.160 --> 00:33:10.860 hear of the 00:33:10.860 --> 00:33:11.640 good news of 00:33:11.640 --> 00:33:12.039 the coming 00:33:12.039 --> 00:33:13.500 Messiah, and 00:33:13.500 --> 00:33:14.799 Luke finishes 00:33:14.799 --> 00:33:15.980 his gospel back 00:33:15.980 --> 00:33:16.900 at the temple. 00:33:19.660 --> 00:33:20.180 Look at verse 00:33:20.180 --> 00:33:21.700 51 and on to 00:33:21.700 --> 00:33:22.259 the end of 00:33:22.259 --> 00:33:22.700 this book. 00:33:23.700 --> 00:33:24.580 Jesus ascended 00:33:24.580 --> 00:33:25.140 into heaven 00:33:25.140 --> 00:33:26.220 physically, 00:33:26.600 --> 00:33:27.060 visibly, 00:33:27.840 --> 00:33:29.960 as if ascending 00:33:29.960 --> 00:33:31.039 to the throne, 00:33:31.039 --> 00:33:33.819 the throne of 00:33:33.819 --> 00:33:34.379 heaven, and 00:33:34.379 --> 00:33:34.859 then he was 00:33:34.859 --> 00:33:35.399 gone from 00:33:35.399 --> 00:33:35.980 their sight. 00:33:36.539 --> 00:33:37.079 But this 00:33:37.079 --> 00:33:37.539 time with 00:33:37.539 --> 00:33:38.180 Jesus gone, 00:33:38.259 --> 00:33:38.740 the disciples 00:33:38.740 --> 00:33:40.159 were joyful, 00:33:41.220 --> 00:33:42.579 continually, it 00:33:42.579 --> 00:33:42.940 says. 00:33:43.460 --> 00:33:44.220 They went to 00:33:44.220 --> 00:33:44.740 the temple 00:33:44.740 --> 00:33:46.460 praising God. 00:33:47.519 --> 00:33:47.700 Their 00:33:47.700 --> 00:33:48.359 darkness was 00:33:48.359 --> 00:33:48.819 gone. 00:33:50.259 --> 00:33:50.720 And they 00:33:50.720 --> 00:33:51.139 went to the 00:33:51.139 --> 00:33:52.460 temple where 00:33:52.460 --> 00:33:53.139 they could be as 00:33:53.139 --> 00:33:54.200 close to God as 00:33:54.200 --> 00:33:54.700 possible, 00:33:55.099 --> 00:33:56.139 grateful that 00:33:56.139 --> 00:33:56.759 their Messiah 00:33:56.759 --> 00:33:57.740 had risen, 00:33:57.740 --> 00:33:58.339 and they 00:33:58.339 --> 00:33:59.059 were waiting 00:33:59.059 --> 00:34:00.099 for the 00:34:00.099 --> 00:34:01.000 Spirit to 00:34:01.000 --> 00:34:01.319 come. 00:34:03.160 --> 00:34:03.460 And from 00:34:03.460 --> 00:34:03.960 that point 00:34:03.960 --> 00:34:04.400 on, once 00:34:04.400 --> 00:34:04.859 the Spirit 00:34:04.859 --> 00:34:07.240 came, they 00:34:07.240 --> 00:34:07.680 went everywhere. 00:34:08.639 --> 00:34:08.980 They didn't 00:34:08.980 --> 00:34:09.519 need to go to 00:34:09.519 --> 00:34:09.900 the temple 00:34:09.900 --> 00:34:10.420 anymore. 00:34:11.099 --> 00:34:11.340 They went 00:34:11.340 --> 00:34:11.840 from hiding 00:34:11.840 --> 00:34:12.099 in the 00:34:12.099 --> 00:34:12.539 darkness, 00:34:13.239 --> 00:34:13.619 anxious, 00:34:13.980 --> 00:34:14.480 disconnected, 00:34:14.639 --> 00:34:15.300 and confused, 00:34:15.500 --> 00:34:16.420 to believing 00:34:16.420 --> 00:34:18.019 united and 00:34:18.019 --> 00:34:19.139 purposeful. 00:34:21.019 --> 00:34:22.340 Jesus is a 00:34:22.340 --> 00:34:23.420 hope for 00:34:23.420 --> 00:34:23.840 living. 00:34:24.739 --> 00:34:25.300 It's a 00:34:25.300 --> 00:34:26.179 living hope. 00:34:26.559 --> 00:34:27.320 No person 00:34:27.320 --> 00:34:28.340 need live 00:34:28.340 --> 00:34:29.440 without hope 00:34:29.440 --> 00:34:30.680 and without 00:34:30.680 --> 00:34:31.700 God in 00:34:31.700 --> 00:34:32.120 the world. 00:34:32.820 --> 00:34:33.260 Anxious, 00:34:33.519 --> 00:34:33.980 disconnected, 00:34:34.160 --> 00:34:34.960 and confused. 00:34:35.620 --> 00:34:36.480 No person 00:34:36.480 --> 00:34:37.960 need fear 00:34:37.960 --> 00:34:38.940 that we 00:34:38.940 --> 00:34:39.519 can't know 00:34:39.519 --> 00:34:40.180 the author 00:34:40.180 --> 00:34:41.400 who created 00:34:41.400 --> 00:34:43.059 this story. 00:34:44.620 --> 00:34:45.220 So let the 00:34:45.220 --> 00:34:46.039 resurrection of 00:34:46.039 --> 00:34:46.900 Jesus confront 00:34:46.900 --> 00:34:47.980 your mind and 00:34:47.980 --> 00:34:48.580 your heart 00:34:48.580 --> 00:34:49.460 and your 00:34:49.460 --> 00:34:50.039 whole life. 00:34:51.320 --> 00:34:52.180 There is 00:34:52.180 --> 00:34:52.780 one who has 00:34:52.780 --> 00:34:53.400 defeated the 00:34:53.400 --> 00:34:53.960 darkness of 00:34:53.960 --> 00:34:54.580 sin and death 00:34:54.580 --> 00:34:55.539 and rose to 00:34:55.539 --> 00:34:56.140 life, who 00:34:56.140 --> 00:34:56.900 now offers 00:34:56.900 --> 00:34:57.559 the light 00:34:57.559 --> 00:34:58.260 of life 00:34:58.260 --> 00:34:58.800 to you. 00:34:59.800 --> 00:35:00.400 So repent 00:35:00.400 --> 00:35:03.300 today and 00:35:03.300 --> 00:35:04.079 find forgiveness 00:35:04.079 --> 00:35:05.599 in him and 00:35:05.599 --> 00:35:06.240 a living hope. 00:35:06.679 --> 00:35:07.739 ending 00:35:07.739 --> 00:35:07.739