This is the outline of the message I will be giving to San Pedro CRC- today at 6 AM during the Easter Sunrise service:
Redemptive /Fallen Condition Focus:
1. Instead of fear – be courageous in the Spirit in witnessing to the Lord Jesus
2. Instead of uselessness –being used for hidden opportunities to share the Gospel
Introduction
Read Ecclesiastes 12:
Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”;2 before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars are darkened and the clouds return after the rain,3 in the day when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men are bent, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those who look through the windows are dimmed, —6 before the silver cord is snapped, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is shattered at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern,7 and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
Have we consider how we view life now that we are old –do we think we are still useful ? Are we just being left out- waiting only for our deaths?
Usually in male-dominated world-business and defense – old men and women are no threats
Women –taking care of household chores and children –I am not demeaning you –I am just stating what is common..
But Men are! In business and in war
Men like Spartacus and his gladiators and the Jews in the Revolt were all crucufied!
That is why the twelve cowardly apostles are in hiding for three days since Jesus arrest! They are a threat and they know it . Their Jesus is a leader of an insurrection against Caesar –as seen in the wood above Jesus head.
But crucifixion in the time of Jesus is different but still women are no threat,
Why is Jesus a threat ?
Because He came as a king to Jerusalem though in peace
And He threaten the monopoly of the Pharisees in truth and the socio-economic tyranny of the priest collaborating with the Romans in the Temple –when Jesus cleansed it from thievery and usury.
Especially Annas- father-in-law of and Caiaphas
Many are glad of the Son of David coming to Jerusalem –but this wane easily when He was arrested in the night and ws not able to fight off a late night trial.
No one –not even his disciples were able to defend Him from the combined Priestly, Roman and Mob that condemened Him to Death.
Critical – Did Jesus really died on the cross –there is no resurrection if there is no death;
Read Mark 15
40 There were also women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome.41 When he was in Galilee, they followed him and ministered to him, and there were also many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem.
Since they are not perceive as threat- able to see His crucixion –John? Priestly clan?
They serve Him from Galilee – but they did not know it will lead to His death at Jerusalem.
Did He really died? Flogged, nailed, lance at His Side, feathers at the nose, with linen cloth wrapped, close quarters tomb, sealed tomb, with soldiers- YES
He did not just died because of physical abuses –but of the sacrifice for SINS –OURS.
Read Mark 15
42 And when evening had come, since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath,43 Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the Council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.44 Pilate was surprised to hear that he should have already died. And summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead.45 And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the corpse to Joseph.46 And Joseph bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud and laid him in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock. And he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb.
Joseph of Arimathea with Nicodemus –bold enough, when old –secretly –forced to be bold before Pilate – to ask for Jesus body.
Ensures that Jesus body is not thrown to common grave or eaten by carrion birds or dogs.
Ensures that Body is taken care of- before Sabbath starts at 6 PM.
Tomb of Jesus – low head room, with first chamber …
Word on Pauline and Markan Priority
Paul’s epistles written first:
Essential Gospel and How to live under the Lordship of Jesus:
Galatians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Corinthians
Romans
II Corinthians
I Timothy
Titus
Colossians
Ephesians
Philemon:
Philippians
II Timothy
Gospels: Order of Being Written:
Basic Story of Jesus for Gentiles- then eleboration for Jewish and Gentile Believers
Then John going back to the basic Gospel –believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as Son of God and be saved:
Mark
Matthew
Luke-Acts
John
Mark- Q – dependence of Matthew and Luke to Mark but still large part is independent research or knowledge and also the possibility of sayings remembered by many disciples-Q- for source…See table for percentage ..
And so based on Paul
1 Corinthians 15: 3
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me
Peter..then Twelve..then 500 then James..then to Paul… highlighting usual local legal witnesses needed –men
But women –if two or more can witness –in those times:
So did Jesus died and rose form the grave?
Occupied or empty?
Resurrection as History:
5 criteria that support the historicity of any event:
1. Multiple, independent witnesses – If several witnesses who aren’t copying each other say the same thing, the event is more likely to have happened.
2. Enemy witnesses – If an enemy of the event admits the event happened, it’s more likely to have happened.
3. Embarrassed witnesses – If a recorded event is something that wouldn’t have been made up by the author because it is embarrassing to his cause, the event is more likely to have happened.
4. Eyewitness testimony – Eyewitness testimony is more valuable than hearsay.
5. Early testimony – The closer a source is in time to the events it describes, the less time there was for the story to be embellished and corrupted
Also :
Minimal Facts Approach – Habermas & Licona -for the Resurrection:
1. Jesus died by crucifixion.
2. Jesus’ disciples so strongly believed in the Resurrection that they were
willing to suffer or die for their beliefs.
3. The Christian persecutor Paul suddenly converted.
4. The skeptic James, brother of Jesus, suddenly converted.
5. The tomb was empty.
What is resurrection body? Not spirit or ghost but corporeal- bodily –but not without the limitations of this body.
1 Corinthians 15: 42 So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable.43 It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power
Some would say that we easily forget the details fo the death of our loved ones?
Is it true?
Also see-
John 14: 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me.
25 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you.26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
I still remember the death of my Father in the hospital and morgue and of course of Nathaniel-April 14 2012 at a Taytay, Resort.
And so did the Women:
Mark 15:47-16:8
47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.
Mark 16:
1 When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him.2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb.3 And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?”4 And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large.5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed.6 And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him.7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.”8 And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
Their love shown –even they He is dead..They wills serve Him..by anointing His body with spices.
They cannot get anything from Him when He is dead –but they persist in their devotion and love of Him.
They fear they need two able bodied men to roll the stone
But it was already opened.
With a young man…an angel of the Lord..
Telling them that Jesus had already risen
With the Linen cloth left behind – the body and head cloth –left!
and they need to go to Peter –who betrayed Him three times :
Remember Mark is the nephew of Peter- He allowed this to be written.
By being there –still not a threat to men or the Roman Empire or the priests- they are able to be the first witnesses of the resurrection.
Mark 16: 8 And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
Eventually –conquering their fear – Peter and John was able to know about this…and so the story goes on…
Jesus is now more dangerous to the Roman Empire and the Sanhedrin or the Priests now that He is Risen…and salvation can now be preached under His Name.
See the summary of the Gospels, Paul’s and Acts
And Jesus showed Himself to the Apostles where they are hiding and in Galilee-
His Resurrection changes everything!
Application:
1. Fear – Witness- despite of –but rely on the Holy Spirit and Scriptures always.
2. Feel that we are of no use anymore? – not seen as a threat; therefore witness and assist the spread of the Gospel.
And someday we will be in the presence of the Risen Lord –as He is with us –in the Lord’s Table….
Walk by Grace thru Faith 