The Proof is in God’s Word

August 8, 2021

The Proof is in God’s Word

Luke 24:1-53

 

-The proof that the pudding is good comes by eating it.

-In similar fashion, one of the primary proofs of Christianity is in God’s Word and we find that proof to be eternally effective as we embrace it whole-heartedly for ourselves!

-We see the role of God’s Word/Holy Scriptures not only in the times directly following Jesus’ resurrection, but also the role the Bible is to have in our lives still today!

 

I. Sustenance for our Relationships (Luke 24:1-12)

-In this moment of crisis, God sent angels to minister to these ladies and He sent them equipped with His Word to stabilize their emotions and to mobilize them to action.

-These ladies had gone from panic and despair to peace and decisiveness in a matter of moments–all because of the power of God’s Words!

-It was the words of Christ that they needed in that moment to put their hearts at ease and to give them the wherewithal to keep moving forward.

-One of the main tasks that Jesus has left for us is to interact with one another as believers in a way that draws each other to a closer focus on Jesus.

-The only way we can interact with others in that way is if we are first interacting with the Words of God in a constant and intimate way.

-If we are to encourage and strengthen those God has placed around us, we must be feeding on and digesting the Words God gave us that have the power to strengthen, stabilize, and mobilize our hearts and minds.

-Our relationships are in dire need of us feasting on, digesting, and sharing the hope that is found only in God’s Word.

-Bible-based hope is not always immediately embraced by others in our relationships, but it takes time and consistency.

-How do we apply ourselves to this time and consistency?

1. Feeding, 2. Chewing, 3. Sharing (hit repeat!)

*For believers the only true sustenance for our relationships with each other is the Word of God.

 

II. Remedy for our Disappointments (Luke 24:13-35)

-These guys were very disappointed with life…v. 17, Jesus says, “Why are you sad?”, v. 21, “We trusted that Jesus was going to come through for us, but it didn’t happen,” vv. 22-24, “these women are saying Jesus is alive, but we haven’t seen Him anywhere!”

-What they had hoped would happen didn’t happen and they were definitely disappointed.

-We all face disappointment and it often comes when we have our hearts set on something and it doesn’t happen the way we think it should.

-Unfortunately, we often let our disappointment control us and prevent us from being and doing what God has left us here to do–point others to Him.

-Jesus takes them right back to the Word of God to correct their disappointed thinking (vv.25-35).

-What they needed to correct their disappointed thinking was reminders of Jesus and God’s promises concerning Jesus from the Bible!

-They had gotten so wrapped up in their own disappointment that they had lost sight of the hope of God found in the Word of God all surrounding the Son of God!

-We get so consumed with our problems, that we overlook God’s solutions found right here in His Word—Jesus and His mercy!

-Sometimes, we make our disappointments bigger than they really are and we need to be reminded of the truth of Jesus!

-Sometimes we allow our disappointments to overshadow the simple truths of the Gospel and we need to be reminded of the truth of Jesus!

-Sometimes we try to manipulate and come up with an answer for our disappointments and we need to be reminded of the truth of Jesus!

-Jesus doesn’t refer these 2 guys to a horoscope, to a pep-talk, or even to a mind-over-matter exercise…He takes them right back to the Scriptures!

-The need in every single one of our disappointments is the Word of God!

-Our thinking needs a constant reset that only the Bible can provide!

-Without a constant diet of the Words of God, we are vulnerable to all sorts of disappointments that never have to be.

 

III. Motivation for our Mission (Luke 24:36-53)

-Here Jesus appears to the eleven disciples themselves who were living in disappointment and despair and He physically shows Himself to them (His wounds, His physical body, and even His hunger and ability to eat).

-Interestingly, there was still some disbelief at this: v. 41, “…they believed not for joy and wondered…” (too good to be true!)

-Even the sight of their own eyes was not enough for them.

-But notice what did open their eyes of faith—the Words of God (vv. 44-53)

-They key to them embracing the resurrection and being motivated to go on and preach the Gospel was the very Words of God!

-Acts 1:8, But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

-When you combine Luke 24 and Acts 1, you see that it was the opening of their eyes with the Scriptures that them led to them receiving the mission of taking the Gospel to a lost and dying world.

-The same holds true for you and me today:

Romans 10:17 – So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

-This motivates us to take the faith-giving Word to the faithless.

-Matthew 28:19-20 – Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

-This motivates us to build gospel-based relationships because this is what Jesus has called us to do in His Word.

-God has not called us to merely work our jobs and to take care of our families (those are PART of His calling), but He has called us to make disciples by taking His Gospel to those with whom we have relationships!

-It is His Word that motivates this mission!

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