An Anchor For Your Faith | Luke: Season 2, Part 13
April 16, 2023 / Crosstown Alliance ChurchLuke Season 2, pt 13 – “An Anchor For Your Faith”
Luke 24:36-53
As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” 37 But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. 38 And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate before them. 44 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” 50 And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. 51 While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple blessing God.
Three Anchors for Our Faith:
1. Jesus is alive
Luke 24:36-43
As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” 37 But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. 38 And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate before them.
“they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit”
“Touch me, and see.“
1 Corinthians 15:6
Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.
1 Corinthians 15:20-23
But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.
The resurrection not only impacts our future life but also our present one.
Is there anything in your life that needs to be reorganized or reprioritized in light of an eternal reality?
2. Jesus is the point of life
Luke 24:44-46
Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead,
Everything points to Him because it’s all about Him.
He’s the point of the entire OT:
Jesus is the Word who was with God in the beginning (Jn. 1)
Jesus is the One through whom everything was made (Col. 1:16)
Jesus is the son of the woman who would crush the head of the serpent (Gen. 3:15)
Jesus is the Passover lamb that would allow God’s wrath to passover God’s people (Exd. 12)
Jesus is the great high priest who was the only one who could mediate between God and man
(Hebrews 8:1-2)
Jesus is the greater prophet; the very word of God; literally the Word became flesh (Jn. 1:14)
Jesus is the good shepherd (psalm 23)
If Jesus is the point of Scripture, shouldn’t He be the point of our lives?
3. Jesus gives us a power and purpose
Luke 24:47-53
and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” 50 And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. 51 While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple blessing God.
Power—“I am sending the promise of my Father upon you”
Purpose—“you are my witnesses of these things”
Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
All of Jesus for all the world
Project A.M.O.R.E (Assistance to Migrants and/or Refugees)
– Three of our boys need places to live. Pray for fair, compassionate landlords.
– Prayer for health and stamina to do the work that God has called us to.
– Last but not least, less of us…more of Him. That we will refresh our souls and our spirit in His presence, and that everything we do will be under the guidance and power of his Holy Spirit.
When the people of God are filled with the power of God, and start living for the purpose of God, the kingdom of God begins to grow.
Application Questions:
Have you reorganized and reprioritized your life in light of the resurrection?
Are you staying on point and connecting everything to the point—Jesus?
Are you living for God’s purpose with God’s power?