Easter Sunday

April 20, 2025

Scripture: Luke 24:36-45

Sermon Notes:

· Luke 9:22 – And he said to them, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.”

· Soren Kierkegaard – Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards.

· Their own agenda for Jesus prevented them from hearing what he was saying.

· Luke 24:11 – But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense.

· Luke 24:33b-34 – They found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together, and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon!”

· 36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a

· Until you meet the risen Jesus, it is hard to believe his promises.

· Peace is knowing whatever you face, Jesus has already won.

· Don’t just hear about Jesus; meet him.

· 38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” 40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet.

· The only way to know if Jesus is real is to get close to him

· 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence.

· 44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” 45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.

· God wants to connect with people.

· Jesus is the servant King.

· Jesus is the King who does the right thing.

· A.T. Robertson – All the scripture looks different in the light of the Cross and Resurrection.

· Whenever we read the Bible, read it against the backdrop of Jesus

· If you struggle with faith, you are normal.

· It is normal to struggle; don’t stop pursuing Jesus.

· Listen to Jesus’ invitation.

· What is God’s invitation to you today?

Life Group Discussion Questions

Opener: What has happened in your life that seemed too good to be true, but it really happened?

1. Read Luke 24:36-37

2. Put yourself in that room. What would your reaction be if Jesus appeared in your midst? What emotions would you experience?

3. Read Luke 24:38-40

4. What does it mean to you that Jesus was able to read their thoughts and know they were troubled?

5. Have you ever talked with someone who said they did not believe in the resurrection of Jesus? What was your response?

6. Read Luke 24:41-43

7. In your opinion, what is the significance of Jesus being hungry and eating a piece of fish?

8. Read Luke 24:44-45.

9. Is there part of the Old Testament that is hard for you to understand? How might your understanding be helped if you read that passage in the light of Jesus’ death and resurrection?