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Sermon Introduction

Jesus appeared to His disciples after His resurrection. At first, they were frightened, but the Lord appeased them by showing His hands and feet that were pierced, proving that He was not just a spirit but alive physically. He ate fish in their presence to prove it. Jesus would then explain everything about Him in the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms. Everything that was written was fulfilled. Although the writer, Luke, did not elaborate on the details for the sake of space, we believe that such were explained in the New Testament Scriptures. The primary purpose of the Old Testament Scriptures was to foreshadow or foretell the coming of the Messiah. Everything in the Old would lead to the suffering, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Ed Pilapil Jr.
Senior Pastor

Luke 24:44-48

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”.

Notes

Jesus appeared to His disciples after His resurrection. At first, they were frightened, but the Lord appeased them by showing His hands and feet that were pierced, proving that He was not just a spirit but alive physically. He ate fish in their presence to prove it. Jesus would then explain everything about Him in the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms. Everything that was written was fulfilled. Although the writer, Luke, did not elaborate on the details for the sake of space, we believe that such were explained in the New Testament Scriptures. The primary purpose of the Old Testament Scriptures was to foreshadow or foretell the coming of the Messiah. Everything in the Old would lead to the suffering, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

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” (Luke 24:44).

1. Suffering and Resurrection

   The Risen Lord opened the minds of the disciples to understand the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms in relation to Him. Jesus explained that the prophesied Christ should suffer and rise again on the third day.

   
   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” (Luke 9:45-46).

   Application: Therefore, whenever we proclaim the gospel, we must proclaim the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We should include it in our public prayers, personal testimonies, and gospel sharing.

   
   

2. Repentance for Forgiveness

   The Lord Jesus would then give clear directives to His disciples, which is to proclaim repentance for the forgiveness of sins to all the nations. The disciples obeyed this directive because it was a command of the risen Lord.

   
   47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem (Luke 24:47).

   Application: Therefore, we must proclaim repentance and declare that Jesus suffered, died, and rose from the dead. If we neglect to proclaim repentance, we disobey a direct command from the Lord. However, some of us have observed gospel presentations that do not emphasize repentance or similar words that resemble repentance. Some words or phrases that resemble repentance are: ‘Turn away from your sins’ and ‘Go and sin no more.

3. Apostles’ Witness with Power

   Jesus stated the obvious: His disciples witnessed His life, suffering, death, and resurrection. Jesus expected them to proclaim their testimony, their understanding from the OT Scriptures that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead, and that He instructed them to proclaim repentance for the forgiveness of sin.

   
   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” (Luke 24:48-49).

   Application: Therefore, we must believe in the apostles’ witness as recorded in the New Testament Scriptures. Furthermore, we must pass their gospel witness from person to person, place to place, and generation to generation. Moreover, we may also add our personal account of what the gospel has done in our lives without losing emphasis on the Lord’s direct commands in proclaiming repentance.

Highlights of the Chapter

1. The Lord Jesus Christ fulfilled the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms. It was written that Christ should suffer and rise from the dead. Therefore, we must study the OT Scriptures with a Christ-centered lens.

2. The disciples witnessed His life, suffering, death, and resurrection. With the power of the Spirit, they proclaimed what they witnessed. Therefore, we believe and persuade others to believe in the apostles' witness.

3. Christ gave a clear directive to the disciples to proclaim repentance for the forgiveness of sins to all the nations. Therefore, we must proclaim repentance for the forgiveness of sins whenever we proclaim the gospel.

Reflection & Discussion

1. How did Jesus prove that He was physically alive?

2. What key elements did He mention about Christ?

3. What should the disciples proclaim to all nations?