First Baptist Church, South Haven
Join us for in-person worship in the sanctuary or live on Facebook at 10:30am. The service will also be posted to YouTube and Archive later in the week.
Raised From the Dead
Luke 24:13-32
Pastor Jerry Koller
Goal: to help us align what we believe with how we live.
2 Timothy 2:8 NIV
Premise: Jesus Christ has risen from the dead.
John 2:22 NIV
Objective: that you will do the same, that you will remember His resurrection, believe what He said, and reflect this belief through how you live your life.
We are told that the two were kept from recognizing Him.
Perhaps the saddest words they uttered were when they said, “...we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel…”
How sad it was that in spite of a mountain of evidence, all of which pointed to Jesus’ resurrection, the two were solidly convinced it was all over, and that Jesus was only a great prophet and teacher.
At this, Jesus rebuked these two men for their spiritual dullness. He called them foolish and slow of heart to not believe. Then He began to explain to them,
Luke 24:27 NIV
After Jesus left, the two looked at each other and asked Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?
· Burning hearts is a metaphor for hearts that are stirred, hearts that are moved by the realization of truth.
· It is a metaphor of the recognition of truth in the deepest part of a person.
Let’s not miss the point as to why we celebrate Easter.
· It’s about a risen Savior.
· It’s about victory over sin and death.
· It’s about a heart that burns with love and obedience.
· It’s about living in the power of the resurrection.
What effect should that have on the way we live?
There are times when we are not very different than Cleopas and his friend.
· At times, we allow our circumstances to keep us from recognizing Jesus for who He is, what He has done, and what He has made available to us. What is it that clouds your vision of Jesus?
Psalms 46:1 NIV
We often walk through life totally engrossed in our own little world. As a result, we often treat the Resurrected One as though He is a stranger who has invaded our space. Shouldn’t we be practicing His presence—living in the awareness that Jesus is always with us—at all times—in all places—in all circumstances?
At times, we are like Cleopas and his friend because we treat Jesus as if He were just a great prophet or a great teacher. We receive His teachings. We look at His examples. Then, like other teachers we have had, we choose whether or not we want to follow these teachings.
Let us realize, on this resurrection Sunday, that all of us on traveling on our own Emmaus Road.
· Let us realize that as we walk, it is important for us to intimately know Jesus and the power of the resurrection.
· It is important to know His word.
· Not believing in what Jesus said is foolishness.
· Not acting upon it reflects slowness of heart as far as believing is concerned.
Luke 24:30-31 NIV
May the resurrection remind you how God gives us a multitude of opportunities to see Him, see His handiwork, see His presence and love. All we need to do is open our eyes.
· When we look, we will recognize Him.
· And when we recognize Him, our hearts will be warmed.
Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, and may you live in the power of the resurrection.
· John & Susan Seitz and their family upon the loss of Susan’s mother, Loretta Pollard, on 3/16.
· Nancy Scott and her family upon the loss of her mother, Evelyn Semand, on March 5. A memorial service will be held on May 20 at 2:00pm at FBC.
· Caroline Bocock has been terribly ill as she is dealing with a Lyme Disease outbreak. Some of her symptoms included being in excruciating pain, having blackouts, issues with sleeping, darkening vision, random skin issues, a constant headache since 11/5, and so much more. She is taking a regiment of medications to get it under control.
· Nolan Marshall (son of Dan & Tracy) is receiving outpatient therapy but hasn’t found an even keel yet. He has been allowed to return to the school environment with many boundaries in place. The Marshall family is still very much in crisis mode and continued prayers are appreciated as they try to adjust medications and work with Nolan to manage his diagnoses.
· Marge Benham is doing well. She is working with physical therapy on weight bearing activities.
· Joyce Bocock has completed chemo and radiation; praise God that both tumors have shrunk significantly more than expected; evaluating additional treatment options.
· Check out our monthly prayer card on-line at southhavenfbc.com under “Weekly Bulletins” for a list of those with on-going needs.
First Baptist Church
1635 76th Street
South Haven, MI 49090
269-637-1291
southhavenfbc@gmail.com