Encountering the Joys of the Resurrection

Sermon text: Luke 24:36–49

Sermon prepared by the Holy Spirit and pastor Andrew T. Okai

Third Sunday of Easter

April 15, 2018

Introduction

Grace, mercy, and peace...

Today is the third Sunday of Easter, and the story of our Lord’s resurrection still reverberates in our hearts and ears.

Jesus’ first disciples were still trying to figure out what was going on. They had lost three things—hope, peace, and joy. The gospel story this morning tells us how these followers of Christ regained their losses.

A startling revelation

People kept bringing news that they had seen Jesus.

During this startling revelation of himself, Jesus had to deal with fear and doubt: the two common enemies of faith.

A stunning realization

Jesus showed them his hands and feet.

This story elevates our joy, strengthens our faith, and establishes our hope all the more

A spiritual repercussion

This spiritual repercussion began with a mind-opening moment...

The church is built today on the witness of the early disciples—and the subject of our preaching and witness is repentance, for the forgiveness of sins.

The spiritual repercussion from this one act on the part of our Lord got us here today.