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The Messianic King, Almost Defeated

Wayne Galloway
10/07/18 - Sunday Morning Worship

The Messianic King, Almost Defeated

 

Introduction:

 

1.  The Jewish authorities and Pilate thought they had put an end to the bogus Messiah.

2.  They thought they had put a stop to any threat to their place and their political positions when they crucified Jesus.

3.  But almost before they have time to congratulate themselves a new crisis arises.

4.  The one they have crucified is alive again! 

5.  The message among His followers is, “He is risen!” 

6.  He will establish His kingdom and even the gates of death will not overpower it (Matt. 16:18).

 

Discussion:

 

I.  It is important to be clear about what the N.T. means when it refers to “resurrection.”

 

    A.  It is not a reference to the resurrection of the cause of Jesus.

         1.  While it is true that because of the crucifixion the disciples were dejected and   

              disappointed but later become focused on advancing the cause begun by Jesus.

         2.  But this is NOT what the N.T. means by resurrection.

    B.  It is not a reference to the continuation of the life of disembodied spirits in some

         heavenly realm like the Sadducees seem to reference in Mk. 12:18ff.

    C.  Resurrection refers to a restoration of life in this world, a bringing back of the dead

          person from the realm of Hades to resume his place among his friends and relatives

          just as before he died.

          1.  He is the same person.

          2.  He is the same personality.

          3.  He has the same purposes.

          4.  It is as if He had been asleep.  Indeed, Christians who have died are described as

               being asleep in Jesus (1 Thess. 4:13ff).

     D.  Whatever you make of the resurrection—whether you regard it as an impossibility, a

           hoax perpetuated by His disciples or a reality—it is clear what the N.T. text means

           to communicate.

 

II.  Evidences of the resurrection.

 

     A.  Empty tomb.

          1.  The women found the tomb empty.  Mary Magdelene, Joanna, Mary, the mother

               of James.

               a.  On their way to the tomb they debated about how to get the tomb open.

               b.  When they arrived they found it open and empty.

          2.  Peter and John (Lk. 24:12; Jn. 20:3-9).

     B.  The guards (Matt. 28:4, 11-15).

     C.  The angel (Matt. 28:5-7).

     D.  The appearances (1 Cor. 15:5).

           1.  Cephas (Lk. 24:13ff).

           2.  The twelve (Jn. 20:19ff).

           3.  500 brethren.

           4.  James.

           5.  All the apostles (Jn. 20:26ff; Acts 1:3; Jn. 21:14).

           6.  Paul when commission with his apostolic task.

      E.  The Scripture’s predictions.

            1.  Psa. 16:10; Acts 2:31; 13:35; Matt. 16:18.

            2.  Sign of Jonah (Matt. 12:39-40).

      F.  Jesus’ predictions.

            1.  Sign of Jonah (Matt. 12:39-40)

            2.  Matt. 16:21.

            3.  Prediction to the 12 (Matt. 16:21; 20:17-19; cf. Matt. 27:62ff).

      G.  Resurrected saints (Matt. 27:53).

      H.  Whether you draw the conclusion that Jesus’ resurrection was real or whether it is

           too much for you to believe, you must understand that people risked and even gave

           their lives believing it.  If this appears to you as nonsense and you do not believe—

           understand that they apostles were like you at first (Lk. 24:11).

 

III.  After the resurrection Jesus continued the work He had begun before He was crucified.

 

      A.  He continued explaining the Scriptures (Lk. 24:27-32, 44-46).

      B.  Luke makes the continuation of His work abundantly clear in Acts 1:1-8.

            1.  The first account (the Gospel of Luke) continues in Luke’s second volume (Acts).

            2.  He refers to the first account as “all that Jesus began to do and teach.”

      C.  He personally continued teaching concerning the kingdom of God (Acts 1:3).

      D.  He commissioned the apostles—predicting their receiving power when the Holy

           Spirit came upon them.  He said, “You shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and

           in Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth” (1:8).

      E.  The Book of Acts describes the continuation of His work.

      F.  The Epistles give details of the on-going work.

      G.  We are testimony to His work in us.

      H.  We might think, “Well, Christians have inherited the work from Christ.  We are

            carrying on the work He began.”  No!  We participate in the work with Him.

            1.  “I am with you always” (Matt. 28:20).

            2.  While we may plant and water it is God that causes the growth (1 Cor. 3:7).

            3.  “We are God’s fellow workers” (1 Cor. 3:9).

            4.  Paul refers to “God making an appeal through us” (2 Cor. 5:20).

 

IV.  They preached the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  They preached His coronation as King.  They preached entrance into His kingdom by faith, repentance and baptism.  As evidenced in Acts 2 . . .

       A.  Death, burial and resurrection (22-32).

       B.  His coronation as King (33-36).

       C.  Entrance into the kingdom through faith, repentance and baptism (37-41).

       D.  They were not told . . .

             1.  “There is nothing you can do but wait for the Holy Spirit to come upon you.”

             2.  “To pray the sinner’s prayer.”

             3.  “To accept Jesus as their personal Savior.”

             4.  It is important to accept Jesus and it is appropriate to pray for forgiveness, but

                  they were NOT told to do this.

             5.  Peter said, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ

                  (by the authority of the King) for the forgiveness of your sins.”  Those who

                  received his word were baptized.

 

Conclusion:

 

1.  The Messiah may not be what you have expected.

      a.  If you are looking for a powerful political leader, He is not that kind of King.

      b.  If you are looking for a dominant military leader, He is not that kind of King.

      c.  He did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life a ransom for many.

2.  He has served you by giving His life for your sins.

3.  If this crushes your rebellious heart submit to Him.  Repent and be baptized in the name of the King for the forgiveness of your sins.