Worshiping the Ascended Christ - Nathan Rages

 

Luke 24:50-53 and Acts 1:9-11 record Jesus' ascension back to heaven.     This message follows the action by focusing first on Jesus, then the angels, and finally the watching believers:
1. Jesus:
     Choosing the location (24:50).
     Blessing His people (24:51).
     Rising through the sky into heaven (24:51, 1:9). 
2. Angels:
     Explaining what happened (1:11).
     Promising the Second Coming (1:11).
3. Believers:
     Worshipping Jesus (24:52).
     Joyfully praising God (24:52-53).

Commissioned by the Resurrected Christ - Nathan Rages

 

Luke 24:36-48 describes the resurrected Jesus' appearance to His apostles and other believers during which He commissions His church.
1. Jesus appears:
His words: reassurance, not rebuke (v36-38).
His body: fully human, yet with new qualities (v39-43).
2. Jesus commissions:
The foundation: fulfilled Scripture (v44-46).
The message: repentance and forgiveness in His name (v47).
The location: from Jerusalem to all nations (v47).
The role: witnesses (v48).
The power: the Holy Spirit (v49).

Stranger on the Road to Emmaus - Nathan Rages

 

Luke 24:13-35 describes the resurrected Jesus' appearance to two disciples on the road to Emmaus and provides these insights:
1. The love Jesus shows to ordinary believers (v13).
2. The value of Christian fellowship (v14-15,25-35).  
3. The confusion from incomplete Bible understanding (v25). 
4. The delight of hearing Scripture clearly explained (v32). 
5. The need for spiritual perception to see Christ (v15-16,31).   
6. The story of the whole Bible is Jesus Christ (v27).

Discovering the Resurrection - Nathan Rages

 

Luke 24:1-12 describes the early Christians discovering that Jesus' tomb is empty. This sermon notes seven crucial details in the account:
1. The day of the week (v1).
2. The role of women (v1-10).
3. The missing body (v3,12).
4. The angels’ question (v5).
5. The remembering of Jesus’ words (v6-8).
6. The skepticism of the apostles (v8-11).
7. The hopefulness of Peter (v12).

Encouragements for Evangelism - Nathan Rages

 

Evangelism, the communication of the Gospel to unsaved people, is an important activity that's commanded by Jesus.  Christians, however, can become discouraged about their efforts, so this sermon provides seven Biblical encouragements:
1. We have the authority and presence of God Himself (Matt. 28:18-20, Acts 1:8, 1Thess. 1:5).
2. The Gospel message is inherently powerful (Rom. 1:16, Mark 4:26-28, 1Cor 3:5-7). 
3. The Gospel message is truly good news (Isa. 52:7, Phil. 2:15).
4. You already know enough to do it (John 9:25, Heb. 4:12, 2Cor 5:20).
5. You have more opportunities than you realize (Luke 10:2).
6. Love can overcome many obstacles (1John 4:18, Rom. 9:1-3).
7. Christ is honored regardless of anyone’s responses (Ps. 96:3, Ezek 2:5, 2Cor. 2:15-16).

Why Jesus' Burial Matters So Much - Nathan Rages

 

Luke 23:50-56 describes the burial of the Lord Jesus which was overseen by a mysterious man named Joseph.  This sermon discusses this man, his actions, and the observers who witnessed the process.  Then we consider six reasons why Jesus' burial was so important. 
1. The man (v50-51):
     From Arimathea.
     A Council member who had “not consented to their plan and action”.
     A “good and righteous man” who was “waiting for the kingdom of  God”. 
     A “rich man” (Matt. 27:57).
2. The actions (v52-54):
     Requesting Jesus’ body from Pilate.
     Taking it down from the cross.
     Preparing it for burial.
     Laying it in his own new tomb.
3. The observers (v55-56). 

Why was the burial of Jesus so important?
1. It proved Jesus was truly dead.
2. It demonstrated God’s providential provision.
3. It showed honor to Jesus’ body.
4. It obeyed God’s ancient command.
5. It fulfilled Bible prophecies.
6. It safeguarded the resurrection miracle.

A Tale of Two Thieves - Nathan Rages

 

NOTE: We apologize for audio glitches in the early minutes of this video.  

Luke 23:39-43 tells one of the most sudden and unexpected salvation stories in the whole Bible.  The story involves the two criminals who were crucified along with Jesus and can broken down into three parts:  
1. Their great wickedness (v32,39).  
2. The great change in one of them (v39-42).  
3. The great promise Jesus gave (v43). 

Lessons about salvation:
1. It is possible for really bad people.
2. It is possible at the very end of life.
3. It can be extremely simple.
4. It requires a miracle. 
5. It often feels unfair.