Rediscoving Christ-Alive — Major Ian Thomas

So good to be back with you again tonight, sounds like my joints when I get up in the morning. I appreciate the word concerning these books. Saving Life of Christ takes its title from Romans 5 and 10.

Salvation Through the Life of Christ

If when we were enemies, past tense, we were reconciled to God, past tense, an accomplished fact, by the death of God's Son, much more, a million times much more, we shall be saved by His life. You're not saved by the death of Christ, except in a very limited sense.

You escape hell, you're destined for heaven, but that isn't salvation. You're saved by the life of Christ, because the death of Christ for you is designed to put the life of Christ in you. And we've already discovered that that's what it takes, because it takes God to be a man, and Christ in the Christian puts God back into the man.

Let's not forget it. I might even mention it again. We're told that under the most favorable conditions, we never ever remember more than 10 of anything that anybody has ever said. So if you want everybody to remember everything you said, you've got to say everything at least 10 times.

And I'll do my best. If I perish, I perish. If you've never recognized the spiritual content in the book of Esther, it's quite fantastic. With meticulous accuracy, God unfolds the whole redemptive and regenerative purpose.

Begins with a man called King Ahasuerus representing the human soul under the domination of an evil malicious influence in the person of a man called Haman, who represents the flesh, always does. He was an Amalekite.

He's the one who wears the ring of executive government. He calls the shots. Everything that Ahasuerus does with full confidence in Haman's competence, he does at his behest. On the outside, exercising no influence.

Mordecai representing the Holy Spirit. He has no access to the palace as in the unregenerate. So we are dominated by that Adamic nature of satanic origin. And the Holy Spirit plays no role. And the whole unfolding of the book, of course, is designed to get the wrong man out and the right man in.

And the only way to get the wrong man out and the right man in is to get the right man in to get the wrong man out. And that's what the gospel is all about. Mystery of godliness is no longer a mystery.

Because it's become an open secret in Jesus Christ, who in the sinlessness of his humanity, in a fantastic way, demonstrated how he as God created man and those principles that must control man's relationship to God and God's relationship to man.

Trust that those books may be helpful. But if you want a really good book that comprehends it all, read the Bible. Because that's where it is. And if it isn't there, it isn't anywhere. It's the book that God has given to us.

The Resurrection and the Disciples’ Rediscovery of Christ

The revelation, as we reminded ourselves yesterday, that testifies of him. Said Dr. Gamaliel is dead. Judas, said Dr. Gamaliel, is dead. And Jesus, said Dr. Gamaliel, is dead. Those who followed Judas scattered.

Those who followed Judas scattered. And said he, those who followed Jesus will scatter. What's the panic? But, said Dr. Gamaliel, if he is a lie and these men share his resurrection, then you'd better keep your hands off them.

Unless you can fight against God. And as we saw last evening, and know today, Dr. Gamaliel was right. That's why nearly 2 ,000 years later, we're gathered in this hall tonight. Rejoicing in the one who is our, whose body as individual members in particular, by that miracle of spiritual new birth on the grounds of redemption we have been at.

And whose privilege it is at this very moment to share his life. Who gave himself for us that he might give himself to us. But you see, at the stage where we left them last evening, the disciples hadn't a clue about this.

Not a clue. They didn't want the cross, because it didn't make sense. And they didn't believe in the resurrection. So something must have happened. For we find them in Acts chapter 5. Remember from Sunday evening?

Or Sunday morning rather. Acts chapter 5. Teaching and preaching the very thing that in Matthew 16, the Lord Jesus forbade them under any circumstances to teach or preach. That Jesus was the Christ. Something must have happened.

And what happened was their rediscovery of the Lord Jesus. Not on the basis of a mere human affection. Something way and beyond mere dedication or loyalty to a leader. No longer just now the verb of those enthusiastically want to see a movement off the ground.

They rediscover the Lord Jesus in an entirely new dimension. In the power of his resurrection. And it really all began in Matthew 28. And we're going to turn there tonight. And begin the story of their rediscovery.

Matthew 28. In the end of the Sabbath as it began to dawn. Toward the first day of the week came Mary Magdalene. And the other Mary to see the sepulchre. And of course they came more than to see the sepulchre.

They came we're told elsewhere in the other gospel records loaded. With spices and ointment to embalm the dead body of their now risen Lord. For this was the third morning. It was the first day of the week.

That first day that since then we have celebrated as the Lord's day. Because on it we celebrate his resurrection. In the end of the Sabbath. Now I probably need not remind you that. The Lord Jesus was not crucified quite obviously on Friday.

That is a superstition that has been passed down through the centuries. But of course has no biblical foundation in fact. Said the Lord Jesus as Jonah was. Three days and three nights in the belly of the whale.

So shall the Son of Man be three days and three nights. In the two. Had the Lord Jesus been crucified on Friday. Friday night, Saturday night, risen again on Sunday morning. How many nights would he have been in the two?

Two. And neither the Lord Jesus nor the Bible makes that kind of a mistake. So merely in passing almost in parenthesis. Let me remind you. That the Sabbath that followed the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus.

Was not the normal Saturday Sabbath. It was clearly pointed out. In the 19th chapter of John's gospel. Just in case you and I should be that dumb as to think it was the real Sabbath. That it was the Passover Sabbath.

It was a high day. 31st verse. If you care to turn to it though. Find the way back please quickly to Matthew 28. When we're at that stage. 31st verse of the 19th of John. The Jews therefore. Because it was the preparation that the body should not remain.

Upon the cross on the Sabbath day. Parenthesis. Just in case you make a mistake. That Sabbath was an high day. A special Sabbath. Not Saturday. It was the Passover Sabbath. Happened to be a Friday. So there were two Sabbaths in a row.

Friday. Passover Sabbath. A high day. And Saturday. The normal Sabbath. And lest these bodies hanging on a cross should desecrate. The high day. The Passover Sabbath. They besought Pilate that their legs might be broken.

And that they might be taken away. And so the soldiers came. You'll remember. And they smashed the legs of one. And smashed the legs of another. And when they came to the Lord Jesus. They said. He's dead.

Can't be dead. It's too soon for him to be dead. Nobody was ever dead that soon. For crucifixion was an excruciating means. Of execution. Introduced by the Romans. Who borrowed it from the Phoenicians.

And the North African foes. Coast. Before ever they invaded Palestine. But he was dead. Because you see. Said the Lord Jesus. To Pilate. Nobody takes my life from me. I lay down my life. A ransom for men.

So they didn't break his legs. That's why in the 12th chapter. The book of Exodus. Speaking of that which foreshadowed the coming of the Lamb of God. That taketh away the sin of the world. The Passover Lamb.

No coincidence that the Lord Jesus was crucified. At Passover. For when the angel of God's judgment sees. The Lamb of that unblemished. The blood of that unblemished Lamb. Painted upon the doorpost and the lintel.

He will pass. But a bone. Of his body. Shall not be broken. Because God writes history in advance. So they couldn't work on Friday. And they couldn't work on Saturday. But crucified Thursday. In the tomb.

Thursday night. Friday night. And Saturday night. In the end of that. Sabbath. As it began to dawn. Toward the first day of the week. Sunday. Came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary. To see the Sabbath.

Now just imagine that. You might have been visiting in the neighborhood. Just about that time. Up early in the morning. Together with your friend. You suddenly notice these weary eyed. Red eyed women.

Sadly trudging down the street. Loaded with their spices and their ointments. And you might nudge your friend. Say who were they? And your friend would say. Followers of Jesus. Where are they going? To the cemetery.

Which was pretty obvious. If you saw somebody going down the road with a wreath. You wouldn't think they were going to a wedding. Why? Or your friend would say. He's dead. They buried him. So what was the message?

That these women who washed. His feet with their tears. And wiped them with their hair. These who were so devoted in their attention and service. Who loved him. With a deep affection. What was the message they had for the world on that resurrection morning?

Jesus is dead. They didn't want the cross. They didn't believe in the resurrection. Mind you it's a bit scary. For one thing there was an earthquake. You don't have an earthquake every Sunday morning.

And as the earth rocked beneath them. And they trembled with some apprehension. Came near enough to the tomb to see what had happened. They found bodies lying as though they were dead. And that was a little unusual too.

And then by this time scared out of their wits. Suddenly they looked up into the face of an angel. And you don't see an angel every Sunday morning. Behold there was a great earthquake. The angel of the Lord descended from heaven.

Came rolled back the stone from the door and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning. His raiment white as snow. And for fear of him the keepers did shake. And became like dead men. And the angel said to the women.

Don't be frightened. Fear not ye. Know that you seek Jesus. I know why you've come. You're trying to find Jesus. But you haven't found him. And you won't. For two good reasons. First reason you're looking for him in the wrong tent.

And because you're looking for him in the wrong tent. You're looking for him in the wrong place. I wonder which tents you're looking in for Jesus. You're still hanging around in all those beautiful songs of the faith.

Filled with deep sentiment. Yet filled also with idolatry. I love that old cross. Do you love the cross? I don't. I love the one who died on it. But I don't like that wicked evil instrument of torture.

A means of execution. A Roman scaffold. I might just as well pick up a dagger and say I love that old dagger. I just love that old dagger. It's the dagger they used to kill my mother. You see we're brainwashed and sentimental trash.

The cross was a cruel evil wicked place. It was engineered thought out by wicked men. For he was to fall into the hands of wicked men and be done to death. That was their plot. He said you seek Jesus which was crucified.

What tense is that? That's the past tense. He might well have added you're absolutely right. He was crucified. That's exactly why he came into this world. He was the word made flesh. By agreement as between himself the father and the holy spirit in the eternal ages of the past.

He was the lamb slain before the foundation of the world. This didn't take him by surprise. He didn't drift to disaster. He wasn't the unhappy victim. A being a progressive. Philosopher. Too advanced for the day and age in which he lived.

This didn't take him by surprise. For may I remind you of last evening's discussion between the Lord Jesus, Moses and Elijah in the mound of transfiguration. When he spoke with them of the death that he would accomplish.

He was crucified. You're absolutely right. But he is not here. Because you're looking for him in the wrong tent. And you're looking for him in the wrong place. He verse 6 is not here. He is risen. As he said.

He told you again and again that this exactly what he was coming to accomplish. This was the messianic plan. This was the purpose for which as the savior of the world. He assumed our humanity to lay down his life a ransom for men.

He told you that the third day he would be risen from the dead. But although you listen to what he said you didn't hear it. It's amazing how long you can listen without hearing it. Remember how in the eighth chapter of John the Lord Jesus turned to the scribes and the Pharisees.

He said you listen to everything I say and never hear a word. I preached to countless hundreds of thousands of people. Have done for the last 46 years. People who listen and listen week after week and never hear a word.

You can come to Lake Hume and listen and listen and listen. Still not hear a word. In other words you may become textually aware. Be schooled in the language of the prophets. And still miss the heart of the message.

Come said the angel. See the place where the Lord lay. Said the angel to these women come with me and I'll show you exactly where he isn't. And I'll tell you where he is. Go quickly tell his disciples that he's risen from the dead.

Behold he goes before you into Galilee. There you will see him. Lo I have told you. And they departed quickly from the sepulcher with fear and great joy. And they did run to bring his disciples away. They just couldn't get there quick enough.

They wanted to burst into the presence of that bunch of frightened men. Huddled together in the upper room behind locked and bolted doors. Fearful of every footfall. They wanted to be the very first to break the fantastic news that the tomb was empty.

They had been rebuked by the angel for looking for the living amongst the dead. Jesus is alive. And as they went to tell his disciples verse 9. Behold Jesus met them saying all hail. And they came and they held him.

Worshiped him. That's where it all began. Their rediscovery of the Lord Jesus and the power of his resurrection. An empty tomb. And a naked cross. Would you turn to Luke 24 and let's pick up the story from there.

The Emmaus Road and the Living Word

24. As they were afraid and bowed down. Their faces to the earth in verse 5 of Luke 24. The angel said why seek ye the living among the dead. He is not here. He is risen. Remember how he spake unto you while he was yet with you.

In Galilee. Saying the son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men. And be crucified. And the third day rise again. And they remember the words to which they had listened. But which they never heard.

They remember his words. And they returned from the sepulcher. And they told all these things unto the eleven. And to all the rest. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James. And the other women that were with them.

When they told these things to the apostles. They came pounding up the stairs. And as the apostles hidden behind those barred and bolted doors. Heard these footsteps on the stairs. They went as wide as sheep.

Broke out in beads of perspiration. And Peter no doubt turned to John and said. John they've come. We knew what happened. They've killed Jesus and we buried him. Now they come to kill us. And somebody's going to bury you.

And somebody's going to bury me. We warned him again and again. We told him it was absolute sheer folly to go to Jerusalem. But he wouldn't listen. He was too stubborn. Goodbye John. Die bravely. Bye bye Philip.

Bye bye Andrew. What a bunch. Then suddenly somebody recognized the voices of the women. It's the girls. They're after the girls. Quick get them in. So they moved the kitchen table. And the grand piano.

And the birdcage. And everything else. They'd stuck in front of the door. And finally they pulled the girls in. Rammed the door back. Put back the ball. Put back the clothes. All the furniture. And then the women really went to town.

All wanted to be the first to tell the news. All speaking at once. They say generally speaking. Ladies are generally speaking. But on this occasion they actually had something to say. That was really worth saying.

They said Jesus is alive. They said you'll never believe it. It was pretty scary mind you. There was an earthquake. And the ground was rocking in all directions. And then we saw dead bodies lying around.

They least loosely. They looked dead. And then suddenly we looked into the face of an angel. But he was very kind. He said don't be frightened. And then he rebuked us for looking for the living Jesus amongst the dead.

And he took us into the tomb. And showed us that it was empty. And on our way back. What do you think? We met him. We spoke to him. And then their words froze on their lips. In that cold icy atmosphere.

You might well have imagined. That Peter, James, John and the other disciples. Would have been overjoyed at the fantastic news. That Jesus was alive. Mercy lived. And their words seemed to them. As idle tale.

They said women. You're hysterical. Suffering from hallucinations. Rough time. We don't blame you if your nerves have snapped. But you're suffering from a nervous breakdown. You better go home. Take six aspirins.

Have a good night. You'll be fine in the morning. But don't come telling us that nonsense. Jesus is dead. We buried him. That was the apostolic tree. Nearly 2 ,000 years ago. Jesus is dead. We buried him.

They might well have added. As a few nitwits did. A few years back. Publicized highly in your news media. From one or two of your theological seminaries. That if Christianity is to survive. It's got to survive without Jesus Christ.

And without God. Because he's dead. And we buried him. That's what you get a PhD for. They thought they were smart. They. These feeks. Just these folks. Just a few years back. Really thought they were progressive.

They were tragically out of date. This was the apostolic creed. 2 ,000 years ago. Jesus is dead. We buried him. And when the women came and said. Jesus is alive. They said idle tales. Now you'll understand.

Why the Lord Jesus told his disciples. To keep their mouths shut. How would you have invited the. Disciples in their then condition. To come and conduct a Bible conference. Here at Lakeview. Or Hume Lane.

Whichever way you like to say it. What would they have had to say about Jesus. Only one thing. He's dead. We buried him. Pretty startling isn't it. Peter did something. Which was typically Petrine. Having heard where Jesus wasn't.

In verse 12. He ran to the sepulcher. To see if he could find him. Stooping down. He beheld the linen. Clothes laid by themselves. And departed wondering in himself. At that which was come to pass. But still very much unconvinced.

Even by the empty two. And two of them deciding. That the end had come. The curtain had dropped. Were going home. To lick their wounds. Cherish melancholy memories. Of the beautiful life. In whom they had vested.

So much hope. And expectation. But had come to such an untimely end. He's dead. We buried him. Behold two of them. Went that same day. To a village called Emmaus. Which was from Jerusalem. About three score furlongs.

They talked together. Of all these things. Which had happened. And we reminded ourselves of this. Yesterday. Came to pass. While they communed together. Reasoned. Jesus himself drew near. He went with them.

But their eyes were holden. That they should not know him. You won't recognize the risen Lord Jesus. If he's still hanging on a cross. In your heart. Or if you've still got him. Lying in the tomb. He said, what's bugging you?

Why so miserable? Why so sad? What manner of conversation. Are these that you have one with another? As you walk. And are sad. One of them. Whose name was Cleopas. Answering. He said, art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem?

And hast thou not known the things. Which had come to pass in these days? He said. I think he probably knew. Quite a lot about the things. That had been happening. In Jerusalem. He was there. It was through his hands.

They drove the nail. It was through his feet. They drove the nail. On his brow. Rested that crown of thorns. It was his side. They pierced. One thing. And pathetically. They began to tell their risen Lord.

About their dead. Concerning said they to him. Verse 19. Jesus of Nazareth. He was a prophet. Mighty in deed and word. Before God and all the people. He was. What tense is that? Past tense. We trusted.

Past tense. That it had been he. Which should have redeemed Israel. Of course we were wrong. They killed him. We buried him. Jesus is dead. And said he to them. Verse 25. O fool. Low of heart to believe.

All the prophets have spoken. Not Christ. To have suffered these things. And to enter into his glory. And beginning at Moses. In the book of Genesis. In Exodus. Leviticus. Numbers. Deuteronomy. In the whole of the Pentateuch.

Beginning at Moses. And all the prophets. He expounded under them. In all the scriptures. The only Bible. He ever held in his hand. The Old Testament. From beginning to end. He expounded under them. In all the scriptures.

The things concerning himself. And as he began to weave his way. Through those Old Testament passages. And discuss with them. As once he had with Moses and Elijah. On the Mount of Transfiguration. The things concerning himself.

We're told their hearts. Burned within. Began to make sin. Under the village. Whether they went. In verse 28. And he made as though. He would have gone further. For he never intrudes. He'll pass by. He'll come your way.

But said the Lord Jesus. It's only the thief. Who breaks in. I knock. If any man hear my voice. And open the door. I will enter. At his invitation. And fellowship with him. But I want to tell you tonight.

Apart from your invitation. He'll pass by. But his solemn pledge. If a man seek. He'll find. Let him only ask. He will receive. Let that man only knock. And the door will swing wide. Only those never found.

Who never sought. Only those never received. Who never took. And to them alone. The door remains closed. Who never. It may well be. That I'm talking to somebody. Sitting around one of these tables. Here tonight.

And you haven't found. Because you never asked. You haven't received. Because you never sought. The door seems still slammed. In your face. Because you never had the courage. Constrained him. Unwittingly inviting.

Beneath their own roof. The risen son of God. Abide. It is toward evening. The day is fast spent. And he went in to tarry with them. And though he was their guest. Sitting at their table. He played the role of host.

Taking the bread. He broke it. And said thank you. And two pairs of eyes. Watched one pair of hands. And they saw the print. Of the nail. Verse 31. And their eyes were open. And in that climactic. Recognition.

Revelation of his person. He disappeared. Vanished out of their sight. And they said one to another. Did not a heart burn within us. While he talked with us by the way. And while he opened to us the scriptures.

Man, they said the Bible came alive. He's alive. The women were right. And they didn't even unpack their bags. They rose up. Verse 33. The same hour. And they returned to Jerusalem. And they came pounding up the steps.

To corroborate the message of the women. That Jesus was alive. And the tomb was empty. And when Peter, James and John. Heard them come pounding up the stairs once more. They almost had a heart attack.

And only reluctantly. Did they at last open the door. And let them in. And verse 35. They told. What things were done in the way. How the Lord Jesus was known of them. In the breaking. Of bread. They said the women were right.

We grossly misjudged them. They weren't suffering from hallucination. We've seen him. He sat at our table. Imagine that that was convincing enough. To fill the other disciples at last. With a sense of unspeakable joy.

But you'd be wrong. You needn't bother to turn to it. But allow me to cite from the last. The 16th chapter of Mark's gospel. Verse 9. Mark 16. Verse 9. When Jesus was risen early. The first day of the week.

He appeared first to Mary Magdalene. Out of whom he had cast seven devils. She went and she told them. That had been with them. As they mourned and wept. And they when they had heard. That he was alive and had not.

And had been seen of her. Believe not. After that verse 12. The Lord Jesus appeared in another form. Under two of them. As they walked and went into the country. The two on the way to Emmaus. And they went.

And they told it to the resident. Neither. Believed they. To the two disciples. Who came from the road to Emmaus. To corroborate the message of the women. That Jesus was alive. They said. You're worse than the women.

You better go home and take 12 aspirin. Are you surprised that the Lord Jesus. Forbade them to tell anybody. That he Jesus was the Christ. Continuing in the 14th verse. Of that 16th of Mark. Afterward the Lord Jesus appeared.

Unto the 11. As they sat at meat. And he Christ. Upraided them with their unbelief. And their hardness of art. Because they believed not them. Which had seen him. After he was risen. Back in Luke 24. In verse 36.

And as they thus spake. Jesus himself stood in the midst of them. And he said to them. Peace be unto you. And you might well imagine. That in the presence of the risen Lord. Now in their midst. Every last doubt.

Every vestige of skepticism. Would be back. But they literally translated. Shrieked in terror. They were terrified. And affrighted. And suppose that they'd seen a ghost. Rather than believe that God. Had raised the Lord Jesus from the dead.

Peter, James, John and the others. With the exception of Thomas. Who wasn't there. All thought they'd seen a ghost. And said the Lord Jesus. Why are you troubled? Why do thoughts arise in your heart? Didn't you hear what these two disciples said.

When I sat at their table. And broke the bread. They told you. They saw. See for yourself. And for good measure. Behold my feet. That it is I myself. Handle me and see. Come on Peter. Handle me. Come on.

Come on. Little nearer. Touch me. Come on. I said come and touch me. Peter. Peter was sort of going green around the ear. Have you ever touched a ghost? So I imagine Peter probably turned. The Lord Jesus turned away from Peter.

And said John. Come on John. Peter's scared. Come on now. Little nearer. There we are. That's it. Now touch me. And he touched him. And he was real. Man he was real. And he cried he's real. And they all crowded around.

They all touched him. Hardly believed. Verse 44. That was the first consequence of their rediscovery. Of the Lord Jesus. And the power of his resurrection. A new joy. Later wrote it in the first chapter of his epistle.

The Joy of Fellowship With the Risen Christ

Joy unspeakable. You know recite it. Maybe you've never related the passages. The one to the other. Keeping the place there in Luke 24. Because we haven't quite finished. Turn to the first chapter of John's first epistle.

1 John chapter 1. That which was from the beginning. End of that verse of the word of life. We know the one of whom he speaks. For the first chapter of John's gospel. Begins in the beginning was the word.

And the word was with God. The word was God. By him all things were made. Without him was not anything made that was made. But in him was life. And this life that was in him. Was the light of men. And that word.

Was made flesh. And dwelt among us. We beheld his glories. Of the only begotten of the father. That which was from the beginning. John says here in the first chapter. This first epistle. That which was from the beginning.

Of the word of life. Which we've heard. We've seen with our eyes. We've looked upon. Our hands have handled. We touched. What does he mean? Oh he said in that upper room. Having ridiculed the women. Having tried to humiliate those two disciples.

On the road to Emmaus. Scared out of our wits. Thinking Jesus was a ghost. We touched him. The life was manifested. We've seen it. He continues verse 2. We bear witness. We show unto you that eternal life.

With the father. And manifested to us. We touched him. That which we have seen and heard. Declare we unto you. That you also may have fellowship with us. And truly our fellowship is with the father. And with his son Jesus Christ.

And continues John. Fourth verse of that first chapter. And these things write we unto you. That your joy may be full. We want you says John. To have that full blooded joy. That became ours in the day.

When scared stiff. A bunch. Of frightened men. We touched him. Show me a miserable Christian. Burdened. By the pressures of his circumstance. And I'll show you a Christian. Who's never discovered that Jesus is alive.

Save maybe that academic nod. That says yes. Maybe he's in heaven. And one day I'll see him. Until now. I've got to sweat it out. Until Jesus comes. Those who've touched him. Those who through faith have appropriate.

Not only what he did. But what he is. Who are prepared to settle for both. That he gave himself for me. He's given himself to me. All that he is I've got. I can't have more. Need never have less. Are those who reign in life.

By one Christ Jesus. And recognizing that the deity. Who threw the universes into space. Inhabits now. Their redeemed humanity. Are prepared in every given situation. To place their problems at his feet.

Know that at once. They become his opportunity. And there is absolutely no situation. That can ever arise. At any time. Under any circumstance. No matter how frightening. No matter how threatening. For which he as God.

In me. Could be less than big enough. If Jesus Christ is God. And lives in you. What situation can you imagine. Could ever arise. Under any circumstance. For which he as God. In you. Could be less than big enough.

And the moment you dare to say. I'm a Christian. You're saying Christ. God the creator. Lives in me. The moment you dare say. I'm born again. What you're saying. Is that Jesus Christ. Risen from the dead.

Has come in the same person. Of the Holy Ghost. Through whom the Father. Indwelled his humanity as God. Now to inhabit me as God. Don't forget. That's what you're daring to say. The moment you say you're a Christian.

Evangelism Through the Indwelling Life of Christ

But tell me this. If you want to tell the neighbors. If you want to tell your business associates. If you want to tell your mom and dad. If you want to tell your kids. Boys and girls. Your sons and your daughters.

Your brothers or your sisters. Your fellow citizens. If you want to tell the world. Jesus. God. Creator. Redeemer. Inhabits my humanity. He threw the universes into space. He threw the stars. Into the far corners of the night.

He's the one. Who at this very moment. Upholds all things. By the word of his power. And he lives in me. And all that he is. I've got. And he's waiting to demonstrate. Himself strong in my life. Prepare to say that.

Don't you think they should notice it? Have they ever noticed it? Have your kids ever noticed. That Jesus Christ. The Creator God. Lives in you. By the way you react. In every given circumstance. That's evangelism.

Evangelism isn't just standing up. In the pulpit and ranting. Evangelism is making it demonstrably obvious. That Jesus Christ is alive. Clothed with the flesh and blood of your humanity. Because you're allowing him as God.

To demonstrate the fact. That he's big enough for the job. That's evangelism. You know why we have to knock on other people's doors? Because they've never seen anything in us. Startling enough to make them knock on our door.

If it was demonstrably obvious. That Jesus Christ was living in you. That miraculous quality of life. That he as God alone can impart. To a redeemed sinner. You wouldn't have to knock on other people's doors.

They'd be lining up. To ask you what it is that makes you tick. That's evangelism. But we've long since thrown that out of the window. We've taken over the job. And Jesus Christ is unemployed. Because we're so much smarter today.

Than he is. A new joy. The hilarious joy. The full-blooded joy. That derives from knowing. That Jesus Christ is alive. Not just in heaven. But in me. Right now. At this very moment. And for every new situation.

To which every new step takes. I'm going to celebrate his victory. Over death and sin and hell. And the devil himself. New joy. Anything else? Verse 44. He said unto them. These are the words which I spake unto you.

While I was yet with you. That all things must be fulfilled. Which were written in the law of Moses. And in the prophets concerning me. He led them in a Bible study. As he had the two disciples on the road to Emmaus.