After The Passion

Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday evening, April 11, 2004, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia. 

AFTER THE PASSION
By Michael D. O’Neal                      Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church                     Albany, Georgia

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Scripture Reading: Acts 1:1-11

Text: Acts 1:3

Acts 1:3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

Introduction: The passion mentioned in our text was the most significant event in the history of mankind. It has to do with the suffering Jesus Christ experienced on Calvary in order to save your soul.

Our text speaks of some things that Jesus did AFTER the passion. I want to us to consider some things that happened after Christ died on the cross, under the subject,

AFTER THE PASSION

I. AFTER THE PASSION THERE WAS A DEDICATION

This dedication was a determined effort to keep the body of Jesus Christ in the tomb.

Matthew 27:62-66 Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, 63 Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. 64 Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. 65 Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. 66 So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.
 
It almost appeared that the chief priests and Pharisees were more expectant of the resurrection of Christ than were His own disciples!

This was a dedication to resist

A. The promise of Jesus Christ

B. The power of Jesus Christ

C. The person of Jesus Christ

Yet, in spite of their dedication,

II. AFTER THE PASSION THERE WAS A DISAPPEARANCE

John 20:1-2 The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. 2 Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.

The disciples didn’t expect a resurrection of the body of the Savior; they expected a robbery of the body!

A. This was terrifying
     1. To the doubting disciples
     2. To the shocked soldiers
     3. To the puzzled Pharisees and priests

B. This was triumphant
     1. You can’t keep a good man down!
     2. Jesus is the only TRULY good man who ever lived!
     3. Jesus defeated death, hell, and the grave by His resurrection!
     4. He secured our salvation and resurrection by HIS resurrection!

III. AFTER THE PASSION THERE WAS A DECLARATION

Matthew 28:6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

He is risen!

A. This was a declaration with good news
     1. The best news this world ever heard came from a graveyard!

B. This was a declaration with a gentle reminder – “as he said”

IV. AFTER THE PASSION THERE WAS DECEPTION

Matthew 28:11-15 Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. 12 And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, 13 Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. 14 And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. 15 So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

A. This deception came from perplexed leaders

B. This deception came from paid liars
     1. There are paid liars in universities, liberal seminaries, and even in some pulpits, who deny the reality of Christ’s resurrection.

V. AFTER THE PASSION THERE WAS DOUBT AND DISCOURAGEMENT

Read Luke 24:1-25

(Read my booklet, (Did the Disciples Believe the Gospel? No!”)
Luke 24:25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:

A. They were focused on sights
     1. Like Peter walking on the water and began to sink

B. They were forgetful of the scriptures

VI. AFTER THE PASSION THERE WAS A DEMONSTRATION

Acts 1:3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

A. The proofs were abundant in their number – MANY

B. The proofs were absolute in their nature – INFALLIBLE

VII. AFTER THE PASSION THERE WAS A DELEGATION

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

A. The were given a Person for their comfort – the Holy Ghost

B. They were given a power for their challenge – ye shall be witnesses unto me

C. They were given a plan for their commission – both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

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