Third Sunday Of Easter
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series IV
The people of Jerusalem assembled at the temple were astounded
at Peter's healing of a lame man at the beautiful gate. Peter
explains what and how it happened. The miracle was caused by
faith in the name of Jesus whom the people in ignorance killed,
but whom God raised. The crucifixion and resurrection, however,
were not by accident, but by God's plan foretold by the prophets.
What can the guilty people do about the cross? They are to repent
and to receive forgiveness and refreshment.
Lesson 2: 1 John 3:1-7 (C); 1 John 1:1--2:2 (E, L); 1 John 2:1-5
(RC)
The context indicates that Christians are in danger of being
led astray. The devil's children are known by their hatred of the
brethren. In contrast, Christians know they are children of God
because of God's love and their love for each other. Christians
can guard against the devil by the knowledge that they are the
children of God now, and in the future they will be like God in
Christ who came to take away sin. They who live in Christ do not
sin but do right.
Gospel: Luke 24:36b-48 (C, E); Luke 24:36-48 (RC); Luke 24:36-49
(L)
On the road to Emmaus Jesus revealed himself to two disciples
in the breaking of bread. They returned to Jerusalem to report to
the disciples that they had an experience with the risen Lord.
While they made their report, the risen Christ entered the room.
When he appeared, they thought they saw a ghost, but Jesus
demonstrated that he was flesh and blood to the point they could
touch him and see him eat fish. After this repast, Jesus
explained his death and resurrection in terms of the scriptures:
law, prophets and Psalms. The written Word indicates that Jesus
was to suffer, rise again; and repentance and forgiveness were to
be preached to all peoples.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 4 (C) -- "Let the light of your face shine on us, O
Lord." (v. 6b).
Psalm 139:1-11 (L); Psalm 98 (E)
Prayer Of The Day
"O God, by the humiliation of your Son you lifted up this
fallen world, rescuing us from the helplessness of death. Grant
your faithful people a share in the joys that are eternal."
Hymn Of The Day
"Look, How He Stands"
Theme Of The Day: The Cross And Resurrection Explained
Gospel -- Jesus explains the necessity of his death and
resurrection.
Lesson 1 -- Peter explains who and why Jesus was killed.
Lesson 2 -- John explains who Christians are and why.
We are still in the afterglow of Easter Day. Today we have
another post-resurrection appearance with the disciples. Now that
the dust has settled and the shouting has ended, we can ask for a
quiet explanation of the traumatic and terrific events on Good
Friday and
144
Easter. The lessons give an explanation. The Gospel and Lesson 1
closely parallel each other and together they say: (1) The cross
and resurrection are fulfillment of Scripture; (2) Repentance and
forgiveness should result from the cross and resurrection; (3)
The disciples are witnesses of these events. Lesson 2 also gives
an explanation of who we are as Christians and why we are what we
are. The Psalm, Hymn and Prayer of the Day deal generally with
the Easter theme celebrating the resurrection.
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
Gospel: Luke 24:36b-48
1. Joy (v. 41). The disciples could not believe that the risen
Christ was real because of joy. They were so glad to see him that
they could not believe it was true. Usually joy follows
believing, or there is the joy of believing. In this case the
presence of the living crucified one was so overwhelming that
they had joy even before they believed. Their joy attests to
their love and appreciation for him. Their joy attests to their
love and appreciation for him. Their joy is a witness to the
reality of the resurrection, for it was a response to his
presence. The joy of Easter, then, is not in flowers, eggs,
clothing or candy, but in the presence of the risen Lord.
2. Ate (v. 43). The disciples could not believe that Jesus was
a physical reality. Many today cannot accept a bodily
resurrection of Jesus. To prove that he was not a spirit but a
genuine flesh and blood person, Jesus asked for something to eat,
and he ate in their presence. The resurrected Jesus was a
physical being. This adds to the mystery of his resurrected body,
for other accounts tell of Jesus' coming into a room with closed
doors. Apparently, it was a mysterious body which could be both
spiritual and physical. The point is that the risen Lord is not a
phantom, ghost or a faith in the minds of the believers; he is a
real, living person identified with the man on the cross.
3. Opened (v. 45). The Bible can be a closed book for those
with closed minds. Jesus opened the disciples' minds to enable
them to see that his death and resurrection were predicted in the
scriptures. This explains why the Bible means little or nothing
for some, while others find the Bible the most resourceful and
helpful book ever written. Before the Bible is read, there needs
to be a prayer for Christ to open our minds to understand what we
read. If our minds are open, we will see Christ's face shining
through the pages.
4. Name (v. 47). Jesus explains to his disciples that in
accordance with scripture they are to preach repentance and
forgiveness to all nations. This is Luke's version of the great
commission in Matthew. What are we to do about this life, death
and resurrection of Jesus? Is it only a page of history, a story
to be told, a memory to be cherished? No, the significance of
Jesus' career is that it has worldwide implications. On the basis
of the cross and resurrection, the world is to be told to repent
and accept forgiveness. This is to be done in his "name." It is
in his name that forgiveness is possible. It indicates that he is
the Messiah and that through him the world may be reconciled to
God. His name involves the identity of Christ and the meaning of
the cross.
Lesson 1: Acts 3:12-19
1. Author (v. 15). Peter refers to Jesus as the "author of
life." This implies that Jesus was more than a human, a created
being. He also was the Creator. It refers to the pre-existent
Christ who shared with the Trinity in the creation of the
universe. In other words, Peter says that the people killed God.
2. Ignorance (v. 17). Peter excuses the people for the
crucifixion because they did it in ignorance. This echoed Jesus'
first word on the cross: "For they know not what they do." They
did not know whom they were killing. They would have been horror-
stricken if they knew he was the Messiah. The Son of God was
hidden in his humanity. Today we know who Jesus is and still we
re-crucify him by our sins. What excuse do we have?
145
3. Refreshing (v. 19). To repent and accept forgiveness is to
be refreshed. It is like the refreshment of a cold drink on a hot
day or like a shower after a hard day's work. To be forgiven
brings new life to us. The burden of guilt is dropped. There is a
renewed sense of God's acceptance and the Spirit is increased.
Here are hope and comfort for sin-wearied people.
4. Blotted (v. 19). Here is a wonderful word concerning the
fate of your sins. For Jesus' sake, God blots out our sins when
we return in repentance. It is as though Jesus were a cosmic
blotter which God the Father lets down from heaven to soak up the
ink of our sins. When these sins are absorbed, there is no trace
of sin. We are spotless.
Lesson 2: 1 John 3:1-7
1. See what love (v. 1). It is a common cliche, "God loves
you." How do you know for sure? What proof do you have? John says
we see the love of God in the fact that God calls us his
children. Behind God's considering us his children is the price
paid on the cross to make us his children. In Christ God paid for
our sins and thus we are acceptable to him. On the basis of the
cross God has adopted us as his children. Why would God do this?
Are we worthy of his sacrifice? It was a matter of pure,
undeserved grace.
2. We are (vv. 1, 2). We Christians know that we are the
children of God. If so, then why are we so feverishly occupied in
these days with the question of identity? Who are we? Do we
understand ourselves? John removes all questions and doubts about
our identity when he claims that we are the children of God. Yes,
we are sinners, but now God's redeemed sinners are made into
God's children. Yes, we are humans, but more than that --
children of the King. How do we know we are God's children? We
know it because of the cross and resurrection, because of God's
Word, because of faith, because the Spirit witnesses to our
spirits that we are his children. Now stop and think of what it
means to be a child of God.
PREACHING POSSIBILITIES Explain It, Please!
Need: When something big happens, we make an investigation
after the fact to determine why it happened. If it involves
national interest, often a presidential commission is formed to
investigate. Here we have two of the greatest events of history:
the crucifixion and resurrection. How do you explain what
happened? Who was responsible? How and why did we become
Christians? The lessons provide answers to these questions.
Outline: Explain it, please --
a. God's part in Jesus' death and resurrection -- Gospel.
b. People's part in Jesus' death and resurrection -- Lesson
1.
c. How the death and resurrection benefit us -- Lesson 2.
Gospel: Luke 24:35-48
1. Jesus is real! 24:35-43
Need: People want the real thing -- not a substitute nor an
imitation. The text assures us that Jesus is real. He is real
enough to see, to hear and to touch. He is so real that he eats.
The risen Jesus is not a phantom, a ghost, nor a figment of the
imagination. He is as real as you are. He is real because he has
a body which is both physical and spiritual. Both are real. This
sermon is designed to assure people that the risen Lord is more
than a matter of faith. Faith is based on fact.
Outline: Because the risen Lord is real --
a. We can know him -- v. 35.
b. We can contact him -- v. 39.
c. We can communicate with him -- vv. 36-38.
2. How we know Jesus lives. 24:35-48
Need: The resurrection is unbelievable. Who else ever rose
from the dead? Because of this, we seem to need constant, annual
reassurance that the resurrection is real. In this text, we have
this reassurance.
146
Outline: How we know Jesus lives --
a. Personal experience -- vv. 35-43.
b. Witness of scripture -- vv. 44-47.
c. Witness of the church -- v. 48.
3. It had to be! 24:44-48
Need: In the account of the crucifixion, the customary
emphasis is upon the sins of the people: betrayal, denial,
faithlessness, cowardice, religious bigotry, etc. But the cross
and resurrection were the work of God who planned them since Adam
sinned. Christ died for our sins; he was not killed for our sins.
He died in obedience to the Father's will to be the sacrifice and
atonement for sins. Moreover, Jesus did not rise on his own
power, but God raised him from the dead. Though people were used
to crucify Christ, God's overruling providence used humanity's
worst to bring the very best to the human family. As our text
teaches, the cross and empty tomb were divine necessities. There
was a "must" about the death and resurrection of Christ.
Outline: The "must" of the gospel --
a. The Word must be fulfilled -- vv. 44-45.
The need for understanding -- v. 45.
b. The world must be saved -- vv. 46-48.
1. Preaching repentance and forgiveness -- v. 47.
2. Witnessing -- v. 48.
Lesson 1: Acts 3:12-19
Need: As we look back on the cross and empty tomb, we see what
happened and what can still happen. We are no different from the
people of the first century and surely God has not changed. We
can be involved in the cross and resurrection today.
Outline: What happened to Jesus can happen again --
a. God glorified him -- v. 13.
b. People denied him -- v. 14.
c. Christians witness to him -- v. 15.
2. Your part in the drama. 3:12-19
Need: Though the cross and resurrection were God's work as
promised in the scriptures, humanity had a part in it. Compared
with God's part, the human involvement may seen very small and
insignificant. In the Peanuts comic strip, Lucy had the part of
an angel in a Christmas play and her one "piece" to say was
"Hark." In his sermon to the people in Jerusalem, Peter
emphasized the part people had before and after the resurrection.
Need: You have a part in the divine drama --
a. Before the resurrection -- vv. 13-15.
1. Denied Jesus -- v. 14.
2. Killed Jesus -- v. 15.
b. After the resurrection -- v. 19.
1. Repent
2. Accept forgiveness
3. Be refreshed
Lesson 2: 1 John 3:1-7
1. What the world doesn't know! 3:1-2
Need: The world is the segment of the population that is apart
from God. Being separated from God, the world does not know what
God's people knew. Christians have a knowledge the world will
never know as long as it stays apart from God. What do we know
that the world does not know?
Outline: We know what the world does not know --
a. We know God is our Father -- v. 1.
b. We know we are God's children -- v. 2.
c. We know some day we will be like God -- v. 2.
2. What does it mean to be a child of God? 3:1-7
Need: It is easy to say that God is our Father and we are his
children. What does this mean or imply? What are the privileges
and responsibilities of this claim? Something very important is
involved in being a child of God.
Outline: What it means to be a child of God --
a. God loves us -- v. 1.
b. We are to be like him -- v. 2.
c. We are not to sin -- v. 6.
at Peter's healing of a lame man at the beautiful gate. Peter
explains what and how it happened. The miracle was caused by
faith in the name of Jesus whom the people in ignorance killed,
but whom God raised. The crucifixion and resurrection, however,
were not by accident, but by God's plan foretold by the prophets.
What can the guilty people do about the cross? They are to repent
and to receive forgiveness and refreshment.
Lesson 2: 1 John 3:1-7 (C); 1 John 1:1--2:2 (E, L); 1 John 2:1-5
(RC)
The context indicates that Christians are in danger of being
led astray. The devil's children are known by their hatred of the
brethren. In contrast, Christians know they are children of God
because of God's love and their love for each other. Christians
can guard against the devil by the knowledge that they are the
children of God now, and in the future they will be like God in
Christ who came to take away sin. They who live in Christ do not
sin but do right.
Gospel: Luke 24:36b-48 (C, E); Luke 24:36-48 (RC); Luke 24:36-49
(L)
On the road to Emmaus Jesus revealed himself to two disciples
in the breaking of bread. They returned to Jerusalem to report to
the disciples that they had an experience with the risen Lord.
While they made their report, the risen Christ entered the room.
When he appeared, they thought they saw a ghost, but Jesus
demonstrated that he was flesh and blood to the point they could
touch him and see him eat fish. After this repast, Jesus
explained his death and resurrection in terms of the scriptures:
law, prophets and Psalms. The written Word indicates that Jesus
was to suffer, rise again; and repentance and forgiveness were to
be preached to all peoples.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 4 (C) -- "Let the light of your face shine on us, O
Lord." (v. 6b).
Psalm 139:1-11 (L); Psalm 98 (E)
Prayer Of The Day
"O God, by the humiliation of your Son you lifted up this
fallen world, rescuing us from the helplessness of death. Grant
your faithful people a share in the joys that are eternal."
Hymn Of The Day
"Look, How He Stands"
Theme Of The Day: The Cross And Resurrection Explained
Gospel -- Jesus explains the necessity of his death and
resurrection.
Lesson 1 -- Peter explains who and why Jesus was killed.
Lesson 2 -- John explains who Christians are and why.
We are still in the afterglow of Easter Day. Today we have
another post-resurrection appearance with the disciples. Now that
the dust has settled and the shouting has ended, we can ask for a
quiet explanation of the traumatic and terrific events on Good
Friday and
144
Easter. The lessons give an explanation. The Gospel and Lesson 1
closely parallel each other and together they say: (1) The cross
and resurrection are fulfillment of Scripture; (2) Repentance and
forgiveness should result from the cross and resurrection; (3)
The disciples are witnesses of these events. Lesson 2 also gives
an explanation of who we are as Christians and why we are what we
are. The Psalm, Hymn and Prayer of the Day deal generally with
the Easter theme celebrating the resurrection.
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
Gospel: Luke 24:36b-48
1. Joy (v. 41). The disciples could not believe that the risen
Christ was real because of joy. They were so glad to see him that
they could not believe it was true. Usually joy follows
believing, or there is the joy of believing. In this case the
presence of the living crucified one was so overwhelming that
they had joy even before they believed. Their joy attests to
their love and appreciation for him. Their joy attests to their
love and appreciation for him. Their joy is a witness to the
reality of the resurrection, for it was a response to his
presence. The joy of Easter, then, is not in flowers, eggs,
clothing or candy, but in the presence of the risen Lord.
2. Ate (v. 43). The disciples could not believe that Jesus was
a physical reality. Many today cannot accept a bodily
resurrection of Jesus. To prove that he was not a spirit but a
genuine flesh and blood person, Jesus asked for something to eat,
and he ate in their presence. The resurrected Jesus was a
physical being. This adds to the mystery of his resurrected body,
for other accounts tell of Jesus' coming into a room with closed
doors. Apparently, it was a mysterious body which could be both
spiritual and physical. The point is that the risen Lord is not a
phantom, ghost or a faith in the minds of the believers; he is a
real, living person identified with the man on the cross.
3. Opened (v. 45). The Bible can be a closed book for those
with closed minds. Jesus opened the disciples' minds to enable
them to see that his death and resurrection were predicted in the
scriptures. This explains why the Bible means little or nothing
for some, while others find the Bible the most resourceful and
helpful book ever written. Before the Bible is read, there needs
to be a prayer for Christ to open our minds to understand what we
read. If our minds are open, we will see Christ's face shining
through the pages.
4. Name (v. 47). Jesus explains to his disciples that in
accordance with scripture they are to preach repentance and
forgiveness to all nations. This is Luke's version of the great
commission in Matthew. What are we to do about this life, death
and resurrection of Jesus? Is it only a page of history, a story
to be told, a memory to be cherished? No, the significance of
Jesus' career is that it has worldwide implications. On the basis
of the cross and resurrection, the world is to be told to repent
and accept forgiveness. This is to be done in his "name." It is
in his name that forgiveness is possible. It indicates that he is
the Messiah and that through him the world may be reconciled to
God. His name involves the identity of Christ and the meaning of
the cross.
Lesson 1: Acts 3:12-19
1. Author (v. 15). Peter refers to Jesus as the "author of
life." This implies that Jesus was more than a human, a created
being. He also was the Creator. It refers to the pre-existent
Christ who shared with the Trinity in the creation of the
universe. In other words, Peter says that the people killed God.
2. Ignorance (v. 17). Peter excuses the people for the
crucifixion because they did it in ignorance. This echoed Jesus'
first word on the cross: "For they know not what they do." They
did not know whom they were killing. They would have been horror-
stricken if they knew he was the Messiah. The Son of God was
hidden in his humanity. Today we know who Jesus is and still we
re-crucify him by our sins. What excuse do we have?
145
3. Refreshing (v. 19). To repent and accept forgiveness is to
be refreshed. It is like the refreshment of a cold drink on a hot
day or like a shower after a hard day's work. To be forgiven
brings new life to us. The burden of guilt is dropped. There is a
renewed sense of God's acceptance and the Spirit is increased.
Here are hope and comfort for sin-wearied people.
4. Blotted (v. 19). Here is a wonderful word concerning the
fate of your sins. For Jesus' sake, God blots out our sins when
we return in repentance. It is as though Jesus were a cosmic
blotter which God the Father lets down from heaven to soak up the
ink of our sins. When these sins are absorbed, there is no trace
of sin. We are spotless.
Lesson 2: 1 John 3:1-7
1. See what love (v. 1). It is a common cliche, "God loves
you." How do you know for sure? What proof do you have? John says
we see the love of God in the fact that God calls us his
children. Behind God's considering us his children is the price
paid on the cross to make us his children. In Christ God paid for
our sins and thus we are acceptable to him. On the basis of the
cross God has adopted us as his children. Why would God do this?
Are we worthy of his sacrifice? It was a matter of pure,
undeserved grace.
2. We are (vv. 1, 2). We Christians know that we are the
children of God. If so, then why are we so feverishly occupied in
these days with the question of identity? Who are we? Do we
understand ourselves? John removes all questions and doubts about
our identity when he claims that we are the children of God. Yes,
we are sinners, but now God's redeemed sinners are made into
God's children. Yes, we are humans, but more than that --
children of the King. How do we know we are God's children? We
know it because of the cross and resurrection, because of God's
Word, because of faith, because the Spirit witnesses to our
spirits that we are his children. Now stop and think of what it
means to be a child of God.
PREACHING POSSIBILITIES Explain It, Please!
Need: When something big happens, we make an investigation
after the fact to determine why it happened. If it involves
national interest, often a presidential commission is formed to
investigate. Here we have two of the greatest events of history:
the crucifixion and resurrection. How do you explain what
happened? Who was responsible? How and why did we become
Christians? The lessons provide answers to these questions.
Outline: Explain it, please --
a. God's part in Jesus' death and resurrection -- Gospel.
b. People's part in Jesus' death and resurrection -- Lesson
1.
c. How the death and resurrection benefit us -- Lesson 2.
Gospel: Luke 24:35-48
1. Jesus is real! 24:35-43
Need: People want the real thing -- not a substitute nor an
imitation. The text assures us that Jesus is real. He is real
enough to see, to hear and to touch. He is so real that he eats.
The risen Jesus is not a phantom, a ghost, nor a figment of the
imagination. He is as real as you are. He is real because he has
a body which is both physical and spiritual. Both are real. This
sermon is designed to assure people that the risen Lord is more
than a matter of faith. Faith is based on fact.
Outline: Because the risen Lord is real --
a. We can know him -- v. 35.
b. We can contact him -- v. 39.
c. We can communicate with him -- vv. 36-38.
2. How we know Jesus lives. 24:35-48
Need: The resurrection is unbelievable. Who else ever rose
from the dead? Because of this, we seem to need constant, annual
reassurance that the resurrection is real. In this text, we have
this reassurance.
146
Outline: How we know Jesus lives --
a. Personal experience -- vv. 35-43.
b. Witness of scripture -- vv. 44-47.
c. Witness of the church -- v. 48.
3. It had to be! 24:44-48
Need: In the account of the crucifixion, the customary
emphasis is upon the sins of the people: betrayal, denial,
faithlessness, cowardice, religious bigotry, etc. But the cross
and resurrection were the work of God who planned them since Adam
sinned. Christ died for our sins; he was not killed for our sins.
He died in obedience to the Father's will to be the sacrifice and
atonement for sins. Moreover, Jesus did not rise on his own
power, but God raised him from the dead. Though people were used
to crucify Christ, God's overruling providence used humanity's
worst to bring the very best to the human family. As our text
teaches, the cross and empty tomb were divine necessities. There
was a "must" about the death and resurrection of Christ.
Outline: The "must" of the gospel --
a. The Word must be fulfilled -- vv. 44-45.
The need for understanding -- v. 45.
b. The world must be saved -- vv. 46-48.
1. Preaching repentance and forgiveness -- v. 47.
2. Witnessing -- v. 48.
Lesson 1: Acts 3:12-19
Need: As we look back on the cross and empty tomb, we see what
happened and what can still happen. We are no different from the
people of the first century and surely God has not changed. We
can be involved in the cross and resurrection today.
Outline: What happened to Jesus can happen again --
a. God glorified him -- v. 13.
b. People denied him -- v. 14.
c. Christians witness to him -- v. 15.
2. Your part in the drama. 3:12-19
Need: Though the cross and resurrection were God's work as
promised in the scriptures, humanity had a part in it. Compared
with God's part, the human involvement may seen very small and
insignificant. In the Peanuts comic strip, Lucy had the part of
an angel in a Christmas play and her one "piece" to say was
"Hark." In his sermon to the people in Jerusalem, Peter
emphasized the part people had before and after the resurrection.
Need: You have a part in the divine drama --
a. Before the resurrection -- vv. 13-15.
1. Denied Jesus -- v. 14.
2. Killed Jesus -- v. 15.
b. After the resurrection -- v. 19.
1. Repent
2. Accept forgiveness
3. Be refreshed
Lesson 2: 1 John 3:1-7
1. What the world doesn't know! 3:1-2
Need: The world is the segment of the population that is apart
from God. Being separated from God, the world does not know what
God's people knew. Christians have a knowledge the world will
never know as long as it stays apart from God. What do we know
that the world does not know?
Outline: We know what the world does not know --
a. We know God is our Father -- v. 1.
b. We know we are God's children -- v. 2.
c. We know some day we will be like God -- v. 2.
2. What does it mean to be a child of God? 3:1-7
Need: It is easy to say that God is our Father and we are his
children. What does this mean or imply? What are the privileges
and responsibilities of this claim? Something very important is
involved in being a child of God.
Outline: What it means to be a child of God --
a. God loves us -- v. 1.
b. We are to be like him -- v. 2.
c. We are not to sin -- v. 6.
