Every person can revive their dream of abundant living by exchanging their hope
setbacks with the power of hope found in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Memory Verse
Luke 24:38-39
Jesus said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds?
39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does
not have flesh and bones, as you see I have." NIV
The disciples were invited to touch Jesus to overcome the hope setbacks to their
belief caused by His death and to restore the power of hope that could be
gleaned from His resurrection.
In the last 30 years we have experienced the wholesale suspension of belief in the
need for the redeeming work secured for humanity by Jesus Christ death on
Calvary’s cross and the resurrection from the dead that anchors the hope of this
day we are here to celebrate.
Today I want see dreams of abundant living reborn through the power of the
hope that is found in the resurrection of Jesus Christ alone.
I.
Hope Setback of ________________________
What setback has defeated your hope of abundant living?
Luke 23:44-56
The hope of the Messiah and His Kingdom had suffered a severe setback
called defeat.
Jesus was dead:
Any person pronounced dead by a Roman soldier was dead
and they were not going to recover. The death they imposed
was for the express purpose of crushing any hope of escaping
their dominance.
Jesus was buried:
Like any other man Jesus when dead was prepared and buried
in a tomb to decay and return to dust from whence He came.
The closest disciples of Jesus went from the height of Jesus triumphant
entry into Jerusalem to the agony of defeat brought on by His death of
the cross in a matter of days.
II.
Hope Setback of ________________________
What disillusions of defeat continue to setback your hope of abundant
living?
Luke 24:1-29
Jesus is alive:
“Why do you look for the living among the dead?”
Where you look for hope matters.
Remember what He said, “The Son of man will be delivered
into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and on the third day
be raised again.”
Women Believe:
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The women return and report what they seen and heard to the
disciples and other followers.
Disillusion Overshadows Belief:
The others did not believe the women because their words
seemed like nonsense.
Two disciples were on the road to Emmaus a city 7 miles from
Jerusalem were talking about all that had happened when the
resurrected Jesus joined them.
He asked them what they were discussing. They asked Jesus if
He was the only one in Jerusalem that did not know the things
that have happened here in these days of the Passover. Jesus
provocatively asked, “What things?”
Beginning with Moses and the prophets Jesus explained what
is said in the scripture concerning Him.
Their eyes were opened and they recognized Him and He
vanished from their sight. Their hope was resurrected from
defeat and disillusion in a moment and they returned to
Jerusalem at one.
III.
Hope Setback of _______________________
They reported to the Eleven what had happened.
While they were speaking Jesus appeared and said to them, “Peace be
with you.” They were startled and frightened believing they had seen a
ghost.
Jesus asked, “Why are you troubled and why do doubts arise in your
minds?” Jesus invites them to touch Him and see that He was not a
ghost. He showed them His hands and feet.
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The text tells us that because of their joy and amazement, they still did
not believe.
Then their minds were open so they could understand the scriptures.
It is critical to understand that even the very first disciple’s faith in Jesus
did not rest on Jesus resurrection from the dead as much as the word of
God’s revelation of His resurrection. Take note of how many times Jesus
asked them, “What Do the prophets say?”
The word of God trumps even a physical manifestation or rather
interprets what is happening in the manifestation.
This is critical to overcoming our faith setbacks of Defeat, Disillusion,
and Doubt.
Wrap-Up
Like the first disciples today we are invited to touch Jesus. We can kick the tires as
it were. We can take a test drive on the promises of the word of God. God has
promised that He will reveal Himself and prove Himself alive and faithful.
This exercise will resurrect our hope and we will discover for ourselves the truth
that no matter how defeated, disillusioned, or filled with doubt we may be, it is
not too late for a resurrection of our HOPE. Amen!
Today the greatest power of HOPE resides in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and
you are invited to experience that hope for yourself.
Next Steps
1. Resurrect your hope: Memorize the memory verse and accept Jesus
invitation to probe the troubles and doubts in your mind by touching Him
through His word to see that He indeed is real.
Answers: Defeat, Disillusion, Doubts
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