JESUS' DEATH AND RESURRECTION - His Last Days with His Disciples

 

There is nothing greater then being in JESUS PRESENCE. The disciples always enjoyed this special time with Him, and I always do too. 

This is the last of my GOSPEL STUDIES - it is now time for me to go out and share this GOOD NEWS, just as Jesus gave His great commission to His disciples. I may not be as "outgoing" as I used to be, but I hope my sharing of HIS WORD, PRAYER, WORSHIP and FELLOWSHP may be a blessing to some.

One of my greatest loves was Easter time - School Holidays - as an Army wife and "unofficial" chaplain and Religious Education teacher in the local Primary Schools, I was able to reach out into these "Defence Districts" - where mothers and children often had fathers away from home.   Each Easter we had an Easter School Holiday Program in the local hall. 

I still remember the joy I felt when the children gave their hearts to Jesus, and then brougt their parents to our little Church. 

"Jesus is more  than just an historiacl figure, who died for us, HE IS ALIVE and PRESENT in our lives today." Nicky Gumbel

                                              21. THE GREAT COMMISSION
                    Read Matthew 28: 16-29; Mark 16:14-18, Luke 24:44-49

     

"All authority has been given to Me in Heaven and on earth. Go therefore and MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS, BAPTIZING THEM in the Name of the FATHER, and the SON and the HOLY SPIRIT, TEACHING THEM to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, even to the very end of the age."                                                                                      Matthew 28:19&20 (NKJV)

The RISEN JESUS commissioned His disciples to go and share the GOOD NEWS of Jesus' resurrection and HIS SALVATION. He promised that HE WOULD BE WITH THEM ALWAYS. 

Jesus had fulfilled His ministry and now He wants us to share his GOSPEL with others, just as He commissioned His disciples, and He will give us the Holy Spirt and the gifts we need to strengthen and encourae others. 

"He opened their understanding , that they may comprehend the Scriptures. Then He said to them: "You are the witnesses of these things: The Messiah suffers, rises from the dead on the third day, and then a TOTAL LIFE CHANGES through the FORGIVENESS OF SINS ...... What comes next is very important: I am sending what my Father promised to say, so stay here in the city until He arrives, until YOU ARE EQUIPPED WITH THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT on High."                                                                                                Luke 24:45,46, 48&49  (NKJV/MSG)

 

22. JESUS ASCENSION
Read Luke 50-52, Read Acts 1:1-11

"When He had led them into the vicinity of Bethany, HE LIFTED UP HIS HANDS AND BLESSED THEM. While He was blessing them, HE LEFT THEM AND WAS TAKEN UP INTO HEAVEN. Then they WORSHIPPED HIM and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. They stayed continually at the Temple PRAISING GOD." Luke 24:50-52 (NIV)

""But you will recieve POWER when the HOLY SPIRIT comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." After He said this, He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid Him from their very sight........"Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking up into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into Heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into Heaven." Acts 1:8,9,11  (NIV)

After Jesus had returned to Heaven, the disciples followed HIS WILL - they returned to Jerusalem and continued PRAYING AND WORSHIPING HIM in the Temple, with joy in teir hearts. They also waited for the coming of the HOLY SPIRIT which Jesus had promised.

This is the second chapter of the Gospel story - where the disciples tell about the coming of the HOLY SPIRIT in their lives and their going out into their ministry. Luke also tells us about how Peter follows what Jesus has told him to do and becomes the leader of the Early Church.  A new Apostle was also chosen, to take the place of Judas. Luke tells us that they needed special "qualifications" - having been with Jesus, witnessed His resurrection  and will receive the Holy Spirit.

"So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas and Matthias. Then they prayed: "Lord, you knw everyone's heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry.... then they cast lots and Matthias was added to the eleven apostles." Acts 1:23 & 26 (NIV)

A few days later on the Day of Pentecost, these men of God were filled with the Holy Spirit, just as God had promised, and they began their ministry using their Spiritual gifts. We too can do this, living as Jesus did, becoming a servant, teacher, pastoral care, or simply showing love, kindess and hospitality to others - using the specific Spiritual gifts the Lord has given each one of us. 

"All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit  and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them." Acts 2:4 (NIV)

"They devoted themselves to the Apostles teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.....Every day they continued to meet together in the Temple Courts. They broke bread together in their homes and ate together with sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily, those who were being saved." Acts 2:42, 46&47 (NIV)

23. THE GOSPEL SHAPED LIFE 198
Read 1 Peter 1:3-12; John 3:16&17

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy he has given NEW BIRTH into a living hope through the RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST from the dead." 1 Peter 1:3 (NIV)

"For God so loved the world that He gave His ONE AND ONLY SON, that whoever BELIEVES IN HIM shall not perish but will have ETERNAL LIFE. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, BUT TO SAVE THE WORLD THROUGH HIM." John 3:16&17 (NIV)

"This is the TRUE, SOLID FOUNDATION of our CHRISTIAN LIFE - the GOSPEL. Jesus is our RISEN RULER, AND SAVIOUR " Tony Payne

Because of Jesus' resurrection we were BORN AGAIN into a LIVING HOPE, and we have an ETERNAL SALVATION. We have a genuine FAITH in a loving GOD, and we can GROW in our relationship with JESUS CHRIST by continuinh to read HIS WORD and PRAY to Him each day. 

"THIS SALVATION was something even the prophets wanted to know more about when they prophesied about this GRACIOUS SALVATION prepared for you. .....They were told that their message was not for themselves but FOR YOU. And now GOOD NEWS HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED to you who preached by the POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ."                 1 Peter 1:10&12a (NLT)

Because Jesus died for us and ROSE AGAIN we have ETERNAL LIFE with Him in Heaven, with Jesus and His Father.  PRAISE THE LORD!!

'THE HOLY BIBLE - NEW KING  JAMES VERSION", 1982, Thomas Nelson

"THE HOLY BIBLE - NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION", 2011, Biblica

"THE HOLY BIBLE - NEW LIVING TRANSLATION", 2015, Tyndale House Publishers

"THE MESSAGE - THE BIBLE IN CONTEMPORARY LANGUAGE", 2018, Eugene H Peterson, Nav Press/Tyndale House Publishers

"Shine the Light Spread the Word!" (Matthew 28:19-20) - "Jesus' Great Commission Song" 2025, Little Harmony Club/You Tube

"Because He Lives", 1971/2021, Bill & Gloria Gaither (Composers), Steph McCleod, Mhari Marwick, Scott Wood, Guy & Naomi Stirrat, Chris Amer, Ifedade Thomas (Performers), Celtic Worship/You Tube

Tony Payne/Ken Coleman,"Learn the Gospel" - "Jesus - the Risen Ruler and Saviour" (2022),  All Saints Anglican Church, Albion Park/Matthias Media