O Fools and Slow of Heart to Believe - Sermon Notes | Bible Baptist Church of Ballincollig

I. Introduction (Luke 24:1-6)

“Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee.” - Luke 24:1-6

Jesus is ALIVE from the dead!
What could these words mean?
- Are they symbolic? Just a fairy tale of people “living happily ever after”?
- Those words “He is risen” may not mean much to you
- But they sum up the most amazing event in all of history - the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. Back alive after such a horrible death - the worst kind of death invented
Could these words actually be true?
What if Jesus really is alive?
Shouldn’t we who claim to believe Jesus is alive from the dead live differently than everyone around us?

II. Message

A. The Darkest Day (Luke 23:44-46)

The day Jesus died - after being tortured and murdered - unjustly!

“And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.” - Luke 23:44-46

Jesus of Nazareth was betrayed, falsely accused, put through seven mock trials, each time finding him guilty of death
Passed around from Caiaphas to Annas, to Pilate to Herod and back to Pilate
The crowd cried out like a mob for Pilate to crucify Jesus instead of Barabbas
Then beaten, whipped, struck over and over with the fists of hardened Roman soldiers
Then marched up a hill just outside of Jerusalem called Golgotha, and nailed to two cross beams and hung between heaven and earth to die…
All the disciples could do was watch as Jesus, the best man who ever lived, was brutally murdered
Jesus’ death was so public, so brutal, so final, so dark, there are even three hours of darkness at noontime. Nobody moved!
But ONE man, a Centurion Soldier, honoured Jesus:

“Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.” - Luke 23:47

Unlike any other Man who ever lived or died! The best man he had ever met
“Truly this was the Son of God!”

B. What Did Everybody Do After That?

They Scattered - As Jesus hung on that cross, all the disciples scattered and fled and went into hiding. They gave Him no support. They left Him to die alone!
They Grieved - They were grieving. The best Friend they ever knew was DEAD
Some were Getting Angry - Angry at believing that things would be different, angry at the Roman government, and some were angry at Jesus for not fighting
They ALL Forgot what Jesus had said - He had tried to prepare them for that day

“And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men: And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.” - Matthew 17:22,23

“And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.” - Matthew 20:17-19

“Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me? Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.” - John 16:19,20

They had forgotten all those words! They never meant anything to them!

They were just watching - gobsmacked (Luke 23:48,49) - unable to do anything

“And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned. And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.” - Luke 23:48,49

Jesus’ followers just watched everything die that day, everything they hoped for, everything they believed
Their future was now gone. Everything died when Jesus died on that cross

They watched as Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus buried the body of Jesus

“And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor; and he was a good man, and a just: (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God. This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid.” - Luke 23:50-53

No one else helped Joseph or Nicodemus - no one dared!

Worst of all… Everyone returned to their old ways:

“And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on. And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid. And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.” - Luke 23:54-56

They had to keep the Sabbath. Jesus’ promise of being the Sabbath was no longer valid if He was dead
They had to keep the law. Jesus had said that He was the fulfilment of the law, and yet, EVERYTHING was back as it was before if Jesus was dead!
They were back to living in defeat - as the biggest losers and failures on the planet

“And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.” - 1 Corinthians 15:14

THAT is what happens most every Sunday here - people hear this Book, but never believe it to be really true! And so they go back to their old ways!
THAT WAS WEDNESDAY EVENING
Three days pass - not 1, or 2, but 3 days (all day Thursday, Friday, and all day Saturday)
NOTHING happens for those three long, dark days
Then came the surprise of early Sunday morning!

C. Sunday Morning Surprises (Luke 24:1-8)

A few women went early in the morning to the tomb to honour the body of Jesus. They still believe He is dead in the grave

“Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.” - Luke 24:1

The other disciples, Peter, James, John, Andrew, were all too scared to venture out
But they found an OPEN TOMB

“And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.” - Luke 24:2

The 1-ton stone was rolled back. You would need half a dozen men pushing a 2,000 pound stone back open
They found four terrified soldiers collapsed on the ground
They found an EMPTY TOMB

“And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.” - Luke 24:3

They heard Impossible News… He is Alive!

“And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet 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.” - Luke 24:4-7

“You won’t find Jesus here among the dead.”
“He is risen. He is very much alive, just as He promised you.”
And it was at that moment all of Jesus’ words came back to them

“And they remembered his words.” - Luke 24:8

No one was making this up as they went along!
Jesus had told them over and over this would happen and turn out for good
There is no other explanation!
- Somehow Jesus was NOT in the tomb
- They had seen Him be placed in that very tomb - they were at the correct tomb!
- They had seen the stone rolled over the entrance, and sealed
- They had seen the soldiers take up positions in front of the tomb
- And yet here it was EMPTY! No body of Jesus
- No one stole the body - they were the most unorganised group of disciples!
- There was no other explanation than what these angels were saying…
- That… Jesus is alive, just as He promised!

D. Things Were Happening Very Fast (Luke 24:9-24)

The women were excited:

“And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest. It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles. And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.” - Luke 24:9-11

Peter and John were shook to the core and raced to go see:

“Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.” - Luke 24:12

But the disciples STILL DIDN’T BELIEVE - at least not yet!
Jesus joined two disciples on a walk to Emmaus:

“And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.” - Luke 24:13-16

It is still early in Sunday morning
Jesus walks up to two of His disciples - they don’t recognize Him
He looks nothing like the Man that died on the cross - He was very healthy looking! Vibrant
Jesus notices their sorrow and frustration with the news about His missing body!
He asks two questions:
1. “What has you two so flustered, upset?” (Luke 24:17,18)
2. “Oh, What happened in Jerusalem?” (Luke 24:19-24)
They are admitting that what the women said wasn’t enough to convince them, and the fact no one has SEEN Jesus alive means He is still dead to us

E. O Fools and Slow of Heart to Believe (Luke 24:25-35)

Jesus was saddened - these were HIS disciples! They should have known better!
- Sad because their faith was in the past - when things were good
- Their faith did not expect suffering or trouble or pain or hurts
- Their Saviour was dead and gone
- To them, the resurrection was not possible!
- And for most of us, when things go bad, we give up on God too!

“Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.” - Luke 24:25-27

Calls them FOOLS, unbelievers! Those are damning words
- Only a fool says there is no God - the evidences are overwhelming
- And only a fool says Jesus was only a Jewish teacher, and is still dead!
- That’s harsh! But you HAVE to believe Jesus is alive to be born again!
“So, What is holding you back from believing?”
- Jesus notices their hesitation to believe all the evidence:
  - The stone rolled back
  - The empty tomb
  - The soldiers afraid for their lives
  - The angels talking with them
  - The body-wrapping all folded up - not something you take off a torn body
  - The precise timing of all this - three days
“Why don’t you believe all that the prophets have said?”
- People usually cherry pick from the Bible all the parts they believe and understand
- They have never read Zechariah chapter 12
- Isaiah 52 and 53 describing the suffering of the Messiah
- Psalm 22 describing the literal crucifixion of the Messiah 1,000 years earlier
- That is just THREE of the Old Testament prophets - there are 20 more!

“And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.” - 1 Corinthians 15:17

The Biblical Messiah HAD to Suffer First
- Before He is glorified and reigns as King of kings and Lord of lords!
- There are TWO kingdoms to get into:
  1. The kingdom of God - the kingdom of a man’s soul and heart
  2. The future kingdom of heaven in this world, that Jesus still will bring
- The Messiah had to suffer and die to bring in the first Kingdom - forgiveness
- So that forgiven men could enter and enjoy the second kingdom forever!
Jesus began at the beginning, in the writings of Moses and reminded them of all the prophets from Genesis to Malachi:
- Jesus is the Light of Genesis 1
- The voice of God walking in the Garden of Eden in Genesis 3
- The Ark of Genesis 6
- The Ram in place of Isaac in Genesis 22
- The Passover of Exodus 12
- The voice from Mt Sinai in Exodus 19
- The Manna of Exodus 16
- The Tabernacle in the Wilderness in Exodus 33
- The healing Brass Serpent on a rod in Numbers 22
- He is the Fourth Man in the fiery Furnace with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego
- He is the Stone which the builders rejected in Psalms
- He is all the Wisdom in Proverbs
- He is the Mighty God in Isaiah 9
- He is the central theme of the Scripture; not Abraham, not David, not Moses, not Peter, but JESUS, the Promised Messiah
They shared a meal:

“And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.” - Luke 24:28-30

It was at that moment that the Holy Spirit opened their understanding, as they LISTENED and reviewed the words of the Old Testament
Everyone was getting saved by seeing Jesus in the Old Testament for the first 40 years!
It’s not the book of Ruth, it’s the Gospel According to Ruth
It’s not the book of Exodus, it’s the Gospel According to Exodus
And then in an instant, Jesus disappeared:

“And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.” - Luke 24:31

It seemed so cruel that He disappeared, but the disciples HAD to learn to believe with just the Bible and the Holy Spirit
He’s just moving around. He actually stays around for 40 days, weaning His disciples off of His physical presence
As they listened and focused on the literal words and promises of the Scriptures, their hearts began to explode with joy! SPIRITUAL HEARTBURN!

“And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” - Luke 24:32

“And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.” - Luke 24:33-35

F. In the Upper Room (Luke 24:36-47)

“And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.” - Luke 24:36,37

Jesus next miraculously appears to all of His disciples in the upper room
That place where Jesus had celebrated the Lord’s remembrance supper
He appears to a room full of defeated, confused and hesitant followers
They say, “It can’t be! Who is this man?”
Jesus then says, “Peace be unto you” (same words He spoke to the stormy wind and waves)

“Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?” - Luke 24:38

Stop panicking!
“It’s me. I’m very much alive.”
Why are you allowing your fears to run your life now?
Look, touch, test, verify, use your senses. Be rational.

“Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.” - Luke 24:39,40

Examine my hands and my feet. Put your finger in my hand and put your hand in my side
I am not a vision or a spirit or a ghost. FEEL my flesh!
Hey, watch me eat:

“And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he took it, and did eat before them.” - Luke 24:41-43

And then using the Scriptures again, Jesus opened their understanding:

“And 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, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day.” - Luke 24:44-47

THAT’S THE POINT! That dark day was for something good!

III. If Jesus is Alive, Live Like It! (Luke 24:47-53)

How are YOU living?
- Scattered? Staying in the background? Afraid of being noticed as a believer?
- Constantly frustrated? Unable to make sense of things in your life?
- Getting angry at life?
- Not remembering anything that Jesus had said?
- Just watching - just spectators?
- Back to your old ways constantly?
It’s time for us all to START DOING SOMETHING - living like Jesus is alive

A. Learn the Bible (Luke 24:44)

It’s NOT just the future and history, empires and kings and shepherds, but JESUS!
Learn the whole story, from start to finish - it is HIS STORY!
How to live? Why put up with so much trouble? Why trust God? It’s all in there!
You consume dozens of hours each week of wasted scrolling! READ YOUR BIBLE
LEARN this Bible, cover to cover (not snippets and the enjoyable parts only)

B. Love the Cross (Galatians 2:20)

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” - Galatians 2:20

It was the kiss of God on this sinful world
Jesus’ death was not a defeat, but absolute victory, proven by the resurrection

“And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” - Colossians 2:13-15

So… stop loving your sin, or your hurts, and this world - Jesus crucified the world
Grow up! The cross gave you ABUNDANT LIFE… so start living it!

C. Enjoy the Resurrection!

“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.” - Philippians 3:10

I can enjoy BOTH the fellowship of Christ as I suffer and hurt and struggle to live by faith, AND enjoy the POWER of the resurrection that is now IN ME!
A Christian no longer worries about dying - we have passed from death unto LIFE!
When you start enjoying the resurrection of Jesus, you will start enjoying preaching and discipleship, and soul-winning, and prayer, and giving, and on and on!

D. Proclaim the Gospel (Luke 24:47,48)

“And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things.” - Luke 24:47,48

This is where we really fail
We may pick up a Bible and read it, and we may even come to church and study it, but we don’t take it anywhere with us
We don’t live what we learn. We don’t SPEAK what we believe!

“I believed, therefore have I spoken.” - Psalm 116:10

Jesus said, if you believe the Gospel, SPEAK the Gospel
That means, publish it, announce it, declare it as a fact, broadcast it to everyone
What is the gospel?
- It’s the good news that your sins, all of them, can be remitted
- All your past, present and future sins can be removed, they can be forgiven
- HOW? By the DEATH of Jesus Christ, His burial, and His RESURRECTION
- Believing those three events can save any sinner from hell!

E. Rely on the Holy Spirit

“And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” - Luke 24:49

Jesus gave Him to us! He is the Comforter
The enabler of the soul-winner - we can do nothing without Him!

F. Demand Repentance

That is the necessary “attitude” behind belief. Serious sorrow!
Our biggest need is to humble ourselves and to repent before God like the Publican in Luke chapter 18, ashamed, broken, begging for mercy and forgiveness!
Believing that God has raised up Jesus from the dead, so you can follow Him home

G. Actually Worship Jesus

“And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.” - Luke 24:50-53

Just start worshipping JESUS! Loving Him with ALL your heart!
Think about Him instead of all your past, and your problems, and weaknesses
Praising and thanking Him for everything and in everything
Blessing Him, making Him happy
Talk to Him, pray to Him, ask Him anything you need, just LOVE HIM
This was what Christianity was like throughout the book of Acts

IV. Conclusion

Why are we not more like those believing Christians?
- It’s because we really don’t believe He’s alive
- Our confidence in our praying says we don’t really believe it
- We are uncertain and unexcited in everything we do as Christians now
If Jesus really is alive…?
- Does your face show that Jesus is ALIVE, or still dead?
- If Jesus is alive, it should show, in every area of your life
- Your work should be exemplary, your home should be like heaven, your heart should be content, your thoughts should be full of thankfulness
- Your expectation should be for Jesus to come back at any moment
- Church and worship should NOT end when we dismiss from church!
We must live like He is alive
Today is your day to trust Him and be saved!