Risen: Following Jesus from Resurrection to Pentecost
Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:12-14)

Lesson Focus: Origin of Origins – Pentecost
• The Spirit Baptism of the Jews –
When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.” (Acts 2:1-13) Continue Reading…

Risen: Following Jesus from Resurrection to Pentecost
Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:12-14)

Lesson Focus: Follow Me!
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. (John 21:15-17)

Have you ever asked someone a question to which you already knew the answer? Why do we do that? I think of the child standing before you with tell-tale Oreo Cookie teeth. “Did you eat the last cookie?”

Jesus created an experience that would both redeem Peter for denying Jesus during the worst of his human misery, and restore his relationship with his Savior. Once Peter realized it was Jesus on the beach, he leapt from the boat into the water and swam 100 yards to be with Him. (John 21:7) That is a beautiful picture of repentance. He was to be forever transformed from a fisherman to an evangelist in that moment. Each time Jesus asked the redeeming question, He said feed or tend my sheep. It’s one thing to say you love Jesus; the result of that love will always be your willingness to serve Him. Continue Reading…

Risen: Following Jesus from Resurrection to Pentecost
Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:12-14)

Lesson Focus: This is for real!
So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs. (Mark 16:19-20)

Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God. (Luke 24:50-53)

After the resurrection Jesus confirmed his supremacy in real, tangible ways. He appeared in bodily form to many and was carried up to the right hand of the Father in bodily form. This was not an overly spiritualized story. It was the experience that launched a revolution with 11 guys. From that moment to this, Jesus continues to redeem this broken world just as He planned: one soul at a time through those who believe in Him. From the beginning to the end our earthly ministry is in response to His supremacy. What most draws you to the revolution? Continue Reading…

Risen: Following Jesus from
Resurrection to Pentecost
Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.

Lesson Focus: Gone Fishin’
[ This week the outline comes from Warren Wiersbe (Wiersbe's Expository Outlines). His perspective has so changed mine that I wanted you to have his commentary word for word. (questions inserted) ]

The final chapter of John shows Christ as the Master of our service and the Friend of sinners. Were it not for this chapter, we would wonder what happened between Peter and the Lord and whether or not his disobedience was really dealt with. (Chapter 21 is widely considered to have been added on at a later date.) Continue Reading…