Good Shepherd Community Church

The kingdom of God has been defined by Anthony Hoekema as "the reign of God, dynamically active in human history through Jesus Christ, with the purpose of redeeming God's people from sin and demonic powers, and ultimately establishing the new heavens and the new earth." The kingdom of God began to be manifested among men when Jesus Christ began his public ministry and proclaimed that it had arrived in his person. His kingdom is now manifested in the lives of his redeemed people, especially as they gather in local churches for worship and instruction. The book of Acts, in fact, begins with Jesus teaching his disciples about the Kingdom of God and it ends with Paul "proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ" Acts 28:31. As we await the full revelation and consummation of Christ's kingdom at his return, we Christians are ambassadors for King Jesus as we proclaim his Gospel, and as we pray, live, and teach by the Holy Spirit.

Peter no doubt received Jesus' forgiveness for his sin of denying knowing him when the risen Christ visited him on resurrection Sunday. But it was later at another meeting on the seashore in Galilee that Jesus restored Peter to his place of pastoral leadership in the early church. We see here the vital role the ministry of pastor (under shepherd) was then and now for the people of God.

We meet Peter on numerous occasions in the gospel narratives. He was the great confessor at Caesarea Philippi for all Twelve of the apostles when he declared, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." But we also encounter him at the last Passover with Jesus when he declared his unwavering loyalty, "Even if they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away. Peter said, "I will lay down my life for you." Jesus replied, "Will you lay down your life for me? Truly I say to you, a rooster will not crow until you deny me three times." Then tragically we read of his warming himself in the courtyard where Jesus was being interrogated. Three times he was ask if he was not a follower of Jesus. But he denied it. Even asserting, "I do not know the man." On tge third denial he even cursed in his denial! What will happen to Peter? Surely his sin has permanently disqualified him as chief of the Apostles. John records for us the gentle beautiful interaction of Jesus with Peter on his third appearance to seven

The Apostle Thomas is often called "Doubting Thomas," but that is only part of his story. We see that at one point he was the "Fearless Thomas" - urging the other disciples to join him in going to Jerusalem and dying with him. At another point he was the "Inquiring Thomas," asking Jesus to show the way to the place he was going. He clung to unbelief during that first week after Christ's resurrection because he had not been at that initial appearance of Christ among the disciples. But then Jesus appeared again when Thomas was with the disciples and he told Thomas to throw aside his unbelief and come forward to touch the wounds he bore from the cross. At that point Thomas saw, believed, and confessed, "My Lord and God!" Jesus' word to the church from then on is, "Blessed are those who have not seen, and yet have believed."

Witnessing is very important in the Christian life. We are commanded by the Lord Jesus to be his witnesses to others. This involves a focus on him as he is revealed in the Scriptures. The content of our witness is Christ Jesus not a plan of salvation or a story of our experience, although we can use what has happened to us as an example of believing. Too often we are focused on a few prooftexts that support steps to salvation. This can lead to faulty conversions that center on the wrong focus. The story of Jesus Christ in fulfillment of prophecy given in the Old Testament leading to an acknowledgement of his identity and the meaning of his death-burial-resurrection and ascension in our behalf must be the substance. Belief is expressed in a change of mind and direction of life (repentance) and faith in Jesus himself expressed in confession that is marked by baptism. This is our calling by the command of Christ our Lord. "You shall be witnesses unto Me." Tell people who I am and what I have done in fulfillment

On that first Resurrection Sunday, Cleopas and his companion's walk to Emmaus that afternoon proved to be monumental, not only for them, but for the Christian church. The stranger who accompanied them turned out to be Jesus, who pointed them to the OT scriptures which spoke of him. At the conclusion of their walk, Jesus showed them he himself had resurrected. Hurrying to Jerusalem with the good news of their encounter, the disciples had their resurrection joy strengthened by the news that the risen Lord had also appeared to Peter. And so for us today it is also the scriptures which prophesied and then testified to Jesus' death and resurrection that is our strength and help when we face sadness and fear. The risen Jesus is alive and always with us by his Spirit!

I believe in the resurrection of the dead because Jesus Christ arose from the dead. He is the first fruits of all the harvest that is to come,that is all those joined to him in faith. 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own turn: Christ the firstfruits; then at His coming, those who belong to Him. 1 Cor. 15:35 But someone will ask, "How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come? Our resurrection body will be like Christ Jesus' resurrection body.

After Christ's execution on the cross his disciples were in fear that some similar fate might happen to them. Christ's appearance to them brought the astounding realization that he had risen physically from the dead. He had defeated death so they did not need to fear death. His presence assured them that they need not feel guilty for deserting him. The "peace" he extended to them included his forgiveness. The resurrected Christ breathed on them imparting the person of the Holy Spirit to them. They were not alone! And he gave them a mission and purpose in life - to declare the Gospel to the world. These formerly fearful men had become faithful servants of the living Christ.

I believe in the resurrection of the dead because it happened in history. It happened when Jesus of Nazareth arose from the dead. What difference does the resurrection of Jesus Christ make?

"The glorious resurrection body of Jesus Christ is the first fruit of the glorious resurrection bodies of his people which will occur at his return. Among the characteristics of Christ's body that will also mark the body of resurrected Christians are: 1) Continuity with their pre-resurrection bodies 2) Actual physical resurrection 3) Immortal (never dying but eternally living) bodies Christ went through death and all of its destruction and came out the conquering victor to God's glory and the great benefit of his people.

It is Friday afternoon. All is quiet now. The crowds have gone. Darkness has lifted. The earth has violently quaked. Jesus' mother and two close friends are waiting to receive his body for burial. Jesus of Nazareth is dead but ... Luke 23:44-56

The time for Jesus to complete the mission of redeeming his people arrived. It was Passover and Jesus gathers with his 12 special disciples. He will soon go through the horror of his sufferings climaxing in his crucifixion. He will actually be the true Lamb making atonement for people. During the course of this ceremonial meal Jesus gave his followers three commandments. Two are recorded in John and Matthew, Mark, Luke and Paul record the other commandment. Three words can help us to remember the 3 commands he gave at this last Passover: wash, love, eat.

When Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday we see three things happening: 1) The plan of God being carried out as the ancient prophecies are being fulfilled that the Messiah would enter Jerusalem as the descendant of David. 2) The praises of the people as they hail him King and Deliverer in the words of Psalm 118:26, "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" Their praises were likely based on political hopes for freedom from Rome, rather than a recognition of Jesus is the true Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. 3) Jesus weeping painful tears as he predicts the coming destruction of Jerusalem because they had not recognized their "time of visitation," (v. 44) when God's Messiah would visit them. Jesus had entered the final countdown to the cross that momentous Sunday.

Don't you rejoice when good news comes? When someone is very sick, but they are now well and healthy. Or when a bad situation is reversed. This is Paul's announcement in Colossians and in Ephesians. He tell us first the very bad news of our spiritual situation outside of Christ Jesus - dead, condemned, sold under transgressions, without God. "But God..." This simply phrase is how he introduces the good news, the gospel. God intervened in Jesus Christ to save us, to rescue us from a bad, impossible situation and condition. He acted out of his nature by his electing love in the person of his Son Jesus and the activity of his Spirit, making us alive!

The Victory of Jesus' cross, that is, his death in behalf of his people, is seen in this text as follows: I. The Hour of Crucifixion was the Hour of Glorification. It was through his sacrificial substitutionary death on the cross Jesus gained glory for his obedience to the Father and his love for his people. II. A Seed Must Die to Produce Life. As is true in the natural world, it is even more true that Jesus had to die to purchase the multitude of his people, ransoming them from the slave-market of sin. III. The Seed that Dies Bears Much Fruit. Jesus' death brings much spiritual fruit in the salvation of an innumerable number of people from every place and age. IV. We Must Lose our Life to Gain Eternal Life. Surrender to Jesus' Lordship results in manifold blessing including eternal life.

Jesus' death on the cross of Calvary is the remedy to at least three barriers that separate sinful humanity from the all-holy God. First of all, we are slaves to sin, to Satan, and to the world system of thought and behavior. Jesus' death on the cross is the ransom that paid the release-price so set us free from these enslavements (Matt. 20:28). Secondly, we are legally condemned before the court of God; we are guilty because of Adam's sin and because of our own personal sin. Jesus' death and resurrection removed our guilt and credited to us his righteousness (Rom. 3:21-26). Thirdly, we were enemies of God (Rom. 5:6-11) because of our wicked behavior. By his sovereign initiative, God stepped into our lives and reconciled us to himself because of the work of his Son on the cross. Through the work of the cross the ransom was paid, guilt was replaced by justification, and former enemies were adopted and made friends of God.

Many people have a mistaken view of the role of the law in salvation. In fact it is common for people to think they will be accepted by God because their out weights their bad. Others believe God saves you by his grace initially but you must began to keep the law in order to be saved in the end. Exactly what role does God's Ten Words (Law) play in the ultimate salvation when Christ Jesus returns.

No one likes to hear bad news. However, sometimes bad news is necessary and can not be avoided. At other times bad news is helpful if it leads to a good result where the bad news becomes good news. Paul in writing to the Ephesians states the bad news bluntly in chapter 2 verse 1-3. He introduces the good news that had come to the believers with these promising words, but God.

The cross of Jesus Christ was crucially necessary for lost sinners to be saved from their sin for three basic reasons: I. God is Righteous II. Humans Are Unrighteous III. Humans Are Guilty of Cosmic Treason In contrast to the perfection of God's absolute righteousness and holiness, Romans 1 shows us by contrast the nature of humanity: they are ungodly and unrighteous, they suppress the truth, they refuse to honor God or give him thanks, they are foolish in their thinking, and they exchange the worship of the immortal, eternal Creator for created things. Is there no help for a lost human race? The cross of Jesus Christ is the only solution.