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After Easter...
It's the week after Easter. We rarely talk about what happened to the first Christians in that time between Easter, the ascension, and Pentecost. I can't remember even one sermon that looks hard at the disciples' experience in the first days after the resurrection.
It's worth asking what happened after the resurrection.
Outline
1. After the big day
2. What happens after Easter?
- In Jerusalem: empty tomb, appearances to Mary and the women, to Simon Peter, to 2 in Emmaus, to the disciples (Mat 28, Mk 16, Lk 24, Jn 20)
- In Galilee: appearances to the disciples and Thomas, to 7 by the sea, on the mountain (Great Commission), to 500+, to James (Mat 28, Mk 16, Lk 24, Jn 20-21, 1 Cor 15
- Back in Jerusalem: at least one appearance, a walk to Olivet, ascension (Lk 24, Acts 1)
3. What doesn’t happen…?
- Vindication against accusers
- Defeat of enemies
- Immediate proof for all Jesus’ followers
- Jesus’ constant presence
- A continual state of miraculous living
4. “Easter changes everything”
5. So what?
(1) We need to surrender our expectations
(2) We need to live Easter in the ordinary days, too
(3) We need to live by faith, not by sight