Calvary Chapel Sydney

The conclusion of the Gospel of Luke describes the appearance of Jesus to His disciples that seemed too good to be true. Jesus enabled them to understand the scriptures, blessed them and provided the Holy Spirit to fill them. Jesus was physically parted from His disciples in Jerusalem, but they nor we need ever be separated from Him and His love.

As two disciples conversed and trudged the road to Emmaus, Jesus joined the conversation and expounded the scriptures. Their eyes were opened to recognise Jesus and joyfully returned to Jerusalem to share the good news of their risen LORD and Saviour who lives, loves, saves and opens blind eyes.

Synopsis: After Jesus was crucified and breathed His last, He was buried in a new tomb carved out of rock. On the first day of the week Jesus rose from the death in glory and His resurrection was proclaimed by angels to shocked disciples. The call of our LORD and God Jesus for His disciples then and us today is, "Be believing!"

The crucifixion of Jesus Christ is one of the defining moments in the history of the world and relevant to the lives of every person today. Jesus Christ our LORD died so sinners could be saved and receive eternal life by faith in Him, and the flesh of Jesus was torn so we could enter into a new covenant of God's redemptive grace.

Jesus was brought before Pilate and Herod and after examination was found to be innocent of all charges leveled against Him. Pilate caved to the pressure the wicked will of Christ's accusers, yet God's will was accomplished in providing Jesus as a Saviour for sinners. As followers of Jesus, we can have total confidence in God's will ultimately being done.

When Jesus was arrested and brought before the council, Peter denied Jesus three times and wept bitterly. His godly sorrow for his failure and sin resulted in repentance which provides great encouragement for believers. Instead of focusing on past failures we can be born again and in faith rejoice in God who loves, forgives, fills and keeps us by His grace.

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem, wise men came from the east led by a star that signaled the birth of the King of the Jews. These men went in faith to seek the child Jesus, worshipped Him and opened their treasures to Him. Today Jesus is seeking those who worship Him in spirit and truth.

As Jesus headed towards crucifixion on Calvary He provided an example of one clothed with humility and was a servant of all. Greatness in the kingdom of God is not based upon seniority but is revealed in lowliness of mind, surrender to God and obedience to God's will.

When Jesus observed the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread, He instituted a major shift from looking back to God's deliverance of the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt to what Jesus would accomplish on Calvary. All who rejoice and celebrate Jesus as our Passover ought to remove the leaven of sin from our lives to walk sincerely with Jesus who is the Truth.

James exhorts the believer to persevere through trials and temptations. However, these serve a spiritual purpose in the believer’s life to strengthen and approve our faith in God, being molded more into the image of Jesus Christ. The believer is to be faithful, being diligent in seeking and serving God, that fruit may be produced that glorifies God.

As Jesus taught He answered questions asked by His disciples. Jesus revealed insights about the future and exhorted His followers to hold fast to the truth. The disciples desired a timeline but Jesus gave them far better: a mouth and wisdom to answer and settled hearts to understand troubling signs revealed their redemption drew near.

Jesus contrasted the scribes who sought what they could gain with a poor widow who gave God all. In light of God giving Himself for us, we ought to first give ourselves to God as living sacrifices for His glory. It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Jesus came to earth as Messiah and overcame His opposition and enemies face to face. He silenced them with His wisdom while instructing those who follow Him in faith. Jesus is a King and Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek, and He is our LORD at hand ready to save.

As He preached the Gospel in the temple, Jesus was questioned concerning where His authority came from. His questioners did not believe they spoke to the LORD with all authority in heaven and earth! Jesus spoke a parable against those who sought to destroy Him, and He revealed the kingdom of God would be given to those who produced the fruit of it.

Jesus was obedient to the Father and went to Jerusalem knowing He would be rejected. He needed to humble Himself to embrace the process determined by God to save sinners to meet all our need. If we will be saved, we need to choose God's way through faith in Jesus.

Jesus told a parable to teach His disciples there would be a delay before His kingdom would be established. He emphasised the privilege of His servants to labour for His sake during His absence because Jesus is coming quickly and His reward is with Him.

Because Jesus has come to us, there is no limitation or deficiency too great to overcome to meet with Jesus by faith in Him. Are we willing to cry out for mercy or lay aside our pride to joyfully receive our Saviour?

Man tries to justify himself in vain, but those who humble themselves before God in repentance and faith He will justify. Coming to Jesus as little children is a requirement to enter the kingdom of God and receive eternal life.

Jesus teaches us truth about how we are blessed. As we live out our lives day by day, it can sometimes feel as if we are not blessed. We might think things like “What have I done wrong?” “Am I missing something because I’m not feeling blessed?” “Why is it so hard?” What did Jesus actually teach on being blessed?

While teaching concerning the kingdom of God, Jesus revealed His inevitable, unexpected return will result in the judgment of unbelievers. For people who would suffer for following Jesus the Parable of the Unjust Judge was an awesome reminder of God's love, care, and salvation of those who trust Him.