Witnesses : Third Sunday of Easter

Luke 24:35b-48
1 John 3:1-7

INTRODUCTION
You and I have been called children of God—and that is what we are.
So let’s act like children and take time to play!
Find a partner and exchange, back and forth with one another, as quickly as possible. For example: I rejoice when I see the hummingbirds. I rejoice when I watch my garden grow. I rejoice when I can gather with others for worship. I rejoice when I see the young people.

Do you feel better?
Expressing joy encourages us and revives our spirits.
Even as children of God, sometimes we just need simple encouragement.

I want to express my deepest appreciation for your prayers during this last week. As you know, two funerals touched our congregation in the last few days—the service for M... F... and the service for C... H... I consider it a blessing and an honor when a family invites me to share this time with them. When that invitation comes to preside at the funeral service, the preparation for that service takes priority.
Everything else goes on hold until that service is complete. To meet with the family and prepare the eulogy or homily takes my undivided concentration—even more so than the weekly sermon preparation. So I appreciate you for understanding my need for an undisturbed block of time. In order to focus my thoughts for funeral preparation I may need to cancel meetings or postpone visits—and I appreciate your understanding in those matters.

Early last week I was not available in the office because that sort of preparation is best done at home. Deanna and I kept in telephone contact, and I believe, with her help and with your cooperation we have made it through the week without too much miscommunication. I am grateful that you trust me to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit in my use of time and that you allow me to set priorities accordingly. You are a loving congregation and I appreciate you for that. We are that community of faith that reflects God’s future breaking into our present relationships. Our patience with one another and our trust of one another
becomes a witness to the world.

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!"

HEART
I hope you are meditating on the scriptures that we have each week. And I hope the Lord uses these scriptures to speak to your heart and to your mind so that your faith is strengthened. Our scriptures last week and again this week give us a glimpse of the community that gathers around the risen Lord and the community that comes together when the good news of the resurrection is proclaimed. Today’s gospel reading from Luke is similar in many ways to the passage of scripture we read last week from the gospel of John—with one slight variation. And the variation is significant.

John’s gospel focused on internal relationships within the community of faith—the fellowship or koinonia shared in Christ. In our passages this week we see the emphasis expanding from relationships within the congregation—to the responsibility of this faith community to communicate their message to the world. Those gathered together because of their faith in Jesus Christ will, in word and deed, demonstrate God’s love, calling people back to a relationship with the Father. Because of the death and resurrection, Jesus says that repentance and forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed to the nations in his name.

Those who saw the risen Lord with their eyes were literal witnesses to this new reality. And they were to bear witness, empowered by the Holy Spirit. Luke records this in his gospel and in his second volume that we call the Book of Acts, Acts of the Apostles. As the literal eye-witnesses began to die—as the first century was coming to an end—the old Apostle John calls for the church to be witnesses to what the Father has given to the church. You and I cannot testify as eye-witnesses to the resurrection but we can bear witness to the power and faithfulness of the Father. We can bear witness to the effectiveness of the power of the resurrection. We can proclaim repentance and forgiveness of sins in Jesus name.

We do have a story to tell to the nations. But don’t forget, we are children of God
—and John says our lives will bear witness to that reality. Our life together as the church will bear witness to the reality that we are children of God.

CONCLUSION
We played a game at the beginning of this sermon—sharing with one another what brings us joy. Rejoicing with one another! What did we learn from this simple little game?

When we are rejoicing—we won’t be complaining! When we concentrate on the joy set before us—we can reflect the obedient heart of Jesus and we won’t harbor bitterness in our spirits. When we rejoice—when we see good even in the midst of misery—our faith is strengthened—and in sharing, we strengthen one another.

We have the honor of being called children of God because we have responded to the good news of resurrection—we have responded to the good news of repentance & forgiveness of sins. Jesus does save us! This is good news.

If you want to confess your faith in Jesus and prepare for baptism,
this is a good day to do that. If you have drifted away from God and want to come back to him, this is a good day to do that. If you want to join this congregation and cast your lot with us—this is a good day to do that!
Come, while we stand and sing.

HYMN Jesus Saves

BENEDICTION
God’s love is revealed in Jesus Christ.
God’s power is revealed in Jesus Christ.
God’s love is revealed in us.
God’s power is revealed in us.