Tarcutta and Adelong Anglican Churches

He Is Risen Indeed

Year B Third Sunday Of Easter 4/4/2024
Acts 3:12-20. 1 John 2:15-17, 3:1-6. Luke 24:36b-48.

1. We are well into our Easter Season now. The church calls this time of the year our Easter Season. It goes for seven weeks. 

So, what do we concentrate on in the church over the 7 weeks? We concentrate on the resurrection of Jesus. 

During this Easter Season of seven weeks, our readings of a Sunday have many incidents of Jesus after his resurrection.

This season of Easter reminds us constantly of our risen Jesus. This season of Easter reminds us constantly that Jesus is alive. 

My dad had a philosophy in life, he had a rule on how to live well. He always said “Don’t smoke, don’t drink and don’t gamble.” I confess that at some time I have broken those rules. 

However, to follow those rules of my Dad, we would be following the rules of someone who has passed on, we would be following the rules of someone who has died.

We would not be following the person; only following the rules.

This is not so with Christ. We follow the commands of someone who is still alive. Jesus is alive; he sits at God’s right hand, he intercedes for us, Jesus is alive, and his Spirit is with us.

Confucius died, Buddha died, Mohamad died, they were placed in a grave, and they stayed in a grave. But Jesus rose from the grave; 

That’s a huge difference in the faiths. Christianity proclaims that the Lord is alive; his Spirit is available to lead, guide and heal.

2. We have what we call our Easter Acclamation. It is “Christ is Risen.” 
“He is risen indeed.” We say these words nearly every time we meet. 

We could just say “He is risen.” But we add the word “indeed.”

Why do we say “indeed”? Why do we say “risen indeed.” The word was originally 2 words; in and deed.

So, when we say “He is indeed,” we are saying Christ rose through action, or deed. 

We are affirming it is an action, something concrete, something factual; we are affirming something that can be seen.

For the early church, the resurrection of Jesus was so factual. It had only happened a short time before. 

But remember this - today, 2000 years later, it is still so real to us too. So real, we can say “Risen indeed.” 

3. The early church made the bodily resurrection, so real.

They did so in our first bible reading today.

Only a few months after the resurrection, Peter and John went to the Temple to pray.

While they were there, in Jesus’ name, they healed a lame man. The healed man went leaping and praising God, as he went into the temple.

Everyone saw the miracle happen. Peter then gave a sermon. Peter made it quite clear that Jesus was alive. 

He said “And by faith in Jesus’ name, his name itself, has made this man strong, this man whom you know. The faith that is through Jesus has given him this perfect health.”

Peter was claiming that Jesus who died, was now present and active.

Peter made it clear that it was nothing to do with him or his friend John. It was done with the power of the risen and glorified Lord. 

4. I read a little story some time ago. It came from the USA.

A teacher was asking the children in fourth grade, to name the person who they considered, to be the most famous person alive today. 

A little boy spoke up and said “I think it's Tiger Woods, he's the greatest golfer in the world.”

A little girl spoke and said “I think it's the Pope, because he cares for people, and doesn't get paid for it all.”

Another little boy said “I think it's Donald Trump, because he's the President of the greatest country in the world.”

Another boy said “I think it's my mum, because she cares for me and my brother.”

The children went on for some time, mentioning all the people who were alive who were famous.

Eventually it was little Donnie's turn. He replied “I think it was Jesus Christ, because he loves everybody, and is always ready to help them.”

The teacher, Mrs Thompson, smiled, and said “Well I certainly like your answer Donnie, because I'm a Christian too, and I also admire Jesus. But there's one slight thing that's wrong.

I said the greatest living person, and of course Jesus died over 2000 years ago. Do you have another name in mind? "

I love this simple, innocent, and probably wide-eyed response. Donnie said “Oh no, Mrs Thompson, that's not right at all. Jesus Christ is alive. He lives in me right now.” 

5. You know, our world has some very silly, or strange ways of thinking and acting. I want to share these few things with you.

I read the other day, that Victoria is going to ban dark coloured roofs. The idea is that a dark roof attracts more heat. So, it will become illegal to have a dark roof. Why? Because, in the summer, you will have to turn up your air conditioner more with a dark roof. And use more electricity.

So, all house roofs will eventually be a light colour. But I thought, if you have a light-coloured roof, won’t your house be colder in the winter? So, we would turn the heater up. It means what we save in the summer, we would spend in the winter!

And about Israel and Gaza etc. There is that what is called a Two State Solution. Like Israel one country, Palestine the other country; living side by side, and living in peace.

It’s called a Two State Solution. But when I think about it, I don’t think it is a solution. It would be a two-state situation certainly, but not a solution. 

A Two State Situation would be good, both nations in peace. What could be better than that? 

But I pose this question – how could there be peace, if one of the nations was always intent on destroying the other? 

Another strange attitude I saw the other day was this. It was in the paper. Some people, or groups, were saying “The church should not be involved in politics or social issues.” Listen again, they said “The church should not be involved in politics or social issues.”

What is the church? It’s us. The word church in the scriptures means “Assembly of God’s people.” The church is people. 

If the church could not be involved in politics, it means we could never become an MP, or a shire councillor, or have our say in how this district, or country, is run on social issues. 

We are people, a democracy is where people have a say, where people are involved. Jesus, look at Jesus, his words and works were often about people in shaping a society. 

What a strange world we live in. Jesus is alive, looking on this strange world. Desiring it to repent, to believe in his work on the cross. 

6. In our Gospel reading today, we can again say “He is risen indeed.”

Jesus stood among them. The disciples thought it was a ghost. Our Lord assured them of his bodily resurrection. He was not a ghost.

Jesus said “Look at my hands and my feet. Touch me and see, for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 

To top this off, Jesus said “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him some broiled fish. Jesus then ate it while they watched.

He was alive. He had human, bodily characteristics.       

7. Jesus said to the disciples, when he showed them his risen body, “Repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed to all nations.  You are witnesses of these things.”

You are witnesses. That's what we are; witnesses.

In the National Church Life Survey, sometime ago, it found that only 14% of Anglicans look for opportunities to share their faith.

Wow. That's not many of us. Only 14% look for opportunities to witness to our risen Lord. 

Jesus is alive. He is someone we can witness for. Let's look for opportunities to share the grace of God; in the family, in the community organisation, up the street.  

Pray with people, tell people when you notice God working in their lives, 
speak about how you saw God working yesterday, or whenever. 

Even when you say cheerio to someone just say “God bless,” or “God be with you.” 

8. Our readings today affirm the resurrection. That's the first thing. Secondly, they affirm that Jesus is alive.

In our prayers, know that he is alive.
In church, know that he is alive. 
In our daily lives, know that Jesus is alive.

When we know, and feel that, we can say “He is risen, He is risen indeed.”                          
Amen. 

Peace Be With You 

Year B Second Sunday of Easter 7/4/2024
Acts 4:32-37. 1 John 1:1-2:2. John 20:19-31.

1. We had Easter last weekend. The last week has gone so quick.

Our world has moved on now from Easter. The world has put away its baskets, its chocolates, and its bunnies, and has moved on. 

Through this last week the shops were taking down their Easter decorations, and relaying their counters back to a normal layout. 

So, it seems Easter is well and truly behind us?   

But is it? No, it isn't. 

As Christians, we are a Resurrection People. We continue to live as an Easter people. 

We continue to live in the power of the resurrection. 

We don't leave Easter behind as an event - we take it with us, as an experience, and we continue to live as a resurrection people. 

Paul, when he wrote to the Philippians in about 55AD, he said in chapter 3 “I want to know Christ, and the power of his resurrection.”

What did Jesus do when he walked the earth? What did he do in his three years full time ministry?

He healed people, loved people, he taught, he proclaimed, he admonished, he forgave. He travelled all over the country side. 

On that day, when Jesus rose from the dead, it was confirmation of all the things he did over the previous three years.  

The resurrection was the catalyst that transformed the disciples. They all knew now that Jesus was for real. 

2. Our Gospel reading today, is the incident of the risen Jesus appearing to the disciples. It was the evening of the resurrection. 

The disciples had locked themselves in a room. Why would they lock the door?  They were in fear; ten very frightened men. 

Happy because Jesus was alive, but fearful because of the Jews. 

They were afraid of the crowd too, and had shut themselves in.

Only ten of the disciples were gathered. Remember that Judas was gone. After he betrayed Jesus, he took his own life.

Thomas was not there either. He had forsaken them. 

Jesus had a lot of words to say at the last supper. But the words that were extremely prophetic, and ones of caution were these. He said “Satan has demanded to sift all of you, like wheat.” (Luke 22:31)

The devil wanted to separate the disciples. He wanted to ruin their fellowship, to break them apart, to bring them to ruin.

Not only to sift them, but to crush them, like a grain of wheat, and blow them away. 

Judas was gone. Thomas didn't want to join them now either. 

But in this situation of pain and fear, and being sifted like wheat, Jesus came. He came with healing. 

“Peace be with you” he said. What a victory! The darkness, once again, overcome by the light. 

3. God's light is so powerful. It's like the sun.

We can't look at the sun, it would blind us. Yet, the sun illuminates everything, and in its light, we make our way in the world.  

In our fears, in our anxious states, the light of Christ still shines. On a cloudy day, the sun still shines above. 

In 1 Peter, chapter 5, Peter says “Cast all your cares upon God, because he cares for you.”

Jesus had been through his passion. He had been through that terrible death. He was now risen, and had come to strengthen his disciples. 

He came to heal them; to take away their fears. 

What is the opposite to faith? Yes, fear. 

In our Communion Service the words are “Jesus frees us from hate and fear, from all that destroys love and trust.”

It's on page 139 of our prayer book. Let's look it up. See, towards the bottom; third paragraph from the bottom. 

What's the opposite to trust? Fear. 

4. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University reported that 30 years ago, the greatest fears of school children were: 

1) Animals, 2) Being in a dark room, 3) High places, 4) Strangers, 5) Loud noises. 

Today, kids are afraid of the following: 1) Divorce, 2) Nuclear war, 3) Cancer, 4) Pollution, 5) Being mugged. 

There is the story of a 5-year-old boy called Johnny. Johnny was in the kitchen as his mother prepared dinner. 

She asked him to go into the pantry and get her a can of tomato soup, but he didn't want to go in alone.

He said “It's dark in the pantry and I'm scared.”

His mother asked him again, and he persisted. He said “No, it's dark in there, and I don't want to go in.”

Finally, his mum said, “It's OK--Jesus will be in there with you.”

Johnny walked hesitantly to the door and slowly opened it. He peeked inside, he saw it was dark, and he said: “Jesus, if you're in there, would you hand me that can of tomato soup?” 

He knew Jesus was in there, yet he still feared. 

5. Fear can hold us back in so many ways; fear of rejection, fear of failure, fear of people, fear of frailty, fear of death.

Sometimes we fear the future, fear of not having sufficient money, fear of not having enough time, fear of what people might say.

If fear is shutting the door on God's peace, we may find it by remembering that God's purpose is being worked out - even in difficult situations.

There is the saying which says “Often Jesus calms the storm, at other times he leaves us in the storm, but calms his child.” 

As believers, we are a resurrection people. We have been raised with Christ. We have his resurrection power. 

The risen Lord Jesus has conquered every force that holds us in bondage to fear.

How can you frighten someone who's been raised from the dead? 

How can we be frightened if we are raised from the dead?

If you didn't have any fears, what would change in your life today?

If you didn't have any fears, how would you now live?

6. We can't go home today without thinking about Thomas the disciple. 

Thomas is always known as what? Yes, Doubting Thomas. 

He features in our Gospel reading today.

A week later, the disciples were again in the house. This time Thomas was there, because the disciples encouraged him about Jesus alive.

Through the week Thomas had said to the disciples “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails, 

and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”

At this second gathering, Jesus said to Thomas “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt, but believe.”

Thomas then said “My Lord and my God.”

The message for us is that it takes more courage to surrender to Jesus than to be a strong person, trying to go on our own strength. 

Especially for men. It takes more courage to surrender to Jesus, than to remain strong macho men, going on our own strength. 

Thomas was a practical man. He was stubborn and refused to believe. 

It was illogical to say that Jesus had risen. 

Thomas was a strong man; he probably felt that this was all silly stuff. 

But any how a week later, it all happened for Thomas. 

Jesus gave the disciples peace. He asked Thomas to surrender in faith and trust. 

“My Lord and my God” Thomas said.

7. We are all blessed today; blessed because we have not seen, and yet have come to believe.

We have not seen what they did over 2,000 years ago, but we experience, and we believe. 

I leave us with these words from St Paul, to the Philippian church. 

“Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say rejoice. Let all people know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your heart and minds in Christ Jesus.” Amen.