GateWay Church of Visalia
Philosopher Jesus
April 9, 2023
Locations & Times
GateWay Church
1100 S Sowell St, Visalia, CA 93277, USA
Sunday 8:00 AM
Sunday 9:30 AM
Sunday 11:30 AM
Introduction
The First Easter:
But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men suddenly stood near them in gleaming clothing; 5 and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why are you seeking the living One among the dead? 6 He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, 7 saying that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise from the dead.”
But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men suddenly stood near them in gleaming clothing; 5 and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why are you seeking the living One among the dead? 6 He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, 7 saying that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise from the dead.”
Three responses:
#1. Belief
8 And they remembered His words, 9 and returned from the tomb and reported all these things to the eleven, and to all the rest. 10 Now these women were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James; also the other women with them…
#1. Belief
8 And they remembered His words, 9 and returned from the tomb and reported all these things to the eleven, and to all the rest. 10 Now these women were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James; also the other women with them…
#2. Dismissal
…were telling these things to the apostles. 11 But these words appeared to them as nonsense, and they would not believe the women.
…were telling these things to the apostles. 11 But these words appeared to them as nonsense, and they would not believe the women.
#3. Overwhelmed
12 Nevertheless, Peter got up and ran to the tomb; and when he stooped and looked in, he saw the linen wrappings only; and he went away to his home, marveling at what had happened.
12 Nevertheless, Peter got up and ran to the tomb; and when he stooped and looked in, he saw the linen wrappings only; and he went away to his home, marveling at what had happened.
So What?!
3 stories of how people respond to Jesus:
#1. Some jump at the news!
Dr. Adrian House and the historic validity of the Bible.
#1. Some jump at the news!
Dr. Adrian House and the historic validity of the Bible.
#2. Some don’t believe the news.
Even though the Disciples became Apostles.
Even though they died for the truth of Jesus’ resurrection.
Even though the Church was given birth.
Even though over 500 people saw him alive from the dead.
Even though the Disciples became Apostles.
Even though they died for the truth of Jesus’ resurrection.
Even though the Church was given birth.
Even though over 500 people saw him alive from the dead.
#3. Some have to contemplate the news.
Leibniz Contingency Argument:
“Why is there something instead of nothing?”
Kalam Cosmological Argument:
“Whatever begins to exist has a cause, the universe began to exist, therefore the universe has a cause.”
“Whatever begins to exist has a cause, the universe began to exist, therefore the universe has a cause.”
The Moral Argument:
“Can you be good without God establishing an objective moral universe?”
“Can you be good without God establishing an objective moral universe?”
Anselm’s Ontological Argument:
“If it is even possible that God exists then it follows logically that God does exist.”
“If it is even possible that God exists then it follows logically that God does exist.”
Jesus the Philosopher: Acceptance
Luke 24:1-12, April 9, 2023
Prayer Requests:
Group Discussion: Describe when you really understood the gospel for the first time?
Read out loud: Luke 24:1-12,
3 stories of how people respond to Jesus:
#1. Some jump at the news! Who have you known that made a somewhat dramatic conversion to Christ?
Did you see the movie, “Jesus Revolution?” What impressed you about the thousands who came to Christ during that period of time they portrayed?
How does someone need to change when they come to Christ? Language? Habits? Spiritual Disciplines? How much change has to occur for a conversion to be apparent to others? Is change a quick or a slow process?
#2. Some don’t believe the news. Without using names, have you known someone who came to Christ but then walked away from Christ or the Church? What did they struggle with that caused them to walk away? How do we encourage people to connect with new people at GateWay? What could we improve?
#3. Some have to contemplate the news.
What do you think of Leibniz Contingency Argument: “Why is there something instead of nothing?”
What do you think of the Kalam Cosmological Argument: “Whatever begins to exist has a cause, the universe began to exist, therefore the universe has a cause.”
What do you think of the Moral Argument: “Can you be good without God establishing an objective moral universe?”
What do you think of Anselm’s Ontological Argument: “If it is even possible that God exists then it follows logically that does exist.”
Family Time: Read Luke 24:1-12 to your kids and talk about how it could be possible for Jesus to rise from the dead. Go buy a small packet of seeds. Examine them carefully and observe how they look dead. Plant them somewhere in our yard. Water and care for them and watch them sprout. Read John 12:24, “Unless a seed fall to the ground and die it remains by itself, but if it dies and is buried it bears much fruit.” Jesus is teaching that until He died and was buried He couldn’t be resurrected. Because He was resurrection we also will be resurrected after we die.
Luke 24:1-12, April 9, 2023
Prayer Requests:
Group Discussion: Describe when you really understood the gospel for the first time?
Read out loud: Luke 24:1-12,
3 stories of how people respond to Jesus:
#1. Some jump at the news! Who have you known that made a somewhat dramatic conversion to Christ?
Did you see the movie, “Jesus Revolution?” What impressed you about the thousands who came to Christ during that period of time they portrayed?
How does someone need to change when they come to Christ? Language? Habits? Spiritual Disciplines? How much change has to occur for a conversion to be apparent to others? Is change a quick or a slow process?
#2. Some don’t believe the news. Without using names, have you known someone who came to Christ but then walked away from Christ or the Church? What did they struggle with that caused them to walk away? How do we encourage people to connect with new people at GateWay? What could we improve?
#3. Some have to contemplate the news.
What do you think of Leibniz Contingency Argument: “Why is there something instead of nothing?”
What do you think of the Kalam Cosmological Argument: “Whatever begins to exist has a cause, the universe began to exist, therefore the universe has a cause.”
What do you think of the Moral Argument: “Can you be good without God establishing an objective moral universe?”
What do you think of Anselm’s Ontological Argument: “If it is even possible that God exists then it follows logically that does exist.”
Family Time: Read Luke 24:1-12 to your kids and talk about how it could be possible for Jesus to rise from the dead. Go buy a small packet of seeds. Examine them carefully and observe how they look dead. Plant them somewhere in our yard. Water and care for them and watch them sprout. Read John 12:24, “Unless a seed fall to the ground and die it remains by itself, but if it dies and is buried it bears much fruit.” Jesus is teaching that until He died and was buried He couldn’t be resurrected. Because He was resurrection we also will be resurrected after we die.