April 8, 2007 (Easter Sunday)

Ghost Stories or Good News?

by Rev. Dr. Jim Carlson

Luke 24:1-12

(Slide) Online Tombs: Qing Ming – Grave Sweeping Day. Bland food. Online visits show how traditional beliefs have been abandoned.

What do we do with traditional beliefs about Jesus coming back from the dead? Society has abandoned many prior beliefs about death.

Claims about Jesus coming back from the dead – interpreted today as myth.

Question today – IS it true? Good news or Ghost stories?

Luke wants to convince us that Jesus’ physical body came back from the dead.

Empty tomb story is about the women in all four gospels.

Two men in dazzling clothes – heavenly beings/angels.

Fulfillment of scripture.

Women return – disciples don’t believe them. Tradition of Peter returning.

Luke’s agenda in telling his story:

Jesus came back in flesh – ate food
In accordance with scripture
Everyone struggled with whether or not this really happened – even disciples.

What does it matter today?

Entire Christian faith hinges on Resurrection
Proper place of faith and reason. Do we believe in resurrection just because the Bible says? (Slides)
Our own personal experience of risen Jesus is why we believe. (Slides)

Beauty of being Baptist is our experience of Jesus as individuals, congregation, and denomination.

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