Luke 24:36 And while they were telling these things, He Himself stood in their midst. ³⁷ But they were startled and frightened and thought that they were seeing a spirit. ³⁸ And He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? ³⁹ "See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have." ⁴⁰ And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. ⁴¹ And while they still could not believe it for joy and were marveling, He said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?" ⁴² And they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish; ⁴³ and He took it and ate it before them. ⁴⁴ Now He said to them, "These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled." ⁴⁵ Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, ⁴⁶ and He said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and rise again from the dead the third day; ⁴⁷ and that repentance for forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. ⁴⁸ "You are witnesses of these things. ⁴⁹ "And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high."

MISSION POSSIBLE/LUKE 24:36-49

Many of you will remember a TV program from the late 1960's and the early 1970's. The program was called Mission Impossible. Most memorable are these lines from each opening episode: "Your mission, Jim, if you choose to accept it..." and "This tape will self-destruct in five seconds."

So, what does all that have to do with our text this morning? The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Church that is assembled here this morning on this corner at this time have been given a mission. A mission that may at times seem impossible. A mission in which no option is given to decline to accept. And, the message will not destruct, as a matter of fact the message is indestructible. And, this mission has all the right team members, and the mission will always be successful. Want to be a part of such a mission? Let’s consider it carefully, and let’s be prepared to commit ourselves afresh to it before we leave here today.

I) THE CHURCH’S MISSION–LUKE 24:46-48

A) On the same day of His resurrection, Jesus later revealed Himself to His closest disciples (vv.36-45). His appearing to them created no small stir (v.37). However, He calmed their fears and addressed their doubts by showing them His hands and feet which bore the marks of crucifixion (vv.39-40). Jesus then eats a meal of broiled fish with them (vv.41-43). Then, Jesus again tells them that the all the major divisions of the Old Testament taught of Him and His works (v.44). And, for them to understand such things it was necessary for Him to open their spiritual minds to see clearly (v.45). As we said last week, the same is true today. God through His Word and His Spirit must open up our minds to understand such spiritual truths leading to salvation. With this as a backdrop, let’s now turn our attention to what the Church is called to do today.

B) First, let’s consider the message that is at the heart of the Church’s mission. Verse 46 tells us what the Old Testament taught about Christ and His mission: He (Christ=Messiah) should suffer, and be raised on the third day. The Apostle Paul makes this important point in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. If the message is wrong or even compromised, then the mission will not come to fruition through us at Bigelow Church. And, the health and growth of the church, the local church, will be compromised and anemic. The message of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection is the foundation of God’s grace (GRACE=God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense). We must get this right as a church to see God work powerfully in our midst. Second, the death and resurrection of Jesus leads to the preaching of repentance and forgiveness to all the nations (v.47). If anyone (from any nation or background) is to have an authentic encounter with God, then it will be because they have come to, a Spirit produced, repentance and seeking of forgiveness in Christ cf. 2 Corinthians 7:9-11. To those among us who are not Christians, or those who are not sure, then study the Scriptures and pray. "Admit that you have sinned and that you need this forgiveness. Accept Christ’s payment for your sins. That’s the only way you can become a Christian. The church can’t make you a Christian; we can only point you to Christ. He is the author and giver of our faith. If you are a Christian, then give God thanks for it. Because it is God’s work, we should be marked by humility. And pray that God will enable us to understand His word and to share it with others." This is our Mission Possible! Finally, Jesus calls on His earliest disciples, and His disciples among us this morning to be witnesses of these things (v.48). He promises, through the Holy Spirit given at Pentecost and in our salvation, to empower us to do what He commands us to do–Grace, all Grace! Let the excitement of that moment you first saw Christ in salvation propel you to a more faithful witness. We have the message, and we have the power of the risen Christ via the Holy Spirit. So, let’s take this indestructible message of salvation to our lost family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers. This mission will not fail!!