2009 Special Easter Message 12/04/09

THE LORD JESUS’ RESURRECTION

MADE THE WEAK DISCIPLES NO LONGER WEAK

Teachers to read bible scripture: <Jn 21:1-19>

Children to memorize bible scripture: <Ac 1:8>

Introduction
Three days ago, we talked about the Lord Jesus dying on the Cross for us. The road to the Cross had
much hardship and nobody could withstand it but the Lord Jesus prayed earnestly and therefore He
received strength to go through it and took all the pain and suffering. But Children, do you know?
God raised the Lord Jesus from the tomb and He resurrected three days later! When the disciples
went to the tomb where the Lord Jesus was buried, they found the tomb empty. Suddenly, two angels
revealed to them and said, “Why do you look for a living person among the dead? He is not here. He
has risen.” Thereafter, the Lord revealed to His disciples twice and strengthened them. However, the
disciples were all very weak because they kept thinking about how they abandoned the Lord when he
was in hardship. Therefore, they were all very guilty especially Peter who denied the Lord three times
because he was afraid of being caught. There was once, Peter and a few disciples were fishing at the
sea. They did not manage to catch a single fish the entire night. The next morning, the Lord Jesus
went to the sea to look for them (but they did not recognize the Lord). He stood at the bank, saying,
“Friends, have you caught any fish?” They replied, “No!” The Lord said, “Throw your net on the right
side of the boat and you will surely find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in
because of the large number of fish. One of the disciples said, “It is the Lord Jesus!” When Peter
heard that, he jumped into the sea and swam towards the Lord. When they landed, the Lord said to
them, “Come. Let us eat together.” After eating, the Lord told Peter, “Peter, do you truly love me more
than these?” Peter replied, “Yes, Lord. You know that I love you.” The Lord said, “Feed my lambs.”
The Lord asked again, “Peter, do you truly love me?” Peter answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I
love you.” Not long after, the Lord asked him for the third time, “Peter, do you love me?” Peter was
hurt because Jesus asked him the third time and he replied sorrowfully, “Lord, you know all things,
you know that I love you.” The Lord said, “Feed my sheep.” After that, the Lord told Peter how his
death would glorify God. Then He said to Peter, “Follow me!” The Lord Jesus hence strengthened
Peter and the disciples. Later, the Lord’s spirit descended mightily on them such that the disciples
believed in the words spoken by the Lord Jesus and hence received much power to spread the
gospel to the ends of the earth, so that all people would get to hear of God’s gospel, receive life and
and eternal life.

1. The Lord Jesus’ death and resurrection was to bring to the disciples the greatest
victory
1) The Lord Jesus’ death was to bring about resurrection! The Lord Jesus submitted to
the Father, God to triumph over everything! = Therefore, when God tells us to submit
to him, (the devil often tells us that it is very difficult) but actually God wants us to
receive the greatest victory. Children, today, let’s ponder, is there anything that the
Lord wants us to submit to Him?
2) The Lord Jesus’ death and resurrection tell the devil that he does not have the power
to control the people whom God loves. What the devil is most afraid is the moment
when we submit to the Lord = When we submit to the Lord (listen to the words of
God), our problems will be solved, our families will be happy and people will love us
etc. The devil will not have the power to influence us.
3) When the Lord Jesus died and resurrected, not only did He triumph, He also brought
this victory to His disciples so that they triumph together with Him. Therefore, after
He resurrected, He immediately went to look for His disciples whom He loved to
strengthen them = When we experience God and triumph over our problem, quickly
share it with the people around us, so that they can also see God’s love and power.
2. The Lord Jesus’ resurrection resulted in the disciples not having to feel guilty but
to know that they were people whom God would use greatly
1) Although the disciples were weak, abandoning the Lord because they were afraid,
the Lord Jesus still loved them = Children, we are the same. Although there are
times when we feel weak and powerless, we are still loved by God.
2) Therefore, because the Lord Jesus loves His disciples, after He resurrected, He
immediately looked for them telling them not to feel guilty for being weak and that
they should not be deceived by Satan = Children, we must know that when we do
wrong (selfish, dislike people, beat people), Satan will definitely accuse us and make
us feel guilty. However, we should not let Satan deceive us. God still loves us. We
just have to tell the Lord, “Sorry, I know that I am wrong” and that is ok.
3) The Lord Jesus still wanted to use the disciples greatly and therefore told Peter to
feed the Lord’s sheep = Children, we must remember, regardless of how weak and
powerless we are, the Lord will still use us greatly. Therefore do not look down on
ourselves.

3. When the disciples believed in the words of the Lord, Jesus, they received great
strength
1) When Peter heard the Lord’s words, he knew that he was loved by God and God
wanted to use Him. Hence, he was no longer guilty and received great power. When
the Lord ascended to heaven, Peter stood up to preach about the Lord, Jesus. 3,000
people heard him, repented and believed in the Lord.
2) However, Peter was not proud because he knew that he was weak. If he did not rely
on God for a minute or a second, he would surely fall. Therefore, he often guarded
his heart, prayed to God daily and relied on God in everything.
3) Children, the Lord resurrected for us – people who believe him today! Therefore, we
must believe wholeheartedly that we are loved by God and people whom God wants
to use. At the same time, we must be careful not to rely on our own intelligence but
to often pray to rely on God in everything.