Question Answer Series [1]: Who then can be saved?

Question Answer Series [1]: Who then can be saved?

Question: Matthew 19:25-26 “When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”  Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible

Answer: We all know, the greatest gift we all received from heaven is Jesus. And Jesus came into this world to save sinners. But how can a sinner be saved? Acts 16 verse 30, The jailer asked the same question, what must I do to be Saved?

It is a very relevant question that we also need to ask. Once Jesus was talking about the rich people, how they will come into the Kingdom of God, hearing the requirement, the disciples in Acts 19 verse 25, they were greatly astonished and they asked, who then can be saved?

We think salvation is very easy, but actually Jesus replies there, with man it is impossible, but with God, everything is possible. So, it not the way we think many times. The very first time when church was born and people came to the saving knowledge of Jesus and received salvation, we see that in Acts 2:37, people ask a question.

And they were cut to their heart and asked, brothers, what shall we do? So, everything starts with one place, heart cut, man cannot create that. It is God’s grace, it’s God who opens our heart. Luke 7 verse 37, we see a woman who was in a town when she heard Jesus was there, she living a sinful life, she stood behind him, weeping.

Weeping in behind the Jesus at His feet, and covered Jesus’ feet with her tears. Jesus said, unless you repent you will perish. You remember Peter weeping Luke 22:61; when he was convicted of his sin. Did we come into the kingdom of God with a broken and a contrite spirit? with weeping. Did we enter on the right way?

Let’s examine. Let us examine, did you receive the look from Jesus that we see ourselves broken and contrite

Question 1: What must I do to be saved?

Question 1: What must I do to be saved?

Acts 16:30-31 “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

+ Matthew 19: 25-26 “When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”  Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Acts 2:37

  1. Admit that you are a sinner , Acknowledge what a Mess I am
  • Gen 3:9But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”
  • Acts 9:5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
  • Rom 3:23We are all sinners, we all do wrong things
  • Rom 6:23God is perfect, He must punish sin
  • Eph 2:8,9We can n to get into Heaven by trying to be good
  • Rom 5:8God showed His love for us by sending His Son Jesus, to die for us
  • And he went outside and wept bitterly. Luke 22:62
  • “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips Isa 6:5
  • The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Ps 51:17
  1. Believe Who Jesus is and what Jesus did

2.[Behavior changes]

  • Gen 3:11 And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?”
  • Math 27:22“What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked.
  • 1 Cor 15:3,4For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance[a]: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
    • Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house

3. Chose to trust in Jesus, Confess

Acts 2:40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”

  • Gen 3:13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?”
  • Acts 9:6 Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?
  • 1 John 1:9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
  • Psalm 51:2Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!
  • Luke 15:18–19I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants
  • Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. Prov 28:13

4 Dedicate your life to Jesus

  • Gen 3:21 The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.
  • John 8:11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more
  • John 5:14Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.”
  • 1 Peter 2:24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.

Day Jesus Risen – order of Events

Day Jesus Risen – order of Events

  1. Christ rises from the dead very early Sunday morning. A violent earthquake and an angel rolling away the stone and sitting upon it accompany this event. The guards are traumatized because they have seen this angel, and they freeze (Matthew 28:2-4).
  2. Mary Magdalene and another Mary either walked to the tomb together or they had planned to meet there. When she (or they) arrives, the stone has been rolled away. (The guards are gone by now.) She returns to find Peter and John and tells them that someone has moved Jesus’ body (John 20:1-2; Matthew 28:1).
  3. Another group of women was scheduled to meet the two Marys at the tomb. They have acquired spices to complete the burial process, which had been hurried. They are concerned about finding some men to help roll the stone away since it was large and needed to be rolled against gravity. To their surprise, these women see two angels, only one of whom speaks, telling them that Jesus has been raised. The women are scared to death and leave [seeing angels has this effect] (Mark 16:2-8; Luke 24:1-8, Matthew 28:5-8).
  4. Peter and John arrive after being summoned by Mary Magdalene, who apparently follows them there. John looks into the tomb, but Peter goes inside. All he finds are the burial clothes. They return, confused, but Mary Magdalene apparently stays at the tomb to grieve that someone has removed Jesus’ body (Luke 24:12, John 20:3-10).
  5. Jesus makes His first appearance to Mary Magdalene, after Peter and John have left. At first, she supposes Him to be the gardener, but she is then overjoyed to realize that it is the Lord (John 20:11-17, Mark 16:9).
  6. Jesus then appears to these other women who had left before Peter and John had arrived. These are the women who saw the angels. Jesus tells them to communicate that the disciples were to prepare to travel to Galilee (Matthew 28:9-10).
  7. The women, joined by Mary Magdalene, report their meeting with Jesus to the disciples, but they write it off as nonsense (Mark 16:10-11, Luke 24:9-11, John 20:18).
  8. The Roman guards report what they had witnessed to the chief priests. They were bribed to say that someone stole the body of Jesus while they were asleep. The priests promised the soldiers protection from military discipline through their clout (Matthew 28:11-15).
  9. Jesus appears to Peter. 1 Cor 15:5; Lk 24:34; cf. Mk 16:7
  10. Jesus appears to Cleopas and his friend (Luke 24: 13-22, Mark 16:12-13). This is on the afternoon of that first Easter Sunday as these two disciples were traveling toward Emmaus.
  11. These two disciples make a report to the eleven apostles that evening (Mark 16:13, Luke 24:33-35).
  12. He appeared to the ten apostles, (Mark 16:14, Luke 24:36-43, John 20:19-25) either while Cleopas and his friend were still there or afterward. The eleven apostles discussed this claim during the evening of that same Easter day. They had the doors locked, fearful that the Jews might plot against them and arrest them.
Who all did Jesus Appear to after Risen?

Who all did Jesus Appear to after Risen?

  • 1:
    • Mary, lingering at the tomb weeps and is fearful. Peering into the tomb she sees this time two angels who wonder why she weeps. Jesus then approaches her from behind. Not looking directly at Jesus, she supposes him to be the gardener. Then he calls her by name, and Mary, recognizing his voice, turns and sees him. Filled with joy she clings to him.  (Jn 20:16)
  • 2:
    • The other women have departed the apostles and are on their way possibly back home. Jesus then appears to them (Mat 28:9) after he had dispatched Mary. He also sends them back to the apostles with the news that he had risen and that he would see them.
  • 3:
    • Later that Day, two disciples on their way to Emmaus are pondering what they have heard about rumors of his resurrection. Jesus comes up behind them but they are prevented from recognizing him. First Jesus breaks open the word for them, then sits at table with them and celebrates the Eucharist whereupon their eyes are opened and they recognize him in the breaking of the bread.  (Luke 24:13-30)
  • 4:
    • The two disciples returned that evening to Jerusalem and went to the Eleven. At first, the eleven disbelieved them just as they had the women (Mk 16:13). Nevertheless, they continue to relate what they had experienced. At some point, Peter drew apart from the others (perhaps for a walk?) And the Lord appeared to Peter (Lk 24:34; 1 Cor 15:5)
  • 5:  
    • While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you. Luke 24:36 Almost at the same moment Jesus appears to the small gathering of apostles and the two disciples from Emmaus
    • On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” John 20:19
    • Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen Mark 16:14
  • 6:
    • 26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”John 20:26
  • 7:
    • The time frame of the next appearance is somewhat vague. John merely says “After this.” Likely it is a matter of days or a week at best. The scene is at the Sea of Galilee. Not all the Twelve are present. They have gone fishing and Jesus summons them from the lakeside. They come to shore and see him
    • Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus[b]), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together.
    • Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. John 20:4
  • 8:
    • The Appearance to the 500. Of all the appearances you might think that this one would have been recorded in some detail since it was the most widely experienced appearance. Many accounts it seems would have existed and at least one would have made its way into the scriptures. Yet there is no account of it other than it did in fact happen. Paul records the fact of this appearance:
    • After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 1 Cor 15:6
  • 9:
    • Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles  1 Cor 15:7
    • The Appearance to James. Here again we do not have a description of this appearance only a remark by Paul that it did in fact happen: 1Cor 15:7 Then he appeared to James. The time frame is not clear. Only that it happened after the appearance to the five hundred and before the final appearance to the apostles.
  • 10:
    • Jesus certainly had other on-going appearances with the disciples. Luke attests to this in Acts when he writes: Acts 1: 3 To them he presented himself alive after his passion by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days, and speaking of the kingdom of God.
    • After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. Acts 1:3
  • 11:
    •  Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, Math 28:16,17
  • 12:
    • After forty days of appearances and instructions, we have a final account of the last appearance wherein he led them out to a place near Bethany, gave them final instructions to wait in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit was sent. And then he was taken up to heaven in their very sight.
    • When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God. Luke 24:50-53, same as Acts 1
Question the Lord Asked [3]: Is anything too difficult for the LORD?

Question the Lord Asked [3]: Is anything too difficult for the LORD?

Read:  Is anything too difficult for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, [b]at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” Gen 18:14

Examine:  The LORD appeared to Abraham at the sacred trees of Mamre when he was around 100 years and after the promise, he had been waiting for a son for the last 25 years. As Abraham was sitting at the entrance of his, he looked up and saw three men standing there. As soon as he saw them, he ran out to meet them. Bowing down with his face touching the ground, he said, “Sirs, please do not pass by my home without stopping; I am here to serve you. Let me bring some water for you to wash your feet; you can rest here beneath this tree. I will also bring a bit of food; it will give you strength to continue your journey. You have honored me by coming to my home, so let me serve you.”

They replied, “Thank you; we accept.” Abraham hurried into the tent and said to Sarah, “Quick, take a sack of your best flour, and bake some bread.” Then he ran to the herd and picked out a calf that was tender and fat, and gave it to a servant, who hurried to get it ready. He took some cream, some milk, and the meat, and set the food before the men. There under the tree he served them himself, and they ate.

Then they asked him, “Where is your wife Sarah?” “She is there in the tent,” he answered. One of them said, “Nine months from now[a] I will come back, and your wife Sarah will have a son.”

Then the LORD asked Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Can I really have a child when I am so old?’ Is anything too hard for the LORD? As I said, nine months from now I will return, and Sarah will have a son.” Because Sarah was afraid, she denied it. “I didn’t laugh,” she said “Yes, you did,” he replied. “You laughed.”

Application: Lord’s promises will never fail, but the way it might get fulfilled, might not be the way we expect. In Abraham’s case the wait was 25 years and delay were too long, in human logic there is no more chance for anything to be fulfilled. At the most unexpected time Lord came to fulfill the promise.

Decision: Lord help me to believe in your promises and also depend on your promises. Teach to listen to you Lord and be in your presence. Help me to understand your way and time is perfect and teach me your wisdom and patience. Let the question be my strength – Is anything too [a]difficult for the LORD?