string(7) "m-66998" Burnt Hickory Baptist Church

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Apr 27, 2025

Jesus Changes Everything | Restored & Sent

Jesus Changes Everything | Restored & Sent

Passage: John 20:19-22

Speaker: Matt Petty

Series: Restored & Sent

Category: Sunday Sermons

Keywords: christian living, freedom in christ, living sent, holy spirit power, resurrection power, sent by jesus, jesus changes everything, presence of jesus, walking in freedom, personal relationship with jesus, john 20:19-23, hope in jesus, living with purpose, christian encouragement, peace of jesus, life after resurrection, abundant life through christ, jesus meets us in fear, overcoming fear with faith, trusting jesus in fear, gospel of john study, jesus breathes new life, jesus offers peace, locked doors and jesus, finding purpose in christ, restored by jesus, jesus changes lives, purpose through the resurrection

In John 20:19–23, the risen Jesus steps into a room filled with fear and uncertainty — bringing His presence, His peace, His power, and His purpose. He meets us right where we are, behind locked doors of fear, doubt, and struggle, and offers what no one else can. Through His resurrection, we are no longer bound to our own strength. Jesus breathes His life into us, filling us with the peace our hearts long for, the power to live fully, and the purpose to live sent — carrying His hope into a broken world. We are invited to unlock every hidden place in our lives, welcome Him in, and live in the confidence of His freedom. His peace quiets our fears. His Spirit strengthens our steps. His purpose gives meaning to every moment. Wherever you are, Jesus is ready to meet you — and change everything.

Well, good morning church and happy post Easter Sunday in the shade and in the air conditioning. Can I get an amen, from everybody out there? A couple of thank yous from last week: Number one, a huge thanks to the Lord last week for, just an amazing weekend together. Secondly, for the hundreds of you guys that volunteered last week, thank you. From the bottom of our heart. You hosted well, you shined light on the kingdom to invite people to the house. So thank you guys. And thirdly, if it was your first visit with us last week, thank you for being with us. And if there is anything that we can do to come behind you, we would love it. You would be doing us a favor to let us walk beside you.

John chapter 20 is where we're gonna be. So go ahead and be turning there with me. From the first week of January till now, we have been chapter by chapter, almost verse by verse, methodically walking through the gospel of John. And we've broken it down into a couple of little mini series along the way. The first one that we did, we entitled it Come and See. So for those first six weeks, we took about the first six chapters of John and we showed Jesus showing up in the flesh as God and showing himself to us and inviting us to come and see, showing us that he is worthy, he is God, and he is here to save. During those couple of weeks, we saw him begin his miracles on this planet. We saw him begin to draw us into himself, and we saw him extend his love and forgiveness.

After those first six weeks, we jumped into a next little mini series that we just called Power and Promise. From John chapter six through about John chapter 18, we walked through the “I am” statements of Jesus, where Jesus claims the highest name of God upon himself to show us that he is God. And not only is he God and distant and out there, but he's the God that's in the middle of our mess. And so we walk through these seven statements of Jesus, showing that he is the bread of life, that he is the light of the world, that He is the door, that he is the good shepherd, he is the resurrection and the life. He's the way, the truth, and the life. He is the vine that we are to graft ourselves onto. All of these are more than metaphors. They're places that Jesus steps in our lives and fulfills us and guides us and shows us who He is if we follow him.

Well, last week on Easter, we celebrated the death and the resurrection of Jesus. We celebrated it in John the last verse in 19 and the first 18 verses of chapter 20. And we said last week that it was the sacrificial death and the resurrection of Jesus that offers us life. It was his death that paid for our sins. But his resurrection proved that his sacrifice was worthy, proved that God accepted us. God gave us forgiveness. He's filled us with his spirit and he's sealed us with eternity. That's what we looked at last week.

So this week, the question that I've been dealing with all week, knowing that it was coming is if we've seen the come and see approach, if we've seen his power and presence, we've walked through the cross and the resurrection… What is there now to say from John? He's pretty much said everything from the gospel. Well, what Jesus is gonna show us for these next couple of weeks as we finish up this gospel is because he lived and because he died, we now can and shouldnow live this restored life that he has offered us and the sent life that he's offered us. And we can do all of that through his power.

Now notice that I didn't say that we can do it through our power. Why? Because that's actually how most of us approach the Christian life. We approach the Christian life as something that I need to do on my own. But what we're gonna see in these next couple of weeks, because of the resurrection, is that now Jesus has given us new life and has set us on a path with his life. He can make us new and he can give us power.

So I want to check back in with Jesus in John chapter 20, only five verses today. That's all we're gonna do today, five verses today. And here's two things I want you to see. Number one, I want you to pay really close attention to what Jesus says, but secondly, I want you to pay really close attention to what Jesus does. I want you to see both of those aspects, what he says and what he does. Because John, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, when he wrote this gospel, didn't just write it to describe an event that happened in history, although that's part of it. He wrote it to show us what Jesus wants to do in us. So yes, read it as history, but also read it as life changing power that is made available to us. So John chapter 20, let's watch what Jesus wants to do in us. He's still fully alive and he still wants us to follow him. John 20, verse 19. Just gonna read it and pause a couple places to make a couple comments today.

It says this, on the evening of the first day of the week when the disciples were together with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders – now stop right there. I know it's a weird place to stop in sentence structure, but I want to catch us up to exactly what is happening and exactly when this is all right. Why? Because what John is describing here is the resurrection day. This is resurrection Sunday evening. Now, I want you to remember that Jesus has been crucified. He's gone to the grave Friday evening. He is in the grave all day Saturday. He's risen Sunday morning. And then the Bible tells us what we covered last week in the first 18 verses of John when Mary, and the two disciples went to the tomb. Mary has this encounter with Jesus that we looked at last weekend. The Bible also tells us from Luke's gospel as well as in 1 Corinthians 15, that at some point in the early afternoon, Jesus appeared to Peter on the road.

I would've liked to have been part of that conversation, seeing what Jesus was saying with Peter. We'll have to ask that one day. We don't know. We also know that Jesus appeared to the two other disciples right on the road to Emmaus. They didn't know who he was at first. But after this long afternoon and early evening with Jesus, Jesus makes himself known to them, shows them who he is, and then in our text today, it is actually still on that same Sunday. Now you want to talk about a long church day, amen. These guys have been going at it since daylight. I've been a part of some of those church days. Today might be one of them. This has been a long day on this Sunday.

I also wanna point out that this is the first Sunday of worship. People ask me all the time, Matt, is it crucially important that I worship on Sunday? Well, yes and no. It's the Lord's day. It's what we see from this point in history. Prior to this day, everyone worshiped on Saturdays from the point that Jesus rose from the grave. Then worship was on Sunday. Because every Sunday, it is like a new, fresh week and a fresh time that we can celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and what he is done in our life. So here's how I like to say it. If Jesus can raise from the grave, you can raise out of your bed. Come to church. That's what we're seeing in Jesus.

So it's Sunday evening, somewhere probably around 9:00 PM in the text that we're reading, the 10 disciples are in this upper room. You may ask, Matt, I thought there was 12. Well, one of them has died: Judas is no more. Thomas is not there. We'll see that in another week. So these disciples are in the upper room. They're scared, and rightfully so. Because Rome was powerful. Rome was after them. They were causing this disturbance, and the religious leaders were still in charge. So what do they do? They go and they locked themselves into this upper room. Matt, is it the same upper room that they were in with Jesus, because that would be so cool. Yes, it is actually that room. 99 out of a hundred theologians believe that they really are.

So they're in this upper room. The doors have been locked. Nobody in, nobody out. And what are they doing? They're recalling the day. They're trying to figure out how do we move forward from this? How do we move in a direction that Jesus has called us to? They're trying to recall all that he has done. All of the moments that Jesus has showed himself to people. And watch what happens in verse 19. Here it is, John 20:19. Again, it says this, 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, watch this. Jesus came and stood among them.

What's happened right here, Jesus, in the middle of the disciples, he shows up right into the room where they are hiding. The more literal translation would be that Jesus appears in the room. Remember, the doors were locked. That means that Jesus didn't use a door. Jesus didn't use a window. In other words, the resurrected Jesus at this point is now different. Part of what Jesus had done when he came as God to this world was that he self-limited himself. He self-limited himself to become fully human. But now post-resurrection, we are seeing him in his glorified self. You may say, Matt, how do we know that? Well, we know that because first of all, the guys on the way to Emmaus, they didn't know who he was until he chose for them to know who he was. Mary thought he was the gardener and actually yelled at him a little bit before she realized who he was. We also see this in the fact that Jesus walks through the wall right here, or through the closed door. Later we see him ascend to the Father. It seems to be that the gospel writers are showing us that now in the glorified and resurrected body of Jesus, that time and space are now done a little bit differently. That's how he ends up in all these places. In this same moment, and in this same time, if you read the post resurrection events of Jesus, it's really hard unless this is the case, but also I wanna point out that it was actually physically Jesus. We see this, when Luke talks about the fact that Jesus says, you can touch me. He looks at him and says, spirits don't have flesh, and they don't have bones, but I do. We see Jesus eating later on. You see the disciples, when Jesus just appeared out of nothing, the disciples actually thought they were seeing a ghost. But Jesus says, no. It's me. I am physically with you. Look at the nails, look at my side. Look at where they pierced me. It is me. Jesus is physical, but he's not quite like us. He's not quite like us. Because Jesus is now operating in his glorified body.

I know it's kind of deep, but here's why I love this. There seems to be a little bit of foreshadowing here of what we will be one day when Christ raises us. There seems to be a little bit of foreshadowing here of what we will be when God gifts us with our eternal bodies. In other words, we will be like us. We will be recognized, people will know who we are, but it will not be quite like us. It'll be enough like us to where everything good that has ever been a part of us. Here it is that we will take that with us. But everything bad and everything hurtful, and everything painful and everything limiting will be left behind. Believer are you seeing? This is an incredible promise from God.

So Jesus, out of nowhere, shows up into this secured space, into these locked doors. How? I don't know how he does it. I can't explain the physics behind it, but here's what I do know: from the moment that God created the world out of nothing, there is no miracle of time, space, or matter that I can't see him doing. Yes, sir. In that moment, it makes no difference to me on the how. What does make a huge difference to me is what we're seeing as part of the story. What Jesus is showing the disciples and showing us in this moment…

Jesus can go in our lives where no one else can go. How did he do it? Don't care. How does he do it now? Don't care. What I do care about is that Jesus can go to the places in my life that nobody else can go. Jesus can go to the places in your life that your counselor can't go. Jesus can go to the places in your life that your doctor can't go. Jesus can go to the places in your life that no lover that you have ever had can get into, your soul. Jesus can reach anywhere. There is no place that you are that he cannot go. There is no depth of sin that you are in that he can't get you out of. There is no despair that has overtaken you that Jesus can't find you. There's nobody like Jesus. That's what we're seeing right here. He's powerful, yet personal. He's piercing, yet graceful. He's instructing, yet loving. And Jesus, in his resurrected self, shows us that he is the God Man, able to do things in you and for you and at your moments of despair that you can't even imagine. Church, this should be an incredible healing moment for you right now. Because how hard is it to finally see that outta the bits and pieces and the insides and outs and exposed and unexposed places in our lives that we don't even understand that Jesus does? And not only does he understand them, he cares for them. Not only does he care for them, he rose for them. And not only did he rise for them, he is now wanting to stand just like he did with the disciples, right in the middle of your moments and right in the middle of your fear.

I find so much hope in this. Because in my worldly, perplexing self, I find so much hope in knowing that Jesus knows, and Jesus understands and Jesus cares, and Jesus is right in the middle of my situations in a way that no one else can ever ever be. Remember just a minute ago when we first started reading the verses when I told you about the state in which the disciples were in right here, this is why this hits home for me so much, and this is why I feel like I'm just hanging out in this for a minute. Do you remember what the disciples were feeling at this moment? They were afraid. I love that John and the gospel writers point out right here, that prior to Jesus getting onto the scene, that the disciples were just scared. They were fearful. They were afraid. I really believe that speaks to where a lot of us live our lives. It speaks to exactly what Jesus wants to offer.

For some reason, fear is one of life's biggest struggles for me. It it's one of the places that I need Jesus. When I've got the doors locked to my soul, when I've got the doors locked to who I am, when I've surrounded myself with nothing, I need Jesus most often in my life to take care of fear. I'm just gonna be honest with you. I live this secret life inside of me of just being fearful. Fearful that I won't be good enough, fearful I won't be the husband God has called me to be. Fearful I won't be the provider that God's called me to be. Fearful I won't be the dad that God's called me to be, the employee that God's called me to be. I have this huge fear that I'm not gonna be the person that this church needs to lead it, that I'm not gonna be prepared. I'm gonna blow it on some Sunday. I'm gonna say something and nobody else is coming back next week. I'm gonna lead us in a path. I'm gonna show up to a meeting unprepared and make a fool of myself. I live this fear. That I'm gonna make a bad decision or I'm not gonna finish well, or my kids are gonna go off the rails, or Melissa's gonna wake up one day and go, I don't even like you. I'm serious. This is where I live and I hope you're feeling this with me. It's even fearful for me to say this out loud because I'm like, they ain't coming back next week.

But I love how Jesus can go to the places in our lives that nobody else can go. And in the middle of my fear, in the middle of me locking the doors and trying to be this positive person, Jesus can just look at me and go, I got you and I'm with you, and I'm walking in you and I am yours. Listen, Jesus steps into their doubt and their fear and their questions and their struggles like nobody else can. And here's the deal. Jesus is still in the business of being right there.

Did you see what Jesus did? He came to his own when they were afraid. He didn't wait for them to clean up their act or get themselves together. Jesus shows up when nobody else can to give us enough faith to overcome whatever is going on in our lives. I can't tell you how many thousands of times where I've just simply said, God, I can't do it. Please help me. Amen. And you know what He does? He does every time. And most of the time for years, Isaiah chapter 41 comes to my mind. Let me read it over you because I think some of you may need this as much as I do.

God says, I took you from the ends of the earth, from the farthest corners. I called you and I said, you are my servant. I have chosen you. I have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I'm with you. Do not be dismayed, for I'm your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I'll hold you with my righteous right hand. All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced. Those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. Though you search for your enemies, you're not gonna find them. Though they wage war against you, they will be nothing at all. Verse 13, for I'm the Lord your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear, I will help you.

Fear might not be your deal, but the resurrected Jesus will do this for you. But the question is, will you let him? The promise of his presence for his disciples, the promise of his presence for me, and the promise of his presence for you… is available. But the question is, will you let him move in it? But it's not just the promise of his presence than he gives them. It gets even more specific and more incredible than that. In fact, keep reading with me and watch exactly what Jesus wants to give them and give us. Look at verse 19 again. Here's what it says. Jesus came and stood among them and said, Peace be with you. Now listen, fear might not be your deal, but peace probably is. I want you to see some of the verse before we talk about peace. He stood among them. He stood right in the middle of them. I want you to see something about Jesus 'cause he’s the same as who he is today.

Jesus doesn't stand on the edge. He doesn't stand on the outskirts. Jesus is not a distant God that is calling us from afar. He's not directing us from afar. No. He's not even just messing with them, right? He is in this upper room standing in the middle of them. He's not looking at them and going, what are you doing? He's not looking at 'em and saying, we've already covered this. No, Jesus stands in the middle of them, in the middle of their fear, in the middle of their doubt, in the middle of their shame and simply looks at them and says, peace be with you, shalom, peace.

But why is peace first? I mean, if I'm God, which we've already established many times I don't need to be, I can think of so many other things that would be great to give them first. But then when you really start thinking about where they were and what was going on and where we are, peace is huge. Why do they say peace first? Well, a couple reasons. First, that was a common greeting of the day. They said that often. Secondly, they were in this incredible chaos moment. I mean, you can't deny that they didn't know what was going on. It's almost like Jesus was going, Hey, calm down a little bit and then we'll talk. But third and beyond those, I really think what the text and the gospel is pointing towards is that Jesus is showing up onto the scene and he's showing them exactly what he has done to bring them ultimate peace. And the fact that Jesus has not only come to bring them peace, that he is the prince of peace, to give them what nobody else could. He has come and he has found a way to give us the darkest, deepest desire of our soul. It's a peace with God. I love this because that's exactly what his life brought, his death brought and his resurrection brought. It brought us a way to him, a way to peace. His resurrection, accomplished peace in every single way.

In fact, write this principle down, not only does Jesus come to the places that nobody else can come, Jesus also, secondly gives the peace that all our hearts seek that no one else can give. Actually two times in this text, Jesus says, I am giving you peace. I am leaving you peace. And this is the first thing that he offers 'em. It's important that peace is first. Why? Because knowing Jesus and the peace of Jesus comes before we can ever do anything for Jesus. A chaotic Christian is never a useful tool for the kingdom of God. Somebody just popped into your mind right now. Don't let that happen. Right? It's never a useful tool for the kingdom of God. It's obvious right here that these guys aren't in peace, and it's obvious right here. If they didn't have the peace of Jesus and understand who Jesus is and what Jesus has done and what Jesus wants to do, that they would never be useful for him. I think that's huge. And I also think it's a huge struggle for us.

In fact, watch what Paul says about this peace that Jesus gives us. Ephesians two, verse 14, he says this, for he himself, this is talking about Jesus, is our peace. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners or strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of his household and in him, verse 21, watch this. The whole building is joined together. Verse 22. And in him, you are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his spirit. You see what's happening here? Jesus is saying, Hey, the peace that I am offering you is the peace that I'm gonna dwell in you is the peace that I accomplished on the cross. It's the peace that I accomplished from the resurrection, from the grave, and it's the peace that is ultimately gonna tie you guys together, give you the power to walk and build the church. Look at what Jesus says in the upper room. Watch this in verse 21. I mean, verse 20. He says, after he said this, he showed them his hands and his side.

The disciples were overjoyed. Because they're finding the peace that's offered when they saw the Lord. In verse 21, again, Jesus said, peace be with you. In other words, Jesus said, Hey, look at my hands and look at my side. I am the one that was abandoned. So you will not have to be abandoned so you can have peace. In fact, this is what Jesus was saying, Isaiah 53, 5, but he was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought us peace was on him and catch this, and by his wounds, we are healed. Amen. Did you see what Jesus just did here? Jesus just walked out, the passion play in front of them. He walked out this foretelling of Isaiah years earlier and said, you see this? I have done it, and I'm offering you peace and I'm bringing you peace, but will you have it?

You know, ultimately Jesus offers us peace and kind of five areas of our lives. Jesus offers us peace between us and him. He's no longer our judge. He is now our friend. He's now our guide, and he's now our counselor and he's now our helper. But he also offers us peace between us and the Father, right? That's ultimately why he came. Why? Because there was a dividing line between a sinful man and a holy God, and Jesus came to close the gap to bring us back to him. But not only is it between him and the Father, Jesus brings us peace between us and other people. It's what he does. Why? Because sinful people do not exist in peace. They don't. But what Jesus said here is, now I have blurred the dividing line. I have joined you together. I have put you together in my house and I'm building you up as the church to walk together. But he also brings peace not only with God, not only the Father, not only with others that are out there. He brings us peace with our own soul. Yes sir. That's what Jesus does. Why? Because the only way to have a clear conscience and a clear soul is to walk in the newness of life. This is the peace that he offers. But lastly, he gives us peace in the world. Do you realize that there's gonna come a day, this is what his resurrection is showing us, to where there will be no more pain, no more shame, no more discord. He's coming back and the righteousness of him will rule for eternity. Nothing can bring you the peace. Listen to me, students, that Jesus can. Amen. Nothing can. There will be so many things that will be thrown at your feet as suitable. But it's gonna seem like it's gonna do it, but it won't. Jesus steps in front of them and says, Hey, peace I bring you.

So Jesus can go where nobody else can go. He offers us the peace that nothing else can offer. And I want you to write these next two down together. Number three Jesus offers the power to live the abundant life that no one else can provide. He's offers the power, but here's what goes with the power. He also provides us with an eternal, here's the second one, purpose that no one else can provide. I want you to notice them.

The first one is power. The second one is purpose. Power and purpose. You can put them in whichever order you want. It doesn't matter when you think about it, these are two of the most pursued things in all of our lives, and I want you to see what Jesus does right here. He gives them both. Somebody that has power without purpose goes off the rails and worships themself. Somebody that has purpose but no power. They're always hitting their head against the wall. What does Jesus do? Jesus actually offers us both inside of Him. In fact, look at the text. Watch what he says in verse 21. I love this. Peace be with you. Now, as the Father has sent me, I am sending you.

I want you to see this. What is the purpose for my life as a believer in Jesus? I am a sent believer. I have been called to the ultimate task to represent Jesus. That's why Jesus leaves us here after he saves us. Here's what I want you to think about just for a second though. Have you ever thought about the fact that why doesn't Jesus just after salvation, just poof, bring us back to him? Why doesn't he do it? I mean, it seems obvious that that would be the best thing. Seems obvious. It would be the least amount of problems for our lives. He does it because not only does he save us, but he gives us this purpose in our life to worship him, to lift him up, and to proclaim him to other people.

Do you wanna know why so many of us live a life that we never feel like we're fulfilling what we've been created to be? Even though we're the best dad, even though we're the best mom, even though we have the biggest house and all the money, it might be because we're not living out the purpose that God has saved us to live, and that is to be His true. That's true. And to represent him. Look at it again in the verse again. Jesus said, peace be with you as the Father has sent me, I am sending you. But keep going. Verse 22, He breathed on them and said, receive the Holy Spirit. Now, what did Jesus do right here? That's the power. If the purpose is to be sent, the power is the fact that Jesus breaths the Holy Spirit coming on them. The power comes from the Holy Spirit. It doesn't come from me. It doesn't come from my talents. It comes from him. The power comes because we have God in us. The power comes because Jesus has given us the Holy Spirit. To which some of you are saying, well, I thought the Holy Spirit came in the day of Pentecost. Listen, the Holy Spirit's been around forever. This is just a foretaste of what Jesus gives for all times in the Book of Acts. Jesus gives them the Holy Spirit. In fact, in Acts 1:8, both these things are together. It says this, but you will receive the power when what the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses.

Why do we get power? Not for me, but so that I can be his witness in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. We are given power to be his witness, to be his messengers and to be his mouthpiece. That's it. That's why he's given us life. Jesus breaths the Holy Spirit into them. Do you remember in Genesis chapter one, two, and three when God created us? Do you remember what he did when he created man, he breathed into them. What has Jesus now done for us? He has breathed again his life and his power and his purpose into us. That's what he's done. Can I just be honest that some of the most miserable people that I know on this planet are not just straight up pagans. They're people that are trying to live a quasi Christian life with one foot in this world and one foot in the world of Christ. And can I tell you, the only people that ever get hit by both sides of traffic is the people standing in the middle.

That's what Jesus is saying here. He's saying that I have given you peace, but in that peace you gotta realize that my power in you is to set you in a direction to represent who I am. You know what Jesus is doing here? He is fulfilling the idea that he is not leaving us as orphans. In fact, John 14:16 says this, he will give you another advocate to send you, to help you and to be with you forever. The spirit of truth, the world cannot accept him because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him for he lives with you and will be in you and I will not leave you as orphans. You know what this says to me? That not only has Jesus given me the Holy Spirit, and not only has Jesus given me the role to stand as his ambassador, but he has given me his power to be able to do it.

Never let Satan tell you that it's my job. Never let Satan tell you that it is the extrovert's job to preach Jesus to everybody you know, because it's not. It's all of our jobs and it's what we're seeing right here in this upper room. This is what we're saved to do. It's all our jobs.

Jesus said Verse 21, peace be with you as the Father has sent me. I am sending you, that “you” here is not just for the for the disciples. This is not a special apostle ability to proclaim Jesus and live by the spirit. No. Jesus has giving this for all of us, for all times and all places at all moments. This gives them and us the power to proclaim. You know what Satan wants you to believe this morning? He wants you to believe that you don't have the power to represent Jesus. But according to this, he has brought us peace. He has given us his presence. He's offering us his power, and now he's set us on his purpose.

Do you know why I love this little pep talk from Jesus so much? Because it represents the gospel. This moment in the upper room represents every single page of scripture, and let me close it by telling you this: Jesus shows up in the life of these disciples that had no idea who was gonna be there. Let me ask you something. Isn't that how it worked for you? Somebody invited you to some pizza party when you were a student because you liked some girl. You went and all of a sudden something started tugging on your heart like it had never tugged there before. Jesus showed up in a place that you never thought he was gonna be. He knocked on the door of your heart. You surrendered your heart to him. And then all of a sudden, not only that, his peace came over your life.

You remember the moment that you confessed your sins and you invited Christ into your life, that there was something that happened inside of here that you never knew could happen. There was a peace that came over you, to where in that moment you knew you were secure. That's what we're seeing in this moment right here. After that his power began to come in our lives. You began to say things that you never thought you could say. You began to read things and and it became clear some things that never were clear before. That was the power of the Holy Spirit. That was the power of the counselor. That was the power that's available to us that God has given us to proclaim him.

And then all of a sudden you started seeing other people differently like, I wanna take them where I'm going. I wanna present to them what Jesus has done for me. Listen, this is the gospel. This is exactly what Jesus did. Jesus's presence, his peace, his power, and his purpose are the four things in our lives that really matter. And it was offered in this upper room and it's offered to us all through the resurrected savior that you can be restored, you can be sent, you can be forgiven, and you can be set free. The offer of his lordship and the offer of his message is for you.

Let me ask three questions as we close this morning. Number one, do you need to meet Jesus? Maybe your life is a little bit like these disciples that you have run, you have hidden, you have secluded yourselves and you have maybe even thought that you could do it on your own and get your act together and stand again. But maybe this morning you're finally hearing the message that Jesus just wants to invade your space and come into your life. Do you need to invite Christ into your life today to forgive you your sins, to give you his power, to give you his peace and to give you his purpose? Here's what I know about him. If you'll repent from your sins, if you invite him in to be your savior and your Lord, he'll do it.

Secondly, maybe you know Jesus today, but let me ask you this question. What is it that you have locked Jesus out of in your life? What is it that you need Jesus to be in the middle of? Aren't we so good at just making it look like we got it all together, we're so good at it. Here's what Jesus wants to do. He wants to break into that upper room of your life, stand in the middle of you, set you free, but you gotta let him. Is that you today, you just need to say, Hey, here, I'm Jesus moving me. Here's my stuff.

Maybe thirdly, ask yourself, Am I living his purpose? Or am I only living my own life? Are you living sent? What about the people you come in contact with?

 

 

Follow Along with the Message

Jesus Changes Everything

 April 27, 2025
John 20:19
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.
John 20:19
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.

PRINCIPLE: Jesus can in our lives where no one else can go.

Isaiah 41:9–13
9 I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. 10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 11 “All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. 12 Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all. 13 For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.

 

John 20:19
Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”

PRINCIPLE: Jesus gives the all our hearts seek and no one else can give.

Ephesians 2:14,19,21,22 
14 For he himself is our peace.19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 21 In him the whole building is joined together. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
John 20:20–21 
14 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. 15 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you!
Isaiah 53:5
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

 

PRINCIPLE: Jesus offers to live the abundant life no one else can offer.

PRINCIPLE: Jesus provides an eternal no one else can provide.

John 20:21–22 
14 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

 

Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
John 14:16–18
he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans;
John 20:21–22
Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
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