After His resurrection Jesus appeared to the apostles and others around ten times over forty days. A notable change took place in His relationship with the apostles as He oriented Himself toward His return to the Father. On the fortieth day He ascended visibly from the Mount of Olives. After His ascension He sat down at the right hand of God, received dominion glory and a kingdom, poured out the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, and was made both Lord and Christ. He appeared on the shoreline where the disciples initially failed to recognize Him, yet Peter swam to join Him. Jesus invited them to breakfast, strengthening their faith and commissioning them as ministers. He said to Thomas, Do not be unbelieving but be believing, prompting Thomas to exclaim, My Lord and my God. He also said, Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.

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The Miracles of Jesus Christ: A Second Large Catch of Fish (Part Two)

Bible Study by Martin G. Collins

The post-resurrection Christ is changed, and His disciples, still lacking understanding, have not changed. This is why they consistently fail to recognize Him (Luke 24; John 20:14), including on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, where none of them knows Him at first. Their failure comes from weak faith, spiritual immaturity, and the confusion and unbelief of spiritual blindness. Even after they realize it is the Lord who calls them to breakfast, none dares ask, "Who are You?" There is something different about Him that they cannot fully comprehend without His help. When John identifies Him, Peter immediately dresses and swims about 100 yards to reach Him. This is a sharp contrast with Peter's earlier plea, "Depart from me," at the first large catch. The risen Christ directs the disciples to cast the net on the right side, and the net is full yet does not tear, as the first one did. In this final miracle of His earthly ministry, He completes the three-and-a-half-year education of His disciples. He strengthens their weak faith, dissolves their unbelief, and prepares them to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2). He then commissions them (John 21:15-17) to move beyond being fishers of men to tending and feeding all who are called into the Way in His church.

Jesus Christ's Ascension

Sermon by David C. Grabbe

During the forty days after His resurrection, Jesus appeared to the apostles and others about ten times, speaking of the Kingdom and giving commands, but He was no longer tied to them as before. His earthly work was finished, so He oriented Himself toward returning to the Father. He told the apostles to wait in Jerusalem for the promised Holy Spirit, which came on Pentecost. On the 40th day He ascended visibly from the Mount of Olives near Bethany, received by a cloud befitting a King. The two angels declared that He will return in the same visible manner, not in secret. Daniel 7 shows that He was brought before the Ancient of Days and given dominion, glory, and a kingdom. Having led captivity captive, He gave gifts to men: the Holy Spirit and the church's offices. He sat down at the Father's right hand, was enthroned, and became King and Priest on His throne, as Psalm 110 and Zechariah 6 foretold. He is above angels, demons, and every power, and is Head of the church. Unlike Helel, who exalted himself, Jesus was exalted by the Father. As High Priest, made complete through suffering, He entered the heavenly Most Holy Place with His own blood. He now intercedes for us, so we can come boldly to the throne of grace. He waits until His enemies are made His footstool, and then returns visibly.

The Post-Resurrection Last Words of Christ (Part Two)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

It is presumptuous to cast aspersions on Thomas, using the cliché 'Doubting Thomas,' as he was braver than most of us would have been in his circumstances.

The Post-Resurrection Last Words of Christ (Part Three)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

God has called individuals with different temperaments, giving them a variety of spiritual gifts to work interdependently within Christ's Body.

Christ's Responsibility, Resurrections, and All in All

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Christ's resurrection was bodily. He will destroy death before returning control back to the Father, at which time the entire creation would be all in all.

Proofs of Christ's Resurrection

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

There is more corroboration of evidence for the existence of Jesus Christ and His life experiences than that regarding Alexander the Great or Julius Caesar.

Why Did Jesus Say 'Peace to You'?

Sermon by David C. Grabbe

Jesus as High Priest was blessing His disciples with peace, as well as declaring Himself to be the Messiah. If we lack peace, we must examine our connection to Him.

Jesus and the Feast (Part Two): Belief in the Spirit

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

On the last day of the Feast, Jesus proclaimed Himself as the One who will dispense God's Spirit, amplifying the promise He had made to the woman at the well.

The Post-Resurrection Last Words of Christ (Part One)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

We must be involved in proclaiming His message, feeding the flock, living His example, assuming the responsibilities of our awesome commission.

Faithful Thomas!

Article by Martin G. Collins

The apostle Thomas has been called "doubting Thomas" for centuries. But was he really doubting? There is more to Thomas than this limited caricature.

The Apostle Thomas

Sermonette by Martin G. Collins

Even though the apostle Thomas had a skeptical, show-me approach, needing rock-solid proof, he totally embraced the truth, believing with all his might.

Post-Resurrection Lessons

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

On the Road to Emmaus, some of Christ's followers were agitated, confused, and in turmoil, being unable to put the scriptures and the physical facts together.

We Are Not Just Going Fishing

Sermonette by Mark Schindler

The Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) calls each person to come before God with a thoughtfully determined offering reflecting both physical blessing and spiritual growth.

Doors

Sermonette by Joseph B. Baity

Doors serve practical purposes, offering privacy, security, and comfort by keeping out unwanted elements or people while also carrying symbolic weight.

John (Part Twenty-Eight)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

The book of John provides a plethora of signs corroborating Christ's authenticity and also shows how to live as God would live if He were a man.

Was Peter the Lead Apostle?

Sermonette by Austin Del Castillo

Matthew 16:15-18 shows that Jesus had made Peter His chief apostle after recognizing Him as the Christ and His purpose for coming.

Seeing Is Not Believing

'Ready Answer' by Ryan McClure

Our senses can be deceived through distraction and misdirection, which becomes especially critical when determining matters of spiritual importance.

'Being Seen of Them Forty Days'

Sermon by Mark Schindler

On the 40th day on the count to Pentecost, Jesus ascended. The details of His activity before His ascension have not received the focus they should.

Without Me, Nothing! (Part One)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The miraculous catch of 153 fish seems to be an anticlimactic ending after Thomas' worship, but the incident is symbolic of Christ's rule over the Church.

Back to Life (Part Three)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Jesus' deliberately delayed His return to Bethany until Lazarus had died so that He could bolster the faith of Martha and His other disciples, then and now.