1. Jesus’ Last Words on Earth
Part Two: Luke
SR: Acts 1:1-11

2. Jesus’ Last Words
Acts 1: Jesus spent 40 days on Earth after His resurrection.
His words had a purpose for them & a purpose for us.
Three main points in what He had to say:
Reassurance of God’s Plan to establish His kingdom
The True Purpose of the Messiah & His Kingdom
Empowering His Disciples for Work in the Kingdom
Approximately 40 statements recorded for our benefit. Twelve are found in Luke.

3. On the Road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35)
“What are these words that you are exchanging with one another as you are walking?” (v. 17)
For them: Jesus provokes a discussion that would lead to a proven faith
For us: Knowing how to start/transition into a spiritual discussion
“What things?” (v. 19)
For them: Jesus got them to consider the past events in order to establish a better future
For us: Keeping the spiritual discussion alive and using the past to develop a future

4. On the Road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35)
“O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!” (v. 25)
For them: Jesus knew and built upon their foundation
For us: Knowing and building upon foundations
“Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?” (v. 26)
For them: Jesus states the obvious & dismantles all else
For us: Respectfully treating the facts and the people

5. To the Gathered Disciples (Luke 24:36-49)
“Peace be to you.” (v. 36)
For them: Jesus expresses concern for their welfare
For us: Evangelism is about concern for the people
“Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?” (v. 38)
For them: Jesus lovingly shows their confusion to be unnecessary.
For us: Knowing how to respond to confusion

6. To the Gathered Disciples (Luke 24:36-49)
“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.” (v. 39)
For them: Jesus shows Himself to be real
For us: We need to be able to show that Jesus is real through the Resurrection
“Have you anything here to eat?” (v. 41)
For them: Jesus shows that death cannot master Him
For us: Properly presenting evidence for belief

7. To the Gathered Disciples (Luke 24:36-49)
“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.” (v. 44)
For them: Jesus trumps their doubts through reassurance
For us: Trumping our doubts through the Word of God
“Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.” (vv )
For them: Jesus speaks on duty
For us: Christ’s duty demands duty of His disciples

8. To the Gathered Disciples (Luke 24:36-49)
“You are witnesses of these things.” (v. 48)
For them: Jesus shows them what they are
For us: Jesus shows us what we are
“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.” (v. 49)
For them: Jesus’ commission and equipping of disciples
For us: Jesus’ commission and equipping of us

9. The Only Conclusion
Approximately 40 of Jesus’ last statements are recorded for our benefit.
These statements have a threefold purpose:
They serve as an encouragement since they reveal that God’s plan has and will remain despite the speculations of man.
They reveal the necessity of each aspect of the Gospel, including the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.
They encourage us to believe in the Gospel, so much so that we teach others to believe it also.
Are His words powerful enough to reinforce your belief and spur you to action?