# Who did our resurrected Savior appear to

Category: Special Seasons
Key Passage: Mark 16
Speaker: Paul Chisgar
Date: June 7, 2024

Turn your Bibles, if you would, to Mark chapter 16. Mark chapter 16. We’re going to look at several different scriptures at the beginning. I’m cautious about doing that on a day like this, but I think it’s vital we see it.

And I think it’s just important that we kind of see this thing here. But I believe the Lord would have us focus on this subject: Who did the resurrected Savior appear to? Very important. Right after he was resurrected, who did he go to? I want you to kind of see that. We won’t be able to look at them all, but one man in particular, I want you to notice that. By the way, thank you, Brother Kev, for bringing that. Our goal was to have…

200. Y’all want to find out tonight how many we had? I got your attention. This is the last time I’ll have it fully all of you, so might as well wait to give this out the end of service, you know. Praise the Lord, we had 209 in church today.

Praise the Lord for that. That’s a wonderful victory. But let’s focus on this. I’m going to try to be wise with time. I knew with announcements, whatnot, it would be a little bit late getting going. Let’s get something while we’re here. Amen. We’re here to get something. I like what one person said. They said, “I didn’t come to leave. I want to get something while I’m here.” So would you pray and ask the Lord to speak to all of our hearts? Would you do that?

Mark chapter 16. This is when the ladies—some ladies—came to the tomb early, the first day of the week, Sunday. And I want you to read it, Mark 16. Look in verse number six, if you would. And if you’re able to, if you can do it, would you please stand in respect to the word of God? Mark 16. And would you look in verse number six, Mark 16?

And verse number six, he saith unto them, “Be not affrighted. Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified. He is risen. He is not here. Behold the place where they laid him.” Now watch, but go your way. Tell his disciples and Peter. I’m pointing that out for a reason. And Peter, that he goes before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.

Would you look over in Luke 24, please? Luke 24. And we’re just looking to see who Jesus appeared to after the resurrection. The resurrected Savior, who did he show up and talk to, if you will?

Luke 24, and this is later on that same day. The apostles are meeting, and Jesus just shows up. He’s already showed up to the two on the road to Emmaus; now he’s showing up where all the apostles are, and I want you to see this. Luke 24, look in verse number 34. Luke 24:34, saying, “The Lord has risen indeed and hath appeared to Simon.” Now, that Simon is Simon Peter. So already at the tomb there, we’ll tell the disciples and Peter. Now, a little while later, the apostles meeting together, they give a little report. There are two men on the road to Emmaus and all that. And they say, “Hey, Jesus, he’s already appeared to Simon Peter.”

Now, let’s just notice that. Now look at one more passage. If you look over in John chapter 21. John chapter 21.

John chapter 21. By the way, while you’re turning, let me read for you another passage. We won’t look it up. It’s 1 Corinthians 15:5, “and that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve.” Cephas was Simon Peter, another name for him. Oh, he had several nicknames, whatnot, but it points out how he appeared to Peter, and then the disciples.

And then I want you to notice here in John 21. John 21 and verse number one: “After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias. And on this wise showed he himself—he himself. They were together—they were together—Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two of the disciples.”

Look down in verse number 14, if you would, that same passage. “This is now the third time that Jesus showed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.” So when they had dined, Jesus saith unto Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?” And he said unto him, “Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.” And he said, “Feed my lambs.” But don’t you just notice how often, when Jesus was resurrected, he made a point to go after Peter? I want you, just for a little while, we’re going to focus on that.

Would you pray and ask the Lord to take these few minutes and speak to our hearts in a great way? Would you do that? Lord, become, Father, these people have made time on a busy day to be in Your house. Being in Your house is not complete unless You speak to our hearts. Lord, I can’t do a lot of people here in a short amount of time. I could not accomplish that, but You can. So, Lord, would You send Your Spirit encouraging, convicting, moving? Please let us leave being changed by Your word and Your Spirit. Thank You, Jesus. I can go to the Father through You. Thank You for interceding for us. I love You, Lord. And Jesus, that we pray. Amen.

Thank you so much for standing. You may be seated.

Peter, Peter is mentioned in the Bible 160 times. Peter is often thought of as being the leader of the apostles. Remember the 12 apostles, then the inner three? Well, almost always when they list the apostles, they list Peter first. Peter was the big mouth of the group. He’s the guy that spoke before he thought. He was good at putting his—you know, big old foot in this big old mouth, you know. But on the other hand, before we judge too much about Peter, Peter was the one that stepped out of the boat and walked on water. Still got the record for walking on water besides Jesus Christ, you know. And Peter—that’s just what Peter. Peter was a loyal follower to Christ at this point.

Back over Matthew 16, Jesus said, “Hey, whom say ye that I am?” And Peter’s the one who said, “Hey, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said, “Man, you hit it out of the park, home run. It’s Peter.”

Something changed with Peter, in my opinion. You remember, Jesus, after Peter had said, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God,” Jesus started talking more about, “Hey, I’m going to have to go suffer and bleed and die, and I’m going to be crucified.” Peter, at one point, the Bible says Peter rebuked Jesus. That’s amazing—Jesus allowing someone to rebuke Him. That’s what the Bible says. Peter rebuked Jesus. I said, “No, no, no, no, Peter.” He said, “No, no, Peter.” He said, “In fact, you’ll deny me.” Peter said, “Oh, no, Lord, I’m ready to go to prison with you. I’ll die before I ever deny you.” Do you remember that? And Jesus said, “Hey, look, Peter, before that old rooster crows twice, you’re going to have denied me three times.” Can you imagine how that—yes, Peter thought about that?

This is my opinion where I think it kind of changed for Peter. Remember Jesus is in the garden, He’s praying, and then Judas comes, and they come out and meet Him, and Jesus has got that gang of soldiers, whatnot. I always think you can probably hear the clang of swords and shields and all that armor as they come. They come to Jesus. Remember, Judas, he walks up and he gives Jesus a kiss. Jesus knew what was going on. And He said, “Why are you coming doing this? Why are you giving me the kiss of betrayal, friend?” And remember what Peter did, though? Peter said, “Man, I’m ready to fight.” So Peter pulled his sword out. And he went—what most people think—they think he was trying to cut the guy’s head off, basically. And either he was going like that, and the guy ducked and he just got his ear, or maybe he was kind of trying to come down and he dodged a little bit, got his ear—I don’t know. But remember Peter cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant. Peter’s like, “Man, let’s fight, let’s fight.” Remember what Jesus did? Jesus reached down and picked that ear up and put it back on the guy’s head. I mean, He performed quick surgery all of a sudden there, you know. Best ear doctor there ever has been. And here’s the thing: Jesus was saying, “Peter, now this fight I’ve been telling you about is not a physical one right now. It will be one day when Jesus comes back on a white horse.” We recently studied about that on a Sunday night. But Peter, this is not a physical fight. This is a spiritual battle. And I’m going to go, like I told you, I’m going to suffer and bleed. And it seemed like from there on out Peter really changed. Remember, Peter began to follow afar off after that. Sometimes when things don’t turn out quite the way we think they should, it flips us a little bit. I think it threw Peter for a flip. And Peter followed afar off, and you know the story. They took Jesus, took Him over to the high priest and then the judgment hall there, and they had a mockery of a trial that night. It was such a false thing. They broke the law so many times during that fake trial, kind of like fake news. Amen, you know? I thought that might resonate with you a little bit there on that. And boy, that night they tortured Jesus. Now they didn’t have the power to have Him crucified, so the next morning they took Him to the Roman authority, Pilate. But that night, you remember Jesus was getting buffeted. That means they put a black bag over His face. They just pounded Him with the fist. They spit upon Him. They slapped Him. All that was going on that night, tortured all night long. And remember Peter, he was outside warming himself by the fire. Remember that? It was a bit cold. And somebody said, “Hey, you’re one of those Jesus followers, aren’t you?” Now, it wasn’t going the way Peter had thought. Peter was out of his element. He was ready to fight, but it wasn’t a fight like that.

And Peter said, “No, I don’t know him.” Can you imagine how Peter must have thought, “Well, man, I failed that time”? He never had real good control of his tongue; it’s pretty obvious in this one here. Then a little while later somebody else comes out and says, “Hey, hey, I notice you. You are one of those Jesus followers.” Imagine Peter before he even thought again—boy, his tongue started talking. You’re never like that, are you? Sure enough, “Nah, I don’t know him. Nah, nah, you got the wrong person.”

And you know the story. Finally, someone came out and said, “You are one of those Jesus followers; even your speech gives you away. I can tell by the way you talk.” You remember what happened then? Peter started cursing. I told you, “I don’t know him!” Peter denied Him three times, and then a rooster crowed. You didn’t think I could do that, did you? We got chicken for years. Amen, I practiced that many a time. And you remember what happens? Boy, Peter—oh, that’s what He said I would do.

And then can you imagine as their eyes locked? Jesus looked at Peter, and Peter looked at Jesus. Can you imagine how his heart just sunk? I’ve dreamed for years of being loyal to my Savior. He’s the Messiah. I know, I said He was, and He is. For years I’ve dreamed of this moment when I can stand and make sure He has a friend that’s with Him during the tough time, a loyal person, the person who is always with Him in the heat of the battle. Peter fell miserably. Peter not only denies Jesus, but he starts cussing. Can you imagine his thoughts and his emotions and his feelings? That’s the thing I was dreaming of doing. I’ve messed it all up. Of course, Jesus, you know, goes to the cross, and now it’s the third day. And isn’t it wonderful, the resurrected Savior?

These are coming there, and the angels said, “Hey, we got orders from headquarters. We want you to tell the disciples He’s risen, and make sure Peter hears about it.”

A little while later on, these two men on the road to Emmaus, they’re walking, and somewhere along that line, they show up at the apostles’ meeting, and those guys get the report, “Hey, we were talking with Him.” They found out who it was. Remember Jesus did come there with them, and when He prayed over the food, they realized that’s Jesus. We remember eating with Him a lot of times—fried chicken—and He always prayed before He ate, you know. You guys studied that out in the Greek. And it’s in there somewhere. I’m not having it pounded yet, but it’s in there. But He—and they recognize Him and say, “Hey, He said He’s already appeared to Simon Peter.” Corinthians tells us about it.

Then Jesus—there were the apostles, and Peter was there both times. I think it was two Sundays. By the way, that’s why we celebrate the resurrection on Sunday, not Saturday. And they always met on Sunday after that, you’ll find that. But they’re there, and Jesus appeared twice there when they’re meeting together. And then even later on over in John 21. Now here’s the thing with John 21—that’s the last one we read. Here’s the thing: After all that, Jesus made a special effort: “Hey, go tell Peter.” Then He shows up to Peter. Somewhere—we don’t know exactly when that happened—He shows up to Peter alone. Then Peter is there with the apostles. He shows up there twice, two different Sundays. One—remember the first one, Thomas, doubting Thomas, wasn’t there; the second one he was—two different times. Okay? And now, after all that, Peter is still not right. Peter, over there in John 21, he says, “Hey, fellas, let’s go fishing. There’s beautiful weather.” Anybody out there want to go fishing? That sounds pretty good, you know. That’s what Peter used to do. He was a fisherman. Remember Jesus said, “Hey, follow me and I’ll make you fishers of men”? It’s kind of like his new calling. But Peter went back. After all that, Peter went back. Now, not only that, but he took six of the other apostles with him, counting Peter, seven.

Now, here’s what I’m getting at. Who did the resurrected Savior go after? He went after a man that was not what he ought to be. He went after the fallen one. The disappointed one, the discouraged one, the one that had not prayed like he ought to in the garden, the one that had denied Him in the heat of the battle, the one that had not stood like he ought to have stood. That’s the one that Jesus made a special effort to go after. Peter, friend, you say, “Who is the resurrected Savior going after today?” After us, the fallen? To me and you?

I don’t know about you, but I just seem like sometimes leading up to a big day there are battles for preachers. And here’s what the devil likes to do to preachers the day or two before a big day. He’ll hit my wife and tell my wife that I hit her. Then he hits me, he gives me a wet willie, you know, and he says, “Your wife did that,” you know. I’m just saying all the battles. It’s so common with preachers, whatnot. And here’s the thing: I feel like I’ve not been even close to the Christian I ought to be this week. But hey, praise the Lord, we have a resurrected Savior that goes after those that haven’t been everything that want to be for the Lord. How many out there prayed like you wanted to pray this week? How do you think so? Maybe either tried, been there, son. Not one of us is perfect. But He goes to those that are fallen. Those of us that are not everything we want to be—that’s who He goes after in Jesus Christ when He is resurrected. What does He do? He goes and He tries to reach out to those that are kind of discouraged and disillusioned about what they are. Anybody a dreamer out there? Anybody like to dream out there? Man, I tell you what, I’m a superman in my dreams. Reality shows us different. It sure can be discouraging. When you’re there and you’re just discouraged, you’re mad at yourself, and you’ve not been everything you want to be for the Lord, you’re the one that He goes to, especially the resurrected Savior.

There’s a story about a man that’s telling the quicksand story. They say Confucius came by and he… And he said to the man in the quicksand, he said, “Men should stay out of such places.” Judah came by and he said, “Let that be a lesson for the rest of the world.” Mohammed said, “That must be the will of Allah.” Jesus came by and He reached His hand out and He said, “Take My hand, my brother, I’ll save you.” That’s the resurrected Savior.

He’s reaching out to the hurting one, to the lonely one, the one that’s not been what he ought to be. Even after all He appeared, he was still backslidden over there fishing, and still Jesus shows up to him. Hey friend, that’s a wonderful resurrected Savior. Every person here this morning, if you’re honest with yourself, the message resonates with you: “I’m not what I want to be for the Lord,” and you are the exact person that Jesus goes to. The resurrected Savior, one of His first jobs, He said, “I want to get that guy that fell flat on his face and let him know I still love him.” Hey, I haven’t controlled my tongue this week very well. Peter didn’t either. Haven’t been praying like God. Peter, he was sleeping when he should have been praying. Jesus tried to warn him. Remember over there? He said, “Hey, the Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Oh, my goodness. “Peter, pray lest ye enter into temptation.” And Peter, you remember that three times. And yet that’s the one. That’s the one that Jesus goes after. Oh, friend, I’m saying wherever you’re at this morning, the resurrected Savior reaches out to you if you’re not what you ought to be. None of us are. By the way, that’s why He died and shed His blood. And the proof that the Father was satisfied was the resurrection. So now through His shed blood, He can reach out to you and I that are not what we ought to be.

I believe Peter was a backslidden Christian. Now, let’s just for a moment here. Let’s talk about someone saying, “Well, you lose your salvation.” Okay, can you lose your salvation or not? Let me ask you: How do you get saved? Help me out. Do you get saved by becoming good enough? Oh, the one that was good enough. Remember that? “For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.” So I don’t get saved by being good enough, do I? Now, if I had to be good enough, I’d have to be perfect because the Bible says the wages of sin is death. Anybody out there perfect? Let me put my hand down, you know. We’re not there. So I don’t get to heaven by being good enough because if I just have sin—one sin would be enough to send me to hell because the wages of sin, that singular, is death—death at hell. The Bible says in so many places, if I break the least of these commandments (James 2), if I break the least of these commandments, hey, I’m guilty of all. As far as going to heaven or hell, I mean, we’re so… I don’t get saved by being good enough. Now, if I got saved by being good enough, I would think if I wasn’t good enough, that’s Tennessee Manacca right there, isn’t it? If I got saved by being good enough, if it wasn’t good enough, I would lose it. But I didn’t get saved by being good enough. I got saved by Jesus being good enough. And I put my faith in the goodness or righteousness of Jesus. Now, if Jesus ever changes, my salvation would change. Does Jesus change? What’s that verse saying? “Yesterday, today, and forever.” That’s why my salvation doesn’t change. I don’t get saved by being good enough, and I don’t stay saved by being good enough. If I couldn’t get good enough to get saved, I couldn’t get good enough to stay saved. Did you get all that hillbilly language? You get all that? We’ve got a couple teachers in here. Boy, don’t grab me on my grammar, amen. No.

So Peter—I believe Peter was saved. In fact, didn’t interest—look back over there in John 21, if you would. Look back over there in John 21. And look at verse number three, John 21. And I’m sorry, verse number five. Verse number five: “Then Jesus saith unto them, ‘Children, have ye any meat?’” They answered Him, “No.” Now, wait a second. You’re not a child of God just because you’re born of His creation. But Adam kind of sold the race of mankind to the devil. That’s why that baby is born. You don’t have to teach me a lie; you have to teach me to do right because you’ve got that Adamic nature. And by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin, that way death passed upon all men. Remember all that? Now, so here’s the thing: But when I get saved, then I become born again, a child of God, born in the family of God. Now, wait a second, Jesus is calling these men, these apostles out there fishing in the boat, “Children.” He doesn’t do that to the world. The world—who’s the God of this world? Satan is, Corinthians calls him. I’m saying God says, “Hey, children, have ye any meat?” He’s showing those are My saved people. That’s My children out there. Well, they’re backslid.

Backsliding is literally, if I’ve gotten so close to the Lord and I just slide back a little bit, that’s backsliding. We all backslide from time to time. Some more than others. I’m getting to the thing: Hey, Peter, I believe he was saved. He was a child of God. He already knew He was the Messiah, Christ, the Son of the living God, over there, Matthew 16. He was saved. He believed in Jesus. He was backsliding, and Jesus is calling him “children” right here.

In fact, this is interesting. All you fishermen, you’ll like this part right here. Would you look back over there in John 21? Would you look in, oh, verse number 11? John 21, verse number 11: “Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land full of great fishes.” Brother Fontaine, he’s fishing! Amen. Them wasn’t just a little bit of bluegill; them big old bass right there, you know. “Full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: for though there were so many, yet was not the net broken.” Now, here’s the thing: They were backslidden. I think God’s people fall into backsliding, but even in the midst of that, God was good to them. It’s amazing the goodness of God leadeth us to repentance. It’s amazing sometimes I’m so undeserving, yet God’s so good. It’s kind of where Peter and his crew were. They didn’t deserve Jesus to come out and say, “Hey, cast it out on the right side of the ship, you’ll catch it.” And boy, they’re just 153 big old fish. They didn’t deserve all that. Here’s what I’m getting at: Yes, God does chasten His children. He does. Hebrews says if I never get any chastening of God, I better check up on my salvation. Okay? But even in the midst of God’s chastening, He’s so merciful. How many times have you fallen, and I have fallen? I’m a poor testimony of a born-again Christian, and yet Jesus reaches out to us, and He comes to my backslidden state—fishing, when you ought to be fishing—yet Jesus shows up right there.

If you look back at your life, would you do that? Would you look back at your life since you’ve been a born-again Christian and think about those times that you, like Peter, have fallen, and how gracious God’s been to you? How He showed up and He loves on you, and He’s compassionate to you, and He gives you blessings when you don’t deserve them? Think about how many times He’s done that to all of us. That’s what Jesus is doing to Peter for him.

Friend, the resurrected Savior is so merciful and gracious. You say, “Preacher, I’m back to myself.” I encourage you to look around a little bit. Jesus will be there. All of us at times are out there in the boat of life, trying to just make a living, just trying to get by, try to do something. And we’re failing, we’re falling flat on our face. And yet if you look on the shore over there, you’ll see Jesus. If you’re a born-again Christian, you’ll always find Jesus reaching out to you, as long as you’re drawing breath to live. He’s over on the shore. The resurrected Savior—who did Jesus go after? The backslidden one, the fallen one, the defeated one. Jesus makes special appearances to Peter. Oh, friend, friend, now look, you’re saved. You don’t lose it because you weren’t putting your faith in your good works. You see, it’s kind of like this: If we’re in a rowboat and we’re in deep water and it’s got a big old hole in it and it’s sinking—that’s us being good enough right there. It’s sinking. And yet Jesus comes up in His rowboat, if you will, it’s solid. And you have your choice of putting your weight, your rest, in the sinking boat of “you’ve been good enough,” or in Jesus. He’s always good enough. Here’s what we want to do in our day and time: We try to keep a leg in both boats, but that equals split bridges. No, you put all your weight on Jesus. You’re still saved, but you do backslide. But Jesus shows up with a backslidden Peter, and He appears to him.

Now, last thought, very, very quickly here. I want you to notice one more thing. What does Jesus say to Peter? We’ve read just to touch it. Back over there in John 21, would you look one more time, please? We won’t be long. John 21. Look at verse number 15. John 21, verse number 15. And I want you to see it. What does Jesus say specifically to Peter? Verse number 15: “So when they had dined, Jesus fed him fish. Jesus saith to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?’” He’s out there fishing, doing what he used to do. “Don’t you love me more than all this?” He saith unto him, “Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.” He saith unto him, “Feed my lambs.” Now, a lamb is a baby sheep. “Feed my lambs.” Verse number 16: “He saith to him again the second time, ‘Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?’” He saith unto him, “Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.” He saith unto him, “Feed my sheep.” He saith unto him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?” Peter was grieved because He said unto him the third time, “Lovest thou me?” He said unto Him, “Lord, Thou knowest all things; Thou knowest that I love thee.” Jesus said unto him, “Feed my sheep.”

Matthew Hill, can I just classify it as one thing is what Jesus was saying? Peter, I want you to get involved in the work of the Lord. Can I say this? Peter had been in church. Jesus had appeared two different Sundays to the apostles; both times Peter was there. Jesus just—it’s interesting—Jesus just appeared as a glorified body. I think He just went through the wall. He just showed up. Peter was there both times, but Peter was not involved in the work of God. And Jesus, when He goes to a defeated, backslidden Peter, the thing He says to him particularly, He said, “I want you to get busy. I want you to feed the baby Christians. I want you to feed the adult Christians.” Very interesting, two different words for feed over there. Then He says, I want you to kind of help the adult Christians work—“graze” is the word for feeding. But here’s overall: He’s saying, “Peter, I want you to get involved.” Can I tell you one of the great needs of America? We’re going to be out of time. Let me just say, one of the great needs of America is for God’s people to be involved in God’s work. Friend, can I be honest with you here about America? America is so messed up. Man can’t solve America’s problems, but God can. Amen. And we get God’s attention when God’s people get right, thoroughly right with God. Part of that is when God’s people get involved in God’s work. And Jesus is going to Peter and said, “Peter, if you love Me, get busy serving Me.”

There are all kind of different ways you can serve Him, but we’re all designed, fit, made, created for His glory. All of us can serve Him in a different way. It may be that you take your neighbor’s kids to church. It may be you make a meal for a widow. It may be you go to the nursing homes and just spend some time loving on them. I don’t know, but be busy in the work of God somewhere. Every Christian needs a home church. Get involved in. You’re shaking hands and fellowship and talking—all that. Peter, Peter, you love Me? I’ve been reaching out to you, Peter. I think your heart’s starting to come around. Peter, if you love Me, you’ll be getting involved.

The resurrection of Christ—a wonderful thing. But friend, I want you to remember: when Jesus was resurrected, the person He went after seemed like more than anyone else: the fallen, the backslidden. He said, “I want you to get involved in the work of God.” Remember what I told the church at Ephesus? “You have left your first love.” I want you to remember, repent, and do the first works, get involved, if you will.

Oh, I think about a man. He’s in heaven now. I was in our church for years, Brother Duane Douthit. How many of you remember Brother Dwayne Douthit? You remember him? Just a dear brother in our church. He had severe heart problems. He went to the Mayo Clinic. They had shaved some muscle off his heart. And he was our youth director at the time, and he would take our teens. I remember he took some of our teens down to Bill Rice Ranch for an activity. We didn’t have that meeting. And I told Brother Duane, I said, “Brother Duane, you know, when you do something like that for the next three or four days, you just hurt.” I said, “Brother Duane, maybe you need to just kind of lay back from this and, you know, have somebody else take the teens down there, whatnot, and take it easy a little bit.” And I’ll never forget what Brother Duane said. He said, “Look, Pastor, if I only have a couple years left—so maybe this is all I’m going to have, I don’t know—I’d like to spend the last few years of my life serving God.” Friend, he’s been in heaven for years and years now. I don’t think he regrets that. He stayed involved to the very end. He passed away, I believe it was on Wednesday night. We got a phone call that night. My wife and I were rushing up to Nashville to the hospital after church that night, and we were one of the first ones in the room. His body lay there, and more obvious than I’ve ever seen—and I’ve seen quite a lot of dead bodies right after they die—but I’ve never seen one where it was just so obvious when he walked in the room. He was still in the hospital room there, having just died. He had such an obvious smile on his face, if you will. He went out doing what he was created to do.

The resurrected Savior—praise the Lord—our risen Savior, when He was resurrected, He made a point, a bee-line, if you will, to Peter: the fallen, the one that was discouraged, disillusioned about himself, the backslidden one. And He said, “Peter, get involved in the work of the Lord.” Would you bow your heads and close your eyes, please?

You say, “Preacher, I’m backslid, and I’m not saying I’m doing this out of the other, but I’m not where I ought to be, not where I used to be. I’ve slid back.”

Preacher, I’m like Peter. I’m backslid, and I’m not where I used to be, and God spoke to my heart, and I’m so thankful Jesus is coming to me this morning, and He’s pointing to me, He’s reaching out to me, He’s loving on me. I’m like Peter; I fit in that category of Peter this morning. I’m not where I used to be, but God’s reaching to my heart, my mind, even right now. If that’s you with your head bowed and eyes closed, would you lift your hand? Lift it up. “I’m there. I’m there. I’m not where I used to be.” God bless you. Many hands. Many hands.

“Not where I ought to be, not where I used to be.” God bless you. God bless you. He loves you. He loves you. He’s coming to you. He’s reaching out to you. Still saved, you’re still a child. You’re still saved. I’m just not where I used to be. Anybody else? Anybody else? Anybody else? Any hands? Anybody else? Just slip it up. God bless you. God bless you. Oh, God bless you. He loves you. He loves you. He’s reaching out in love. The resurrected Savior is reaching out to you today. Thank you so much. You can put your hands down. Thank you so much.

Maybe you’re here this morning. You say, “Preacher, I need to be involved. I just need to, like Jesus told Peter, ‘Peter, get busy feeding the lambs, feeding the sheep.’ I need to get busy in the work of God.” Lord, I’m coming to You. I feel You, Jesus, speaking to me this morning. I need to get involved. Now I’m going to get involved. I have a bigger or little [task], but I need to get involved. I feel the tug of my heart. Jesus is coming to me, the resurrected Savior: “Hey, feed My lambs, feed My sheep.” Now I’m going to get involved. God spoke to my heart about being involved in the work of God. God spoke to my heart about that this morning. That’s you this morning. You slip your hand in there. “Preacher, I need to be involved.” Need to be involved. God bless you. God bless you. Many hands, many hands. Oh, God bless you. God bless you. Oh, God bless you. Oh, God bless you. Oh, God bless you. Oh, God bless you. Oh, God bless you. Oh, God bless you. Oh, God bless you. Oh, God bless you. Great. Thank you so very, very much. And put your hands down.

One more question. We’re done. “Preacher, I’m not saved.” Peter was a born-again Christian. He was a child of God. I’m not saved. “Preacher, I don’t know that my name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. I don’t know that I’m going to heaven.” Friend, it’s either heaven or hell when we die. Only two choices. He loves you so very much. He wants you to go to heaven. Jesus shed His blood, rose again so you can go to heaven. If you’re here this morning, you said, “Preacher, I don’t know that heaven’s my home. I’m not sure of that right there. I admit it: I’m a sinner, not good enough. I know I’m not perfect. I understand there’s a penalty on my sin: death and hell. I believe Jesus died. I believe three days later He rose again. I’d like to go to Jesus for my salvation this morning.” That’s in your heart. That’s what’s going on in your heart. I’m going to ask you to do this right where you’re at. I’m going to ask you to do this right where you say it in your heart. Would you go to Jesus? Did you tell Him, “Jesus, I admit it, I’m a sinner. I understand there’s a penalty, but Jesus, I believe You died for me on the cross, rose again. Right now I’m asking You, Jesus, would You save me? Jesus, would You come into my heart? Pay for every one of my sins, past, present, and future, be my personal Savior.” Thank you, Jesus.

Our heads are bowed and eyes are closed. “Preacher, I just asked Jesus to be my personal Savior. I just called on Him, trusted in Him. I believed on Him. I asked Him to save me.” Preacher, I just did that. If that’s you with your head bowed and eyes closed, no one looking, would you slip your hand up? “That preacher, I just called on Jesus to be my Savior.” Just did that. You slip it up. He loves you, friend. He appears to us when we’re not worthy. He offers us salvation as a gift. What a wonderful thing.

Would you please stand? Would you please stand where you’re at? Say, “I’ve slid back. I want to get back close to Him.” Would you come to an old-fashioned altar? Say, “I want to be involved in the work of God however He leads.” Would you come to an old-fashioned altar? If you prayed and asked Jesus Christ to be your Savior, there will be a man standing down front. If you’re ready to go to the back, there will be a man standing in the back. Would you go shake their hand? Tell them, “I just asked Christ to be my Savior.” Would you let them know that? There will be help for you. Would you do that? We’re going to pray. As soon as we pray, we’ll say amen. Would you say amen? Would you do that? Father, help us to be obedient. Jesus, thank You. You come to us when we’re fallen, we’re backslidden. You come to all of us offering salvation. Bless these dear people in these next few minutes, Father, please. And Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Would you be obedient as we sing? “I want to get back close to Him.” Would you come? Let me know about that. Let me know about that. “I want to get involved in the work of the Lord.” Would you let Him know about that? That’s right. Don’t wait for anybody else; you come. Great time just to spend some time with the Lord at an old-fashioned altar. Don’t be bashful. Don’t be shy. Hey, let’s come just say, “Lord,” and we’ll be close to You.

Our heads are bowed and eyes are closed. Would you, right there where you stand? Maybe you need to come to the altar. Others are coming. You come. But would you tell Him and say, “Thank You. I fall. I’m so disappointed in myself, but You always come to me. Thank You.” The resurrected Savior, He just shed His blood. He just rose again. He went through all that pain and suffered so He can reach out to you. Would you thank Him? Would you love on Him? Tell Him I want to get back to where I ought to be. I’d like to get involved in the work of the Lord. Would you let Him know that? If you’re not a born-again Christian, we’d love to help. Greatest thing you ever do: get close to Him. Get saved. Let Him know about that. Spend some time and sing another verse. Thank You for coming to Him. Always thank You. Would you let Him know that?

What a blessing our resurrected Savior comes after us, and we’re so thankful. We’re so thankful for that. And if God’s working in your heart, you take your time. You’re down in front of the altar. Don’t rush for a minute. That’s what we’re here for. Praise the Lord for that. I’m so thankful about a million and one times I’ve backslid and drifted, and He always comes after us, aren’t you glad for a resurrected Savior?

Aren’t you glad for scriptures to point out how Jesus—He made sure Peter knew Him. “Peter, I love you. You’re still a child. Get involved.” Let’s get back plowing for the Lord. And would you take that personal? I’m so glad you’re here on Easter Sunday morning. And we’re going to dismiss those at the altar. Take your time. Please, we don’t want to rush you at all.

Original File: Who did our resurrected Savior appear to - Easter Sunday AM - Pastor Paul Chisgar 442021