The 40 Days

Sermon by Pastor Derek Foo

In this message, Pastor Derek Foo draws our attention to a significant yet often overlooked period in Scripture—the 40 days between Jesus’ resurrection and His ascension.

Rather than immediately returning to heaven, Jesus remained with His disciples. These 40 days were not incidental—they were intentional. Jesus used this time to strengthen, restore, and anchor the faith of His followers.

More Than Just Moments

Pastor Derek begins with a powerful illustration: the difference between a GPS and a map.

A GPS gives immediate direction—what to do next. But a map shows the bigger picture—it helps us understand where we are in the journey.

In the same way, many believers live from one “spiritual moment” to another. We rely on past encounters with God to sustain us. But when life becomes difficult—when prayers seem unanswered, when pressure builds—those moments alone are not enough.

We begin to feel lost. Our faith feels shaken.

The truth is:
We need more than moments—we need a faith anchored in Christ and His Word.

The Condition of the Disciples

After Jesus’ resurrection, the disciples were not immediately bold or confident. Instead, they were:

• Fearful
• Confused
• Uncertain

Even though they had heard reports that Jesus was alive, they struggled to make sense of it.

Yet Jesus did not leave them in that state.

1. Jesus Revealed Himself in the Flesh

During the 40 days, Jesus appeared to His disciples physically. He met them in their fear—even when they were hiding behind locked doors.

He didn’t wait for them to “get their faith right” first.
He came to them in their weakness.

Jesus showed them His hands and His side—the scars that proved He was the same One who was crucified.

This transformed their faith:

• From doubt → to certainty
• From hearsay → to personal conviction
• From fear → to confidence

Faith became real—not secondhand, but personal.

2. Jesus Revealed Himself in the Word

But Jesus didn’t stop at experience.

He opened the Scriptures.

On the road to Emmaus, He explained how everything—from Moses to the prophets—pointed to Him. He helped the disciples understand that His suffering and resurrection were not accidents, but part of God’s redemptive plan.

This is crucial.

Experience alone is not enough.
It must be interpreted and anchored by the Word of God.

Without the Word:

• Experiences remain emotional but shallow
• Faith becomes unstable
• Understanding becomes fragmented

But when the Word anchors our experience:

• Confusion finds meaning
• Faith becomes steady
• Truth becomes conviction

Spirit and Scripture Together

Pastor Derek emphasises a vital balance:

We must never separate:

• The Spirit (experience, encounter, presence)
• The Word (truth, doctrine, foundation)

We need both.

The Spirit brings life and encounter.
The Word brings clarity and stability.

Together, they produce a faith that is:

• Deep
• Rooted
• Unshakable

A Call to Respond

This message challenges us to examine our faith:

• Are we living on past spiritual experiences?
• Are we relying on feelings instead of truth?
• Is our faith anchored in Christ—or in moments?

God invites us today to:

1. Bring our past experiences under His Word

Let the Word give meaning to what we have encountered.

2. Bring our present struggles to Jesus

He meets us in fear, doubt, and weariness—not after we fix ourselves.

3. Anchor our faith in the living Christ

Not in emotions, not in circumstances—but in who He is.

Final Reflection

The 40 days reveal God’s heart for His people.

Jesus does not want us to live:

• In fear
• In confusion
• In fragile faith

He wants us to live with settled certainty.

A faith that stands:

• When emotions are strong
• And when emotions are weak
• When prayers are answered
• And when they are delayed

Because at the centre of our faith is not a moment—
but a living Savior.