Introduction
“I have come to the conclusion that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is one of the most wicked, vicious, heartless hoaxes ever foisted upon the minds of men, OR it is the most fantastic fact of history.”~Josh McDowell (Evidence that Demands a Verdict)
1Co 15:3-8 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; (4) And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: (5) And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: (6) After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. (7) After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. (8) And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
Seeing is believing. What you see is what you get. There is none so blind as those who will not see. Seeing is believing! ~ Puctuation
John 20 began in a somber mode. The disciples wanted to embalm Jesus quickly because it was almost Sabbath, The balm is 34 KG!
John saw the linen without the body he concluded that Jesus has risen. Jesus appeared to many others and even spoke to them. Thomas touched his wound.
When we talk about Jesus, we are not talking about a dead person who did good things but a living savior.
Peter and John preached in Acts. Paul in Acts 17. They preached 6 weeks with so much power after the resurrection and the world was never the same again.
What is resurrection?
Many people do not believe Elvis Priestly did not die. This is not resurrection/
Resurrection is also not resuscitation – to become alive to die again.
Resurrection is coming back from the death and lives on.
1. The Past
The resurrection assures us of God’ forgiveness.Forgiveness is God’s greatest gifts to us. A psychiatrist said he can dismissed half of his patients if they can be assured of forgiveness.
“Man is the only creature that blushes and should.” ~ Mark Twain
How do we know our sins are really forgiven? Our guilt and condemnation are passed on to Jesus when he died for us on the Cross.
2Co 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!.
This forgiveness of sin is demonstrated in the water baptism.
Heb 10:11-14 Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. (12) But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. (13) Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, (14) because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
If Jesus has not come and die for us, we have to keep on sacrificing animals for the forgiveness of sins. Thank God we do not have to do this anymore.
1Co 11:17-20 In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good. (18) In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. (19) No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God's approval. (20) When you come together, it is not the Lord's Supper you eat,
When Jesus rose up from the death, He validated the forgiveness of our sins.
That’s why we all must be convinced of Christ’s resurrection.
2. The Present
The resurrection assures us of God’s power.God can change us. Selfish people can be made unselfish. Immoral people self-control, cruel people made kind.
Pastor Chris has recognize that victory over self is not by self but by the power of Jesus Christ. Willpower doesn’t work because we can fail on the next day.
Eph 1:18-20 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, (19) and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, (20) which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms
Because of what Jesus has done on the Cross and rose again, we have hope that we can change. We can make a 180° change (I respect Pastor Chris for getting the degree correct. I have heard many people who talked about 360° change.)
3. Future
The Resurrection assures us of God’s ultimate triumph.Fearful people do not understand the resurrection power.
Sometimes we plan so well we leave God out. We need to recognize that God is in control.
“When I die, I believe that I shall not, and that is the end.” Then he went on, “All the labours of the ages – the inspiration, the noonday brightness of human genius – are destined to extinction. The whole temple of man’s achievement must inevitably be buried in the debris of a universe in ruins.”
~ Bertrand Russell, British philosopher, mathematician
Pastor Chris made his funeral plans at the age of 34. “When we know how to die we know how to live.”
Story of Joni Eareckson.
She was an athletic youth. She broke her neck at the age of 17 and became a quadriplegic. She got married. She has written 48 books. She has recorded 6 music albums. She has done one movie and many TV shows. She was diagnosed with 3rd stage breast cancer.
“I have hope in the future. The Bible speaks about bodies being glorified. I know the meaning of that now. It's the time after my death here when I, the quadriplegic, will be on my feet dancing” ~ Joni Eareckson
Joh 11:25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;
Questions for discussion
1. Is there any new revelation or understanding for you about the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ through this sermon?2. Are there areas of your life God brought to your mind in the following? What can you do about them?
a. True freedom of forgiveness.
b. Resurrection power to have victory over them.
c. Future hope for things that are discouraging at the moment.
3. Describe what you know from the Bible about your future after the present life?
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