17-4-16 AM, The Resurrection Means So Much!
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In the Old Testament, the Sabbath, a day set aside for rest and worship of the Lord, was on the seventh day, Saturday.
In the New Testament, the day of rest and worship moved to the first day of the week, Sunday (). Why? The Christians must have believed God had done something quite monumental to warrant a change in one of the 10 Commandments.
God raisedWhy is the resurrection so important? For the last several weeks we have dwelled on the atonement of the cross. On the cross, Christ died for our sins and provided an escape from God’s wrath through our faith in Him.
On the first day of the week, Jesus Christ was raised from the dead. The resurrection of Christ is so powerful, incredible, and crucial to our understanding of God’s plan to save the world that Christians set aside Sunday as the new day of worship. Every Sunday is to be for a day of rest and celebration of the resurrection of Christ.
Not only do we set aside every Sunday to celebrate it, Christians set aside Easter Sunday to celebrate the resurrection. Without a doubt, the resurrection of Christ is the linchpin of the gospel of Jesus Christ and our salvation in Him. Without the resurrection, the gospel, the message by which we can be saved, falls apart.
14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.
17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.
1 Corinthians 15:14
He goes on in v. 19 to say we are to be pitied more than all men if Christ be not raised.
1 Corintians 15:17
Why is the resurrection so important?
Why is the resurrection so important? For the last several weeks we have dwelled on the atonement of the cross. On the cross, Christ died for our sins and provided an escape from God’s wrath through our faith in Him.
This is an important question especially since we have been spent six weeks dwelling on the atonement accomplished on the cross.
We might be tempted to emphasize the cross so much that the resurrection comes across as a happy addendum to the gospel story.
If you recall, because we’ve all sinned against God, we’ve earned judgment. This judgment is the wrath of God.
For the last several weeks we have dwelled on the atonement of the cross. On the cross, Christ performed the work of absorbing the wrath of God for our sins. On the cross Jesus Christ died on our behalf, that we might escape our just punishment for breaking God’s laws. On the cross Jesus set up our salvation through belief in Him.
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.
On the cross, Christ performed the work of absorbing the wrath of God for our sins. On the cross Jesus Christ died on our behalf, that we might escape our just punishment for breaking God’s laws. On the cross Jesus set up our salvation through belief in Him.
On the cross, Christ, who was innocent of sin, took our sin upon himself and absorbed the wrath of God on our behalf. On the cross, Jesus Christ died for our sakes, that we might escape our just punishment for breaking God’s laws. On the cross Jesus set up our salvation which comes through belief in Him.
So much happened on the cross that we might be tempted to relegate the resurrection as some happy addendum to the gospel story (like the short wedding scenes at the end of Cinderella)
However, in other parts of Scripture we learn that belief in the resurrection of Christ is just as necessary for salvation as our belief in the atonement on the cross.
9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Romans 10:
Why is the resurrection so important? What did it accomplish? What does it mean? This morning I want to share with you three reasons why the resurrection is paramount.
First, the resurrection is about credibility.
Jesus said He came from heaven to tell the truth.
37 Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”
Jesus told things according to how they really were. He told the world about the kingdom of God. He revealed the truth condition of humanity. He told them that He was the Son of God. He told them that He was sent by the Father to be the Savior of the world.
He even told about things that would happen in the future.
Specifically, He said many times He would die and be raised on the third day.
31 for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.”
This is an incredible statement! It is a prophetic statement. Yet, it’s only impressive if it comes true.
We have deep awe for people who call things before they happen. We think of them having some special knowledge or skill that gives them an inside track on how the world works. For example, we are impressed with the people who name the teams of the Final Four. We think Warren Buffet is impressive because of his ability to read the market (the Oracle of Omaha).
Yet, what Jesus says is so much greater. Who in the world calls their death before it happens and then says they are going to be raised from the dead!
Since Jesus told the truth and told that he would be raised from the dead. And since Jesus was actually raised from the dead in the resurrection, then we are compelled to trust that everything else Jesus said was true.
Especially everything he said about our salvation being won on the cross and our being saved through faith in Him.
If Jesus were not raised from the dead, we would have to think of him as either delusional, a liar, or a false prophet. He would be curtly dismissed.
Second, the resurrection is restoration reward of the Son by the Father for complete obedience.
We would have no compelling reason to trust that the atoning work of the cross actually happened. Further, we would still be in our sins and our testimony of Christ voided.
Since Jesus is raised, we can know His words are true.
He is who He said He is and He did what He said He did.
This is refreshing in a world which peddles “truth” in so many contradictory varieties.
Since Jesus is risen from the dead, we can trust His words as true. This is refreshing in a world which peddles “truth” in so many contradictory varieties.
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Suddenly, in light of the resurrection, Jesus’ words have weight and authority. We should believe what He has said.
How refreshing this is This is meaningful in a world that tries to
Second, the resurrection demonstrates restoration and reward among the Godhead.
Second, the resurrection demonstrates restoration and reward between the Father and the Son.
You remember the nature of the atonement.
In the atonement, Jesus, the Son of God, who is Himself righteous, took upon himself our unrighteousness. He did this to receive our penalty for sin, so we might be righteous.
4 Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed.
21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
In the atonement,
21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
On the cross, Jesus was smitten by the Father. The Son bore the Father’s hatred for sin. The Father treated Him as a sinner and gave no mercy. In this there was separation within the godhead because Jesus became a curse.
You have to understand this was something new. In the Godhead, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are One. These persons from eternity past dwell in perfect community. Yet, God so loved humanity that He put this community on hold. He allowed hostility to be between the Father and the Son so justice may be served.
The Son bore the Father’s wrath. The Father treated Him as a sinner and gave no mercy. In this there was separation within the godhead.
These are cosmic ideas that I admit we are too small to even approach.
When the crucifixion was over and Jesus was dead (again, let that sink in with fear and trembling), Scripture says the Father recognized Jesus’ perfect obedience in every way. Jesus never sinned even as He bore ours.
5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.
Hebrews
Therefore, God the Father did two things
Therefore, God the Father did two things
Therefore, God the Father did two things
When Jesus satisfied our sin-debt, the Father restored Him to Himself.
Raised from the dead, and later ascended into heaven, we see that Jesus returned to the presence of God the Father.
20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
Yet, when everything is said and done, the gospel says the Son has obeyed the Father in every way. Therefore, God the Father restores communion between He and the Son.
Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father. This is the seat of honor.
17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again.
Jesus’ obedience gave the Father deep pleasure and love.
This is important for us to know, in the Gospel, as Jesus goes, so do we.
Since Jesus satisfied our sin-debt and we believe in Him, the Father restores us to Himself.
1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Also,
The Father rewarded Jesus for His obedience.
1. The Father restored to Jesus to fellowship in the Godhead.
2. The Father rewarded Jesus the Son for His work.
2. restores communion between He and the Son.
The Father rewarded Jesus for His obedience.
In line with God’s character of justice. He rewards righteousness. The resurrection is manifest of this reward.
God rewarded Jesus with the Highest name, all authority, and glory.
5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
God rewarded Jesus with the Highest name, all authority, and glory
1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, 6 including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,
This is the salutation
ritual work of the cross was mainly hidden (although there were signs pointing to spiritual work- earthquakes, resurrection of the dead, darkness, etc.), the resurrection is objective
Jesus is the Son of God. Therefore every word was the word of God. As divine, Jesus had the spiritual nature necessary to sin not.
Whereas the spiritual work of the cross was mainly hidden (although there were signs pointing to spiritual work- earthquakes, resurrection of the dead, darkness, etc.), the resurrection is objective
5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again.
13 Behold, my servant shall act wisely;
he shall be high and lifted up,
and shall be exalted.
12 Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many,
and he shall divide the spoil with the strong,
because he poured out his soul to death
and was numbered with the transgressors;
yet he bore the sin of many,
and makes intercession for the transgressors.
9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.
4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.
Acts
21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
heb
Again, as Jesus goes, so do those who trust in Him.
The resurrection is the result of the Christ’s work. Death is the wage of sin, yet in Christ, sin was overcome and therefore so is death
20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
We who believe in Christ will be rewarded too!
In the cross and resurrection, God proves again He is steadfast and perfect in His justice.
Since Jesus satisfied our sin-debt and we believe in Him, the Father restores us to Himself.
We who believe in Christ will be rewarded too!
Doing good deeds do not contribute to our salvation, but they are important after we are saved by faith.
Once we begin a life of faith, God receives glory when we do what He calls good.
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5
When we please the Lord, He rewards us. Since this happened to Christ, we know it will happen to us.
11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.
1 Corinthians 3
Third, the resurrection means God has defeated death.
Third, the resurrection means God has defeated death.
Third, the resurrection means God has defeated death.
Remember, sin results in death.
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Death was not part of the creation plan. God is life, not death. Yet, when we rebelled against God we received death in our bodies and death in our souls.
Death was not part of the creation plan. God is life, not death. Yet, when we rebelled against God we received death in our bodies and death in our souls.
Death is our consequence and our enemy. It is our fear and our foe.
Just think of all the daily chatter about avoiding death- diet, exercise, seat belts.
Humanity has struggled to come up with a solution for death. We’ve never found the fountain of youth. The frozen dead guys are still frozen.
Nederland, CO: You won’t want to miss Frozen Dead Guy Days, a tongue-in-cheek tribute to Grandpa Bredo Morstoel, who is cryogenically frozen and cared for in a Tuff Shed on private property in Town, awaiting the day when science can re-animate him and cure him of the heart disease that killed him in 1989. FDGD is a weekend-long party that takes over Town the first weekend in March each year. Our biggest party of the year offers up music, food, a polar bear plunge, and lots of competitive challenges like the coffin races.
We cannot cure death, but God can. He does this by separating us from the #1 (and only) true cause of death, sin.
Therefore, God, redeeming us from our sins, has provided a way to redeem us from death.
This is important to understand, death lays claim to us because we have sin. If someone has no sin, then death has no authority to hold such a person.
So, here’s death’s problem with a dead Christ. Death is the wage of sin, yet Jesus had no sin. Therefore, death had no rightful claim to Jesus. Death could not hold Jesus. For the first time since Eden, a person was free of death.
Therefore, God, who upholds all things according to His justice and love, freed the Son from death’s grip and Jesus raised from the dead.
If we can be separated from sin, then death has no claim on us.
Since Jesus had no sin of His own and since He paid our sin-debt, death could not hold Jesus in the tomb.
Now how about you and me? Jesus absorbed the penalty for our sin on the cross. He atoned for us. If you have faith in Him, do you have a sin debt any longer? So does death have any right to you? No.
Since Jesus has atoned for our sins and saved us through faith, death will not hold us either.
10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,
Here are two implications:
57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Here are two implications:
Upon faith, we are justified and escape the death of our souls.
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
Upon the return of Christ, death’s defeat will be complete, and we will rise like Christ.
Upon the return of Christ, death’s defeat will be complete, and we will rise like Christ.
Upon the return of Christ, death’s defeat will be complete, and we will rise like Christ.
1 Cor. 15:25-26
25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
Since Jesus had no sin of His own and since He paid our sin-debt, death could not hold Jesus in the tomb.
16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
1 Thess. 4:16
Humanity’s greatest foe is defeated, and the way out of death is provided for us.
The resurrection is foreshadowing our future
20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:20
Why do we still die?
Further, we will be shielded from the second death
1 For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, 3 if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. 4 For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
6 So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.
25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
Fourth, the resurrection is foreshadowing our future
23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.
17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.
1 Thesalonians 4:17
Response to the resurrection
Trust Jesus’ words and true
Believe for salvation
Believe and obey
Believe and repent
Take hold of the restoration between you and God which the resurrection promises.
Live to take hold of the rewards that come with obedience.
Fear not death, but trust Christ has overcome death and you will too.
Upon faith
Upon faith, we are justified and escape the death of our souls. Upon the return of Christ, death’s defeat will be complete, and we will rise like Christ.