Pastor’s Pen Pulpit
April 3, 2005
THE
RESURRECTION: DOES IT REALLY MATTER?
I Corinthians
15:20-28
Part II
But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first
fruits of those who are asleep. For
since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the
dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in
Christ all shall be made alive. But each
in his own order: Christ the first fruits,
after that those who are Christ’s at His coming, then comes the end, when He
delivers up the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule
and all authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be abolished is
death. FOR HE HAS PUT
ALL THINGS IN SUBJECTION UNDER HIS FEET.
But when He says, “All things are put in subjection,” it is evident that
He is excepted who put all things in subjection to Him And when All things are subjected to Him,
then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things
to Him, that God may be all in all.
In
Part I of our study “The Resurrection – Does It Really Matter?” we talked about
the consequences resulting if the resurrection of Jesus Christ had never
occurred (see last week’s Pen Pulpit).
Now in Part II we want to consider the fact that Jesus did rise from the
dead just as the Bible claimed in I Corinthians chapter 15.
SINCE JESUS
CHRIST DID RISE FROM THE DEAD
1. THE CHURCH has the most powerful message that
has ever been proclaimed
(Romans 1:16,17). The
resurrection was in the content of every major message that Paul and
Peter preached.
2. OUR FAITH is based in an historical event that
carries more historical evidence than
any other recorded event in history (I Corinthians 15:3-8).
3. THE APOSTLES are the authoritative spokesmen
from God. What the apostles wrote
concerning the resurrection carries the authority of God behind it.
4. BECAUSE of the resurrection of Jesus Christ the Christian’s faith is of the highest value (Hebrews 11:6). All true Biblical faith is built upon the hope of the resurrection.
5. BECAUSE Jesus Christ rose from the dead those who believe share His resurrection life. We are no longer in sin! We have daily victory over sin in our life (Romans 6:1-14).
6. BECAUSE Jesus rose from the dead believers who have died in hope have realized that hope. Hope does not disappoint (see I Thessalonians 4:14 where hope is associated with Christ’s death and resurrection.
7. BECAUSE Jesus rose from the dead the believer’s hope extends beyond this life. In fact, it is to be realized in fullness when we leave this life.
LET’S TALK ABOUT HOW THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION
CAN AFFECT YOUR DAILY WALK
“That I may know Him, and the power of His
resurrection and the fellowship of His suffering, being conformed to His
death.” Philippians 3:10
1. We are power conscious – power is everything today.
2. We are looking for a strength that makes us feel adequate and competent.
3. Jesus is the model and source of our power and strength.
4. The power of God is not necessarily the power that makes a great demonstration- it is often quite the contrary to the buzz, hum, pulsating, exploding that we associate with power.
5. God’s power has a peculiar characteristic. Often it begins to happen when you act - Joshua crossing the Jordan (Joshua 3); Israel crossing the Red Sea (Exodus 14); Jehoshaphat moving out with the singers (II Chronicles 20).
6. When believers begin to exercise their spiritual gift, the power of God is released.
7. When Christians determine to abandon evil habits and change bad attitudes the power of God is released to make that happen. We have power over daily sin in our life – Romans 6:1-14.
8. We have power to face our inner hurts and fears (stop dwelling in the past).
9. We have power to restore broken relationships and reach out to others.
Easter is a time of new life. That which was dead now lives. Darkness is gone. A warm sun shines. Life has new meaning. Easter dates back originally to the spring festival in honor of Eastra, the Teutonic goddess of light and spring. As early as the eighth century the name was transferred by the Anglo-Saxons to the Christian festival designed to celebrate the resurrection of Christ. Today we are privileged to celebrate Easter because of Jesus’ victory over sin and death and hell. Christianity begins where religion ends – with the resurrection of Christ (quoted from the Speaker’s Quote Book by Dr. Roy B. Zuck).
We trust each of you had a wonderful Easter and that the Easter message continues 24/7 for you. God bless.