In the FOOTSTEPS of the SAVIOR (5)

GARDEN TOMB

I. The physical resurrection of Jesus Christ

A. Sunday morning after the crucifixion. We don’t know what the Roman executioner was wondering about, but it wasn’t about that fellow he had nailed to a cross and pierced with a spear. Jesus was dead and buried. Yesterday’s news…right?

B. Jesus marched out of the tomb, not spiritually raised , but physically raised. The women and disciples did not see a phantom or experience a sentiment. They saw Jesus in the flesh.

C. They saw him eat.

II. What the resurrection means for us

A. What happens to believers? Because the tomb is empty, the promise of Christ is not. And the promise of Christ? “Death has been swallowed up in victory” (1 Corinthians 15:54)

If you trust Christ with your life, He will take care of your death. Your spirit will immediately enter into the presence of God. You will enjoy conscious fellowship with your heavenly Father and all those who have gone before. Your body will join you later.

We believe this to be true because of what Paul wrote “We are confident, I say and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8).

Jesus said to the thief on the cross, “Today you will be with Me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). Today. The thief closed his eyes on earth and he awoke in paradise.

B. Paradise is the first stage of heaven but not the final version of heaven. At a certain point, known today only by God, our bodies will be called out of the grave.

C. Jesus’ resurrection is not only proof of our resurrection but also a picture of it. Just as Jesus rose from the dead in a physical, touchable, imperishable body, so you will step forth in a physical, touchable, and imperishable body. This is the promise of Christ.

III. What the resurrection means for our world

A. Envision the world as it was intended to be. Isaiah wrote that in that day, “The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together, and a little child will lead them” (Isaiah 11:6). Nature and humanity at peace.

B. No one and no thing, will rebel against God. All of us, nature and humanity, will defer to the risen king. “No longer will there be any curse.” (Revelation 22:3)

C. There will be no more curse because there will be no more devil. He will be cast into the pit that was “prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41).

IV. The question the resurrection compels us to answer

A. So here’s the question. Have you made the Easter miracle your hope for your life?

B. Philip Yancey said, “The reason I believe in Jesus is because of Jesus…and because Plan B stinks.” With all due respect to different thoughts and philosophies - Plan B is terrible.

C. Plan A is a resurrected body, on a resurrected planet, in the presence of a resurrected Lord, ever living in peace in a kingdom. God will have His Garden of Eden.

D. We do not want to be a part of a system that says if we’re good enough, God will save us. Because we’re not good enough. But we will take the one that says Jesus was good enough for us and He will save us.