The Resurrection Means Everything
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we have some guest from “Have it your way church”
we want to welcome them
but I do want to speak on what they were taught about the resurrection
they were taught that it didn’t really matter, and that you could make up your own meaning
and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain.
Paul is making a point
the resurrection of Christ is at the center of it all
this doesn’t work without the resurrection
our preaching is vain, your faith is vain
the resurrection means everything!
What did Paul go through to preach? 5 different times Paul received 39 lashes, three times he was beaten with rods, once he was stoned, three times was shipwrecked, spend a whole night and day adrift in the sea, members of his own race tried to kill him, people of other races tried to kill him, false Christians tried to kill him, he was put in jail on several occasions, he went without food, he testified that he shivered in the cold without adequate clothing . . . and Paul is saying if Jesus did not rise, then I went through all of that for nothing
The resurrection means everything
if Jesus did not rise, then all faith in Him stuff/church stuff/Christian stuff is vain, useless, a waste of time, it’s been for nothing
I’ll say it this way, If Jesus Christ did not rise from the dead then you ought to go to “Have it Your Way Church”
for if Christ did not rise, then all you would have to look forward to is this short life, and if all you have is this short life, you need a short service
if Christ did not rise, you should look to be entertained, you better get some enjoyment when you can/while you can
if Christ did not rise, then there is no standard, there is no example worth following, you should feel real comfortable just doing you
if Christ did not rise, then it IS all about you an what you want
But if Jesus Christ rose, then the opposite is true. this preaching stuff, this church stuff, this christian stuff, faith in God stuff . . . it means everything!!!!
it’s the most important thing!
it changes everything!
it re-prioritizes everything
If Jesus rose from the dead, Then I am not focused on the length of service
I am focused on, I need to hear a word
I am focused on, I need prayer over my life
I am focused on let his praises ring forth
if Jesus rose, I don’t fit him into my schedule, I fit myself into his schedule
If Jesus rose, then I am not here to be entertained, I am here to entertain him! I am here to please him!
if Jesus rose, then my number one concern is not if we had a “good” service. I want to know if God enjoyed service. Did we worship him in spirit and in truth!
if Jesus rose, I am not here to sit back and watch service, I am here to be a participate in service, I am here to BE of service
For he has already done His service: he came, he lived, he suffered, bled, and died, and rose again
now, it’s MY time to serve
instead of calling it “church service”, we probably should say “the church” in service
The resurrection means everything
If Jesus rose, then I understand that I won’t always be comfortable . . .
for the resurrection means that Jesus is the standard, Jesus is THE example, Jesus is THE truth (and the idea of everyone living in their own truth is only a fantasy waiting to burst)
and until we are just like him, until we fully live like he wants us to live, then we are to be taught, corrected, instructed, reproved, rebuked, encouraged to do better
because of the resurrection, preaching has to be more than just a series of pep talks or motivational speeches
the resurrection means everything
They sang a song, “It’s all about me and what I want”, but because of the resurrection, it is all about Him and what He wants
and it’s not about Have it my way, but Lord have you way
it’s not about my will, but Lord, your will be done in us and through us
the resurrection means everything
what about the “if” . . . if Jesus rose
the same chapter outlines that there were multiple eyewitnesses to his resurrection . . .
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.
After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep;
then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles;
and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.
Paul is saying, it ain’t no doubt
Jesus rose from the dead!
Jesus rose from the dead!
And when you go back and read the accounts, it was more than just a glimpse of him, or a moment with him . . . they did not see a ghost or see his spirit or something out the corner of their eye
they talked with him, they touched him, they walked and and had a Bible study with him as they walked, they eat meals with him, one time he did the cooking . . .
When Thomas touched him, he said, “My Lord and My God”
in other words this means that You are Lord, You are God
you were dead, but now you are truly alive
my fellow disciples were not being delusional, you are right here in the flesh
the grave could not hold you, death could not defeat you
The resurrection means everything!
the resurrection means that
God did send his son because he loves us
when he suffered an died on the cross, he suffered and died for our sins
Only through Jesus can those sins be forgiven
it’s only a matter of time before he comes back and every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess He is Lord!
The Resurrection Means Everything!
living with that understanding?
building your life with that understanding?
making decisions with that understanding?
it’s more than just a good story
it’s more than just a noteworthy event
it’s worth betting your life on!
The resurrection means everything!