ALIVE: The Resurrection
ALIVE • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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It all started with you in mind
It all started with you in mind
When God thought of you, He created you.
Mankind is a fallen creation.
Man and woman both are born into sin and into enmity with God, our Creator.
It was never God’s design for you and I to be born into this human condition.
His desire is and always has been to be in wonderful, intimate relationship with you and me.
Yet, you and I have violated God’s holiness and perfection.
You and I have violated God’s law for what his Holiness requires to have communion with Him.
1. We have placed other gods in our lives before Him, and we’ve worshipped them.
2. We have idolized things and people and imaginations, and we’ve worshipped them.
3. You have maybe taken the Lord’s name in vain - minimizing the virtue and power of His holy name.
4. You’ve forgotten the Sabbath - a day of resting in His presence.
5. You maybe have dishonored your father and mother - those who have given you life and brought you into a world where it’s possible to have Communion with God.
6. You maybe have murdered, or killed people in your heart with your hatred towards them.
7. You maybe have committed adultery, or adulterated a body set specifically for God’s purpose.
8. You maybe have stolen of what was not yours, to be yours.
9. You maybe have lied against your neighbor, or someone in close proximity to you.
10. Or maybe you’ve even coveted - that is desired something that wasn’t yours for your intended purpose of feeling complete and satisfied…a position that rightly belongs to the Lord.
These were 10 commandments given to a new nation called Israel when God saved them, rescued, set them apart for His glory and purpose.
And you were in mind.
The finger of God wrote this Law into existence so that, by having applied the Law to your life, you could have fellowship with your Creator and Holy God.
But the moment any one of those were broken even once, sin occurred and sin is what separates us from God.
Sin is vile, it violates the nostrils of Holy God. It is detestable and is completely contrary to who God is.
So much so, that God cannot abide in sin. Rather, God’s holiness must destroy sin. All sin must be purified from the earth and be put to death.
God is Holy. God cannot sin. He is perfect. And sin is an offense to His holiness.
And it takes a perfect, sacrificial offering, made by someone who is pure and righteous to make an offering that will atone for your sin.
A loving God who loves you and me so purely and perfectly could possibly be put in predicament.
But God’s word said He had a plan before the foundations of the earth.
ENTER: JESUS
ENTER: JESUS
There would be another man who would come.
Another man who did walk a perfect and blameless life.
A man who knew no sin, had never sinned, and no sin was in Him.
His Name is Jesus
He was born to a virgin, in the humblest of conditions - raised by a carpenter, and grew and matured in all wisdom and knowledge.
He would be found teaching in the synagogues, and be about His heavenly Father’s business.
By the age of 30, He would grab hold of a following - His disciples that would pay close attention and be eye-witnesses of all He said and did.
He was water-baptized at the beginning of His ministry. The heavens opened up and the voice of God spoke about His Son, in whom He was well pleased.
We read in John 3:16-17
For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Jesus, the Son of God -fully God and yet fully man - became flesh and dwelt among us. He walked this earth, just as you and I have and yet never sinned.
He became the one pure enough to tell the world the Truth, and righteous enough to show the Way, and somehow exchange His life for yours and mine.
Those that walked with Him, talked with Him.
Those that ate with Him, served with Him.
Those that watched Him, made note of Him.
A week ago, we remembered Palm Sunday, the day He rode into the city of Jerusalem, riding a donkey and the city came alive in presenting their king.
Though it was a celebration of their hopeful rise of Messiah, in reality, He was like a lamb led to the slaughter.
His heart burden for the people of the city - and He wept because of it.
The following days would be a turn for the reality of a sin-filled world.
His Creation would be found unfruitful.
Even though He is author of all creation, His authority would be questioned by degenerates.
He would find His holy house filled with unrighteous and selfish gain, and He’d have to cleanse the Temple.
He would be sold out for second-rate currencies, by someone in His inner-circle, yet Jesus would still serve him at the dinner table.
Someone would spend an annual salary on washing His feet, but the disciples would tell Him he’s not worth it.
He the Holy One would serve His friends His last dinner in remembrance of Himself, yet one would walk out to go betray Him.
He was filled with so much grief and sorrow, even to the point of death.
He retreated to pray, and pray earnestly - His sweat turned to bleeding from the stress of prayer.
He tried to talk Himself out of what was coming…but He had you in mind.
His close friend would betray Him with a kiss.
He would be arrested and tried in a sham court.
His closest friends would deny any relation to Him.
He would be falsely accused, and traded for a murderer named Barabas.
He would be blind-folded, flogged, beaten, bruised.
It was written of Him in Isaiah 50:6-8
I gave my back to those who beat me, and my cheeks to those who tore out my beard. I did not hide my face from scorn and spitting. The Lord God will help me; therefore I have not been humiliated; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame. The one who vindicates me is near; who will contend with me? Let us confront each other. Who has a case against me? Let him come near me!
He had you in mind.
He was scourged and whipped, His entrails exposed.
A lesser man would have caved. A lesser man would have called it quits.
A lesser god would have raged. A lesser god would have called humanity’s total annihilation.
But He is holy, and He had you in mind.
He was driven to the death sentence - a humiliation, an abhorrent act to all that is Holy.
A crown of thorns was driven into His skull.
A mockery posted above his head - the King of the Jews.
But He had you in mind.
He was paraded through the city, the people proud of their parade.
He was pierced by nails hammered into His hands and feet.
He was strung up on the cross, hung on that old rugged tree, barely recognizable.
He had you in mind.
There in that position, suspended between heaven and earth, He took on the perfect posture of interceding for you and me.
He had you in mind.
You see, as it was written of Him in Isaiah 51:5
Isaiah 51:5 (CSB)
My righteousness is near, my salvation appears, and my arms will bring justice to the nations.
And again in Isaiah 52:7
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the herald, who proclaims peace, who brings news of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
And again in Isaiah 52:13-14
See, my servant will be successful; he will be raised and lifted up and greatly exalted. Just as many were appalled at you— his appearance was so disfigured that he did not look like a man, and his form did not resemble a human being—
He had you and me in mind.
And again in Isaiah 53:4-11
Yet he himself bore our sicknesses, and he carried our pains; but we in turn regarded him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced because of our rebellion, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on him, and we are healed by his wounds. We all went astray like sheep; we all have turned to our own way; and the Lord has punished him for the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth. Like a lamb led to the slaughter and like a sheep silent before her shearers, he did not open his mouth. He was taken away because of oppression and judgment, and who considered his fate? For he was cut off from the land of the living; he was struck because of my people’s rebellion. He was assigned a grave with the wicked, but he was with a rich man at his death, because he had done no violence and had not spoken deceitfully. Yet the Lord was pleased to crush him severely. When you make him a guilt offering, he will see his seed, he will prolong his days, and by his hand, the Lord’s pleasure will be accomplished. After his anguish, he will see light and be satisfied. By his knowledge, my righteous servant will justify many, and he will carry their iniquities.
He cried out “God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
God could not look upon the Son of God having literally become sin to be put to death.
He would not die by man’s hands, but after taking on the worst of humanity and with a loud cry He gave up the ghost.
The earth quaked, the sky went dark.
The temple curtain that divided the holy of holies from the sanctuary was ripped in two - from top to bottom
Tombs were opened and many bodies of the saints who had passed away were raised to life, and appeared to many.
He took on the sins of humanity and became the perfect sacrificial lamb, that took the sin of the world.
After He died, his side was pierced by a Roman spear - just so they could make sure He was dead.
The Word tells us in John 19:34
But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out.
A rich man, named Joseph of Arimathea, would pay for His body to come down off the cross and laid in a borrowed tomb.
With fear of rebellion and conspiracy, the religious elite and Roman authorities would seal the tomb shut - and post guards.
A lot can happen in a week. Especially with you and me in mind.
He showed the extent of His love towards you with all He had to endure.
He took yours and my sin upon Himself and crucified it - to death.
Now paying the ransom so that you and I can be redeemed to walk and talk with God.
But what good would that all be, if the Son of God who was capable of providing our redemption was also dead.
The third day, just as Jesus prophesied of Himself, He would be found ALIVE!!
A change had taken place. The worst had been undone. What was dead was now brought to LIFE.
Mary Magdelen and the other Mary were the first to hear - “Why are you looking for the living among the dead?”
Matthew 28:5-20
The angel told the women, “Don’t be afraid, because I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here. For he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see him there.’ Listen, I have told you.” So, departing quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, they ran to tell his disciples the news. Just then Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” They came up, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus told them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.” As they were on their way, some of the guards came into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. After the priests had assembled with the elders and agreed on a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money and told them, “Say this, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him while we were sleeping.’ If this reaches the governor’s ears, we will deal with him and keep you out of trouble.” They took the money and did as they were instructed, and this story has been spread among Jewish people to this day. The eleven disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped, but some doubted. Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
You will see Him there
Seek the Lord while he may be found; call to him while he is near. Let the wicked one abandon his way and the sinful one his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, so he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will freely forgive.
Because of Jesus’s resurrection, we can sing:
1 Cor 15:55-58
Where, death, is your victory? Where, death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
And if we believe what we have read and have heard:
Romans 10:9-11
Romans 10:9–11 (CSB)
If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Saved from what?
Saved from enmity with God
Saved from eternal damnation
Saved from eternal separation from God
And therefore saved to Unity with God
Saved to eternal LIFE with GOD
Don’t doubt God!
Mark 9:23
Mark 9:23 (CSB)
Jesus said to him, “ Everything is possible for the one who believes.”
Do you believe? If you believe, and confess with your mouth that He is Lord, you are washed clean, and white as snow.
Your story is redeemed, and the chapters written thereafter are penned by the nail-scarred hands of a loving author.
And I am confident in this:
Phil 1:6
I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
And
Romans 8:1
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus,
So the question is, do you believe?
Do you believe Jesus is who He said He is?
Do you believe the eye-witness accounts of those who observed Him, who’ve seen His glory?
Are you willing to acknowledge and confess your sin before God?
Do you want to be reconciled to Holy God and be reunited with your Creator?
Don’t you miss Him?
The Power of God, who raised Jesus from death to Life - is now made available to you so that you can be brought from spiritual death, to be SPIRITUALLY ALIVE!
He stole the keys from death, hell, and the grave. All authority is in His hands. And He wants to save you!
If you know you need to make a decision for Jesus today - to surrender all your mess, all your sin, all that is contrary to God.
If you’ll bring it to Him, He’ll forgive you. He’ll clean you up and set you on a righteous and holy path.
Will you take His life offering today? He wants to give you new life - and life more abundantly.
Come, come to the altar and bring your sin and shame, and let Him give you new LIFE - to come ALIVE in the grace and mercy of a Holy God!