1 Thessalonians 1:6-10 - Why Is the Resurrection Important?

6 You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything. 9 For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, 10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.

Raised - ἐγείρω ĕgĕirō – to awaken. The most common word (verb) used for the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In the Pauline corpus ἐγείρειν, “to raise”, whether in the active voice (with God as subject) or in the passive, is the most common verb denoting resurrection, whether Christ’s or his people’s.

the Son is described as the one whom God raised from the dead, or, more exactly, “from among the dead” (plural).

This passage can be seen as a group of bullet points:

Knowing…His choice of you

Gospel not in word only

But in power

And the Holy Spirit

And with full conviction.

You saw what manner of men we were

And you became imitators of us

and the Lord

Having received the word in tribulation

With the joy of the Holy Spirit

To the result that you became an example to all the believers around you,

And your example is still rippling out

They are proclaiming YOUR testimony (to God’s glory)

And you hope in the resurrection of Jesus Christ

You hope in the return of Jesus Christ

3 Great Evidences of God’s Election:

5 – Their faithful initial response to the gospel.

6-7 – Their faithful growth in the gospel.

8-10 – Their faithful proclamation of the gospel.

We must never allow ourselves to think that the resurrection of Jesus Christ was done for our feelings or for our benefit. Although we benefit greatly from the Resurrection, the glory always rightly belongs to God, and it was for His purpose this was done.

For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7 and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, 8 dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. – 2 Thessalonians 1:6-8

There we find the same correlation as here between the resurrection of Jesus and the judgment to come; but, whereas the Athenians are warned that on that appointed Day Jesus, the risen one, will function as universal judge (cf. 2 Thess 1:7, 8), the Thessalonians have learned to recognize in Jesus their “deliverer from the coming wrath.”

The Gentiles did not hope for a resurrection from the dead. For example, Pliny the Elder (Natural History 2.5.27) affirmed that it was not possible for the gods to do such things as bring the dead back to life, and Herodotus (History 3.62) understood the natural order of things to preclude the resurrection of the dead. Although Osiris could be called the lord of the dead (Plutarch, De Iside et Osiride 382F), this belief did not approach the Christian doctrine of the resurrection of the dead, of which Jesus was the firstfruits (1 Cor. 15:20; 1 Thess. 4:14–18).

Pliny the Elder, on the impotence of all gods - Nor can he make mortals immortal, or recall to life those who are dead

Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some began to sneer, but others said, “We shall hear you again concerning this.” 33 So Paul went out of their midst. 34 But some men joined him and believed - Acts 17:32-34

Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; 14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. 15 Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; 17 and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied. – 1 Corinthians 15:12-19

But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. 21 For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. – 1 Corinthians 15:20-22

concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, 4 who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord, - Romans 1:3-4

Weirsbe - We cannot separate the living hope and the living Christ (1 Peter 1:1–5)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. – 1 Peter 1:3-5

In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety. 8 Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. 9 And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation, - Hebrews 5:7-9

if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. – Romans 10:9-10

You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, cand how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. 39 We are witnesses of all the things He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They also put Him to death by hanging Him on a cross. 40 God raised Him up on the third day and granted that He become visible, 41 not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen beforehand by God, that is, to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. 42 And He ordered us to preach to the people, and solemnly to testify that this is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead. 43 Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.” – Acts 10:38-43

And according to Paul’s custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ.” – Acts 17:2-3

We are not the people of the tomb; we are the people of the Resurrection.

We serve the Living Christ, not merely the crucified man.

We serve the One who took the flesh wound to His heel, and delivered the mortal wound to the enemy of all mankind.

We follow the One God chose from before the universe began to conquer sin and death for all His people.

But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. – Hebrews 2:9

In this verse, the scope of God’s redemption is including both elements – the suffering and death leading to the live coronation of glory and honor.

The resurrection implies death; but death does not necessarily imply resurrection without God’s intervention and promise.

Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. – Hebrews 2:14-15

And this is clearer still, if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become such not on the basis of a law of physical requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is attested of Him, “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.” - Hebrews 7:15-17

This “indestructible life” is proved by the Resurrection.

The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing, 24 but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently. 25 Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. – Hebrews 7:23-25

And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, 28 so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him. – Hebrews 9:27-28

By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; 18 it was he to whom it was said, “In Isaac your descendants shall be called.” 19 He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back as a type. – Hebrews 11:17-19

By this, the writer of Hebrews explains that it was Abraham’s faith in God’s resurrection that gave him the faith to obey.

Likewise, God proved that resurrection “as a type” – as a picture of prophecy of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

No doctrine, no event, is so central to our faith, so vital to our salvation, as the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

So much so that when Paul and his companions were talking about the faith of the Thessalonian believers, this fact had to be included.

Not only were they waiting for the Son from heaven, but this is the SAME Son that God has raised from the dead.

And this risen Savior rescues us from the wrath to come.

We know that the message of Paul and his companions in Thessalonica found at its heart the Resurrection of Jesus:

Because we are told in the book of Acts 17:2-3:

And according to Paul’s custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ.”

This was the message he preached in Thessalonica, beginning with the synagogue and moving to the Gentiles there.

Not just Paul, though.

In Peter’s Pentecost message, he proclaimed:

But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power. – Acts 2:24

And then a little later declared:

This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses. – Acts 2:32

In his second recorded sermon, after the lame beggar was healed, he declared:

But you disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 but put to death the Prince of life, the one whom God raised from the dead, a fact to which we are witnesses. – Acts 3:14-15

Frankly, time would certainly fail me if I listed every scriptural instance of the proclamation of the Resurrection.

This is the time of year we are specifically called to remember this miraculous event –

The Day of the Risen Lord.

But for many Christians, the Resurrection no longer holds our awe, our gratitude, or even our attention.

We believe in the risen Savior, but we prefer to study or hear of something else.

The latest theological theories,

The snappiest Christian memes,

We are so very much like the men of Athens who used to spend their time in nothing other than telling or hearing something new. – Acts 17:21

So many believers think we have graduated from the old, old story, so that we need to focus on greater things than the beginning point of the Resurrection.

But those believers are mistaken – there is no greater message than the word of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

What other doctrine can approach it?

What other study even come along beside it?

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the very centerpiece of Scripture.

Everything in God’s prior revelation points ultimately to the Resurrection,

All the prophecies of the Messiah,

all the types modeled in the Law,

All the promises of God to His people,

They all are wrapped up in the one event – God raising Jesus Christ from the dead.

And everything recorded after the Resurrection comes as a result of it.

So this morning, I would like to take a look at why the Resurrection is so important.

And I would like to look at it in three ways in, what I consider, an increasing order of importance:

1. Where we place our hope.

2. How it fulfills God’s promises.

3. How it glorifies God and His plan of salvation.

1. The Resurrection gives us hope.

What other miracle in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ carries so much weight of hope?

His birth to a virgin mother was certainly miraculous, possibly the second greatest miracle in the life of Jesus, pointing to God’s plan that He be born.

But beyond the mentions in Matthew and Luke, the virgin birth is not mentioned in any of the epistles.

Not even in Galatians 4:4, where Paul tells the Galatian church:

when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman

Born of a woman – not “born of a virgin”.

This, in no way, should cast any doubt on the truth of the virgin birth.

I only mention it in comparison to the multitude of references to the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Likewise, there are those who would declare that the work of justification was completed on the cross, when Jesus cried out the word “It is finished!”

That the suffering He experienced, and the substitutionary death He died completed everything we needed for salvation.

They would place the Resurrection as an epilogue, an afterthought, with regard to our salvation.

With the REAL work accomplished and done before Jesus was laid into the borrowed tomb.

The Bible recognizes NOTHING of the sort.

Even in the Old Testament passage we read this morning, Isaiah 53, where we read the prophecies of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we also read these words:

If He would render Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, And the good pleasure of the Lord will prosper in His hand. 11 As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied; By His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, As He will bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, And He will divide the booty with the strong; Because He poured out Himself to death, And was numbered with the transgressors; Yet He Himself bore the sin of many, And interceded for the transgressors. – Isaiah 53:10-12

Notice all the promises of LIFE after the suffering and death:

He will SEE His offspring – after He renders Himself as a guilt offering.

HE [God] will PROLONG His [Jesus’s] days.

The good pleasure of the LORD will PROSPER in His [Jesus’s] hand.

He will see it and be satisfied.

God will allot Him a portion with the great – BECAUSE He out Himself to death.

The only fulfillment of this prophecy is a RISEN Savior.

Resurrection ASSUMES death, because Jesus Christ could not be RAISED from the dead if He was not DEAD.

But death does not assume resurrection, unless Jesus has been raised from the dead.

We are not the people of the tomb – not even the empty one; we are the people of the Risen Christ.

To the troubled Corinthian church, Paul wrote to those who would deny any resurrection of the dead.

Pliny the Elder, among others, had taught the impotence of all gods, noting particularly that a god cannot bring the dead back to life.

We see this same thought among the Athenians in the 17 chapter of Acts I alluded to earlier, when they mocked and jeered when Paul preached the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

So to the Corinthians, Paul said this:

Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; 14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. 15 Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; 17 and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied. But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. 21 For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. – 1 Corinthians 15:12-22

All our hope, for this life on earth and what follows in heaven, is based on the risen Savior.

And this was at the heart of the “steadfastness of hope” Paul recognized in these Thessalonian believers.

And the Resurrection provides us the hope to endure trials, resist temptation, and long for the day of the return of Jesus Christ.

But we do have to be careful in this, lest we think that the meaning of the Resurrection lies in what it means to us.

That God raised Jesus from the dead simply to encourage us or to make us feel good.

No, no, no – the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is NOT about you or how you feel.

This leads us to the second reason we will look at that the Resurrection is important: Because the Resurrection fulfills God’s promises.

We saw that just a few minutes ago in Isaiah 53.

We also see God’s promise directly in Genesis 3:15, where God promised the serpent, Satan, that Jesus would “crush his head” while he would “bruise His heel.”

The enemy of mankind, the tempter of the Garden, would be mortally defeated,

But would only cause a flesh wound to the Messiah of God.

When Peter spoke to the Gentile Cornelius and his household, he preached the resurrection and God’s promises to them:

God raised Him up on the third day and granted that He become visible, 41 not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen beforehand by God, that is, to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. 42 And He ordered us to preach to the people, and solemnly to testify that this is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead. 43 Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.” – Acts 10:40-43

Also, in the book of Hebrews, we find two other promises of God relating to the Resurrection:

By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; 18 it was he to whom it was said, “In Isaac your descendants shall be called.” 19 He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back as a type. – Hebrews 11:17-19

What he is saying here is that the salvation of Isaac from the knife of Abraham is a promise of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, what he calls a “type”, a model or example.

We see the strength of Abraham’s faith that he relied on the Resurrection that God accomplishes.

The other promise we find in Hebrews 7:15-17:

And this is clearer still, if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become such not on the basis of a law of physical requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is attested of Him, “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.”

This “indestructible life” is the resurrected life of Jesus Christ, Who is a priest forever.

Then we find several recorded instances where Jesus Himself tells His disciples about the Resurrection. One place is Mark 10:33-34:

“Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and will hand Him over to the Gentiles. 34 They will mock Him and spit on Him, and scourge Him and kill Him, and three days later He will rise again.”

Finally, I would like to look at the greatest reason for the importance of the Resurrection: it glorifies God.

Who else but God can make the dead live forever? No one.

The God who raised Jesus Christ from the dead and exalted Him to the heavens does not deal in mystic platitudes.

The true God does not peddle false hopes.

The God we worship does not speak of glory but deliver only riddles and evasions.

That is for the little-g gods of this world to do; the powerless idols that men use to worship what they hold dear.

Whether men call these gods Allah, or Science, or America, or any one of a million other things they bow down to,

Every last one of them peddles empty promises to the flesh and leaves the soul in peril of an eternal hell on the day we all stand before the judgment seat of the Risen Lord.

God’s power, and the deity of Christ, are proven by the Resurrection.

Paul writes at the beginning of his epistle to the Romans

concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, 4 who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord, - Romans 1:3-4

Likewise, God’s mercy is on full display:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead – 1 Peter 1:3

I cannot fathom why anyone would trust in a god who could NOT raise the dead.

How impotent, how frail.

What the people around us, people who are hurtling toward hell, need to hear is about the risen Savior.

They desperately need the good news of the Son of God who died and rose again to take away the sin of the world.

1 Thessalonians 1:6-10 - Why Is the Resurrection Important?

Target Date: Sunday, 10 April 2022

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