"WHAT JESUS DID IN RESURRECTION"

>>>The title of this message is “What Jesus Did in Resurrection”.

>>>Shortly after Jesus died on the cross, He was taken down and placed in a tomb. The disciples were scared and hiding. They could not believer what happened to the One they followed for three years.

Luke 24:1–7 “But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men suddenly stood near them in gleaming clothing; and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why are you seeking the living One among the dead? He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, saying that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise from the dead.””

>>>When the women to the tomb, the body they went to anoint was not there. He had risen from the dead as He had said to them.

>>>The resurrection of Jesus is often the most overlooked part of the Bible. The focus is always on the crucifixion, but there is no gospel without Jesus rising from the dead.

*The resurrection is the part people have a hard time believing.

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>>>1 Corinthians 15 is the best chapter of the Bible that explains the significance and impact of the resurrection.

>>>In the first few verses, Paul lays out the testimony of Scripture regarding the resurrection, and how Jesus fulfilled what was written of Him.

>>>The rest of the chapter is the unloading of what it means that Christ is alive.

1 Corinthians 15:12–19 “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? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain, your faith also is in vain. 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. For if the dead are not raised, then not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have hoped in Christ only in this life, we are of all people most to be pitied.”

>>>(v.12-13) There was a contrast happening in these verses. Christ is being preached that He has risen from the dead, yet there were some who apparently were saying that there is no such thing as resurrection.

>>>(v.13-19) Paul in these verses follows the logic of what it means if there is no resurrection and, more importantly, if Christ has not been resurrected.

*Preaching/faith is “vain” (no advantage or benefit).

*Christians are a false witness about God.

*Faith is worthless, because people are still in sin-no salvation.

*Those who are in Christ and died are actually perishing in hell.

>>>If there is not resurrection, and Christ is still dead, there is no hope.

THE RESURRECTION GIVES US HOPE.

Romans 4:25 “He who was delivered over because of our wrongdoings, and was raised because of our justification.”

>>>Jesus died and took the punishment for our sins, yet He was raised so that we could be declared righteous.

>>>The hope we have to be saved and forgiven can only be done through the resurrection. A dead Savior can’t save us.

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

>>>Paul takes a look back at the OT with Adam. When Adam sinned, death entered the world-not just physical death but spiritual death as well.

>>>But Jesus came so that those who are dead in sin may be alive in Him! In Christ, there is life!

THE RESURRECTION GIVES US LIFE.

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

>>>Christ could not be held down by death, and such is the case for all those who believe on Him.

John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly.”

>>>Jesus came to take away our sins and to give us life. His resurrected life allows us to be raised ourselves from the dead and have eternal salvation in Him.

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1 Corinthians 15:53–57 “For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. But when this perishable puts on the imperishable, and this mortal puts on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written: “Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? where, O 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.”

>>>Death cannot hold down the believer because of the victory he has in Christ. There will be a new life for believers.

*“Victory” is used 3x in these verses. It is a battle term for winning.

>>>(v.54-55) This is a taunt to death. There is nothing death/sin can bring against a person who has identified with the resurrection of Jesus.

>>>(v.57) Through the resurrection of Jesus, victory over sin/death is given to those who are saved.

THE RESURRECTION GIVES US VICTORY.

>>>While the context of 1 Corinthians 15 talks about the final victory at Christ’s coming, victory is also given to the believers NOW.

Romans 8:37 “But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.”

1 John 5:4 “For whoever has been born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world: our faith.”

>>>Our faith in the resurrected Jesus not only grants us victory at the end of the age, but victory as we live here on earth. Nothing is able to bring down the people of God!

>>>So many Christians live in defeat. They don’t ever see how they can ever shake off sin/habits/endure trials. But when we read Scripture, we see that even though we are in a battle, we are already on the winning side!

*Jesus has overcome sin/death and made you an overcomer with Him.

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>>>When Jesus died, He took the sins of everyone upon Himself and was punished for them. His blood purchased redemption, but His resurrection made it possible.

JESUS’ RESURRECTION MAKES SALVATION POSSIBLE.

>>>In order for Jesus to save and sanctify, He has to be a live and well.

>>>When we repent of our sins and believe on Jesus, we have hope, life, and victory. This dying world is not the end for us.

*(Illus.) Addy’s funeral-singing “Battle Belongs”

*Those who were lost stood and did not sing. Those who were saved stood with hands raised. A funeral for 8 yr old became a church service.

*We put our faith in the resurrected Jesus. Death no longer wins.

>>>For unbelievers: Jesus took the punishment of your sin in death and rose again so that you can have new life in Him. Life outside of the resurrected Jesus is nothing but hopelessness, death, and defeat.

>>>For believers: Read 1 Corinthians 15 and see what it means for you that Christ is alive. Christians who are living in defeat have forgotten what the resurrection means for them. Even though you may go through battle, you are on the winning side!