The Importance of the Resurrection

1.Reliability

2. Reason

3. Response

Summary: The resurrection of Jesus is central to the Christian faith, affirming His victory over sin and death, and is the ultimate demonstration of God’s love and power.

Application: Understanding the resurrection empowers Christians to live with hope, purpose, and resilience, assuring them that their struggles are not in vain and that eternal life is promised through faith in Christ.

Teaching: This sermon teaches that the resurrection isn't just an event in history, but a transformative truth that impacts every aspect of a believer's life, instilling confidence, hope, and assurance of God’s promises.

How this passage could point to Christ: The resurrection of Christ is the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan as foretold in the Scriptures. It confirms Christ as the promised Messiah and the Bridegroom who ultimately restores creation and redeems humanity.

Big Idea: The resurrection of Jesus is the foundation for our faith, empowering us to face life’s challenges with the assurance of victory over sin and death.

Recommended Study: As you prepare, consider delving into the historical reliability of the resurrection accounts found in the Gospels. Examine any differences in the narratives and how they have been understood in church history. Utilize your Logos library to access resources on apologetics related to the resurrection and how it strengthens the Christian faith.

Matthew 28:1–10 KJV 1900

1. In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. 2.And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. 3.His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: 4.And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. 5.And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. 6.He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7.And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. 8.And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. 9.And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. 10. Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

1. Reliable Resurrection

A. Why does the Resurrection need to be Reliable?

If the Resurrection of Jesus Did not happen and was a myth, we would be meeting here still at 6:30 in the morning for nothing.

NOTHING

If the Resurrection is not true, Living a righteous life would mean a life of vanity. Our missions that we do at this church (Plugged in Sunday) is useless. Our purpose in life is not important. Living a good life is just opinionated. Our personal Devotionals/Bible Study at home will be time wasted. Our Faith is Hopeless! His Promises, Empty. Our Lives, meaningless!

B. How can we tell if the Resurrection is true?

If you know me, I love to dig deep! I love looking at the history of the new testament, archaeological findings of the ancient world that involves Jesus.

I preached a message around a year ago about the reliability of Jesus. We not only have evidence in the biblical text that he died, was buried, and rose again. But also outside Critical sources including Josephus (1st Century Historian), Tasidus (1st Century Historian) claiming that the believers say that he resurrected. Of course of their over skepticism they did not believe.

Everyone accounts for the Tomb to be Empty: they argue how it got empty with 2 Roman Centurions guarding the tombs 24/7 (TRAINED KILLERS Equivalent to Secrete Service in America)

1 Corinthians 15:1–8 KJV 1900

1.Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2. By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4. And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5. And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6. After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 7. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

The Biggest piece of Evidence that Jesus resurrected is the eyewitnesses died for what they said happened. From most sources 10/12 disciples died because they were proclaiming what they had witness.

Peter: Crucified Upside down in Rome

Andrew: Crucified on X-Cross

James son of Zebedee: Killed by the sword by order of King Herod Agrippa !

Matthias: most likely died by stoning in Ethiopia

Thomas: Speared in India

Philip: Some say he was Crucified other say stones in Asia Minor

Bartholomew: Some accounts say that he was flayed alive and Beheaded

Simon the Zealot: Some accounts say he was sawed in half, others say Crucified

Matthew: Likely Killed by the sword in Ethiopia

Paul: Beheaded in Rome under Emperor Nero

The Only People that did not die a Martyr’s Death

Judas (hung on a tree)

John (Died of natural causes in Ephesus)

2. The Reason for the Resurrection

Why did the Son Resurrect from the Dead?

A. To Prove He is God by Keeping His Word

Matthew 16:21 KJV 1900

21. From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

Only a true God would be able to predict his own death. And then predict that he was going to be raised again on the third day! If he promised that he was going to rise again, everything that he promises us is of utmost importance! The reason he died for us becomes valid. He keeps his promises!

B. To Show that He the Living God

Jeremiah 10:10–13 KJV 1900

10 But the Lord is the true God, He is the living God, and an everlasting king: At his wrath the earth shall tremble, And the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation. 11 Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens. 12 He hath made the earth by his power, He hath established the world by his wisdom, And hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion. 13 When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, And he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; He maketh lightnings with rain, And bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures.

We do not follow a god that is dead and his body stinketh up the ground.

Aren’t you Glad that we WORSHIP a LIVING GOD!

We don’t have to worry about serving a God that is still in the grave, we don’t have to worry about praising a statue, we don't have to worry about worshiping an imaginary Being. He is ALIVE this morning.

IF HE HAS MADE PROMISES/IF HE IS ALIVE

HE IS IN CONTROL TODAY

The things we go through in life, ever hardship, every storm, every valley, every conflict, every persecution, every sorrow, ever grief happens under the control of GOD. If god helped the Israelites out of Egypt and if he is alive today, can’t he help us with our struggles now??? I’m glad I serve the same God that was in power in the old testament, that was Emmanuel “God with us” in the New Testament, and the Holy Spirit is dwelling with us today!

3. Our Response to the Resurrection

How do we Respond to the Resurrection?

A. If you are NOT a Christian...?

2 Corinthians 5:14–15 KJV 1900

14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

Repent and Put your Faith in Christ

Jesus has ready proved he was God by dying on the Cross and Resurrected! He is wanting a relationship with you and to know you! Sin separates you from him! It’s time to turn away from your sin, and to put your faith in Jesus. He is knocking on your heart, he is convicting Become Born Again Today! Today is the day of Salvation! Not tomorrow! TODAY!

If you ARE a Christian...?

Have Assurance

That the Resurrection of Christ is true, and our Salvation is tried and tested through Christ!

Fulfill Your Purpose

To share the Gospel and be disciples so we can grow and mature in Christ Jesus according to the Great Commission

Gratitude

Thankfulness of all that God has done for us! Being Grateful for the kindness, mercy, grace, and love he gives! Most Importantly, give thanks for Who he is! LET’S WORSHIP HIS NAME TODAY, TOMORROW, and FOREVER!