The Truth Of The Resurrection
Notes
Transcript
Welcome, I’d like to start this morning with the words of Jesus.
When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.
Let’s Pray.
The power of Jesus. We often see Him as soft. As gentle, He is those thing but we can’t get tunnel vision on those and ignore his power.
The best way I can show you His power is to make sure you understand what this weekend really means and why it was necessary.
This weekend brought transformation: death to life. We are going to see that in many ways this morning as see what those truths mean for those in Christ.
1. The State of "Death" Before Christ:
Spiritual Death: The Bible describes humanity as being spiritually dead in sin, separated from God, the source of life. This isn't necessarily physical death but a state of alienation and inability to have a relationship with a holy God.
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Its sin that leads to this state of spiritual death and separation.
2. The Resurrection of Christ as the Turning Point:
Victory Over Physical Death: Jesus' resurrection was a literal, physical rising from the dead, demonstrating his power over death itself.
But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
Christ's resurrection is presented as the first instance of a future resurrection for believers.
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
Jesus himself declares matter of factly that He is the source of resurrection and life.
3. Union with Christ Brings New Life:
This is great news for us! Knowing the former state of death, knowing our condition of sin and the penalty. New life is new hope!
Spiritual Regeneration: Through faith in Jesus Christ and his atoning death and resurrection, we are spiritually "born again" or "regenerated."
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
Being "in Christ" signifies this new state of being.
And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,
We see probably the most drastic change in those closest to Jesus. The change in His Apostles can’t be ignored.
Cowardice Before Jesus' Ascension:
Peter's Denial: Perhaps the most prominent example is Peter's three-time denial of Jesus during his trial. Fearful for his life and wanting to avoid association with the accused, he publicly stated he didn't know Jesus.
Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.”
After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.
Disciples Fleeing: When Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, all the disciples deserted him and fled. Their fear of the Jewish authorities and the potential consequences for being associated with Jesus overwhelmed their loyalty in that moment.
But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled.
Hiding in Fear: After Jesus' crucifixion, the disciples were gathered in a room with the doors locked "for fear of the Jews". They were terrified that they would be the next targets of the authorities.
On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
When you contrast that with what we saw after Jesus’ ascension it’s amazing and it should bring us confidence too, because the same Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is the same Holy Spirit that empowered His Apostles, and is the same Holy Spirit dwelling in us.
Boldness After Jesus' Ascension (Empowered by the Holy Spirit):
Preaching at Pentecost: Just weeks after Jesus' ascension, the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples. Peter, who had previously denied Jesus, stood up boldly before a large crowd in Jerusalem and preached a powerful sermon about Jesus' resurrection, leading to the conversion of about three thousand people (Acts 2).
Healing the Lame Man and Speaking in the Temple: Peter and John boldly healed a lame man at the temple gate in broad daylight (Acts 3:1-10). When confronted by the Jewish leaders, they fearlessly proclaimed that the healing was done in the name of Jesus Christ, whom the leaders had crucified but God had raised from the dead (Acts 4:1-12).
Defying the Sanhedrin: The Jewish authorities commanded Peter and John to stop speaking or teaching in the name of Jesus. However, they boldly refused.
But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”
Continuing to Preach Despite Persecution: Despite threats, imprisonment, and even physical beatings, the apostles continued to boldly proclaim the gospel.
Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.
The contrast between the apostles' fear before the ascension and their unwavering boldness afterward is striking. This transformation only possible because of the power of Jesus. He had the power and authority to send the Holy Spirit to empower His followers.
Receiving the Holy Spirit: Jesus had promised to send the Holy Spirit, who would empower them. The outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost was the catalyst for their boldness, equipping them with the power and courage to be his witnesses.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
In essence, the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, coupled with the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, transformed the apostles from a group of frightened individuals into courageous proclaimers of the gospel, willing to risk everything for the sake of Christ.
There is great joy in knowing that just like the event of this weekend 2000 years ago we have also went from death to life.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
All of this should create a desire for fellowship with Christ and with other believers.
What the Truth brought forth means!
Tony:
Great somber. The day after...Saturday. The disciples loved Jesus, cared for Jesus, yes, imperfectly but nontheless, they were transformed by this man.
Deep pain. Bella story, and the thoughts the transpired. Hurt, pain, suffering, and I did it and seen it.
It happened on good Friday and what was Good Friday?
Our Lord crucified, horrible! But here I am hurting in ways that don't make sense.
And I'm thinking about the day and the day. And great loss was it. One in a very small way and one in a huge way for those of that time that didn't have the rest of the story yet.
The disciples, Jesus' mother, healed people, believers...seeing what they just seen. Brought a realism that wasn't seen before.
I got thinking what is killing me about this dog? Yes, she was just a dog and cute and one of a kind but we've been through this before.
And it had something to do with her innocence. Not perfect by any means but some in a lot of others.
And this brought forth something that I'd never thought about before...the real innocence of Jesus...
The best example I could come up with is the perceived innocence of a child hanging on a cross.
I did to Bella, me and I did it, guilty! An accident yes but still guilty. Change it to our Lord...I did it, me and I did it, guilty! But in contrast this was no accident. My sins no accident, his death no accident. Innocence and I mean real innocence, suffered, endured longing pain, and gave himself over to death for me, for us! This is love, this is truth!
Now this is filled with emotion and love is definitely felt but it's nothing without today! The great healings, the great teachings, and great innocence that we read throughout scripture about our God doesn't matter much if if it's all a lie. It's just another love story that ends in death.
But today is where everything changed! Today, truth was made know.
Jesus is who He says He is. He has risen!
Matthew 28:1–2 “Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it.”
Matthew 28:3–4 “His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men.”
Matthew 28:5–6 “But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.”
Matthew 28:7–8 “Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.”
Matthew 28:9–10 “And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.””
"He has risen, as He said. Come, see the place where He lay." The great hope of the Truth! Jesus is missing from the tomb! Could it be!?
YES!
Listen to Paul’s summary of the truth of the Risen Jesus!
1 Corinthians 15:1–2 “Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.”
1 Corinthians 15:3–4 “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,”
1 Corinthians 15:5–6 “and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.”
1 Corinthians 15:7–8 “Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.”
“Over 500 brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive,” TRUTH ALIVE!
12 ordinary men changed forever, history changed forever.
This is God, this is authority, this is love! Hope, truth, faith...verified, sustained for eternity! Thank you!!!
What does this mean?
First He is who He says He is!
God in the flesh!
Not just a mere man but God in flesh, Emmanuel, God with us.
The truth brought forth!
Death defeated and true life given!
He has risen, rejoice, praise, worship.
Psalm 100:1–2 “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!”
Psalm 100:3–4 “Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!”
Psalm 100:5 “For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.”
We are Christians, followers of Christ, Saved by faith in Christ’s work alone by this very act. Becoming Son’s and Daughters of the most High!
