Jesus Was Raised. So What?

PRAY

Paul made the case in verses 1-11 for the resurrection of Jesus. He now explains why it matters. Why it matters the most! It was important for them, it is important for us, to truly believe in the resurrection because it has important implications! Believing the right things makes a difference!

This reminds me of a movie that came out when I was in middle school called Armageddon…

I remember going to see it with a bunch of friends. There was a couple on the row in front of us that made out the entire movie.

There’s a character in the movie that hears what they are doing and he believes there is no way that they will pull it off, so he starts living like the world is going to end…

When they got back, he had some problems! Believing the right thing makes a difference!

READ 12-34

We must believe in the resurrection because we’ve got to believe that our God is powerful enough to do it. That Jesus was sinless. That Jesus was God in human flesh. Because if He wasn’t raised then this life is all there is and nothing else He did matters!

Jesus’ resurrection gives Christians hope in this life for everlasting life!

If Jesus wasn’t raised…

Paul says basically that if Jesus was not raised from the dead then nothing matters.

Who drove to their spring break vacation last week? Imagine that you’ve gotten everything ready for your road trip… and you get it the car to leave only to find out that you’re out of gas. What happens to all that preparation and work you’ve done?! It doesn’t matter if there’s no gas.

13-19

V14

Acts 17:31 ESV

because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”

V17

I like to play fantasy sports…

If I make a trade offer in fantasy, I know that it has been accepted when I logon and that new player is on my team. That’s the sign that’s it was approved of.

Jesus’ resurrection is the proof that the sacrifice He offerred was accepted by God, meaning our forgiveness was purchased and our resurrection guaranteed.

Romans 4:25 ESV

who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.

Christianity makes no sense unless Jesus’ resurrection is true. A real, factual, historical event. Our salvation hinges on it. If you do not believe in the resurrection then I want to warn you that you are outside of a true Christian faith. Outside of a biblical Gospel. The only means of salvation!

Because Jesus was raised…

But He was raised! And it matters! It means something for us!

His followers will be raised.

Jesus’ resurrection means that his followers will be raised too.

When you hear this sound (ice cream truck sound) what is about to happen? Jesus’ resurrection means that those who have put their faith in him will also be raised. It’s sure!

Paul explains how…

20-28

V23

Romans 6:5 ESV

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.

Romans 8:11 ESV

If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

Paul explains this to encourage us! God wants us to understand this, to know it! So that we can live this life with hope for eternity.

Every one of us needs to understand that it’s not only the Christians who will rise, it’s all people. But those who are not Christians will not be raised for the same reason…

John 5:28–29 ESV

Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

The only way to the resurrection of life is through Jesus…

Gospel!

We live for Him today.

Being assured of our future resurrection should make us want to live for Him today because it is worth it!

The winter Olympics finished up just a few weeks ago. The biggest moment was the gold medal hockey match, us against Canada. One of our players got hit with a stick in the third period. Pretty hard. Broke two of his teeth! He could have come out of the game, but he didn’t. He had hope of something that would make it worth it though.

29-34

2 Corinthians 4:17 ESV

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,

Live for the Lord. Be wise. Think about how what you believe should affect how you live. Be on guard around those who change the Gospel. Cling to the Gospel, to the truth of the resurrection of Jesus and of his people.

As the Hymn Great Is Thy Faithfulness says, God has given us “strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow.”