Easter Sunday 2018 - The Power of the Resurrection

Introduction

Journey From the Cross

Friday, after praying in the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus taken, false trials, beaten and whipped

Carried cross to Golgotha. Nailed to cross, thieves hung on either side of Him. One recognized his sin.

Noon to 3 was dark. Then Jesus proclaimed in a loud voice It Is Finished.

Earthquake, curtain in temple torn from top to bottom, rocks cracked, tombs broke open

Joseph of Arimathea took the body and put it in his unused tomb. The ladies observed and then prepared herbs.

Sabbath = rest (it is finished, as in creation)

Sunday morning, just before sunrise, ladies at tomb, great earthquake, tomb open, Jesus gone, angels He is not here, He is alive.

Bodies from tombs alive again come out and go to Jerusalem.

Peter and John. Mary encounters Jesus. Then men on road to Emmaus. Then Jesus appears to disciples that evening.

A week later, with disciples again and Thomas believes.

Jesus with disciples at coast of sea. On mountain gives Great Commission

40th Day Ascension, 50th day Pentacost = Holy Spirit.

Why is the resurrection important?

In 1 Cor. 15 Paul is instructing the church in Corinth, some were teaching that there was no resurrection

This is a good chapter for independent study to understand certainty of resurrection

Quickly read vv 3-8

v.12 How can some of you say there is no resurrection

1 Corinthians 15:17–19 NIV

17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.

to be most pitied. No resurrection = death permanent.

1 Corinthians 15:20 NIV

20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

Fact is He did rise.

First fruits = the guarantee

Feast of Firstfruits - first day after Sabbath after Passover.

How is the resurrection important?

Romans 6:1–10 NIV

1 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7 because anyone who has died has been set free from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. 10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.

We participate in Jesus’ death through communion – body and blood.

We participate also in His resurrection and life through baptism.

Live each day, each moment in the power of Jesus Christ.

Colossians 3:1–4 NIV

1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Colossians 3:5 NIV

5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.

Put to death what belongs to your earthly nature

Colossians 3:12 NIV

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Put on the character of Jesus Christ

Not an external “cloak” but comes from eating, consuming, taking in God’s Word and prayer.

Get help by joining with one or two others.

Conclusion

Philippians 3:10–11 NIV

10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

Want to know Christ, power of His resurrection, fellowship of suffering.

Big Idea:

The power of the resurrection is death to sin and new life in Christ.

Romans 6:11 NIV

11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

What About You?

Satan’s plan was to keep Jesus down. He could not prevent the resurrection because Jesus had the authority (John) and God gave the power.

Satan’s secondary plan is to keep you down. If he can keep you from understanding the power of the resurrection, and from accepting the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, he still can win the small victories.

In Jesus you are free, you are dead to sin, you are alive.

Blessing

Ephesians 1:18–20niv CSB

18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the mighty working of his strength. 20 He exercised this power in Christ by raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens—