The Resurrection of Jesus Christ

Introduction:

The gospel of Jesus Christ is the message of hope a dying and sinful world needs. Without the resurrection, there is no hope.

1 Now brothers, I want to clarify for you the gospel I proclaimed to you; you received it and have taken your stand on it. 2 You are also saved by it, if you hold to the message I proclaimed to you—unless you believed for no purpose. 3 For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,

that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve.

according to the Scriptures,

4 that He was buried,

that He was raised on the third day

according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve.

5 and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve.

then to the Twelve.

4 that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. 6 Then He appeared to over 500 brothers at one time; most of them are still alive, but some have fallen asleep.

6 Then He appeared to over 500 brothers at one time; most of them are still alive, but some have fallen asleep. 7 Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one abnormally born, He also appeared to me.

most of them are still alive,

but some have fallen asleep.

7 Then He appeared to James,

7 Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one abnormally born, He also appeared to me. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by God’s grace I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not ineffective. However, I worked more than any of them, yet not I, but God’s grace that was with me.

then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one abnormally born, He also appeared to me.

8 Last of all, as to one abnormally born, He also appeared to me.

He also appeared to me.

11 Therefore, whether it is I or they, so we proclaim and so you have believed. 12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say, “There is no resurrection of the dead”? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; 14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation is without foundation, and so is your faith.

9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by God’s grace I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not ineffective. However, I worked more than any of them, yet not I, but God’s grace that was with me. 11 Therefore, whether it is I or they, so we proclaim and so you have believed.

15 In addition, we are found to be false witnesses about God, because we have testified about God that He raised up Christ—whom He did not raise up if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, Christ has not been raised.

12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say, “There is no resurrection of the dead”? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; 14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation is without foundation, and so is your faith. 15 In addition, we are found to be false witnesses about God, because we have testified about God that He raised up Christ—whom He did not raise up if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, Christ has not been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. 18 Therefore, those who have fallen asleep in Christ have also perished. 19 If we have put our hope in Christ for this life only, we should be pitied more than anyone

17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. 18 Therefore, those who have fallen asleep in Christ have also perished. 19 If we have put our hope in Christ for this life only, we should be pitied more than anyone. The Holy Bible: Holman Christian Standard Version. (Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2009)

The Holy Bible: Holman Christian Standard Version. (Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2009)

I. The Resurrection is a Fact of History

On this point we will hear a great deal of argument from our world. Many will admire the teachings of Jesus and perhaps admire his life, but they reject a physical, bodily resurrection of Jesus. However, and hear me well, if there is no resurrection, there is no gospel. And if there is no gospel, we have no hope.

All religious faiths or other worldviews try to give a solution to the problem of death. Some just ignore it altogether, “Seize the day” or “Live, drink, eat and be merry for tomorrow we die” is their motto. Others try to delay death or they live with a stoic and hopeless outlook.

The beauty of the gospel is that it touches real life. Death is a reality for all. 100% of people die. Recent studies have shown that 10 out of 10 people will die.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ, along with his birth, life and sacrificial death are all historical facts - they take place in human history.

B. The Historical Fact of Jesus’ Death

“that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the scriptures..”

Historians will not argue with you that Jesus lived. Nor will they argue with you that he was crucified on a cross. These are indisputable facts.

Historians will not argue with you that Jesus lived. Nor will they argue with you that he was crucified on a cross. These are indisputable facts.

“that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the scriptures..”

Jesus Christ lived and he died. His life was perfect and sinless for he was God in the flesh. He gave his life for sinful and ungodly men. He died for our sins as a perfect and sacrificial substitute. This was all a part of God’s redemptive plan to rescue men and women from the penalty and punishment due them because of their sin and rebellion against God.

C. Just the Facts Please

When it comes to the resurrection of Jesus Christ, secular minds and historians reject the fact. Yet within scripture we have evidence - historical evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

He Was buried by a member of the Jewish Court that condemned him. Joseph of Arimathea took the body of Jesus and they placed it in his own personal tomb that was guarded by Roman soldiers.

The tomb is empty. It was discovered to be empty by a group of female followers. Now in the 1st century, if you were going to try and convince people of you would not have used the testimony of women. Women were not allowed to give testimony in court. Their testimonies were considered worthless.

Jesus’ Appeared to many. Our text that we read confirms this.

The zeal and certainty of the early disciples. Why would these men give their lives for a lie? There was absolutely zero benefit for them believing in the resurrection. But they chose to defend at the cost of their very lives.

This leads us to the second and final point -

II. The Power of the Resurrection

So what? If Jesus is alive, what does this mean for me? How can this impact my life? Faith in Jesus and following him changes everything. You see, because he lives, we can truly live here and live eternally in heaven with him after physical death.

Paul said in , “My goal is to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death..”

My goal is to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,

To believe and follow Christ is to enjoy the new and eternal life that only He can give - it is to know resurrection power.

A. The Facts of Life and Death

All religious faiths or other worldviews try to give a solution to the problem of death. The beauty of the gospel is that it touches real life. Death is a reality for all. 100% of people die. Recent studies have shown that 10 out of 10 people will die.

The beauty of the gospel is that it touches real life. Death is a reality for all. 100% of people die. Recent studies have shown that 10 out of 10 people will die.

Common worldview pertaining to death:

Body and soul cease to exist. There is nothing beyond this life.“Let us eat and drink for tomorrow we die” is their motto. Others try to delay death or they live with a stoic and hopeless outlook. This view often leads to a survival of the fittest mentality and selfish personal indulgence. We are currently living in a culture that de-values life..In such a culture, death is presumed to have the final say, and as such is the measure of all things: life leads to death, and then no more. Given this, life is suffused with a sense of bleak hopelessness, a “tale told by an idiot…etc.” Children – the most tangible sign of a society’s hope for and investment in the future – are a thing to be prevented

Mysticism - this is pervasive, even in Christians. That we become angels or ghosts. The physical body is ignored. Death is viewed as an eternal release from a physical body. This is commonly known as dualism and was a hallmark of gnostic heretical teachings. It invades our Christian thinking today. Know this, the bible is clear, believers in Christ will live forever in a tangible physical body in a tangible, physical and real kingdom of God when Christ returns and makes all things new, including our bodies. Not as ghosts or angels, but as we are known now with a perfect and glorified body like Jesus has now.

, “We will not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the blink of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed. 53 For this corruptible must be clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal must be clothed with immortality. 54 When this corruptible is clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal is clothed with immortality, then the saying that is written will take place: Death has been swallowed up in victory. s55 Death, where is your victory? Death, where is your sting?

The Christian and biblical view is resurrection after death. That we live on forever in a tangible and physical way. Body and soul - forever.

We will not all fall asleep,

but we will all be changed,

52 in a moment, in the blink of an eye,

at the last trumpet.

For the trumpet will sound,

and the dead will be raised incorruptible,

and we will be changed.

53 For this corruptible must be clothed

with incorruptibility,

and this mortal must be clothed

with immortality.

54 When this corruptible is clothed

with incorruptibility,

and this mortal is clothed

with immortality,

then the saying that is written will take place:

Death has been swallowed up in victory. s

55 Death, where is your victory?

Death, where is your sting? u

The Christian and biblical view is perfection and presence of God at the moment of death (absent from the body and present with the Lord - ) and a future resurrection of the body (). Believers live on forever in a tangible and physical way. Body and soul - forever.

This is good news! Because He lives everything changes in life and in death.

B. The Implications for Life Now

We have Joy In spite of the certainty of troubles in this life and yes physical death of our earthly bodies. This joy is not just “wishful thinking” or “pie in the sky”, it is a joy that is anchored by four things:

We have Joy In spite of the certainty of troubles in this life and yes physical death of our earthly bodies. This joy is not just “wishful thinking” or “pie in the sky”, it is a joy that is anchored by four things:

Certainty - The early disciples and Christians were certain of the resurrection of Jesus. There is no joy in uncertainty. The facts are clear, Jesus is alive! This certainty in our hearts is produced by the Holy Spirit and provides joy. I am certain my Lord Jesus lives today. As we stated earlier, one of the proofs of Jesus’ resurrection was the boldness of the early disciples.

To say that they just “made up” the stories about Jesus means that they were sitting around one day after Jesus had died fishing and Peter jumps up and says, “I know! Let’s tell everyone that He resurrected! And we’ll get to be the leaders of this new religion. Except, let’s teach everyone that Jesus’ Kingdom is not of this world, and so we should give away all of our money; and when other people try to kill us, we won’t fight back. And maybe, just maybe, if we’re lucky, we can all get martyred through painful, humiliating deaths. Us and our families.” And all the disciples are like, “That’s a GREAT idea. Yeah. ME FIRST!”

2. Hope - Again, the Christian faith is not a hope that when we die we are whisked off into the clouds playing a harp and floating around. The bible declares that there will be a new heaven and a new earth.

J. D. Greear, “The King’s Joy: ,” in J. D. Greear Sermon Archive (Durham, NC: The Summit Church, 2017), .

a. Resurrection touches everything. New earth, new bodies. Jesus’ resurrected body could pass thru walls and eat fish. Fish-frys in heaven? Maybe! I hope so! This physical world is decaying just like our bodies are. But God is going to make all things new...

, “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea no longer existed. 2 I also saw the Holy City, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. 3 Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: xLook! God’s dwelling is with humanity, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will no longer exist; grief, crying, and pain will exist no longer, because the previous things have passed away. 5 Then the One seated on the throne said, “Look! I am making everything new.” He also said, “Write, because these words are faithful and true.”

21 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea no longer existed. 2 I also saw the Holy City, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband.

3 Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: x

Look! God’s dwelling is with humanity,

and He will live with them.

They will be His people,

and God Himself will be with them

b. We have hope because there is an eternal purpose for our pain here. We have hope in the midst of our pain and struggles because of Resurrection day - because He lives I can face tomorrow.

and be their God.

4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes.

Death will no longer exist;

Question: What is your hope placed in? Your ability to make a good life for yourself? Your ability to hold onto it?

grief, crying, and pain will exist no longer,

Question: What’s your hope in? Your ability to make a good life for yourself? Your ability to hold onto it?

because the previous things have passed away.

What happens when life goes wrong? When you get sick and die? Your husband or wife or other family members die, leave you, or disappoint you?

5 Then the One seated on the throne said, “Look! I am making everything new.” He also said, “Write, because these words are faithful and true.”

In Christ, our hope is anchored in something that disease, death or deprivation cannot take away. This it what sustains us even in the face of death. Where’s your hope?

● Where’s your hope?

3. Purpose - We have all heard the term “Bucket List”. Many of you may have lists of things you want to do on your bucket list. I will admit, I have used the term and there are things I would like to see and do before death. But the reality is for the believer and follower of Christ our bucket list should only include one item - to live for Christ. Paul said, “For to me to live is Christ -and to die is gain.” Now, I don’t believe that the scriptures forbid believers from enjoying life, places, people and certain things that we can enjoy. Yet, the reality is that for many today the purpose of their very lives has been overtaken by earthly pursuits, and not heavenly ones. When we live with an eternal and resurrection perspective, we understand that we will never miss out anything. Anything this world offers now for us is only going to be perfected in heaven. Since the resurrection is true, bucket lists don’t matter that much … because what we miss out on down here we get a better version of up there. It is when we refuse to believe and live according to that truth that keeps us from being able to live like true disciples, because we are obsessed at what we may be missing out on. I’ve got to get married … only one shot. I’ve got to see a certain thing or obtain a certain status..etc.

J. D. Greear Sermon Archive The King’s Joy: Luke 24:36–53

You remember last week … If the resurrection is true, bucket lists don’t matter that much … because what we miss out on down here we get a better version of up there. Our refusal to believe that keeps us from being able to live like true disciples, because we are so obsessed at what they are missing out on.

○ I’ve got to get married … only one shot.

○ I’ve got to see the Alps … Oh yes you will.

If the resurrection is true, bucket lists don’t matter that much … because what we miss out on down here we get a better version of up there. Our refusal to believe that keeps us from being able to live like true disciples, because we are so obsessed at what they are missing out on.

You remember last week … If the resurrection is true, bucket lists don’t matter that much … because what we miss out on down here we get a better version of up there. Our refusal to believe that keeps us from being able to live like true disciples, because we are so obsessed at what they are missing out on.

○ I’ve got to get married … only one shot.

○ I’ve got to see the Alps … Oh yes you will.

Our purpose is to know God, to make him known and to enjoy Him forever. This should impact how we view the people around us. You see, every person you meet is an immortal being - they will live forever, either as redeemed and perfected people in heaven or as condemned and forever punished people in hell.

Ultimately, bucket lists don’t matter, but the people God has placed around you do. The people of this world matter - they need to hear the gospel, and hear it from us. But have we lost sight of that purpose? Too consumed with the temporary to focus on the eternal.

We don’t need to have everything down here. If you know Christ you will have all that you could ever want in heaven. But we only get one life to spend for the souls of people.

J. D. Greear Sermon Archive The King’s Joy: Luke 24:36–53

I’m not against having nice stuff if God has blessed you with it. But you don’t need to have everything down here. You’ll have a mansion in heaven. Couldn’t you live on less (you’re going to have a mansion in heaven) … but you only get one shot with the souls of people. Couldn’t you forego a substantial amount so that you can take more people with you? You don’t need that house. You’ll have one in heaven. You don’t need that car. Leverage what you have now for the purposes of the GC. That’s why God gave it to you.

● You can enjoy creation in eternity; right now you get one shot at the souls of people.

● These guys had a joy that came from knowing that Jesus had an eternal purpose and that they were part of it.

● Question for you: Do you have that sense of purpose? Is your life really mattering for eternity?

● You can enjoy creation in eternity; right now you get one shot at the souls of people.

● These guys had a joy that came from knowing that Jesus had an eternal purpose and that they were part of it.

Do you have that sense of purpose? Is your life really mattering for eternity?

, “ Therefore, my dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.=

Conclusion:

Conclusion:

J. D. Greear Sermon Archive The King’s Joy: Luke 24:36–53

Where do you find certainty? Hope? Purpose? Presence? The disciples are not different than you. They had simply anchored their lives in something that gave them joy and boldness in all things.

Where do you anchor yours? My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus blood and righteousness …

How can you know true victory and freedom? Where do you find certainty? Hope? Purpose? Presence? The disciples are not different than you. They had simply anchored their lives in something that gave them joy and boldness in all things.

Illustration: In the midst of a storm, a little bird was clinging to the limb of a tree, seemingly calm and unafraid. As the wind tore at the limbs of the tree, the bird continued to look the storm in the face, as if to say, “Shake me off; I still have wings.”

Because of Christ’s resurrection, each Christian can look the experience of death in the face and confidently say, “Shake me off; I still have wings. I’ll live anyway.”

Where do you anchor yours? My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus blood and righteousness …Do you have the hope that comes from knowing Christ? If not, turn to him today - call upon his name and be saved.

Craig Brian Larson, 750 Engaging Illustrations for Preachers, Teachers & Writers (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2002), 457.Where do you anchor yours? My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus blood and righteousness …Do you have the hope that comes from knowing Christ? If not, turn to him today - call upon his name and be saved.

Jesus who did not deserve death died so that all who believe in him by faith can receive new and eternal life in heaven. In the end, Jesus Christ is victorious over death. He wins! And all who are in Christ win.