The Importance of Christ Resurrection "He Lives"

INTRO: On June 18,1815, Napoleon was defeated in the the battle of Waterloo,by Arthur Wellesley, better known in history as the Duke of Wellington. Napoleon was defeated in the battle known as “the battle of Waterloo”, to communicate Wellingtons victory, they used a method known as Semaphore signals.

The communication received in London stated, “Wellington defeated.” At this news the people were filled with grief and despair, men cried and women agonized in the streets. At the time the message was received a heavy fog rolled in. After a few hours a wind blew in, and the message was sent again, this time with the third word, “Wellington defeated Napoleon.”

What a difference, the first message was stopped by the fog, but once it cleared, the rejoicing that took place in England when they got the third word of the message.

A similar event took place at Calvary. On the day of the crucifixion, the fog of hell seemed to roll in with its message, “Christ defeated” That day ended with a broken, bloody, dead Messiah and scattered weeping, defeated disciples. But, three days, and three nights later, the fog was blew away with the brightness of His glory.

Special envoys, archangels from heaven descended to earth and rolled back the stone from the empty tomb so that a waiting world could read the entire message, “Christ defeated Satan.” Hallelujah! Christ defeated Satan.

Matthew 28:5–7 NKJV

But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”

PRAY

You Must Believe in the Resurrection We are living in a day and age were Barna research group just reported that church attendance and people confessing some type of faith in the bible has dropped to an all time low of 50%, lowest ever recorded.

1 Tim 4:1 Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons.

The foundation of our faith rest on the truth of the resurrection. Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die." John 11:25-26

Without the resurrection, Jesus could have been thought of as simply a great teacher and a good man. But after he rose from the dead, his followers then and now, we know for certain that he was who he had claimed to be the resurrection and the life, the Savior of the world.

The resurrection made it possible for Christians to receive the power of Christ's life living inside of us.

Philippians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

The resurrection sealed the Lord's promise that all those who believe in him will experience resurrection life and share in eternity

John 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

1 Corinthians 15:20 But Christ has truly been raised from the dead the first one and proof that those who sleep in death will also be raised.

Luke 24:39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”

OUR HOPE

1 Pet 3:15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

2 Pet 1:16 For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty.

1 Cor 15 We must believe

Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved,

What gospel: how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Paul goes on to declare some of those who saw th Lord: 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.

You cannot be saved if you do not believe the Resurrection!

If Christ is not risen, then our preaching is in vain, that means its empty, meaningless, we would be preaching about a deceiver.

Our faith is also in vain. Trusting in a Saviour who could not save!

False witnesses: Because we would be testalying of a God who did not raise Christ up!

Do you believe a man would give his life, if he did not believe what he was preaching? Matthews body was speared, Mark was dragged through the streets of Alexandria until the skin was torn from his body until he bleed to death. Luke was hanged, and John thrown into boiling oil. Peter was crucified, and Paul beheaded!

I come by to tell you He Lives, He Lives He Lives! Glory Ha

Conclusion: Christ rose the third day after his death; just like He said.

On the first day of the first week God commanded the light to shine out of darkness. On this day, He who is the Light of the world, shines out of the darkness of the grave. Our Lord Jesus could have rolled back the stone by his own power, but he chose to have it done by an angel. The resurrection of Christ, is the joy of the believer.

The angel encouraged the women against their fears. Let the unrighteous, ungodly, the non-believer be afraid. Fear not ye, for his resurrection will be our consolation. Our communion with him must be spiritual, by faith in his word. When we are ready to make this world our home, ready to say, It is good to be here, then let us remember our Lord Jesus is not here, he is risen; therefore let our hearts rise, and seek the things that are above.

He is risen, as he said. Let us never think that strange which the word of Christ has told us to expect, believe; whether the sufferings of this present time, or the glory that is to be revealed.

HE IS RISEN! Our preaching is not in vain, our faith is not in vain! We are not false witnesses, and we shall never perish. HE IS RISEN!