I Believe — In Jesus Christ who Rose from the Dead on the Third Day

Text: John 20:18-30

Theme: The practical significance of the resurrection to the every-day life of the believer.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit

and born of the virgin Mary.

He suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died, and was buried;

he descended to the grave.

The third day he rose again from the dead.

He ascended to heaven

and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.

From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

We’ve come to the most important and glorious statement found in the Apostles’ Creed: I believe in Jesus Christ ... [that on] The third day he rose again from the dead. How simple, yet how profoundly life-changing and world-changing.

In the 20th chapter of John’s Gospel we learn that Jesus is the resurrection and the life. As the hymn says, “We serve a living Savior, who’s in the world today; I know that He is living, whatever men may say; I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer, And just the time I need Him, He’s always near. He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!

[Read Text]

The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the central miracle of the Christian faith. In fact, the Apostle Paul says that if Christ has not been raised from the dead, then our faith is worthless and we are still in our sins. Without the resurrection, Jesus was just a good teacher, a wise Rabbi, an astute philosopher. But resurrection changes everything. The resurrection fulfills the Scriptures and validates Jesus’ divinity. It sets Him apart from all the other great religious leaders who have ever lived. Gandhi is gone and still in his grave. Buddha is gone and still in his grave. So is Confucius and Mohammed. They’re all dead and still in their graves. But Jesus is alive!

The purpose of this message, however, is not to prove the resurrection happened. There are volumes of scholarly works in the area of Christian apologetics that deal convincingly with the truth of Christ’s resurrection. Besides, if you don’t believe in the resurrection, there is probably not much I can say this morning to convince you of it. Instead, of focusing on the fact of the resurrection, I would like to focus on the implications of the resurrection.

How does it impact your daily living? How does it impact your relationships? What does it mean to live in light of the resurrection? What does Jesus expect you to do with the knowledge of His resurrection?

From our text we discover that there are five imperatives for us in this chapter that we need to put into practice in our daily lives.

I. IMPERATIVE #1: We must Rejoice in His Presence

“On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.” (John 20:19–20, NIV)

1. the passage ends with, they were overjoyed when they saw the Lord

a. let me ask you a serious question this morning: Are you overjoyed at the presence of Jesus in your life?

1) I ask the question because I meet too many professing Christians for whom the presence of Jesus seems to make very little difference

2. on Friday, the Disciples thought their world had ended

a. Jesus had been put on trial, humiliated and crucified – He was dead and buried

b. they were terribly confused

1) their grief was crushing the life out of them

2) these once proud, triumphant followers and friends of Jesus now sat defeated and depressed — haunted by the events of that not-so-good Friday

3. but early on Sunday morning, rumors begin to swirl around about the tomb

a. hysterical women — at least that’s what the disciples thought — have come racing into town to report that the tomb was empty and that they had seen Jesus alive!

4. folks, that’s what the good news is all about — Jesus is alive

a. the literal, historical, bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the vindication of Christ’s saving work on the cross

b. the issue is simple — no resurrection, no Christianity

c. for this reason, belief in the resurrection of Christ is essential in order to be a Christian

A. BECAUSE CHRIST LIVES WE CAN HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH THE FATHER

1. the great mystery of the Gospel is Christ in us

a. out of His sovereign grace and divine mercy, God has chosen to indwell all those who call upon the name of His only begotten Son

1) Paul writes in Colossians 1:27-28 that this mystery was "hid . . . from generations, but now is made known to his saints . . . which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:"

b. the resurrection of our Lord guarantees the presence of Christ in the lives of believers

1) that presence is real and personal

2. God Has always desired a presence among His people

a. He frequently came to stroll with Adam and Eve in the Garden – in the cool of the day– before their fall

b. He regularly came and visited with Abraham in the form of an angel

c. He was with the exodus wanderers in the pillar of fire and the pillar of smoke

d. He was with His prophets through the still small voice

e. He was with the nation of Israel as the shikina glory in the temple at Jerusalem

f. He walked with His disciples in the presence of Jesus

3. what's the point?

a. because Christ lives in us God enjoys fellowship with his saints

1) resurrection makes that possible

2) God wants fellowship with you today . . . and tomorrow . . . and the next day and forever

“God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:9, NIV)

b. God calls us into relationship with Himself through His Son because He has this tremendous desire to fellowship with us

c. the question is, do you desire fellowship with Him as much as He desires it with you?

ILLUS. A college-aged man walked into a photography studio with a framed picture of his girlfriend. He wanted the picture duplicated so he could have one at home and one at college. This involved removing it from the frame. In doing this, the studio owner noticed an inscription on the back of the photograph: "My dearest Tom, I love you with all my heart. I love you more and more each day. I will love you forever and ever. I am yours for all eternity." It was signed "Diane," and it contained a P.S.: "If we ever break up, I want this picture back."

1) do you belong to Christ? ... Have you expressed your love for him ... your undying love for him?

2) if so, there can be no P.S. in a life given to God

3) we can never break up with Him — we are His forever and forever

4. if you accept Jesus by faith and commit your life to Him, He takes up a divine residence in your life

“Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.” (John 14:23, NIV)

a. that means that every Christian becomes a temple of the living God

“ ... For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” (2 Corinthians 6:16, NIV)

b. because Jesus is the resurrection and the life we can experience his presence and fellowship

5. we must rejoice in his presence

II. IMPERATIVE #2: We must Heed His Commission

“On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” (John 20:19–21, NIV)

1. God has a program of evangelism and missions, and ministry He wants you and I to be a part of

2. Jesus makes it very clear in what we call the Great Commission

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19–20, NIV)

a. God’s program is nothing less than proclaiming the Gospel of Christ to the entire world

1) He wants all to hear so that some might be saved

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9, NIV)

2) the great good news of the resurrection is this — those who come to Christ by faith will share in His victory over sin and death

a) THIS is why we proclaim the gospel!

b. because Jesus is the resurrection and the life there is power in His name to convict the lost and convert the sinner to saving faith

ILLUS. In the middle of Red Square, within the walls of the Kremlin, there is a black marble mausoleum. It is the burial place of Vladimir Lenin—leader of the Russian Communist Revolution of 1917 and Premier of the Soviet Union until his death in 1924. Inside the mausoleum are the embalmed remains of Lenin lying within a crystal casket. Long lines of Russians still wait to see his body. On the casket are these words, "He was the greatest leader of all peoples, of all countries, of all times. He was the lord of the new humanity. He was the saviour of the world." But almost 100 years after his death there is no power in the name of Lenin.

c. but there is still power in the name of Jesus!

1) power to destroy the grip of sin

2) power to give eternal life where we deserved eternal damnation

3) power to give abundant life to a meaningless existence

A. WE WERE SAVED TO BE ON MISSION

1. in this passage, we find the disciples hiding away behind closed doors because they were afraid of the Jews

a. but Jesus seeks them out, and when He finds them, He reveals Himself to them, showing them His nail-pierced hands and spear-pierced side

b. the disciples were jubilant

c. but there was a reason why Jesus was there

2. He had a commission for them

a. Jesus said that "as the Father has sent Me, I also send you."

3. you need to be on mission right where your at

a. you don’t have to go to Africa, or Balise, or Wyoming to be on mission for God (unless, of course, God is calling you to Africa, or Balise, or Wyoming)

1) Jesus came to establish the gospel, and we must proclaim the gospel

a) I guarantee you that there are lots of lost people in Osage, Co.; there are lots of lost people where you work to witness to

2) Jesus came to be light in the midst of darkness, and so must we let our light shine that people may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven

3) Jesus was set apart by the Father and we are set apart by Jesus

4. here is a significant implication and imperative of the resurrection

a. the resurrection means that we must heed His commission

B. WE ARE CALLED TO BE SENT OUT

1. Christ’s Church doesn't simply put out its welcome sign and say come

2. Christ’s Church puts on its shoes and goes

a. "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news," the Scripture tells us

3. our problem is that sometimes we are exactly where the disciples were when Jesus found them – behind closed doors

a. we come up with all kinds of excuses to alleviate ourselves of the responsibility of sharing our faith

1) “I’m afraid – I wouldn’t know what to say”

2) "I don't understand the Bible"

3) "I’m afraid someone might ask me a question I don’t know the answer to."

4) "I just don't have time to do anything for God: Besides that's what we hire preachers for."

b. well phooey—those are all just excuses

4. if we are to heed the commission of the Lord, we must get up and get out to where people are so desperately in need of hearing the message of salvation by faith in a risen Savior and Lord

a. God has given us the privilege and responsibility of accomplishing His program on this earth

b. the cross stands as condemnation on all human attempts at self-righteousness, and the fallen world will do all within its power to hide the cross from sight

1) this is WHY we must GO

7. we must heed his commission

III. IMPERATIVE #3: We must Have His Power

1. before His death, Jesus promised His disciple His supernatural presence in their lives

“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” (John 14:15–17, NIV)

2. after His resurrection, Jesus gives it to them

“And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” (John 20:22, NIV)

A. GOD DOES NOT RENEGE ON HIS PROMISES

1. in the prophecy of the prophet Joel, God promised to "pour out His Spirit on all flesh"

2. Jesus renewed that promise to his disciples

a. it is significant that Jesus breathed on them and told them to receive the Holy Spirit

b. this was merely a prelude to what would happen at Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came upon the early church as a mighty rushing wind

3. the giving of the Holy Spirit reveals that they could not carry out the commission without the power that the Spirit would provide

a. it is no accident that Jesus linked the commission and the giving of the Holy Spirit

b. He wanted them to see the link

1) without depending on the Spirit's power to live for Christ, we will ultimately fail

2) without depending on the Spirit's power to carry out the commission, we will ultimately fail

a. we must have His power in order to succeed

B. THE RESURRECTION MEANS THAT WE HAVE HIS POWER

1. the Spirit is not given to us as some kind of spiritual amphetamine—to provide us with an emotional euphoria

a. the Spirit is given to continue Jesus’ presence in the world through us

b. as we depend on the Spirit, and are yielded to Him, and filled by Him, we become the vehicle to manifest the presence of the risen, living Lord to others

2. all of us need — must have — the power of the Spirit if we are to live for Jesus; serve Jesus; proclaim Jesus

3. the Spirit is not just for some elite super-spiritual few who live on some higher spiritual plane than the rest of us

a. the Spirit is not just for the so-called "professional minister."

4. the power of the Spirit is for every believer

a. all of us are able to enjoy the power of the Holy Spirit

1) the Holy Spirit is the presence of Christ in us

2) the Holy Spirit is God's down payment in our life guaranteeing our final redemption

3) the Holy Spirit is the believer's power source for spiritual renewal

4) the Holy Spirit is our partner in prayer

5. we need to pray for the filling of the Holy Spirit every day

a. why?

b. because we all leak!

6. we must have his power

IV. IMPERATIVE #4: We must Proclaim His Praise

“A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:26–28, NIV)

1. the essence of true worship is to look at the person of Jesus and proclaim my Lord and my God!

A. CHRISTIANS NEEDS TO WORSHIP THE RISEN LORD

1. one of the real problems in the Body of Christ is that we often come to church for the wrong reason

a. it's not a new problem

ILLUS. One of the real problems of our time is the near celebrity status of many preachers. Many men are almost worshipped by their followers. I am reminded of a story Lyman Beecher Stowe (grandson of the author, Harriet Beecher Stowe) tells in his book Saints, Sinners, and Beechers. Stowe writes that on one occasion Thomas K. Beecher substituted for his famous brother Henry Ward Beecher at the Plymouth Church in Brooklyn, New York. Because Henry Ward Beecher was the greatest celebrity preacher of his day, many curiosity seekers came every week to hear him speak. Therefore when Thomas Beecher appeared in the pulpit instead, many people got up and started for the doors. Sensing that they were disappointed because he was substituting for his brother, Thomas Beecher raised his hand for silence and announced, "All those who came here this morning to worship Henry Ward Beecher may withdraw from the church; all who came to worship God may remain." (Mic drop moment!)

2. our purpose for being here today is to worship the risen Lord

3. if Christ had not risen, then our presence here this morning is in vain

a. our singing falls on deaf ears

b. our praying is fruitless

c. our proclamation is pointless

4. but because He lives we can rejoice and have sweet fellowship with God and with each other

5. as the hymn says, because He lives, I can face tomorrow

ILLUS. One of the greatest definitions of worship ever laid down was laid down by William Temple: "To worship is to quicken the conscience by the holiness of God, to feed the mind with the truth of God, to purge the imagination by the beauty of God, to open the heart to the love of God, to devote the will to the purpose of God."

V. IMPERATIVE #5: We Anticipate Our Own Resurrection and Eternal Life

ILLUS. Every once in a while a culture passes a milestone that often goes unnoticed. One of those milestones took place this week. For the first time in over 80 years of surveys on the subject, new Gallup data analysis released March 29 found that just 47% of American adults said they belonged to a church, synagogue or mosque in 2020—the first time that fewer than half of respondents reported membership at such houses of worship. As recently as 1999, 70% of U.S. adults still said they belonged to one of the three. That’s a pretty precipitous drop in only twenty years.

ILLUS. Another one of those cultural milestone took place back in 2006. A poll undertaken by Scripps-Howard News Service and Ohio University found that a majority of Americans no longer believe in the resurrection of the body — their own, that is. Most American don’t believe they will experience a resurrection of their bodies when they die, which puts them at odds with a core teaching of Christianity. While 66% of Americans believe that Jesus literally, physically rose from the dead, only 36% said “yes” to the question: “Do you believe that, after you die, your physical body will be resurrected someday?” Fifty-four percent said they do not believe and 10 percent were undecided.

1. I find this incredibly sad ... that such a small percentage of professing Christians believe that their eternity will be spent in a physically resurrected body glorified to be like our Lord’s resurrected glorified body

a. has the teaching of the broader church in America become so inane; so inept that believers have never been taught this glorious truth?

2. the resurrection is not merely about Jesus living forever with the Father

a. it’s about us living forever with the Father because we are in Christ

“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” (Philippians 3:20–21, NIV84)

1) there is no ambiguity here — our lowly bodies (characterized by sinful impulses, evil thoughts, physical disabilities, will be supernaturally changed and will be like his glorious body (characterized by holiness, purity of thought, wholeness of body)

Let me sum up this mornings message and put into perspective for you.

You need the presence of Jesus Christ in your life. He wants to come in if you will let him. The presence of Christ begins when you accept Jesus Christ as your personal savior. The faith that Christ asks you to put in him is not a blind faith, but a faith that knows the truth as revealed in God's word.

God has commissioned each of us to herald the good news in our own way, among the people with whom we have regular contact. God has developed a program through which men can come to know Him through Christ. He invites you to be a part of that program.

Do you need power for daily living? The resurrection of our Lord has made possible the indwelling and filling of the Holy Spirit in your life.

You need to meet God daily through worship and praise.

You need to anticipate and glory in the prospect of your own resurrection.