CHRIST AROSE, SO WHAT?
Notes
Transcript
CHRIST AROSE, SO WHAT?
1 COR.15:1,3-8,20,57-58
Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand.
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: 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, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
A Sunday School teacher asked her class the Sunday before Easter about the meaning of the Holiday. "Easter is when all the family gets together, and they have a big turkey and sing about the pilgrims and all that," one student said. "No, that is not it, said the teacher. "I know what Easter is," a second student responded. "Easter is when you get this pine tree and cover it with decorations and exchange gifts and sing lots of songs."
That's not it," the teacher repeated. "Then a 3rd student responded:"Easter is when Jesus was killed, put in a tomb, and left for three days." "He knows! He knows! the teacher said to herself. But then the boy went on: "Then everybody gathers at the tomb and waits to see if Jesus comes out, and if He sees His shadow He has to go back in for 7 weeks."
I. IT GIVES SIGNIFICANCE TO YOUR PERSONAL LIFE (1 COR.15:1,3-4)
Many people misunderstand Easter. The holiday for them is colored eggs, bunnies, new clothes, a break from school, and possible church attendance for the 1st time that year.
But isn't Easter more than that? Isn't Easter about Jesus, who died, rose from the dead, and is alive today?...Yes, but so what?
What difference does it make that Christ is alive?
The MEANING of Easter is a theological matter.
The FACT of Easter is a historical matter.
The BENEFITS of Easter are a personal matter...I want to speak today on the BENEFITS. What DIFFERENCE does the resurrection make in YOUR life?
A. You Matter to God
Have you ever felt like you are only a number, a cog in the big machine? Have you ever felt like you did not matter?
The resurrection of Jesus Christ shatters those negative thoughts with a powerful benefit: YOU MATTER TO GOD!
That is the good news of Jesus Christ.
Read: 1 Cor. 15:1,3-4
Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand.
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: 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,
B. Jesus Died for You
The point is that Jesus died and rose again.
In other words, if you had been the only person on Earth, Jesus would have died and risen again for you.Why? Because YOU matter so much to Him!
II. IT GIVES MEANING TO YOUR PRESENT LIFE (1 COR.15:5-8)
and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
A great theologian once wrote: "There is within every soul a thirst for happiness and meaning."
Everyone wants their life to count and to make a difference in the world.
A. Lives with Purpose
Many people unfortunately have never found purpose for their lives. They search, hunt, and strive for answers, but always come up short.
Good Friday was the worst day in history for the disciples. All their dreams were destroyed. They turned, with heads down, and walked back to their old positions in life. Their once full, meaningful lives now were empty. But that 1st Easter Sunday Morning, the disciples learned that the resurrection followed the crucifixion! And THAT changed their lives!
B. The Resurrected Christ (1 Cor.15:5-8)
and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
They saw firsthand the resurrected Christ.
Read: 1 Cor.15:5-8
and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
C. New Meaning Given
The resurrection gave NEW MEANING to there lives.
ILL: My own life before believing...lack of purpose (school, material possessions) purpose after believing!
Life was put in a NEW perspective.
They were given a NEW direction.
They were changed forever.
They went forth with new zeal!
Life once again became worth living.
III. IT GIVES HOPE TO YOUR FUTURE LIFE
1 COR.15:20
But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
Many people have no hope beyond death. That is a horrible way to live...and a horrible way to die.
Fortunately, it is not the ONLY way. While the Bible is the most reliable textbook on life after death,...the greatest proof is Jesus Christ's resurrection....
A. The Greatest Proof
(Jn 11:25-26; 1 Cor. 15:20; 1 Pet.1:3)
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
Our link to life after death is Jesus' own resurrection.
IF Jesus has been raised from the dead, resurrection is really possible!Jesus said, (JN 11:25-26) "...I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die..."
Paul elaborated on Jesus' words: (READ:
1 Cor.15:20
But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
Peter said, (1 Pet 1:3) Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,..."
B. Death is a Doorway to Life
Death is a doorway to life for BELIEVERS.
We will face death. We cannot escape that fact.
But we can see beyond death because of the resurrection of Christ.
We can be like the man whose tombstone had the words on it," Gone away with a Friend"
It will be that way with us because of the resurrection.
IV. IT GIVES VICTORY TO A DEFEATED LIFE
(1 COR 15:57-58)
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Note Paul's words: (READ 1 COR. 15:57-58)
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
A. The Cross Appeared to Defeat Jesus
Had Satan won the Battle?
Did evil conquer righteousness?
Had wrong demolished right?
Had hate smothered love?
People only see the cross at times. But the cross isn't the last part of God's plan.
The fog of life's experiences sometimes causes us to see only OUR crosses. We are bombarded with defeat. We fall crushed and destroyed. We think the walls are caving in on us. We want so desperately to win.
B. We Can Win Through Jesus Christ
Do you want to win?
Do you want victory in your life, whether it be conquering a bad habit or rebounding from a loss? You can know you have that victory because of Jesus' resurrection.
Christ Arose....So What....
The resurrection of Jesus Christ DOES make a difference in your life.
It provides the greatest benefit of all time to humankind.
Do you believe in Christ's Death, burial and RESURRECTION? Christ really rose again...has He changed your life?...believe and He will!
