My Resurrection Response

April 4, 2021 Happy Easter – Resurrection Sunday God’s Favor to return us One Year Later- Praise the Lord Thanks and Appreciation to GP Taskforce; AV; Deacons, Music, Planning Time to Pass the Bread My Resurrection Response First Corinthians 15: 12-19 12 Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. 14 And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. 15 Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. 16 For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. 17 And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! 18 Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. 20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. Page | 1 START HERE Happy Easter! Today commemorates the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. In this morning’s message, I want to specifically focus on celebrating the victory Jesus secured for us through His resurrection. [SLIDE] The title of the message is My Resurrection Response! Our focus Scripture passage is found in First Corinthians 15: 12-19; it reads: 12 Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. 14 And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. 15 Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. 16 For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. 17 And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! 18 Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. [SLIDE] The term RESURRECTION is defined as a rising from the dead and coming back to life. Page | 2 But what is the resurrection all about? What does it all mean? Have you ever stopped to think deeply about its purpose, or its personal significance for you and your life? It seems to me that after celebrating over 2000 years of resurrections, the real significance of the power of Jesus’ resurrection is taken more and more for granted, or at best, downgraded to a season called Easter. But the resurrection of the Son of God means much, much more than a single day, or a three day of reflection, or a week of passion – that we might not hear again until next year. The TRUTH is -- Jesus’ resurrection is for every day. Today, I want to be intentional about helping you understand the meaning of the RESURRECTION, and why it is important for every person alive today, and for every person who has ever lived. Resurrection Sunday should not be just another American-hyped commercialized Holiday. It should stand as a reminder that God did something earth-shattering for the human race in the earth. He gave us all a RESURRECTION by way of a resurrected SAVIOR. If there had been no resurrection, all of life in the world as we know it would have been doomed. The Scripture says life would have been useless and vain. [SLIDE] 1 Corinthians 15: 13, 14 & 17 says 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. 14 And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. Page | 3 17 And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile (pointless); you are still in your sins! According to these verses – in fact, according to the entire chapter of First Corinthians 15 – our faith rests on the fact of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. According to the apostle Paul, if the resurrection of Jesus Christ is not fact, we have no sermons to preach, no loved ones to look forward to reuniting with in heaven, no hope to hang the troubles and heart aches of today on, no reason to witness for Christ. We have nothing to base our faith on, and most tragically, we are all still in our sins. Had Christ’s body remained in the tomb, our faith and His shed blood would have been rendered worthless. We, of all people, would be most pitied. But thanks be to God, the hope and finished work of Jesus’ resurrection transcends the grave. When Jesus arose from the tomb on the third day, He opened up the gateways of heaven that ultimately led to eternal life, but in the interim - led to the human race’s continued existence. Just think, if Jesus had not resurrected Himself from the grave, we wouldn’t be here today. Thank God for the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ! I believe that had not Jesus resurrected from dead, the very darkness that covered the face of the earth while He was on the cross would have been a permanent curse on us. The meaning of the darkness represented God turning His face from the unbearable sins of the world His son, Jesus, was enduring in His body on the cross. Page | 4 [SLIDE] Matthew 27: 45 & 46 says . . . 45 Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” God could not bear the stench of our sins being absorbed by Jesus. Had Jesus given up at the point of feeling forsaken by His Father – right there, the human race would have been hopelessly doomed . . . [SLIDE] But according to Hebrews 12:2 Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, . . . . Thank God for Jesus!} [SLIDE] And Matthew 27:54 brings it home: 54 So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!” Just like the response of the centurion guard here who said: “Truly this was the Son of God!” -- God is demanding a response to the resurrection from us and every living human being – past, present and future – until God brings time to an end, then the judgment. Page | 5 The resurrection demands a response from everyone – every living soul on the face of the earth. God is not going to bring hope to the world and the world ignores it. Before the end of time, everyone who ever lived is going to acknowledge that a blood-price was paid and a resurrection took place on their behalf. [SLIDE] But Why? Because we all men have, and still are, profiting from the benefits of the new hope that the resurrection of Jesus Christ has brought to this earth. It has given every person a new lease on life. It caused God to look at us in a new way -- much like in the spirit of Jeremiah 29: 11 11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Instead of condemning us, God through the shed atoning blood of Jesus Christ and His resurrection set us on a path of hope (when we should have been wiped out). [SLIDE] It’s here that John 3:16 comes alive: 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. Also, First John 3:16 16 By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. Page | 6 Jesus’ resurrection is without respect of person. It has brought hope to all the human race – all are beneficiaries -- whether slave or free; murderer or whoremonger; thief or robber; religious or irreligious; Jew or Gentile; black or white. The power of Jesus’ resurrection has brought hope to all the “such were some of you” as cited in First Corinthians 6: 9-11 including: 9 . . . fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, homosexuals, sodomites, 10 thieves, covetous, drunkards, revilers, extortioners. 11 And such were some of you. But by the shed blood of Jesus and His resurrection – everyone in the human race has the hope of being washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. Since the time of Jesus’ resurrection, all of the human race has enjoyed the benefits that the resurrection of Jesus affords us today – whether aware of what the resurrection is about or not. Every person who has ever lived is on Jesus’ insurance policy as a beneficiary of the wealth payable from RESURRECTION benefits. [SLIDE] But take special note, There are two policies. One is a Resurrection Insurance Policy and the other is a Resurrection Assurance Policy. The difference is The Resurrection Insurance Policy temporary and benefits everyone – whether you care for God or not. God cares for you. Page | 7 Because Jesus died and rose again – God has granted every living person an abundance of mercy, grace, love, longsuffering, forbearance and tolerance free of charge. It is God’s loving way of drawing us to Himself. The resurrection gives every person alive a living hope. It’s up to each person to respond to that hope. You can either accept it or reject it. But you can’t earn it. It is by Jesus’ finished work on the Cross and His victory over the grave that you can move from Insurance to Assurance. The Resurrection Assurance Policy is eternal and begins when an unsaved person hears the Gospel, Believes it, and Surrenders their life to Jesus. It is then they experience the Resurrection Power unto Salvation. Jesus’ resurrection assures the believer’s resurrection. The Apostle Paul said of his own personal “resurrection assurance” in Romans 1:16, 17 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” Matthew 13:23 says [paraphrased] But he who received seed [the Word] on the good ground [upon a good heart] is he who hears the word and understands it [unto salvation], who indeed bears fruit and produces [that is, shows evidence of the power of God at work in their lives]: some a hundredfold, or sixty, or thirty [times the amount of what was sown]. Page | 8 [SLIDE] Finally, Jesus said of “resurrection assurance” in John 6:37 “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” Resurrection is personal. It’s more than an Easter phenomenon or fable. It’s about me and you. It demands a response from us. Unresponsiveness is equal to a “NO” response. Jesus didn’t die and resurrect from the dead for Himself. We would be mistaken to feel sorry for Him thinking He was crucified unjustifiably, then root for Him to come back to life as if the underdog. This is not a Hollywood or Atlanta filmed movie. It’s not the Black Panther or Bat Man where the ancient gods come to the rescue. His resurrection goes far deeper than any of that. [SLIDE] Why a resurrection needed? All of creation was dead spiritually and eternally disconnected from God – especially man. [SLIDE] First Corinthians 15: 21-23 says . . . 21 So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man. 22 Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life. 23 But there is an order to this resurrection: Christ was raised as the first of the harvest; then all who belong to Christ will be raised when he comes back. Page | 9 Mankind was and still remains in desperate need of a Savior who alone could meet God’s approval. God’s requirement was that a sinless, unblemished life be given to die on the cross – like a lamb slain before the foundation of the world. That Lamb was Christ. He had to be crucified, His blood shed, suffer death, then buried in a grave and resurrected. Christ’s death was the only thing that would and could satisfy God in bringing man back to Him as a lovable race. [SLIDE] 1 John 2: 1 & 2 2 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 And He Himself is the propitiation (or appeasement) for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. The word propitiation means “appeasement” or “satisfaction”. The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross satisfied the demands of God’s holiness for the punishment of sin. So, Jesus propitiated or satisfied God for us. The shed blood of Jesus opened up the way for the resurrection. Once Jesus’ blood had been shed – which served as the atonement (payment, justification) for man’s sin and the sins of the world – no other force in the earth could equal or withstand the power of the BLOOD. Death could not keep Jesus down. Neither could the grave hold Him. 1 Cor. 15: 54-57 declares . . . “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55 “O[n] Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Page | 10 [SLIDE] So, What is your response to the resurrection of Jesus Christ? ✓ Is it that there is no such thing? (Do you believe there’s no such thing as the resurrection?) In Matthew 22:23, the Sadducees expressed to Jesus that they didn’t believe in the resurrection: verse 23 says23 That same day Jesus was approached by some Sadducees—religious leaders who say there is no resurrection from the dead. Sadducees were known for their denial of things supernatural. They denied the resurrection of the dead (Matt. 22:23) and the existence of angels (Acts 23:8). In Matthew 22: verses 29-32 Jesus answered and said to the Pharisees, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God. 30 For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven. 31 But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God, saying, 32 ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” 29 ✓ Is it that you believe the resurrection [it] has already past? (Do you believe the resurrection has come and gone?) 2 Timothy 2:17-19 calls out those who stray from the truth; it says . . . 17 And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, 18 who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” Page | 11 and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” ✓ Is it that you doubt it to be real because it doesn’t seem logical? Is it too farfetched of a tale to believe? • 1 Cor. 15:21-23 21 So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man. 22 Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life. 23 But there is an order to this resurrection: Christ was raised as the first of the harvest; then all who belong to Christ will be raised when he comes back. Here are some Capital T Truths about the resurrection that will help our response and fortify our faith in the fact the resurrection is real: • • Well documented . . . Josephus The earth stands because of the resurrection –If not, we wouldn’t be here today. Because He lives, I can face tomorrow. Because He was resurrected the human race has at its disposal: o Fellowship with God; Reconciliation o Protection with God o Life eternal, life with God o Guaranteed Hope; Hope without disappointment or shame. o Victory over sin and death through Christ. • • Jesus said I am the resurrection Matthew 27:52-54 52 and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; 53 and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. 54 So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!” Page | 12 What is your response? The Bible says the resurrection of Jesus Christ did happen. And, throughout its pages, it proves that every living soul is proof of it. [SLIDE] 1 Cor: 15:20 (NLT) says . . . 20 But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died. He paved the way for us. In the end, your response will either prove profitable or it will prove fatal. What do you say? The ultimate response would be to embrace the resurrection of Jesus Christ because His resurrection assures our resurrection. It will remove the sting of death and the curse of eternal damnation. [SLIDE] As you mull your response, listen to the words of Paul in First Corinthians 15:32b-34 And if there is no resurrection, “Let’s feast and drink, for tomorrow we die!” 33 Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for “bad company corrupts good character.” 34 Think Page | 13 carefully about what is right, and stop sinning. For to your shame I say that some of you don’t know God at all. Then, Jesus Himself (the resurrected Savior) has said . . . in [SLIDE] John 5:28-30 NKJV 28 Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29 and come forth— those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. 30 I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me. My Resurrection Response Page | 14 Holy Communion Ceremony The Elder addresses the congregation [exhortation, clarification]… This morning we have come to this place to remember Our Lord through observance of Symbolic Communion with Him. Communion is a time of worship for the people of God who have entered into the Body of Christ, the Church. Here, we as believers celebrate our union with Christ and with one another. I want to remind you that if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous and He is the appeasement for our sins; and not for ours only, but for the sins of the whole world. Therefore, I implore you to examine yourself Examine Yourself according to … First Corinthians 11:27 & 28 27 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood[c] of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. Let us Pray The Prayer of Confession . . . . Elder PRAY/reads: God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Creator of all things and Judge of all men, we acknowledge our sins and wickedness, which we from time to time have committed by thought, word, and deed against Thee. We do earnestly repent and beg your forgiveness for our misdoings; the remembrance of them is grievous to us. Please Lord, have mercy upon us, most merciful Father; for Thy Son, Our Lord and Savior’s Sake, forgive us of all that is past; and grant that we may always, hereafter, Page | 15 serve and please YOU in newness of life; to the honor and glory of Thy Name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN Reading of Scripture – Luke 22:14 - 23 A Reminding Remembrance [Jesus Institutes the Lord’s Supper] 14 When the hour had come, He sat down, and the [b]twelve apostles with Him. 15 Then He said to them, “With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 16 for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; 18 for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 20 Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you. 21 But behold, the hand of My betrayer is with Me on the table. 22 And truly the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!” 23 Then they began to question among themselves, which of them it was who would do this thing. Page | 16 With all minds now composed, let us partake: In the words of the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (NKJV) 23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread [please take your bread]; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread, and drink this cup, you do show the Lord’s death till He comes. Meditation and Reflection Hymn – Bro Craig Cuthbert Benediction Page | 17 Page | 18