IMPORTANCE OF THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST
Easter – 2009
Text: “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, He is the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.” I Co.15: 20
Scripture: I Co. 15: 12-23
Introduction – Our world is obsessed by the desire to live and prolonging life to the maximum. The industries that are promoting good health and longevity are earning multi billions yearly. Health club, new medicines, and natural products are promoting as ways of conquering death. However, the question of death veritably cries at people, screams at them, and no one can smother its screams, no medicines can gag its mouth. Neither, ancient or modern man cannot remove that curse on humankind. Jesus came not only to save man from sin, but to conquer death on our behalf.
1. Origin of death. Gen.2: 15-17
Man was created in the likeness of God with the possibility to live forever. He was placed in Eden with his wife to cultivate and enjoy the fruits of the Garden. God commanded them not to eat of the “tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”(Gen.2:17) They succumbed to temptation and ate the forbidden fruit. Their disobedience plunged them and the human race into a state of sin and death. The Edenic Covenant was terminated because of their rebellion against God, resulting in spiritual and physical death.
The sentence was pronounced on Adam and all his descendants. “By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.”(Gen.3: 19) The sin of Adam and Eve causes every human being not only to face death someday, but also to be born separated from God. Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, reiterates the effect of Adam’s sin on humanity. “For as in Adam all die.” (I Co.15: 22a)
2. Christ, the Sacrificial Lamb. Heb. 10:14
Throughout the Old Testament, the shedding of animal’s blood on behalf of the sinner was necessary to satisfy the holiness of God. The sacrifices of young bulls, goats, and lambs were always the ideal offerings for sins. That ritual was to be repeated many times in one’s life journey. However, the yearly sacrifices were not able to clean once for all, or remove the guilt felt by sinners.
The Epistle to the Hebrews presents Christ as the only sacrifice that will be accepted by God for the remission of sins. “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them” (although the law required them to be made). Then Jesus said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” Jesus sets aside the first to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Heb.10: 8-10) Any relationship or hope for eternity with God is possible only through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.
3. Importance of the resurrection Of Jesus Christ. I Co. 15: 1-8, 20-23
Ralph Turnbull, in the Pathway to the Cross, tells the story of a Moslem who was talking to a Christian, “We Moslems have one thing that you Christians do not have.”
“What is that?” replied the Christian. The Moslem replied, “When we go to Mecca, we find a coffin and we know that Mohammed lived because his body is in the coffin. But when you Christians go to Jerusalem you find nothing but an empty tomb.”
“Thank you,” said the Christian. “What you said is absolutely true and makes the eternal difference. We find in Jerusalem an empty tomb because our Lord lives and we serve a risen Savior.”
The cross is the unifying symbol of Christianity, but the empty tomb is our assurance that we serve a risen Savior who is the world today.
a. The risen Christ assures us of the validity of the Christian faith. I Co.15: 14
b. In the resurrection, the Christian finds assurance of forgiven sin. I Co.15:17
c. The resurrection assures the Christian of immortality. I Co. 15: 20-23
d. The resurrection provides motivation for Christian service. I Co.15: 58
Conclusion – One of the best documented facts of history is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Some have rejected it because it does not fit into their philosophy. It remains, however, the final evidence and the ultimate proof that Christ is the only way to heaven. Skeptics and unbelievers can continue to deny the fact, but are silenced by the empty tomb. Since Christ rose from the dead, every person must repent and prepare to meet God through Him. We, as Christians, can all sing: “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! O what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, Born of the Spirit, washed in His blood.
All is made possible because of the resurrection!