Introduction

Five weeks ago today, we began a series of lessons on the gospel. The gospel is defined as being the good news, but the good news about what? It is the good news according to scripture as the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. Paul said, “Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, {2} by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you; unless you believed in vain. {3} For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, {4} and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,” (1 Cor 15:1-4 NKJV)

Five weeks ago, we talked about the excitement of the two disciples as the walked the road to Emmaus when they finally realized that Jesus really had been resurrected. The following Sunday, I spoke on the humility of Christ, and His obedience even unto death. The next Sunday we spoke of Jesus as the Lamb of God. That was followed by Mike being here the following Sunday. Last Sunday was Mother’s Day, so our series has been interrupted, but this morning, we would like to conclude this series discussing the importance of the Resurrection. How important is the resurrection?

Body

I. For the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, it was extremely important.

A. His resurrection was exciting and encouraging.

(Luke 24:30-35 NKJV) Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. {31} Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight. {32} And they said to one another, "Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?" {33} So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, {34} saying, "The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" {35} And they told about the things that had happened on the road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of bread.

B. For Paul, it became his everything.

1. Christ was the power and wisdom of God.

(1 Cor 1:22-24 NKJV) For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; {23} but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, {24} but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

2. Christ was raised for our justification.

(Rom 4:24-25 KJV) But for us also, to whom it [righteousness] shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; {25} Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

a. His death: Who was delivered for our offences.

b. His Resurrection: was raised again for our justification

3. Paul was willing to give up everything in this life to gain the resurrection.

(Phil 3:7-11 NKJV) But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. {8} Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ {9} and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; {10} that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, {11} if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

C. Without the Resurrection, there is no hope for the future.

(1 Cor 15:13-19 NKJV) 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.

II. Jesus is the Resurrection!

A. When Lazarus died, He told His sisters that their brother would rise.

(John 11:21-23 NKJV) Then Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. {22} "But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You." {23} Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." {24} Martha said to Him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day."

B. He told His sisters that He was the resurrection.

(John 11:25-26 NKJV) Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. {26} "And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?"

C. His resurrection is our hope.

(1 Cor 15:19-22 NKJV) 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.

III. The importance of His resurrection.

A. Christ was shown to be the Son of God by His resurrection.

B. We have the memorial of the Lord’s Supper.

(Rom 1:4 NKJV) and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.

B. Christ was raised for our justification.

1. His death: Who was delivered for our offences.

2. His Resurrection: was raised again for our justification

IV. We are left with two great memorials.

A. We have the memorial of the Lord’s Supper.

(Mat 26:26-28 NKJV) And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." {27} Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. {28} "For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

B. We have baptism.

(Rom 6:4 NKJV) Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Conclusion

I. He paid the price of our salvation on the cross of Calvary.

II. Will you show your acceptance of His sacrifice for you by being baptized into Christ?

Bible Study with Harley Sermons I have Preached

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