4 Things For Easter

HoHum:

A. Read Matthew 28:1- 7

B. Her name was Carol. She was the organist at her church. She was a good musician, but she did something no organist should ever do at her church. She overslept on Easter morning and missed the sunrise service. She was so embarrassed. Of course, the minister and the church forgave her. They teased her about it a little, but it was done lovingly and in good fun. The next year, on Easter, her phone rang at 5 o’clock in the morning. Jolted awake by the loud ringing, she scrambled to answer it. It was the minister, and he said, “Carol, it’s Easter morning. The Lord is risen!... And I suggest you do the same!” The message is: We too can be resurrected. Christ shares his resurrection with us. He rises, and so can we. We too can have new life. We too can make a new start. And one day, in the future, we will rise out of our tombs to eternal life.

WBTU:

One of the greatest facts of history is the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

We sing a familiar song that says, “He arose, He arose, Hallelujah Christ arose!” Because of this fact, for those who have faith in Christ, we know that because He lives, the grave cannot hold us down when resurrection morning comes.

If Jesus did not rise, He would have been the impostor of all impostors, but since He did rise from the grave, He is a living Savior who can save completely. “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” Hebrews 7:25, NIV.

Thesis: 4 things about Jesus’ resurrection

For instances:

Jesus’ resurrection is the declaration of His Sonship

“and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God, by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 1:4, NIV.

Spirit of holiness is talking about the Holy Spirit. All 3 members of the Godhead were involved in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. God the Son was being resurrected from the dead

“Paul, an apostle--sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead--” Galatians 1:1. Used to think that God (usually only mentions God) the Father resurrected him but the Spirit also was involved.

Spirit here emphasizes that because of the Resurrection, Christ is a life giving spirit. “So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit.” 1 Corinthians 15:45, NIV.

When God raised Him from the dead, this “declared” Him to be the Son of God.

Jesus’ resurrection did not make Him the Son of God; He was already God’s Son. However, it did prove He was the Son of God. The power to overcome death proves who Christ is. The resurrection is the principal proof of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Jesus’ resurrection is the Seal of God’s Acceptance

“the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus” Hebrews 13:20, NIV.

The resurrection of the Lord Jesus shows the approval of the Father and the full acceptance of His sacrifice for sinners. God turned down many sacrifices that were made but He did not reject what Jesus did for sinners- it has His absolute approval.

“Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”” John 6:27, NIV.

Sealing is the mark of approval, of authority. A legal document must bear the seal of the State to give it force. The Father has stamped his seal upon the work of the Son. His miracles were a divine seal. The last and greatest miracle was His resurrection.

Jesus’ resurrection is the witness of His triumph

“But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.” Acts 2:24, NIV.

Low in grave he lay, Jesus my Savior, waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord! Up from the grave he arose; with a mighty triumph o'er his foes

Son of God knew He would triumph, but His resurrection is proof that He triumphed over death, hell, and grave. If he had not risen, failure would have been paraded for all the world to see. Through the resurrection, Christ’s triumph is paraded, displayed for all the world.

Jesus’ resurrection is the pledge of our resurrection

“For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.” 1 Corinthians 15:21, 22, NIV.