Do You Know Him?

Do You Know Him?

Matthew 28:1-6

Regardless of your belief concerning Jesus Christ, without question He is the most famous individual to ever walk the face of the earth. But for those who truly know Him, we know He is much more than that. If you ask someone "who is Jesus?" you may get many different answers. Some would say "He was a good man." other would proclaim that "He was a great teacher." many would say that "He was a prophet."

But what did Jesus say about Himself? He said…"If you have seen me you have seen the Father." (John 14:9). He also said "I and the Father are one." (John 10:30) . He said "Before Abraham existed I am." (John 8:53). Speaking to His disciples He said "I am the way, the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father but by me." (John 14:6)

In Matthew 16 Jesus had a conversation with His disciples. He asked the question "Who do men say that I am?" Notice their reply in - Matthew 16:14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elijah; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. 15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. - Simon Peter got it right! Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God!

"Who is Jesus to you?" Is He someone you learned about as a child? Is He someone that you admire and look up to? Is He someone that you plan to surrender to at some point in the future? Is He a crutch for your addiction? Is He simply a solution for your current problem? Is He someone that you call on only when you have hit rock bottom? Or is He your Lord and Savior?

Do you truly know Jesus? The reality is that there are many people who know about Jesus, yet they do not possess a genuine relationship with Him. In fact, Jesus says that in eternity there will be many who professed that they knew Him, but He will profess that He never knew them!

Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

It is imperative that you know Jesus as Lord and Savior. The Apostle Paul said in - 2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. It is important for each of us to examine own lives and as Peter said "make our calling and election sure".

- I would like to look at the events surrounding the miraculous resurrection of Jesus Christ and ask the simple but important question "Do You Know Jesus?" If you do, then your life has been changed, your priorities have been rearranged and your future has been prearranged. We will examine certain people who encountered Jesus' after His resurrection and see that these throe facts were true in their lives.

Before we get into the details of the Resurrection, I would like to consider:

i. THE SIGNIFIGANCE OF THE RESURRECTION

The resurrection is the foundation of Christianity. Without the resurrection, the miracles, the ministry, and the sacrifice of Jesus would have all been in vain. The Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:14 "if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain."

The resurrection proves that Jesus is the Son of God The resurrection gives us assurance that our sins can be forgiven. Again Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:17 "If Christ hath not been raised, our faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins”. We should praise God for the fact that Christ is indeed risen and our sins are forgiven!

The resurrection proves to the world that God's Kingdom is ruled by a living Sovereign King! Buddha died and he is still dead. Muhammad died and he is still dead. Joseph Smith died and he is still dead, but Jesus died and 3 days later rose from the grave in victory. Not only did He come out of the grave, He remained on the earth for 40 days. He appeared to His disciples, He was seen by 500 witnesses at one time, He ascended with a promise of a return. Some time later He appeared to Saul on Damascus Road . Then 60 years after His death He appeared to John on Patmos and said "Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death." - Revelation 1:17-18