Introduction

Greetings, beloved family in Christ. It is indeed a great privilege to gather together in this sacred space, united by our common faith and the shared hope we have in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As we gather, let us remember that we are not here by accident, but by divine appointment. The Lord has called us to this place, at this time, for a purpose. So, let's open our hearts and minds to what He has to say to us today.

Before we delve into the heart of today's message, allow me to share with you a profound quote from Martin Luther King Jr. He once said, "The gospel is not merely a message of peace, but a mandate for action." This quote beautifully encapsulates the essence of the gospel message, reminding us that our faith is not merely about what we believe, but also about what we do as a result of that belief.

Now, let us turn our attention to the Word of God. In the book of Acts, chapter 10, verses 34-43, we read: "Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached—how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."

And in 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, the Apostle Paul writes: "Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed."

Finally, in Mark 16:1-8, we find the account of the empty tomb: "When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. 'Don’t be alarmed,' he said. 'You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’” Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid."

Resurrected Redeemer

As we consider the Scriptures, we find ourselves standing before an empty tomb, a sight that bewilders and amazes us. The tomb, which was meant to be the final resting place of Jesus, is now vacant. This is not a tale of grave robbery or deceit. This is the miraculous work of God, the divine power that brought Jesus back from the dead. The resurrection of Jesus is a cornerstone of our faith, a testament to God's love and power.

Jesus, who was crucified and buried, is no longer in the grave. He has risen, just as He said He would. This is a truth that we must not only believe but also understand and appreciate. The resurrection is not just an event that happened over two thousand years ago. It is a reality that has profound implications for our lives today.

Firstly, the resurrection of Jesus affirms His divinity. Jesus is not just a good man or a wise teacher. He is God incarnate, the second person of the Trinity. His resurrection is a testament to His divine nature. It is God alone who has power over life and death. By rising from the dead, Jesus demonstrated that He is indeed God.

Secondly, the resurrection of Jesus validates His teachings. Throughout His ministry, Jesus made several claims about Himself, about God, and about the kingdom of heaven. He claimed to be the Son of God, the Messiah, the Savior of the world. He spoke of God's love, mercy, and justice. He promised eternal life to those who believe in Him. All these claims would be meaningless if Jesus remained in the grave. But by rising from the dead, Jesus proved that His words are true and trustworthy.

Thirdly, the resurrection of Jesus provides hope for humanity. Death is a reality that we all must face. It is a consequence of our sin, a reminder of our mortality. But the resurrection of Jesus gives us hope. It assures us that death is not the end, that there is life beyond the grave. Because Jesus rose from the dead, we too can look forward to a resurrection. We too can have the hope of eternal life.

Fourthly, the resurrection of Jesus empowers His followers. Before His death, Jesus promised His disciples that He would send the Holy Spirit to be with them. After His resurrection, Jesus fulfilled this promise. He breathed on His disciples and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit." The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is now available to His followers. It is this power that enables us to live a life that is pleasing to God. It is this power that equips us to be His witnesses in the world.

Revealed Reality

As we continue to reflect on the passage from Acts, we can't help but be struck by the reality that is revealed through the resurrection of Jesus ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO