In this passage, Paul speaks to us about salvation. In so doing, he tells us that if one is to be saved, he must believe that Jesus was raised from the dead. Why? Because there are certain things that the resurrection proclaims about Jesus that we must believe if we are to be saved.
The resurrection of Christ testifies to the fact that . . .
1. Jesus is Lord – v. 9
We notice how Paul mentions the Lordship of Christ in connection with His resurrection. This is because the resurrection of Christ
proclaims that He is Lord.
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.” - Colossians 1:15-18 (NIV)
The resurrection of Christ is proof of His Lordship. He is the One who created all things and He is the One who will recreate all things. God is at work making all things new. He is at work to redeem and restore his creation to its former glory, and the proof that He can and will eventually succeed in making all things new is found in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
When we place our faith in Christ, He begins the work in us of making us a new creation.
“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” - 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
This work of making us new will be completed on the day Christ
returns and eternity is ushered in.
“I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who
began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.”
- Philippians 1:6 (Amplified)
The point is that the fact that Jesus has been raised with a glorified body, is testimony to the fact that He is more than capable of completing the same good work in us.
“Just as we are now like the earthly man, we will someday be like the heavenly man. What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever. But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies. Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’”
- 1 Corinthians 15:49-54 (NLT)
How could Paul be so confident that this type of victory awaits ever person who puts their faith and trust in Christ? Because He is Lord, as evidenced by His resurrection. How do we know that we can trust Christ to one day make us completely new? He has already done it with His own physical body. He is the firstborn over all creation.
“God is ready to assume full responsibility for the life wholly yielded to Him.” - Andrew Murray
2. Jesus is Savior – v. 10-11
“With your whole being you embrace God setting things right,
and then you say it, right out loud: ‘God has set everything right
between him and me!’ Scripture reassures us, ‘No one who trusts God like this—heart and soul—will ever regret it.’” - Romans 10:10-11 (The Message)
Too often, our experiences in life are like this poor dog’s. We are promised far more than can be delivered. We are often faced with
disappointment in this life. But Jesus does not disappoint. The fact that Jesus has been raised from the dead testifies that He has fully paid the penalty for sin. His sacrifice is more than adequate. Therefore, no one who truly puts their faith in Him as Savior will ever be disappointed!
3. Jesus is enough – vs. 12-13
Note how Paul emphasizes the fact that because Christ is risen from the dead, He is a Savior and Lord who richly blesses all, regardless of who they are.
NO JACKET REQUIRED
I shook my head in disbelief. This couldn’t be the right place. After all, I couldn’t possibly be welcome here. I had been given an
invitation several times, by several different people, and had finally decided to see what this place was all about. But, this just couldn’t be the right place. Quickly, I glanced down at the invitation that I clutched in my hand. I scanned past the words, “Come as you are. No jacket required.” and found the location. Yes, I was at the right place.
I peered through the window again and saw a room of people whose faces seemed to glow with joy. All were neatly dressed, adorned in fine garments and appeared strangely clean as they dined at this exquisite restaurant.
Ashamed, I looked down at my own tattered and torn clothing, covered in stains. I was dirty, in fact, filthy. A foul smell seemed to consume me and I couldn’t shake the grime that clung to my body. As I turned around to leave, the words from the invitation seemed to leap out at me...... “Come as you are. No jacket required.”
I decided to give it a shot. Mustering up every bit of courage I could find, I opened the door to this restaurant and walked up to a man standing behind a podium.
“Your name, sir?” he asked me with a smile. “Jimmy D. Brown,” I mumbled without looking up. I thrust my hands deep into my pockets, hoping to conceal their stains. He didn’t seem to notice the filth that I was covered in and he continued, “Very good, sir. A table is reserved in your name. Would you like to be seated?” I couldn’t believe what I heard! A grin broke out on my face and I said, “Yes, of course!” He led me to a table and, sure enough, there was a placard with my name written on it in a deep, dark red.
As I browsed over a menu, I saw many delightful items listed. There were things like “love,” “peace,” “joy,” “blessings,” “confidence,” “assurance,” “hope,” “faith,” and “mercy.” I realized that this was no ordinary restaurant!
I flipped the menu back to the front in order to see where I was at. “God’s Grace,” was the name of this place!
The man returned and said, “I recommend the ‘Special of the Day.’ With it, you are entitled to heaping portions of everything on this menu.” You’ve got to be kidding! I thought to myself. You mean, I can have ALL of this! “What is the ‘Special of the Day?’” I asked with excitement ringing in my voice. “Salvation,” was his reply.
“I’ll take it,” I practically cried out.
Then, as quickly as I made that statement, the joy left my body. A sick, painful ache jerked through my stomach and tears filled my eyes. Between my sobs I said... “Mister, look at me. I’m dirty and nasty. I’m unclean and unworthy of such things. I’d love to have all of this, but, but, I just can’t afford it.”
Undaunted, the man smiled again. “Sir, your check has already been taken care of by that Gentleman over there,” he said as he pointed to the front of the room. “His Name is Jesus.”
Turning, I saw a man whose very presence seemed to light the room. He was almost too much to look at. I found myself walking towards Him and in a shaking voice I whispered, “Sir, I’ll wash the dishes or sweep the floors or take out the trash. I’ll do anything I can do to repay you for all of this.”
He opened His arms and said with a smile, “Son, all of this is yours if you just come unto me. Ask me to clean you up and I will. Ask me to take away the stains and it is done. Ask me to allow you to feast at my table and you will eat. Remember, the table is reserved in your name. All you must do is accept this gift that I offer you.”
Conclusion: What does the fact that Jesus is raised from the dead
declare? The resurrection proclaims that “Jesus is Lord;” that “Jesus is Savior;” and that “Jesus is enough.”
