“There’s Something About the Resurrection”
Sunday, April 24, 2011 am
Reading: Matthew 28:1-8 ESV:
"Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. (2)And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. (3)His appearance was like lightning and his clothing white as snow. (4)And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. (5)But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. (6)He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. (7)Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you." (8)So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples."
Introduction:
Today, people around the world are celebrating Easter. But today, we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. I hope you see the difference: Easter is myth, the combining of fairy-tale and fact; resurrection is real. Those who celebrate Easter do so once a year; we celebrate the resurrection every week in the Lord’s Supper and every moment of every day as we “walk in newness of life”.
This past Tuesday, President Obama hosted his second annual Easter Prayer Breakfast in Washington. He began by saying, “I wanted to host this breakfast for a simple reason. Because, as busy as we are, as many tasks as pile up during this season, we are reminded that there's something about the Resurrection, something about the Resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ, that puts everything else in perspective.”
Quite frankly, I’m not sure how to take these words. After many years of being a member of radical preacher Jeremiah Wright’s church and for the past two years of not being able to find a church in the DC area to attend, I’m suspicious of the president’s sincerity. Were these thoughts his, or was this a well-crafted speech written for him by one of his many speech writers and read quite eloquently from a teleprompter? Was he being serious and genuine, or merely campaigning?
What did he mean, “There’s something about the resurrection?” Perhaps we will never know. When I first heard of his remarks, I said to myself, “There’s something about the resurrection? Of course there is, it’s a resurrection!” But then I thought about how many unbelievers might concede, “Of course there is no literal resurrection, but there is something about hoping for a resurrection that puts things in perspective.” Please, I don’t mean to imply that this is what the president meant. I am grateful for his words, whether offered sincerely or hypocritically. Perhaps they will cause others to ponder, “What is it about the resurrection that puts things in perspective?”
Lesson:
THE RESURRECTION REMINDS ME THAT I AM A SINNER.
When God created the first humans, Adam and Eve, he said, “It is very good.” He placed them in a perfect garden and gave them everything they could ever need. But they wanted more. They rebelled against God, who had been so good to them. And they knew in a moment that they were sinners. They were separated from God by their sin, but God promised a savior.
It all started because of sin. But Adam and Eve are not unique as far as sin. I too am a sinner. In fact, we all are sinners. We have all, like Adam and Eve, rebelled against God.
But sometimes we lose our perspective. We look at how others live and think, “I’m not that bad.” We might even go further, “I’m actually pretty good; at least I try to be.” But the truth is, no matter how hard I try, I still fail.
God is holy and I am not. The more I say, “I’m not that bad, the more I make it seem that God isn’t that good. But he is. He is so good that I have no right to be in his presence. He is so good, so pure and so holy that even one sin is one too many; and I have many more than one. So holy was Jesus, Acts 2:24 ESV God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.
In the resurrection, Jesus came to heal the breach between sinful people and a holy God. But the fact of the breach between us reminds me that I am a sinner. And so, the resurrection reminds me also that I am a sinner. It was for my sins that Jesus went to the cross.
THE RESURRECTION TELLS ME THAT I NEED A SAVIOR.
What hope does a sinner have, while still in his sin? I can never be good enough to undo the wrong I have done. Hebrews 9:22 ESV "Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins." Hebrews 10:4 ESV "For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins." Only the perfect sacrifice of the Son of God is pure enough and powerful enough to forgive sin.
Jesus was willing to be the Savior. At his birth, it was announced, Luke 2:11 ESV "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." After his resurrection it was proclaimed, Acts 5:30-31 ESV "The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. (31)God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins."
not only is Jesus the Savior, he is the only Savior. 1 John 4:14 ESV "And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world." Acts 4:12 ESV "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
THE RESURRECTION TELLS ME THAT, IN SPITE OF MY SINS, GOD LOVES ME.
God did not require that we clean up our act before he would love us. That would be impossible. Romans 5:6-8 ESV "For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. (7)For one will scarcely die for a righteous person--though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die--(8)but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
1 Timothy 1:15 ESV "The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost." The whole purpose of his coming was to save sinners. He left the splendor of heaven and jumped into the mire of our sins. He took our sins upon him. For the joy set before him he endured the cross because he loves us.
John 15:13 ESV "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."
THE RESURRECTION TELLS ME THAT I AM FORGIVEN.
The first of the Seven Words of Christ from the cross were, Luke 23:34 ESV "And Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.' And they cast lots to divide his garments." Jesus said these words as they were fastening him to the cross. As they pounded the nails into his hands and feet, Jesus was forgiving them.
But we must not blame the Romans, nor the Jews for crucifying Christ. It was for our sins that Jesus went to the cross. It was for our sins that Jesus cried out. It was for our sins that Jesus pleaded with the Father, “Forgive them.”
The resurrection vindicates Christ. He was condemned to die like an ordinary criminal. The charge against him was insurrection. According to Jewish law, Galatians 3:13 ESV "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us--for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree'--" Had Jesus not been raised, all would have concluded, “This man was not from God, he was cursed by God.” But the tomb was found empty; Jesus had risen. The curse was proven to be a sham; Jesus was vindicated. He was not a sinner; he was the Holy One of God.
THE RESURRECTION TELLS ME THERE IS A HEAVEN AND A HELL.
Before his crucifixion, Jesus said this to his disciples, John 14:1-6 ESV "'Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. (2)In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? (3)And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. (4)And you know the way to where I am going.' (5)Thomas said to him, 'Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?' (6)Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" Jesus, in his death, burial and resurrection was preparing a place for us in the Father’s house. Heaven is the home of God. Jesus went there to prepare a place for us there.
John was given a glimpse of heaven in Revelation 21 and 22. It’s called the New Jerusalem. Revelation 21:3-4 ESV "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. (4)He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.'" Revelation 22:3-5 ESV "No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. (4)They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. (5)And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever."
Just as real as heaven is the reality of Hell. In Revelation it is referred to as the lake of fire and the second death. Jesus tells us that this lake of fire was prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41). Revelation 20:15 ESV "And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire."
THE RESURRECTION TELLS ME THAT THERE IS MORE TO LIFE THAN LIFE ITSELF.
2 Timothy 1:10 ESV "and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel," Not just life, but life and immortality are brought to light through the good news of the resurrection. Jesus said, John 10:10b ESV "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." That’s abundant in quality. It’s also abundant in quantity. There are 43 verses in the New Testament that speak of eternal life.
This world is the proving ground for eternal life. The choices we make in this life will determine where we will spend eternity. Matthew 25:32-40 ESV "Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. (33)And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. (34)Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. (35)For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, (36)I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' (37)Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? (38)And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? (39)And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' (40)And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'"
Paul wrote this, 1 Corinthians 15:19-20 ESV "If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. (20)But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep." James tells us that this life is like a vapor that vanishes quickly (James 4:14). Compared to eternity, this life is but a snap of the fingers, a blink of the eye and it’s gone. But as Paul tells us, the resurrection of Jesus is the firstfruits. His is the first of many resurrections. As surely as night follows day, our resurrection will follow his in God’s own time. 1 Corinthians 15:42 ESV "So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable." What a glorious day that will be!
CHRISTIANITY STANDS OR FALLS WITH THE RESURRECTION.
Every other religion the world has ever known has been based on teaching and philosophy. And that is not to say that Christianity is without its teaching and philosophy. But without the resurrection, Christianity would have died when Jesus dies, 1918 years ago.
The primary claim of Christ was not that he was a prophet, a rabbi or a guru. The primary claim of Jesus of Nazareth was that he was God’s Anointed and that he would prove it by rising from the dead. If Jesus did not rise from the dead, Christianity is but a fable, a lie, a sham. 1 Corinthians 15:17 ESV "And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins." 1 Corinthians 15:14-15 ESV "And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. (15)We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised."
Conclusion:
“There’s something about the resurrection that puts everything else in perspective.” You’d better believe there is. Without it, life just doesn’t make sense. Only if Christ has been raised does this life have meaning. Only if Christ has been raised does this life have any purpose. Only if Christ has been raised does this life have any significance. Christ is Risen. He is Risen indeed! Christ is Risen. He is Risen indeed! Christ is Risen. He is Risen indeed!
Invitation:
If the fact that Christ is risen is of no significance for you, then your life is out of perspective. You are still in your sins and all that awaits you beyond this life is eternal torment in the lake of fire. Perhaps you out to think about changing your perspective.
If you at one time served Christ, but have kind of walked away from him and are no longer walking in the light, then you’re worse off now then you were before you started following Christ (2 Peter 2:20). Perhaps you out to think about changing your perspective.
If you’re struggling and hanging on by a thread, don’t lose your perspective. Hang on to Christ. Share your struggle with your brothers and sisters in Christ. We’ll pray for you. We’ll hold you up when you’re falling down. Just “keep your eyes on Jesus, the Author and perfecter of our faith who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2).
Do you need a change of perspective? We’ll share our perspective with you if you will come forward while we sing.
