Because of This Day
Dave Hartson / General
Resurrection Sunday / Resurrection / 1 Corinthians 15:1–11; 1 Corinthians 15:20–28
Morning Sunrise service
Introduction
Each year is made up of 365 days. But encompassed in those calendar days are days that I like to call life changing days. For example, April 6 is a life changing day for both Anne and me. It is the day we both went from being single to being married. And, boy, that was an eye opening experience because I quickly discovered that Anne does not think like I do.
Another life changing day was the day that you finished school and entered the work force for the first time. Most of us were probably so tired of school, we could not wait until we were out of school and making that money. That first day of work, a life changing day! Fast forward a bunch of years, and we are counting down to that retirement day because we know that when that day finally arrives, it will be a life changing day.
It is pretty early in the morning, and plenty of people have gathered here because this is a life changing day. The original life changing day occurred about 2000 years ago, three women when to tomb of Jesus very early in the morning to anoint His body with oils as was customary for that day. But what these three women saw was extraordinary. The stone that sealed Jesus’ body in the burial site was rolled away and when they went into the tomb, there sat an angel , dressed in a long white robe. First, the angel tells them do not be alarmed or do not be afraid. And then he makes this remarkable announcement: “You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here.”
Jesus rising from the grave that Resurrection Morning made that day a life changing day but it has made everyday after that a potentially life changing day if you give your heart to Jesus. For me that day was August 15th, 1976.
And this morning, I want to share with you why Resurrection Sunday is still that life changing day.
Point #1
Because of this day, lives have been changed and lives will continue to be changed.
I think back to the disciples that Jesus hand picked and who traveled with Him during His earthly ministry.
By no means could you refer to these disciples of Jesus as bold followers. Mark 14:50 records that upon Jesus’ arrest, they all fled. Peter, that night of Jesus’ arrest, flat out denied that he knew Jesus not once but three times.
The other disciples after fleeing we are told in John 20:19 they hid behind closed doors in fear the Jews might also come after them.
But after the Resurrection, these fearful disciples became bold disciples. In Luke 24:52-53, we are told that these disciples were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. After the Resurrection, they did not care who saw them.
Peter, who denied the Christ, on the day of Pentecost preached Jesus with such a boldness that 3,000 souls were saved.
These disciples despite persecution and being brought before the Sanhedrin and given warnings not to preach Christ ignored them and continued to proclaim Christ.
These same disciples would all go on to die a martyr's death except for John who would die on the Isle of Patmos.
This transformation in these disciples’ lives is strong evidence that the events of Resurrection Sunday does indeed change lives.
And my life and your life is a strong example that Resurrection Sunday is still changing lives. Personally, once I was explained the Gospel, the fact that Christ died and rose for me, and I was able to grasp what that truly meant for me, my life changed. And you probably have a similar testimony.
Resurrection Sunday changes lives.
Point #2
Because of this day, those of us who have accepted Christ as our Savior escape the torment of hell.
Mankind likes to think of itself as good. You ask someone to tell you something about themselves and they might say, “I am a pretty good fellow.”
I hope you realize that is in direct contradiction to what the Bible says about you and me. The Bible tells me that my righteous is as filthy rags. And it goes on to say that there is none that is good, no not one.
All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. And the price for that sin is death- eternal separation from God in hell.
So Resurrection Sunday was needed, Jesus supplied it, and it is a life changer. Listen carefully to what the Apostle Paul says:
1 Corinthians 15:20–22 (NKJV)
20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.
Listen to move from death to
being alive because of this day- Resurrection Day- that makes this day is a life changer.
Point #3
Because of this day, every person must make a decision as to whether or not they are going to allow the events of Resurrection Sunday to change their lives.
Let me read to you from another passage in I Corinthians 15. This time verses 3-8
1 Corinthians 15:3–8 (NKJV)
3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. 6 After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. 7 After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. 8 Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.
Decision Magazine published an article and quoted a Harvard Law Professor from the early 19th century by the name of Simon Greenleaf. He said : “A person who rejects Christ may choose to say that [he does] not accept it; he may not choose to say there is not enough evidence.”
Greenleaf is 100% right. If you are an attorney and you have to prove the Resurrection and so you put on the stand Peter, the other apostles, 500 other individuals, James and Paul and you get each one to testify that I have seen Him alive after they killed Him and put Him in the grave. I believe that you have a very solid case that the Resurrection did occur.
So, for those who have not made a decision for Christ or for those who have rejected Christ, it is not that Jesus didn’t do something special for you by getting on the cross and dying for your sins, and rising three days later to give you life, it is that you chose not to accept it.
And ladies and gentlemen, young men and young ladies if you have not accepted Christ as your Savior, it is on you.
And for those who have accepted Christ as their Savior, they are another witness that could take the stand and say since I accept Christ as my Savior my life has changed.
Jesus is in the life changing business. Have you let Him change your life?
Let us pray!
