An Awesome expression of GRACE
Talking about the Resurrection
By
Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr.
OPENING: - The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the foundation and the crowning proof of the Christian faith. It is not a denominational issue or a point for theological debate. It is exactly what it is the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, there are some that teach that the resurrection is a unnecessary belief, and that we can be good Christians without faith in the resurrection of Jesus. I want to emphatically say that is a lie breathed in the pits of hell.
WATCH THIS: - Everything else that was said or done by Christ and the Apostles, no matter how great or marvelous, is secondary to the resurrection in importance. The raising of Lazarus, the feeding of the five thousand, the turning of water to wine, the walking on the water, the opening of blinded eye is secondary because
if the resurrection did not take place, then Christianity would be a false religion. If Jesus did not rise from the dead, then He would be no different than any other men who are also dead regardless of how great. All Jesus claims to absolute deity are placed on His promise to return from the dead. Since He did rise again not only are His claims validated, but so are His promises.
Since the resurrection in fact did take place, then Christ is God, and the Christian faith is absolute truth! When Jesus rose from the dead, he confirmed his identity as the Son of God, He confirmed His work of atonement, redemption, reconciliation, and salvation. He defeated death, hell, and the grave. Without the resurrection, the belief in God's saving grace through Jesus Christ is destroyed. The truth is you either believe Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead and ascended to heaven or you don’t. To deny Jesus’ victory over death, hell and the grave is to ultimately deny yourself a place in eternity bliss and to suffer in hells damnation forever.
Talking about the Resurrection.
PRAYER: -
SCRIPTURE: - The account of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is in all four Gospels for it is the gospel of Jesus Christ. Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24 & John 20. Today I want to present something I have never done before when it comes to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. I have preached on the Empty Tomb, the Rolled Away Stone, The grave clothes and the napkin and many other topics but today I want to deal with the Chronological Order of Events of the Resurrection and reveal the awesome expression of Grace.
The Chronological events of the Resurrection: - I want to purpose to you today how I see the events happened at Jesus Resurrection. I need to first start at Jesus death because there is something that happened at His death and will happen again at His resurrection. Matthew 27:51 says “And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent”. The earthquake at Jesus death showed that Jesus the creator of all truly is the Son of God. Matthew 27:54 says, “Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God”.
The Resurrection: - Matthew 28:2-4 says, “And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men”. There is a great earthquake, since there was an earthquake at His death it is just Super-Natural that there would be an earthquake at His resurrection. Then an angel appears and rolls away the stone, not to let Jesus out because He is already risen but to let witness in. The soldiers become as dead men afraid of the sight of the angel.
Then according to Matthew 28:1, Mark 16:1-4, Luke 24:1 & John 20:1 Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, Salome, Joanna, and other women come to the tomb leaving their homes while it was still dark to complete burial customs on behalf of Jesus. When they arrive, they notice the stone of the tomb has been rolled away. Fearing the have stolen Jesus body Mary Magdalene runs to Peter and John with the news of likely grave robbers John 20:2 says, “Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid”.
The women who remain encounter an angel who declared to them that Jesus had risen and that they should tell this to the brethren. That is found in Matthew 28:5-8, Mark 16:2-8, and Luke 24:2-7. After the angel tells them that Jesus is risen, they leave speechless - Mark 16:8 says, “And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid”.
Then Peter and John arrive at the tomb to see if what Mary claimed is true John 20:3 & Luke 24:12. Mary Magdalene followed them back out to the tomb arriving before they left. Peter and John discover the tomb empty though they encounter no angel. John believes in the resurrection John 20:8 says, “Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed”.
The other women have reported what the angels say to the Apostles. Peter and John have not yet returned, and these remaining apostles are dismissive of the women’s story at first Luke 24:11 says, “And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not”.
Peter and John leave the tomb John 20:10 says. “Then the disciples went away again unto their own home”, leaving early caused them to miss out on a very special blessing, but Mary Magdalene stays at the tomb for a little while longer Mark 16:9-11 & John 20:11-16 says, “But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre. And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master”. Jesus sends her back to the apostles with the news to prepare them for his appearance later that day. John 20:17 says, “Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God”. This is the 1st appearance of Jesus after His resurrection. Jesus then ascends to Heaven to Our Father and Our God – why do you say this, Bishop, because when Mary Magdalene say Him He said touch me not for I have yet to ascend to my father, but at the next appearance watch what happens.
This is the 2nd appearance of Jesus after His resurrection. The other women have an encounter with Jesus. Matthew 28:9-10 says “And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and Worshipped him. Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me”. The women are allowed to touch Him now at the 2nd appearance.
The 3rd appearance of Jesus after His resurrection He appears to 2 disciples – Luke 24:13-31. Then later that day, two disciples on their way to Emmaus were discussing the events that had happened and the rumors of His resurrection. Jesus draws near to them but they don’t recognize him. First Jesus breaks open the word for them, then sits with them and breaks bread whereupon their eyes are opened, and they recognize him.
The 4th appearance of Jesus after His resurrection. The two disciples returned to Jerusalem about an hour later and went to the Eleven and at first the eleven did not believe them – Mark 16:13 says “And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them”. Now the Bible doesn’t give much detail but for some reason Peter leaves Luke 24:34 says “Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon” that is confirmed 1 Corinthians 15:5 which says, “And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve”. So the 4th appearance of Jesus is to Peter.
This is the 5th appearance of Jesus after His resurrection. Jesus appears to the Ten in the locked room Luke 24:36 says, “And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you”. John 20:19-23 says, “Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained”.
These are the chronological events and the 5 appearances of Jesus after His resurrection.
Bishop is there a reason why you are bringing this out?
The number 5 in scripture represents God's grace, goodness and favor toward humans. Grace is mentioned 318 times in Scripture. Now 318 really doesn’t have a meaning; however, the numbers 3+1+8 = 12 which represents Divine Government – the 12 Apostles, the 12 tribes of Israel. So, the 318 times Grace is mentioned deals with His Divine Government is Grace.
5 which is grace multiplied by itself 5, 25, is grace upon grace John 1:16 says, “And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace”.
The Ten (10 represents divine order) Commandments contains two sets of 5 commandments. The first five commandments are related to our treatment and relationship with God with the remaining 5 commandments deal with our relationship with others.
There are 5 primary types of offerings God commanded Israel to bring to him. They are the Burnt Offering Leviticus 1; 8:18 - 21; 16:24, Sin Offering Leviticus 4; 16:3 - 22, Trespass Offering Leviticus 5:14 - 19; 6:1 - 7; 7:1 - 6, Grain Offering Leviticus 2 and Peace Offering Leviticus 3; 7:11- 34. These 5 offerings were designed to bring the people into the presence and relationship with God which is GRACE.
The Book of Psalms is divided into 5 divisions. Division 1 1 to 41 refers to the Passover, and the start of the God's plan of salvation that centers on Christ and emphasize how God is beside us. Division 2 42 to 72 sings about a unified Israel in the land and pictures the creation of the New Testament Church the attention is given to how God goes before us. Division 3 73-89 reminds us that God is all around us Israel is commanded to tell the next generation, even the children yet to be born, the great and mighty deeds of the Lord. Division 4 90-106 focuses on how God is above us. Psalm 90 is the one psalm credited to Moses. In it, he speaks of how our lives on this earth are brief, so we need to number our days aright. God, on the other hand, is eternal, and He will reign forever and ever. Psalm 106:48 “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting”. Division 5 107-150 deals with how God is among us. It closes with a beautiful praise because of GRACE – “Praise the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty firmament! Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness! Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him with the lute and harp! Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes! Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with clashing cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord”.
The word grace comes from the Latin word gratia, as in sola gratia (grace alone). The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines it as a special favor or privilege, a “disposition to or an act or instance of kindness, courtesy, or clemency.”
But grace is most used to refer to God’s favor. The first definition of grace is “unmerited divine assistance given to humans for their regeneration or sanctification.” To put it in the most popular way Grace is simply God’s unmerited favor.
Grace in Hebrew is chen, which means favor or grace. It appears 69 times in the Old Testament with its first appearance in Genesis 6:8, which says, “But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.”
When we examine the Aleph Beth (the Hebrew alphabet). Chen comprises two Hebrew letters: Cheth and Nun. Cheth is the picture of a fence, and it means a private place of refuge or protected sanctuary to separate from the outside. And nun is the picture of a fish or a seed, which means activity and life. Therefore, chen literally means giving life, then separating and protecting it from the outside – That’s the Grace of God.
Grace in Greek is Charis, and it means kindness, favor, loveliness, goodwill, or gratitude. It appears 156 times in the New Testament, with its first appearance in Luke 1:30, which says, “And the angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.” 1+5+6=12 remember Divine Government.
Charis comes from the root word xar, which means favorably disposed, leaning towards, or freely extending oneself. So properly, Charis also means freely inclining or extending oneself towards another to show him favor because of one’s favorable disposition towards the other.
Grace means freely extending oneself to show favor or kindness to another. It is when a person inclines himself towards someone inferior to bestow him with blessing, protection, and delightful gifts.
CLOSING: - The 5 appearances of Jesus after His resurrection just further exemplify the awesome Grace of God. Jesus Christ the Son of God died for our sins and rose again, conquering sin and death for our salvation and for the glory of God. And those who did not see Him like us today have also been called to believe on Him and are promised the incredible blessing of eternal life for that belief. The resurrection is a historical fact. Our whole faith rests on this truth; that Christ is alive. It is what makes Christianity so different from all the world’s religions.
It is not a denominational issue or a point for theological debate. If Jesus did not rise from the dead, then He would be no different than any other men who are also dead regardless of how great.
The Resurrection of Jesus was an awesome expression of Grace, but it produces power: It is not just an event that happened some 2000 years ago, but produces the power that is still available for and to the people of God. If the standard of God’s power in the Old Testament was the deliverance of the Children of Israel through the Red Sea, then the standard of God’s power in the New Testament is the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Ephesians 1:19-20 says, “And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places”.
Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us”. The power that worketh in us is the same spirit that raised Jesus from the dead. Romans 8:11 says, “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you”.
It produces an awesome expression of Grace.
When that Spirit that raised Jesus is living inside us: It is preparing us for the coming of the Lord. It changes us from inside out, as transformed people whose character will represent Christ. The same power that is able to raise Jesus from the grave is able to raise us from sin and to transform us into His likeness. It protects us from the powers of evil. It is the same power that will resurrect us to be with Him forever when Christ returns. He will quicken our mortal bodies. Quicken means to make alive, fill with life. It is the power that will touch the dead situations in our life, be it a broken relationship, children, financial breakdown- it will produce life. That is an Awesome Expression of GRACE
Death is man's greatest enemy, and it has conquered all men but Christ. Death is not, the great victor, but is a defeated enemy. 1 Peter 1:3 says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead”.
Now that’s GRACE.
Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr.
