Resurrection Sunday
What the Resurrection Means to Me!
March 31, 2002
Acts 4:8-31
Intro:
A. [illustration, by Joel Pankow]
I have heard that possums are smart animals.
You wouldn’t think so because you hardly ever see one except when it’s dead on the road.
There’s a joke that goes, "Why did the chicken cross the road? To prove to the possum that it could be done!"
But possums, it turns out, are smart.
They won’t enter a hole if there’s just one set of tracks going into it.
They know there’s something in there.
But if there are two sets of tracks.
The possum will enter and not be afraid.
The message of Easter is that we can enter the grave - we don’t have to fear death because there are tracks leading out of the tomb.
B. [Turn and greet your neighbor and tell them, "Praise God for the Resurection!"!]
C. We’ve been studying through the book of Acts here at Somerset and last Sunday we finished chapter 5.
1. However today on this Resurrection Sunday, I want to go back to chapter 4 and review a sermon the Peter preached.
2. I preached a couple of sermons from this text already, but today I want to preach another one and see what we can learn from Peter about the resurrection of Christ and what it means to us today.
3. Today I want to tell you what the resurrection means to me.
I. Jesus was crucified.
Acts 4:10, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified
A. The very first thing Peter said in this sermon was that the Sanhedrin was responsible for crucifying Jesus.
1. The record is clear that Peter was telling the truth.
2. Luke tells us at the beginning of this chapter some of those who made up the Sanhedrin: Acts 4:1, The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees…Acts 4:5-6, The next day the rulers, elders and teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and the other men of the high priest’s family.
3. Now listen to Matthew 27:1, Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people came to the decision to put Jesus to death.
Matthew 27:15-23, Now it was the governor’s custom at the Feast to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. 16 At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. 17 So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, "Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?" 18 For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him. 19 While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: "Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him." 20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed. 21 "Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" asked the governor. "Barabbas," they answered. 22 "What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?" Pilate asked. They all answered, "Crucify him!" 23 "Why? What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!"
4. You see the record is clear that Peter was telling the truth when he said the Sanhedrin was responsible for Christ’s crucifixion.
B. Jesus did, in fact, die on the cross of Calvary.
1. John 19:31-34, Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jews did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. 32 The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. 33 But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34 Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water.
2. [illustration] One lady wrote in to a question and answer forum.
"Dear Sirs, Our preacher said on Easter, that Jesus just swooned on the cross and that the disciples nursed Him back to health.
What do you think? Sincerely, Bewildered.
Dear Bewildered,
Beat your preacher with a cat-of-nine-tails with 39 heavy strokes, nail him to a cross; hang him in the sun for 6 hours; run a spear thru his side...put him in an airless tomb for 36 hours and see what happens."
Sincerely, Charles.
3. Jesus did die on the cross of Calvary just as Peter said.
C. Jesus was buried.
1. John 19:38-42, Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. 39 He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. 40 Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. 41At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. 42 Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.
2. Joseph and Nicodemus buried Jesus in a new tomb.
II. Jesus was raised.
Acts 4:10, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.
A. The record is clear that Peter was not only right about the crucifixion of Christ, but he was also right about His resurrection.
1. Paul wrote in 1Corinthians 15:3-8, For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also…
2. Christ did raise from the dead and He proved it repeatedly over a period of 40 days.
3. He didn’t just appear once to one person; He didn’t just appear to the apostles; No, He appeared repeatedly to various groups of people over a period of 40 days—one time appearing when 500 people saw Him at the same time.
B. In Acts 4, Peter is telling the Sanhedrin that it was Christ who had healed this crippled beggar.
1. Verse 22 tells us that this man had been crippled since birth and he was over 40 years old at the time of his healing.
2. And Peter said that it wasn’t he and John who had healed the man, it was Jesus.
3. Jesus had been crucified approximately 2 months prior to this.
4. Acts chapter two tells us that it had been 50 days since Christ had been crucified.
5. Jesus had been showing Himself for 40 of those days before returning to heaven and ten days later sending the HS in Acts 2.
6. So in Acts 3, Jesus healed the crippled beggar—even though the Sanhedrin thought Jesus was still dead.
7. But Peter said Christ is NOT dead because Christ had healed the man.
8. The Sanhedrin couldn’t deny that the man was healed because he was standing there.
9. And the Sanhedrin couldn’t deny that Christ had healed the man because this was an outstanding thing that had been done and no human could have done it.
10. Peter was exactly right in stating that Christ IS RISEN!
Transition: But then Peter goes on to say what Christ’s resurrection means; first…
III. Jesus is salvation.
Acts 4:12, Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
A. The record is also clear that Peter was right in stating that Jesus is salvation.
1. Romans 6:23, For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
a. And when the Bible speaks of death, it doesn’t just refer to the grave; it refers to an eternal separation from God in hell.
b. If we have sinned, we deserve to die and go to hell.
c. It doesn’t matter how good of person the devil tries to tell you that you are.
d. You can let the devil convince you that you’re not the bad of a person and that you think God will let you into heaven—but Satan has got you right where he wants you because he’ll have you for eternity.
e. The truth is that we are all bad people and there was only one person who was "good enough" to get Himself to heaven and His name is Jesus.
f. The rest of us have all sinned and fallen short and therefore our paycheck for sin is eternal separation from God in hell.
g. You can let the devil try to convince you that that’s not true from now till you die and you will find out that he’s been lying to you.
h. But you can look at the Bible for yourself—today before its too late and be saved.
i. Romans 6:23, For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
j. Jesus is salvation from the eternal penalty of our sin.
2. 1 Corinthians 15:20-23, But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.
a. Because Christ rose from the dead, so shall all who believe in Him.
b. Jesus was the first of those who rise from the dead, but when Christ returns, He will raise all those who belong to Him.
3. 1 Corinthians 15:50-57, I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed-- 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory." 55 "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
a. Thanks be to God Jesus gives us the victory over death!
b. Because Jesus rose from the dead, so shall we!
4. The record is clear that Jesus is salvation.
B. But did you notice that Peter said that "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."?
1. Peter is saying that no one else can save us!
2. There is no other name that can save us!
3. Now listen to me!
4. Buddha can’t save us!
a. What does Buddha say to his disciples?
b. He says save yourselves by following his teachings.
c. Buddha never claimed to be able to save anyone.
d. Buddha can’t save us!
5. Hare Krishna can’t save us!
a. What does Krishna say to his disciples?
b. He says save yourselves by following his teachings.
c. Krishna never claimed to be able to save anyone.
d. Krishna can’t save us!
6. How about Muhammad?
a. What does Muhammad say to his disciples?
b. He says save yourselves by following his teachings.
c. Muhammad never claimed to be able to save anyone.
d. Muhammad can’t save us!
7. But what did Christ say?
a. John 14:6, Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
1) Jesus said that no one could be saved unless they came through Him.
2) Jesus said that He is the only way to be saved.
3) Buddha, Muhammad, and Krishna all said they were all equal, but different ways to heaven.
4) They all say Christ one of many ways to heaven.
5) But Christ said He is the only way.
6) "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
b. John 3:16-17, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
1) Jesus is the only one who says believe and receive salvation.
2) Everyone else says earn it.
3) Jesus is the only one who gives it away freely.
4) Jesus is the only one who says, "Grace" or "Gift;" all others say, "Works" or "Earn."
8. Jesus truly is salvation.
Transition: The resurrection certainly means eternal life for all who put their faith in Christ, but hear this as well: Jesus is not only salvation, but…
IV. Jesus is life.
A. Jesus gives life through the HS.
Acts 4:8, Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people!
1. Peter was clearly full of the HS.
2. Jesus told the apostles why He was sending the HS; the HS does some special things for us.
3. John 14:26, But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
4. I don’t know about you, but I need all the wisdom I can get!
5. I need the HS to remind me of what Jesus said-so I can make right decisions.
6. I need the HS!
B. Jesus gives life through transformation.
2 Corinthians 5:17, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
1. Peter was a bungler.
2. If there was a way to bungle things up—he’d find it.
3. He was a mess.
4. The Sanhedrin, though blind to the ways of God, could see the transformation that God had made in Peter’s life…
5. Acts 4:13, When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
6. I need that as well!
7. I know that I can mess things up as well.
8. I’ve messed some things up pretty bad for myself at times.
9. I’ve messed things up for other people as well.
10. I need God to transform me into a new creation.
11. I can tell you that before Christ got a hold of me-I’m pretty embarrassed about a lot of the things I did.
12. How many times have you put a mark on the calendar and said from now on, I’m going to be a better person?
13. From now on I’m going to quit doing that stupid thing.
14. How many times has it worked?
15. How many times have you made up your mind to change yourself and you succeeded?
16. But I can tell you and Peter can tell you that Christ can do it!
17. Christ can change you into what He wants you to be!
18. Christ has the power to transform lives.
19. He changed Peter; He changed me; He’s changed others; and He can change you!
C. Jesus give life through boldness.
Acts 4:29, Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.
1. These guys had been arrested and threatened by their government to not speak at all in the name of Jesus.
2. What did they do?
3. They went and had a prayer meeting and asked God to give them the boldness to continue to preach no matter what their government did.
4. Do you have that kind of boldness?
5. Do you have the boldness to tell people that you believe in Jesus?
6. Peter didn’t have it just a few months before.
7. He was asked three times in one night if he knew Jesus and He denied it all three times.
8. But now everything has changed—Peter stands right up to his government and tells them that he’s going to continue to preach Jesus no matter what they do.
9. Do you need that kind of boldness in your life?
10. I know I do!
D. Jesus gives life through miracles.
Acts 4:16, "What are we going to do with these men?" they asked. "Everybody living in Jerusalem knows they have done an outstanding miracle, and we cannot deny it.
Acts 4:22, For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.
1. Since Christ had returned to heaven, did He stop doing miracles?
2. No. Christ sent the HS and now Christ does miracles through the HS.
3. The Sanhedrin knew this was an outstanding miracle and they couldn’t deny it.
4. And God is still the same God He was then.
5. Jesus is still the same as He was then.
6. The HS is just as powerful as He was then.
7. The blind can still see; the deaf can still be restored; the lame can still be healed.
8. Financial difficulties can still be resolved.
9. I need the miracle working power of God in my life!
10. I’m not content to try to get through this life by my own abilities—I need the miracle working power of God in my life!
11. I’m not content to just accept life as one problem after one trial after one sickness after one disappointment—NO I believe that God can overcome everything that comes my way!
12. If God can raise Jesus from the dead—He can handle my problems easily!
13. I need God to do things in my life that are humanly impossible!
E. Jesus gives life to the full!
John 10:10, The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
1. Is there anything in this world that you would say gave you life to the full?
2. Is there anything that this world has given you that you would say that now that you’ve gotten it, you are really livin’?
3. In fact, I think most of us would say that the things of this world have been very disappointing.
4. Some of us thought marriage would be the thing that would make us absolutely happy.
5. Some of us thought children would satisfy us in life.
6. Some of us thought a particular job would make everything great.
7. Some of us thought a raise in our salary was what was going to make everything better.
8. Some people think that an affair would make things better.
9. Some people think that drugs and alcohol are the answer.
10. But I’m here to tell you that the things of this world can never satisfy!
11. The things of this world can never make you happy!
12. The things of this world are Satan’s.
13. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy
14. The things that Satan offers only steal our joy from us.
15. The things that Satan offers only kill our desire to live.
16. The things that Satan offers only destroys our lives and the lives of those around us.
17. But Jesus said, I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
18. Jesus came to give us LIFE!
19. He came to give us ETERNAL LIFE!
20. Praise God I know I’m going to heaven when I die!
21. Praise God I know that because Jesus lives, so shall I.
22. But Jesus didn’t just come to give us eternal life—He came to give us real life now!
23. Not just life—but life to the FULL!
24. That’s what the resurrection means to me!
Conclusion:
A. How is your life?
1. Do you have life to the full?
2. Do you need the power of the resurrection in your life?
B. How can I have this kind of life?
1. Believe.
a. Believe that God loves you and wants to work in YOUR life.
b. Not just someone else’s life, but YOURS!
c. Do you believe that God want to give YOU life?
2. Acknowledge your need and ask Him to help.
a. Tell God how much you need Him.
b. Tell God how you’ve messed up your life and made bad decisions and how desperately you need Him to take control of your life.
c. Ask God to do miraculous things in your life.
d. Ask God to do things that are humanly impossible to help you believe.
e. Tell God that you can’t do this on your own and you need His help.
f. This is very important.
4. Trust God to respond.
a. Let go of whatever your plans are to fix your situation and your life.
b. Wait for God to do His thing in His time.
c. Trust Him to do what is best, when it is best.
d. Trust Him with your life!
5. Be obedient when He responds.
a. He may ask you to do things to show (or prove) your faith.
b. He may ask you to change things that will improve your life.
c. Be obedient when he responds to your cries for help.
C. [God Transforms Dad’s Life, Citation: Lee Strobel, author and teaching pastor at Saddleback Church, Lake Forest, California, from sermon "The Case for Christ"]
Author, pastor, and onetime atheist Lee Strobel says in one sermon:
How can I tell you the difference God has made in my life?
My daughter Allison was 5 years old when I became a follower of Jesus, and all she had known in those five years was a dad who was profane and angry.
I remember I came home one night and kicked a hole in the living room wall just out of anger with life.
I am ashamed to think of the times Allison hid in her room to get away from me.
Five months after I gave my life to Jesus Christ, that little girl went to my wife and said, "Mommy, I want God to do for me what he’s done for Daddy."
At age 5!
What was she saying?
She’d never studied the archeological evidence [regarding the truth of the Bible].
All she knew was her dad used to be this way: hard to live with.
But more and more her dad is becoming this way.
And if that is what God does to people, then sign her up.
At age 5 she gave her life to Jesus.
God changed my family.
He changed my world.
He changed my eternity.
D. That’s what Christ did for Lee Strobel—that’s what He did for me—that’s what He’s done for so many—and that’s what He wants to do for you!
1. That’s what the resurrection means to me!
2. What does the resurrection mean to you?
3. What do you need from God today?
4. Do you need to come and ask God to change your life?
5. Friends, if Go has the power to give life to the crucified Savior, He has the power to give you life as well!
6. Won’t you came and receive what He’s offering to you?
