HE LIVES!!
1 Corinthians 15
April 20, 2003
Introduction
Today we celebrate the victory of Jesus over sin and death by His resurrection.
He was crucified, considered to be the most barbaric and cruel form of capital punishment known to man before or since.
And three days later, He was raised to life, triumphant over death and the grave.
His resurrection did more than validate Jesus’ claims to be God. It paved the way for regular people like you and me to have a deep, personal, authentic relationship with God Himself.
Today I want to examine three areas that the resurrection of Jesus affects. I say “affects” instead of “effected” because these are continual. They are still being impacted by Jesus’ resurrection 2,000 years ago.
My intention today is to give you a glimpse of what Christ has done for you as an individual – an individual for whom Christ died.
And in the process, offer you hope in
So the question I want to address is this:
How does the resurrection affect us today?
1. The resurrection affects history.
It goes without saying that Jesus has had an impact on society. Paul describes what it was about Jesus that sets Jesus apart from other people.
1CO 15:3 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, as to one abnormally born.
Jesus was a historical figure. He lived and died as a historical figure. And He rose again as a historical figure. And while we understand that He was ever so much more than just a man in history, it’s very important that we understand that the life, death, and resurrection were real historical events.
In our passage this morning, Paul stresses this to a great degree, especially regarding the resurrection.
He states that His resurrection was prophesied in Scripture, that it was fulfilled in history, and that Jesus appeared to over 500 people after He died.
Notice that he mentions that most of the 500 were still living at the time he wrote it. This is very significant, because it means that there were plenty of people around who could have refuted what Paul had to say.
Jesus’ resurrection not only validated His message, it gave the early followers of Jesus the courage to face death and torture, and to bring the message to the far corners of the known world.
And that message continues to affect lives today. The historical fact of the resurrection affects history, even today.
Next,…
2. The resurrection affects our perspective.
It validates our faith.
1CO 15:12 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost.
Basically, the resurrection is what makes our faith worth having in the first place. People can like what Jesus had to say, especially those things that tell us to be nice to each other, but His resurrection gives power to His words. A power that no other religious person has.
You see, all the other leaders of religions have died and are still in the grave. Only Jesus has risen. He proved His words by rising from the dead.
Paul says that without the resurrection we are still in our sins. Why be a Christian if you don’t have forgiveness? Forgiveness was made possible by not just the death of Jesus, but also His resurrection.
Why? Because by rising from the dead, He proved His power over sin and death.
His resurrection validates our faith.
It gives us hope.
19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.
1CO 15:20 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.
Let me point out a couple of things here:
First, verse 19 states that the resurrection gives us hope for when we die. And I want to focus on that for a moment.
Do you understand that our time on earth is a speck on the timeline of your existence? You will be in eternity a lot longer than you will be on earth – that’s part of why we call it eternity, right?
Let me be so bold as to assume that you’d want to spend it in heaven in the presence of God than in the eternal punishment of hell.
And if that’s the case, then understand that Jesus’ resurrection makes it possible. His death on the cross bought our forgiveness – His resurrection opened the door to everlasting life in heaven and freedom on earth.
I can look past the ugliness of our world to the day when I will be in the perfect dwelling place of God.
And that gives me hope.
Second, verse 19 implies that Jesus’ resurrection gives us hope for the time we have on earth.
Now I’m a pretty optimistic guy, most of the time.
I’ve been in situations where poor decisions have almost cost me everything.
I’ve had people I love hurt me deeply. I’ve second-guessed career choices.
I’ve been depressed. I know what it’s like to hurt.
But folks, I also understand that God’s mercies are new every morning. And I know that no matter what I’m going through, whether it’s the result of my own choices, or because of circumstances outside of my control, I know that God loves me and that He cares for me intimately.
And not only does He love and care for me, He made it possible for me to come to Him and pour out my heart to Him for any reason and at any time.
Knowing that I have a personal relationship with the Creator of the universe gives me hope when I cry out to Him to intervene in my life and circumstances, because I know He’s big and powerful enough to do something.
I have hope for today as well as for when I die. Verse 22 says that all will be made alive in Christ.
So are you living a life that shows people you are alive in Christ?
Do you have a perspective that says no matter what happens, I have hope for today and for tomorrow because I may not know the future, but I know the one who does?
I hope so. And if you do, then let it shine through your face and attitudes.
People who live lives of hope are generally not grumpy individuals. It’s hard to be grumpy all the time when you have a life centered on the hope we have in Christ.
(Grumpy face) “Hi. Take hold of the hope that’s in Christ so you can be like me.”
The resurrection of Jesus affects our perspective, by validating our faith and giving us hope.
The last area I want to look at to day is the fact that…
3. The resurrection affects our opportunities…
1. For service
1CO 15:58 Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Do you know that the possibilities are endless for service in the kingdom of God? And I don’t necessarily in full-time vocational ministry such as pastor or missionary.
The world needs people who will work for God in any and every job situation.
We need Christian teachers and administrators in public schools. We need Christian businessmen and women who reflect godly business principles and prosper. We need Christian people in elected government, local and national.
We need Christian homemakers. We need Christian mechanics, machinists, carpenters, and plumbers. We need Christian doctors and lawyers. We need Christian custodians. We need Christian policemen and women, and we need Christian military personnel.
You get the idea.
But why is this so important? Because Christians who love their Lord generally work better and are more successful in their jobs, since they are convinced that they work ultimately for God, not for human employers.
And good work is a good witness. And this opens the door to telling others of the hope we have in Christ.
We also need people willing to do things like volunteer at the Salvation Army or Safe Harbor. Or just people going out of their way to help someone load groceries in their car or mow their lawn or shovel their sidewalk. Just to show love for people in the name of Jesus.
And in all this, we have the assurance that our labor for God is not in vain. Maybe you don’t see the fruit of your efforts for Christ. Keep plugging.
It may be that you never see that fruit this side of heaven. But God promises that your efforts will bear fruit for the kingdom of God, no matter how insignificant it might seem to you or others.
I read the story in Christianity Today about an Oriental lady in Canada. You know what her ministry is? Washing the feet of prostitutes. They come in to be ministered by a smiling lady who loves them with the love of Jesus.
You won’t be seeing her leading a mighty movement, she will never be famous. She doesn’t want any of those things. She wants prostitutes to know that Jesus loves them, and that He can free them from the bondage they’re in.
And I’ll guarantee you that the fruits of her labor for God will be huge.
The resurrection affects our opportunities for service.
Second, the resurrection affects our opportunities for…
2. For significance
1CO 15:9 For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them--yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.
If you’re like most people, and I’m guessing that at least most of you here are like most people, you have sometimes wondered if you have any purpose in life, other than to steal someone else’s oxygen.
Maybe you’re wondering that right now.
Please let me tell you that because of what Jesus accomplished in the resurrection, we have reason to be encouraged.
Jesus said that the Father knows everything about us, down to the number of hairs on our head.
And I can guarantee you that His interest in you is not just biological. He cares about your deepest concerns and He rejoices with your greatest happinesses.
You are significant in the eyes of God. The problem is, we often don’t feel significant in the eyes of other people.
You’re going to be surprised when I tell you this, but if that’s the problem – if you are struggling with feeling significant in the eyes of other people, then what you need to do is become active in the service we just talked about a few moments ago.
Giving your life to serving God brings significance as you find yourself investing in the lives of other people by bringing the gospel to them in the context of your work.
I promise you it’s true.
But let me address something else here. Maybe you’re thinking that God can’t use you. Maybe you’ve blown it big-time and think that God would have no use for you.
Peter had the same problem. He had told Jesus he would follow Him all the way to death. Jesus just shook His head and said, “No you won’t. In fact, in just a few hours you will lie through your teeth, denying you ever knew me to save your skin.”
But Jesus went to Peter after the resurrection and said, “You know what, Pete? I forgive you. And you know what else? I need you. I have a job for you. You’re going to be a force to be reckoned with here, in just a few weeks. And you know what, you will never deny me again. In fact, you’re going to end up giving your life for me.”
The bottom line of the conversation here is that Jesus is telling Peter, “I still need you. You are valuable to Me and to the kingdom of God.”
God is the God of second chances.
One summer I was attending a summer camp type of program, and one night I was in charge of the evening service.
It did not go well. Usually when everyone gathered for the service, music would be playing quietly in the background. Being the Christian rock kind of guy I am, I had chosen Petra’s latest tape, and that did not help set the mood for worship.
Then I informed the speaker that the special music guy had bailed out – he told me to get another one. Two minutes before the service started. I found a guy, but he didn’t have enough time to prepare adequately, and he made a couple mistakes.
Then I apologized to the crowd about my lack of preparation, and that didn’t sit well with the director of the program.
Well, the next day, I had the wonderful blessing of having a private meeting with Ed, the camp director.
He told me what went wrong, and I was feeling pretty low. But he went on to say, “Brian, don’t let what happened last night affect how you think of yourself.”
Well, that’s kind of hard, especially for guys, because guys generally find their significance in their work.
But here’s the rest of the story. A week or so later, as our leadership team was planning the last meeting of the camp, the camp director told the group he wanted me to lead the meeting.
I’m like, “Really? Me? Awesome! Are you sure?”
I think some of the others were not so sure that was a good idea.
What Ed implied was that he was confident that I wouldn’t let the same things happen again.
This spoke volumes to my soul. And it’s an example of what Jesus does with us, when we think we have blown it beyond repair.
God takes that and He works with it, to mold us more in His image, allowing us to persevere once again.
God is the God of second chances. And I am grateful for that.
If you are searching for significance, it is found in Jesus. That’s not some spiritual platitude. It’s the truth. We are made in His image. We are made for His purpose. We are made in His love.
The Bible says that everything and everyone was made by Him and finds their purpose in Him. Significance is rooted in a correct understanding of who you are in Christ.
Jesus’ resurrection affects our opportunities for service and for significance.
So,…
Seize the opportunities!
Are you convinced about the historical reality of the resurrection?
If not, investigate the facts.
Have your temporal and eternal perspectives been affected to the point that you have confidence in everything the resurrection gained for you?
If not, spend time and effort to get to know God and His promises.
Do you want to feel that your life counts for something this side of heaven?
Take action to deepen your relationship with Him. Get it past the surface, down to the depths of your soul.
Then get busy in service. Watch Him work in and through you.
And let Jesus live and reign in you, so you can reign in life through Him.
One last thing. The biggest benefit of the resurrection is the promise of forgiveness and eternal life.
So I have another question. Do you have the assurance that if you were to die today, you would spend eternity with God?
The Bible says that all have sinned, and that sin prevents us from entering heaven. Instead, we will spend eternity paying the due penalty for our sins in punishment.
You might have spent your whole life in church. It doesn’t matter. You’re a sinner and you deserve the penalty of hell.
But Jesus came to pay that penalty for you, taking your sins and mine onto Himself on the cross, dying for you, and rising again in triumph.
The Bible says that Jesus came to earth for one main reason – to bring you to God.
Would you like forgiveness of sins? Would you like to know that you will spend eternity in heaven when you leave this earth? Would you like to find real meaning and significance in life?
Then call on Jesus. Admit you’re a sinner in need of forgiveness and call on Him for forgiveness of sin and a home in heaven. The Bible says that no matter what you’ve done, no matter who you are, He is ready and willing to forgive.
Believe that Jesus died for you and rose again, and that He wants you to be a child of God.
We are going to pray in just a moment. If you want to leave here today with the assurance of a home in heaven, then you can do that.
I’m going to lead you in a prayer that you can make your own, to take Christ into your life. When you do that, you are asking Christ to forgive you, give you a home in heaven, and to make you a new person here on earth. The Bible says that if you are in Christ, you are a new creation.
Tired of the life you’ve been living without God? Then come to Christ.
Let’s pray. After I’m done praying for those who want to call on Jesus, I’m going to give a brief piece of instruction, and then I will close our service in prayer.
(Prayer)
Please take out the response cards I had you start filling in earlier in the service. I would like you to do me a favor. On the back of those cards I would like you to put down one of the following letters: ABCD.
A = already believe in Christ
B = Believing for the first time, or believing again
(B2)
C = Considering Christ
D = Don’t ever plan on believing in Christ.
And then if you would be so kind as to put them in the offering boxes in the back of the sancutary, I would appreciate it very much. If you are a guest here today, I want you to be assured that you will not end up on any mailing lists. This is for me, so I can see where you stand with God, and minister to you more effectively.
Let’s close the service in prayer.
