Sermon Central
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So What?
Contributed by Pastor Randall Timblin on Jun 2, 2017 (message contributor)
Summary: Many will ask us as Christians certain questions about our God and His Son Jesus Christ. It is important that we are prepared. This sermon should assist the congregation in answering some of the most important ones.
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I. Why Did Jesus have to die?
Answer: In order that He die as a man, He had to be born and live as one. He came to earth as a man but was God incarnated (Immanuel—God as man). He came to save us, literally from ourselves and this filthy world in which we live. He came to teach us, not only by His Word but also by His actions. He was sinless and yet died on the cross for our sins; that we might be saved from eternal separation and what He called a “Second Death.”
He came also to prove all of those things foretold of Him in the Old Testament and there are over 300 predictions that concerned Him that He fulfilled. The others will be fulfilled soon and deal with the “End Times.”
He came to demonstrate His power and that there was eternal life through Him. He was proof of that because He would not stay dead. He rose from the grave after three days and eventually went back to Heaven where He is seated with God the Father.
II. Wasn't the body stolen?
Answer: No. There is plenty of proof that He rose from the tomb and that is why the tomb is empty. In 1
Corinthians 15:4-9, Paul tells us that He rose again on the third day, according to the Scriptures (that had foretold that exact thing), and then He was seen by numerous people at different times. At one point, more than 500 people saw Him as a group. Peter saw Him, James saw Him, the Apostles saw Him and finally, Paul saw Him on the road to Damascus.
The guards at the tomb of Jesus witnessed angels and the stone being rolled away from the tomb and reported what they saw to the High-Priest of the Jews in Jerusalem. In Matthew 28:11-15, we are told that they were paid off and instructed to tell everyone that the body of Jesus had been stolen. The Jews still believe that lie and many non-Jews do as well.
What do you believe?
III. Where then is the body of Christ?
Answer: Jesus ascended into Heaven after being sighted by more than 500 people. He left instructions for His disciples that they were to spread His Gospel. He now sits on the right-hand of God the Father in Heaven.
IV. What is He doing up there in Heaven?
Answer: He has much to do. In John 14:2-3, we were told by Him before He left us, that He would be preparing a place in Heaven for you and I. But, He also left us with the Holy Spirit, who listens to Jesus and does with us what He is commanded to do by Jesus Christ Himself.
He also has command over many, many angels—millions of times millions and more. You and I have at least two angels watching over us. In Psalm 91:11, King David told us that He will give His angels charge over us—to keep us in our ways.
V. So, am I going to keep this body when I die?
Answer: No. In 1 Corinthians 15:50-52, Paul tells us that in the “twinkling of an eye” we will all be changed. The dead will also be made incorruptible as will we. The flesh and blood cannot enter the Kingdom of God; hence we will be given heavenly bodies much like that of Jesus. In Matthew 17:1-2, Peter, James and John witnessed Jesus on a mountain top and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun and His clothes were as white as the light.
VI. Other religions can’t all be wrong, right?
Answer: Wrong! Those religions all worship man-made “gods” with a little “g”. They are false gods. In Genesis 1:1, we are told that “in the beginning, God created the Heavens and the earth.” That’s with a Big “G” and there is only one of Him.
No other religion, explains how the Heavens and earth were formed and when. Our Bible has the only detailed account of the creation days. He is the LORD, our God and is a “jealous God” according to Exodus 20:2-5. He warns us there, not to bow down to any “god”, little “g”. We are to have no other gods before Him.
Jesus told us that there is only one way to the Father and one way for anyone to get to Heaven and it was through Him. In John 14:6, He said “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” That pretty much wraps that up. He is telling us to forget the other religions for they will not get you to Heaven.
Is it worth the risk?
VII. But, what are my choices—certainly I have choices?
