WEFC Sermon: "The Significance of the Resurrection: Power for Living Here and Now"

The Significance of The Resurrection: Power for Living Here and Now

Various Scriptures – April 24, 2011 – Easter – Dr. David P. Craig

Resurrection Living

The bodily resurrection of Christ is the central topic of Paul's letters; it is the essential event which controls his entire ministry – and ours as well in the 21^st century.

What are the implications of neglecting the resurrection?

First of all, we will not be as confident of our salvation, for it is only to the extent that we are sure that Christ rose that we will be sure that we are saved.

Secondly, we can miss out on the joy of our salvation.

Thirdly, we will never understand the gospel fully if we don't understand the resurrection's role in our justification. (Romans 4:24-25)

Finally, we may miss out on fully experiencing the benefits of the life-transforming power that the resurrection releases inside each of us.

1) The Significance of the Resurrection of Christ (“Past” Realities):

· Acts 2:24, 31, 32; 3:15, 26; 4:2, 10, 33; 5:30; 9:41; 10:40; 13:34, 37; 14:15; 17:18, 32; 23:6,7; 24:15, 21. 1 Corinthians 15:1-6, 12-17, 20-22

· Christ's resurrection is central because there is no faith, no hope, no forgiveness, and no good news if Christ has not been raised from the dead.

God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it…he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption…This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses…and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead.

To this we are witnesses…and the audience was greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead…let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well…And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.”

The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree…but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear…But God raised him from the dead…And as for the fact that he raised him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, he has spoken in this way, “‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David…but he whom God raised up did not see corruption.

Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, “What does this babbler wish to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities”—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection.”

Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this…Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.”

For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all…we [on the other hand] having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust…other than this one thing that I cried out while standing among them: ‘It is with respect to the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you this day.’”Acts 2:24, 31, 32; 3:15, 26; 4:2, 10, 33; 5:30; 9:41; 10:40; 13:34, 37; 14:15; 17:18, 32; 23:6,7; 24:15, 21.

Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. - 1 Corinthians 15:1-6

Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.

But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. - 1 Corinthians 15:12-17, 20-22

2) The Significance of the Resurrection of Christ (“Present” Realities):

· Romans 4:24-25; 6:4-6,9,11; 7:4; 8:11, 34; 10:9; 14:9; 2 Corinthians 5:15 & 6:16; Ephesians 1:20; 2:5-6; Philippians 3:10-11; Colossians 2:12-13; 2:20; 3:1

· Definition of a Christian: “A Christian is someone who believes in the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ and lives in light of the implications of this event.” – Andrew Warnock

· We have been delivered from spiritual darkness, bondage, and death into spiritual light, freedom, and life to be reconciled and empowered by God to bear eternal lasting fruit because He is living in us.

but for ours also [righteousness imputed to us]. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification. - Romans 4:24-25

We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. - Romans 6:4-6

We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. - Romans 6:9,11

Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. Romans 7:4

If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. - Romans 8:11, 34

because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. – Romans 10:9; 14:9

and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised… What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. – 2 Corinthians 5:15 & 6:16

that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, - Ephesians 1:20; 2:5-6

that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. – Philippians 3:10-11

having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, - Colossians 2:12-13

If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations—If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. – Colossians 2:20; 3:1

3) The Significance of the Resurrection of Christ (“Future” Realities):

· 1 Corinthians 15:42, 45; 6:14; 15:32, 35, 42-44, 52 & 2 Cor. 4:14; 1 Corinthians 15:54-58

· A prayer of salvation: Heavenly Father, I thank you that you have provided a way for me to have a relationship with you; I realize that I am a sinner; I thank you that you are my perfect Father; I thank you for sending Jesus to be my Savior and Lord – on the basis of His perfect life, death for my sins, and resurrection – I repent and receive His perfect righteousness in exchange for my sins: In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen (Assurance Romans 10:9; John 5:24)

So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit…And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. - 1 Corinthians 15:42, 45; 6:14

What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” - 1 Corinthians 15:52

But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?” So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body…in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed…knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. - 1 Corinthians 15:42, 45; 6:14; 15:32, 35, 42-44, 52 & 2 Cor. 4:14

When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. - 1 Corinthians 15:54-58

A prayer of salvation: Heavenly Father, I thank you that you have provided a way for me to have a relationship with you; I realize that I am a sinner; I thank you that you are my perfect Father; I thank you for sending Jesus to be my Savior and Lord – on the basis of His perfect life, death for my sins, and resurrection – I repent and receive His perfect righteousness in exchange for my sins: In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen

“I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.” - John 5:24

because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. - Romans 10:9

Guide For Community Discussion

1) Why is the historical fact of the bodily resurrection so crucial for us today? Several reasons were given in the sermon. Try to come up with at least 3 reasons and the Biblical support for these reasons.

2) Why is the resurrection life that Jesus gives us important in the present? Try to come up with at least 3 reasons and the Biblical support for these reasons.

3) Why is the resurrection of Christ and our future resurrection important? Try to come up with at least 3 reasons and the Biblical support for these reasons.

Recommended Resources on the Historical Resurrection of Jesus Christ

Beginner/Basic: Raised with Christ by Adrian Warnock; Experiencing the Resurrection by Henry & Melvin Blackaby; The Case for Easter or The Case for the Resurrection by Lee Strobel; Practice Resurrection by Eugene H. Peterson; Resurrection by Hank Hanagraaff; Scandalous by D.A. Carson.

Intermediate: The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus by Gary R. Habermas & Michael R. Licona; The Resurrection of Jesus: John Dominic Crossan and N.T. Wright in Dialogue; Jesus’ Resurrection: Fact or Figment? A Debate between William Land Craig & Gerd Ludemann edited by Paul Copan & Ronald K. Tacelli

Advanced: The Resurrection of the Son of God by N.T. Wright; Jesus and the Eyewitnesses by Richard Bauckham

"The Significance of the Resurrection:
Power for Living Here and Now"
April 24, 2011

Senior Pastor Dr. David Craig

"The Significance of the Resurrection: Power for Living Here and Now" April 24, 2011

Senior Pastor Dr. David Craig

"The Significance of the Resurrection:
Power for Living Here and Now"
April 24, 2011