03/27/05 – “HE IS RISEN – HE IS RISEN INDEED”
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world; but that the world should be saved through Him.” – John 3:16-17
RESURRECTION
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the greatest event in history – Resurrection Power is the celebration of life over death…victory by death, victory in death, victory with death - “O death, where is thy sting; O grave, where is thy victory – Thanks be to God who gave us victory through Jesus Christ our Lord - Believing hearts, confessing lips…HE IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED!
“Do not be afraid, I’m the First and the Last, the Living One and I was dead and behold, I’m alive evermore.” – Rev. 1:18
“But 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 indwells you.”–Romans 8:11 – The Cross dealt with our moral indebtedness to God-Resurrection assures eternal life
Our God is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the Author and Finisher of our faith, the Captain of the Lord of Hosts
Jesus Christ is the Lion and the Lamb, the same unchanging, immutable Lord of all life…the same yesterday, today and forever
He deals with our past…our yesterdays - He removes our sins as far as the east is from the west – Amazing grace, amazing love!
Jesus abides with us in the present circumstances and even in our sinful failings He forgives and redeems
Jesus not only deals with our past and abides in the present, but directs our future and knows the end from the beginning!
Death is the portal every one of us must go through but is not the final stop “…And He who believes in Him shall not be disappointed.” - 1Pet. 2:6
ATTRIBUTES OF GOD
God is omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent and the eternal life-giving Son of God, the Messiah, Jesus Christ
He’s the God who spoke to Abraham on the plains of Haran and made His covenant promises - He’s the God who gave Isaac a hundredfold increase in one year – He’s the God who met Jacob at Bethel…Jacob is ample evidence that God calls and works with imperfect people
God loves us in even in our weakness – He is the Good Shepherd who came to seek and save the lost – Our relentless Redeemer
God is the stability of our times– Is. 33 – He is not nervous, insecure or concerned for the future – Not only time but all eternity belongs to Him
The Son of God became a child of time and through His impeccable life, vicarious death, burial and resurrection we are redeemed and justified
Mark 16:6-11 – Believers Didn’t Believe
“And after that, He appeared in a different form to two of them, while they were walking along on their way to the country. And they went away and reported it to the others, but they did not believe them either.” – Mark 16:12-13
The two disciples on the road to Emmaus were in despair - they had no future…stood still looking sad – Did not recognize Jesus
Everyone in Jerusalem knew Jesus was dead and their hopes were destroyed and yet Jesus was right there with them
At times we may feel deeply discouraged, like the men on the way to Emmaus – Give it time, Jesus is always there – Will you recognize Him?
That same night Jesus appears to all the apostles except for Thomas who refused to believe until he personally saw and touched Jesus’ wounds
His post-resurrection appearances occurred near the city of Jerusalem where He was crucified…His disciples were scared, scattered and skeptical
The unbelievers remembered His prediction about the Resurrection – The believers didn’t remember until they had proof of the Resurrection
Jesus’ enemies did not deny His miracles or the authority of His words, but still would not believe because of hardened hearts and jealousy
After Jesus’ death, His enemies made the tomb secure, sealed it and posted Roman guards over it – no one could get in or out – ALL TO NO AVAIL!
Jesus said, “I Am the resurrection and the life; He who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” – John 11:25-26 – That is the ultimate question regarding your future in this life and the life to come
Apostle Paul said, “If Jesus did not rise, our lives have no meaning…we are still dead in our sins…“Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die.”
The Resurrection is of infinite importance – The only thing it cannot be is moderately important - Our eternal life depends on it!
“…His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” 1 Peter 1:3