March 31, 2013
Morning Service

Today, regardless of the many arguments concerning the resurrection, is the day we choose to celebrate our Lord’s victory over death.  

The world’s feeling towards death is this;  Heb 2:15  And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

Christians, because of the teachings of our faith, understand that Jesus gives us victory over death;

·         “1Co 15:55  O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?  “Thanks be unto God who gives us the victory through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

 

Christians believe, by faith, that Jesus of Nazareth, after being crucified, by Pontius Pilate, arose from the grave, and ever lives to make intercession for His followers.  JESUS IS ALIVE, AND WELL.

 

We believe this by faith, and according to Romans 10:17, “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”  Upon further reading of the Word, we find that it was actually this Word that was crucified by the world.  Still happening today.

 

Now, as we study, we ask Almighty God, to help us to have the proper understanding of His Word.  Then we build our faith from such Scriptures as:

 

First, that the Scriptures are the infallible Word of God.

·         2Ti 3:15-16  And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  (16)  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

·         2Pe 1:20-21  Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.  (21)  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

I believe the Scriptures to be the inspired, infallible Word of Almighty God.

 

Then, these Scriptures tell me of One rising from the dead, Jesus of Nazareth.

 

First it was prophesied in the O.T.

·         Psa 16:10  For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

·         When using the keys to the door of salvation for the first time in Acts chapter two, Peter quoted this Scripture to convince his listeners of the resurrection of Jesus.

 

Then the account in the Gospels;

·         The account of the resurrection is given in each of the Gospels.

·         These gospels were written by the men who Jesus chose to carry forth His message of salvation to a lost and dying world.

I like what Charles Colson had to say about the resurrection;

“I know the resurrection is a fact, and Watergate proved it to me. How? Because 12 men testified they had seen Jesus raised from the dead, then they proclaimed that truth for 40 years, never once denying it. Every one was beaten, tortured, stoned and put in prison. They would not have endured that if it weren’t true. Watergate embroiled 12 of the most powerful men in the world-and they couldn’t keep a lie for three weeks. You’re telling me 12 apostles could keep a lie for 40 years? Absolutely impossible.”― Charles Colson

Next, is the account in the history book of the N.T.  THE BOOK OF ACTS.

Written by Dr. Luke, the same that wrote the Gospel of Luke.

Act 1:1-3  The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,  (2)  Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:  (3)  To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

 

Then from the accounts of the N.T.

·         41 times in 40 verses is the word resurrection mentioned.

 

The Apostle Paul says it best when he says;  THE RESURRECTION CHAPTER.

·         1Co 15:1-4  Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;  (2)  By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.  (3)  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;  (4)  And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

·         1Co 15:12-22  Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?  (13)  But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:  (14)  And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.  (15)  Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.  (16)  For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:  (17)  And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.  (18)  Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.  (19)  If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.  (20)  But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.  (21)  For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.  (22)  For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

 

When preaching to King Agrippa (Acts 26) the Apostle Paul said, “this thing was not done in a corner”  meaning that it was done in the knowledge of many people.

 

AND FOR THE MANY WITNESSES:

1Co 15:5-8  And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:  (6)  After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.  (7)  After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.  (8)  And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

 

And last of all He was seen by many of us, through the eyes of faith, as those born out of due time.

The Apostle Paul used his new birth to glorify the Lord Jesus, HOW WILL WE USE OUR NEW BIRTH?

 

When Paul finished his discourse to King Agrippa, the King replied, “You almost persuade me to be a Christian.”  There is no account of the King ever becoming a Christian, hopefully he did.

 

The question before us this morning is, have you been persuaded to become a Christian, and if so, how will you live your new life? 

 

I trust God that He will quicken to our hearts the truth of the resurrection, and place a desire in our hearts to be that good, and faithful servant till He returns for His church.

 

May God add His blessings to His Word.