Paul's Proclamation: The Power of the Resurrection

 

Summary

In the book of Acts, chapter 17, we find a profound example of the Apostle Paul's approach to preaching the gospel. Paul, the greatest evangelist the church has ever known, consistently delivered a singular message: Jesus Christ. His preaching was not influenced by contemporary events but was rooted in the historical reality of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. Paul emphasized that the most significant event in history was not a worldly occurrence like the explosion of a hydrogen bomb, but the coming of the Son of God to Earth, His death, and His resurrection.

Paul's method was logical and reasoned, grounded in the Scriptures. He opened the Scriptures to demonstrate that Jesus is the Christ, and he addressed the stumbling block of the cross by showing its necessity. The resurrection was as essential as the crucifixion, and Paul preached it as a historical fact. The resurrection was not merely a spiritual continuation but a physical reality, evidenced by Jesus' appearances to His disciples and others.

The resurrection is the ultimate proof of Jesus' divinity, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies and verifying His own predictions. It confirms that Jesus is the Son of God, as declared by Paul in Romans. The resurrection also assures us that Jesus' sacrifice was sufficient, satisfying God's law and justice. It proclaims victory over sin, death, and all enemies of humanity.

The resurrection's message is clear: Jesus is the only Savior and the King of Kings. He is the judge of all, and our eternal fate hinges on our relationship with Him. Belief in Jesus brings forgiveness, reconciliation with God, and victory over death. The resurrection invites us to embrace this truth and live in the assurance of salvation.

Key Takeaways:

- The Apostle Paul consistently preached Jesus Christ, emphasizing the historical reality of His life, death, and resurrection. This message was not influenced by contemporary events but was rooted in the most significant event in history: the coming of the Son of God. [02:34]

- Paul's preaching was logical and reasoned, grounded in the Scriptures. He demonstrated that Jesus is the Christ and addressed the stumbling block of the cross by showing its necessity. The resurrection was as essential as the crucifixion, and Paul preached it as a historical fact. [06:26]

- The resurrection is the ultimate proof of Jesus' divinity, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies and verifying His own predictions. It confirms that Jesus is the Son of God, as declared by Paul in Romans. [22:29]

- The resurrection assures us that Jesus' sacrifice was sufficient, satisfying God's law and justice. It proclaims victory over sin, death, and all enemies of humanity. [26:57]

- The resurrection's message is clear: Jesus is the only Savior and the King of Kings. He is the judge of all, and our eternal fate hinges on our relationship with Him. Belief in Jesus brings forgiveness, reconciliation with God, and victory over death. [43:04]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to Acts 17
- [01:01] - Paul's Consistent Message
- [02:34] - The Centrality of Jesus
- [03:18] - The Unique Event of History
- [04:21] - Reasoned Proclamation
- [05:33] - The Necessity of the Cross
- [06:26] - The Resurrection's Importance
- [07:29] - Proclaiming the Resurrection
- [09:18] - The Birth and Life of Jesus
- [13:57] - The Empty Tomb
- [16:19] - The Proof of Resurrection
- [21:37] - The Divinity of Christ
- [26:57] - The Sufficiency of the Sacrifice
- [33:21] - Victory Over All Enemies
- [37:16] - The Savior and King
- [43:04] - The Judge of All

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Acts 17:1-4
- Romans 1:3-4
- 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

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#### Observation Questions
1. What was the central message that Apostle Paul consistently preached, according to Acts 17:1-4? How did he deliver this message? [01:51]
2. How does the sermon describe the significance of the resurrection in Paul's preaching? [06:26]
3. What evidence did Paul use to demonstrate the necessity of Jesus' death and resurrection? [05:50]
4. According to the sermon, what role does the resurrection play in confirming Jesus' divinity? [22:29]

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#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does the sermon emphasize that Paul's message was not influenced by contemporary events? How does this relate to the timeless nature of the gospel? [02:34]
2. How does the resurrection serve as the ultimate proof of Jesus' divinity and fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, according to the sermon? [22:29]
3. In what ways does the resurrection assure believers of the sufficiency of Jesus' sacrifice? [26:57]
4. How does the sermon explain the relationship between Jesus' resurrection and His role as the judge of all? [43:04]

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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the centrality of Jesus in Paul's preaching. How can you ensure that your own conversations about faith remain focused on Jesus rather than contemporary issues? [02:34]
2. The sermon highlights the logical and reasoned nature of Paul's preaching. How can you incorporate reason and scripture into your discussions about faith with others? [06:26]
3. Consider the resurrection as a historical fact. How does this understanding impact your daily life and faith practices? [07:29]
4. The sermon states that belief in Jesus brings forgiveness and reconciliation with God. How have you experienced this in your own life, and how can you share this experience with others? [43:04]
5. How does the assurance of victory over sin and death, as proclaimed in the resurrection, influence your perspective on challenges you face? [33:21]
6. The sermon describes Jesus as the only Savior and King of Kings. How does this understanding shape your relationship with Him and your approach to worship? [37:16]
7. Reflect on the idea that our eternal fate hinges on our relationship with Jesus. What steps can you take to deepen your relationship with Him this week? [43:04]

Devotional

Day 1: The Centrality of Jesus Christ
Paul's message was unwaveringly centered on Jesus Christ, emphasizing the historical reality of His life, death, and resurrection. This focus was not swayed by the events of the time but was rooted in the most significant event in history: the coming of the Son of God. Paul understood that the essence of the gospel was not about adapting to contemporary issues but about proclaiming the eternal truth of Jesus' redemptive work. His approach was to consistently highlight the transformative power of Jesus' life and the hope found in His resurrection. [02:34]

Acts 17:2-3 (ESV): "And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, 'This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.'"

Reflection: In what ways can you make Jesus the central focus of your daily conversations and interactions this week?


Day 2: The Necessity of the Cross
Paul's preaching was logical and reasoned, grounded in the Scriptures. He demonstrated that Jesus is the Christ and addressed the stumbling block of the cross by showing its necessity. The cross was not an obstacle to be avoided but a crucial part of God's redemptive plan. Paul explained that the crucifixion was essential for the forgiveness of sins and the reconciliation of humanity with God. The resurrection was equally vital, as it confirmed the victory over sin and death, providing believers with the assurance of eternal life. [06:26]

1 Corinthians 1:23-24 (ESV): "But we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God."

Reflection: How can you embrace the message of the cross in your life, especially in areas where you face challenges or opposition?


Day 3: The Proof of Resurrection
The resurrection is the ultimate proof of Jesus' divinity, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies and verifying His own predictions. It confirms that Jesus is the Son of God, as declared by Paul in Romans. The resurrection was not merely a spiritual continuation but a physical reality, evidenced by Jesus' appearances to His disciples and others. This historical fact assures believers of the truth of Jesus' claims and the certainty of His promises. [22:29]

Acts 2:31-32 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: How does the reality of the resurrection impact your faith and the way you live your life today?


Day 4: The Sufficiency of Jesus' Sacrifice
The resurrection assures us that Jesus' sacrifice was sufficient, satisfying God's law and justice. It proclaims victory over sin, death, and all enemies of humanity. This assurance provides believers with the confidence that their sins are forgiven and that they are reconciled with God. The resurrection is a declaration of Jesus' triumph and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan, offering hope and assurance to all who believe. [26:57]

Hebrews 10:12-14 (ESV): "But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to trust in the sufficiency of Jesus' sacrifice and let go of guilt or fear?


Day 5: Jesus as Savior and Judge
The resurrection's message is clear: Jesus is the only Savior and the King of Kings. He is the judge of all, and our eternal fate hinges on our relationship with Him. Belief in Jesus brings forgiveness, reconciliation with God, and victory over death. The resurrection invites us to embrace this truth and live in the assurance of salvation, knowing that Jesus will return to judge the living and the dead. [43:04]

2 Timothy 4:1 (ESV): "I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom."

Reflection: How does knowing Jesus as both Savior and Judge influence the way you approach your relationship with Him and others?

Quotes


The first thing that strikes us and I've emphasized it about his preaching is this that uh he always had his message and it was always the same message it wasn't the message that he derived or obtained from contemporary EV he was a man who had been given a message he'd been told what to say he'd been given a commission and wherever he went he preached that message. [00:01:47]

The Apostle Paul wherever he went preached Jesus and that for this good and obvious reason contemporary current events have their importance it's no part of the preaching of the Gospel to depreciate them or to take from their importance and it behoves all of us to take a living and a lively interest in contemporary events but my dear friends the business of the preacher of the Gospel is to talk about the most stupendous thing that's ever happened in this world. [00:02:42]

He reasoned you noticed with a M of the scriptures there was reason there was argument there was logic he had a case which he developed and demonstrated that's his method he didn't plan their feelings he didn't simply make a number of odd statements it was a reasoned proclamation of a message and of a truth and in particular it consisted of an opening out of the scriptures his old testan scriptures. [00:03:51]

The essence of his proposition was that this Jesus whom he was preaching to them is the Christ that is the central message but as we saw last Sunday evening the moment he began to Proclaim that this Jesus is the Christ a problem arose and that of course was this whole question of the death of this Jesus upon a cross that appeared to the Jews to be a stumbling block of such a character that they couldn't accept it speaking generally and for the Greeks speaking generally it was unutterable. [00:04:41]

He was opening and alleging that Christ must needs have suffered and risen again from the dead now that's the point and that's the thing which is engaging our attention this evening here we are meeting together on an Easter Sunday night what's it all mean what's Easter Sunday what is there special or unique about this day well it is the day in which the church has always called to memory this Mighty fact which Paul preached that Jesus rose again from the dead. [00:06:23]

The first great theme of apostolic preaching was Jesus and the resurrection not only this preacher Paul the Apostle Peter did exactly the same thing you go back and read the second chapter of this book of The Acts of the Apostles and there you will find that man having been filled with the Holy Spirit preaches in a sense the first sermon under the opes of the Christian church and this is what he was talking about. [00:07:48]

This tremendous thing that he literally had come out of that grave in the body it wasn't the same body obviously because now when the disciples were met together in an upper room with the doors and everything shut because they were afraid of the Jews suddenly he stood in the midst of them and the door hadn't open and they thought that this was a spirit a ghost but he sat down and he had some broil fish and a honeycomb and said you know I'm not a ghost I'm giving you proof of it this is resurrection his body had been transformed and had been glorified and he appeared amongst them. [00:14:55]

The ultimate proof of his godhead is the resurrection do you remember this Apostle Paul put that in writing his epistle to the Romans he says that Jesus Christ the one whom he's preaching he puts it in these words let me give you his exact words concerning his son Jesus Christ Our Lord which was made of the seed of David according to the Flesh and declar to be the Son of God with power according to the spirit of Holiness by the resurrection from the dead. [00:21:52]

His Rising again from the dead was the absolute final proof of the fact that his sacrifice was enough and sufficient and that he had satisfied every demand of God's law and of God himself the Apostle again in writing to the Romans in the 4th chapter and the 25th verse puts it like this referring to Jesus Christ he says who was delivered for our offenses and raised again for our justification. [00:26:37]

The resurrection is a proclamation that it's enough that every man has been answered and satisfied everywhere oh let me put this to you again in the language of Paul as he develops the argument in the e8th chapter of his epistle to the Romans listen to him this is how he puts it who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect it is God that justifi who is he that condemneth it is Christ that died ye rather that is risen again who is even at the right hand of God. [00:28:51]

He is not only the Savior and the only savior he is the king the king of kings and the Lord of lords if you go on reading the 17th chapter of the Acts of the Apostles you will find that certain people dislike this preaching very much and they went and they made a complaint against him and they said these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar saying that there is another king one Jesus and you know the enemies were perfectly right in what they said Paul was proclaimed CL ing that Jesus Christ is the Lord that he is the king of kings and that he is indeed the Lord of lords. [00:40:42]

The resurrection is a proclamation of the last judgment the fact that Christ rose from the dead is a proclamation to you and to me this night to this effect that every one of us will likewise be raised and will stand before him death is not the end we shall All Rise every one of us and we shall stand before this Jesus judgment has been committed unto him he is now the judge and what determines Our Fate is our relationship to him God has handed it over to him the whole condition of men and of the world has been handed to this Christ and what will decide your Eternal fate and mind is our relationship to Jesus Christ. [00:43:04]

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Transcript
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