The Power and Promise of the Resurrection
Summary
### Summary
Welcome, Solid Rock Church! Today is a special day as we celebrate both communion and baptisms. We are wrapping up our sermon series on the life of Jesus, focusing today on His resurrection. Over the past weeks, we have explored Jesus' perfect life and His brutal yet glorious death. Today, we delve into the resurrection, the cornerstone of our faith. The resurrection is not just a miraculous event but the linchpin of Christianity. Without it, our faith and preaching are in vain, and we remain in our sins.
The resurrection signifies several critical truths. Firstly, it validates our faith. If Christ was not raised, our faith is futile, and we misrepresent God. Secondly, it is essential for our salvation. Without Jesus' resurrection, there is no salvation, no restoration, and no new life with God. Thirdly, it promises us eternal life. Jesus' resurrection paves the way for us to have eternal life, reversing the death brought by sin. Fourthly, it establishes the new covenant. Without the resurrection, the new covenant would be null and void. Jesus' resurrection ensures that this eternal promise stands.
We also discussed the evidence supporting the resurrection. All four Gospels recount the empty tomb and Jesus' appearances. Paul mentions over 500 witnesses who saw Jesus alive after His death. Historical accounts from non-Christian sources like Flavius Josephus and Cornelius Tacitus also corroborate the events. Finally, our personal relationship with Jesus serves as a testament to His resurrection. We know He exists because we have encountered Him in our lives.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Resurrection Validates Our Faith: Without Jesus' resurrection, our faith and preaching are in vain. Paul emphasizes this in 1 Corinthians 15:12-18, stating that if Christ has not been raised, our faith is futile, and we are still in our sins. The resurrection is the linchpin of Christianity, validating everything we believe and preach. [42:20]
2. Essential for Salvation: The resurrection is crucial for our salvation. Romans 10:9 states that if we confess Jesus as Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead, we will be saved. Without the resurrection, there is no dealing with the condition of mankind, no removal of our sins, and no new life with God. [46:21]
3. Promise of Eternal Life: Jesus' resurrection promises us eternal life. Romans 6:5-6 explains that if we have been united with Him in death, we shall certainly be united with Him in a resurrection like His. The resurrection reverses the death brought by sin, offering us eternal life as originally intended in Genesis. [51:07]
4. Establishes the New Covenant: The resurrection ensures the new covenant stands. Hebrews 13:20-21 speaks of the eternal covenant established through Jesus' resurrection. Without it, the covenant would have died with Him. The resurrection guarantees this eternal promise, providing us with peace and redemption. [55:12]
5. Evidence of the Resurrection: The resurrection is supported by multiple sources. All four Gospels recount the empty tomb and Jesus' appearances. Paul mentions over 500 witnesses, and historical accounts from non-Christian sources like Flavius Josephus corroborate the events. Our personal relationship with Jesus also serves as a testament to His resurrection. [01:00:56]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[37:37] - Communion and Baptisms
[38:05] - Greeting and Announcements
[39:07] - Opening Prayer
[39:42] - Recap of Jesus' Life and Death
[40:13] - The Miraculous Beginning and End
[41:16] - 1 Peter 3:18 and the Resurrection
[42:20] - The Linchpin of Our Faith
[45:48] - Salvation Through Resurrection
[50:28] - Promise of Eternal Life
[54:09] - Establishing the New Covenant
[58:50] - Evidence of the Resurrection
[01:08:19] - Jesus Interceding for Us
[01:08:52] - Communion Transition
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Corinthians 15:12-18
2. Romans 10:9
3. Hebrews 13:20-21
#### Observation Questions
1. According to 1 Corinthians 15:12-18, what does Paul say about the importance of the resurrection to our faith? [42:20]
2. In Romans 10:9, what two actions are required for salvation? [46:21]
3. How does Hebrews 13:20-21 describe the new covenant established through Jesus' resurrection? [55:12]
4. What evidence does the sermon provide to support the resurrection of Jesus? [01:00:56]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize that without the resurrection, our faith is futile and we are still in our sins? How does this shape our understanding of the Christian faith? [42:20]
2. Romans 10:9 mentions confessing Jesus as Lord and believing in His resurrection. How do these two actions work together in the process of salvation? [46:21]
3. Hebrews 13:20-21 speaks of the "eternal covenant" established through Jesus' resurrection. What does this covenant mean for believers today? [55:12]
4. The sermon mentions various sources of evidence for the resurrection, including personal experiences. How do these different types of evidence strengthen the case for the resurrection? [01:00:56]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflecting on 1 Corinthians 15:12-18, how does the resurrection validate your personal faith? Have you ever struggled with doubts about the resurrection? How did you address them? [42:20]
2. Romans 10:9 emphasizes the importance of confessing Jesus as Lord and believing in His resurrection. How can you actively live out this confession in your daily life? [46:21]
3. Hebrews 13:20-21 talks about the peace and redemption provided by the eternal covenant. In what areas of your life do you need to experience this peace and redemption? How can you seek it? [55:12]
4. The sermon discusses the promise of eternal life through Jesus' resurrection. How does this promise impact your perspective on life and death? [51:07]
5. Considering the evidence for the resurrection presented in the sermon, how can you use this information to strengthen your witness to others? [01:00:56]
6. The resurrection is essential for our salvation and new life with God. How can you share this truth with someone who is struggling to understand the significance of the resurrection? [46:21]
7. The sermon mentions that our personal relationship with Jesus serves as a testament to His resurrection. How has your relationship with Jesus confirmed His resurrection in your life? [01:00:56]
Devotional
Day 1: The Resurrection Validates Our Faith
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of Christian faith. Without it, our beliefs and preaching would be meaningless, and we would still be trapped in our sins. Paul emphasizes this in 1 Corinthians 15:12-18, stating that if Christ has not been raised, our faith is futile. The resurrection is not just a miraculous event but the linchpin that validates everything we believe and preach. It assures us that Jesus is who He claimed to be and that His sacrifice was sufficient to atone for our sins. This foundational truth gives us confidence in our faith and the message we share with others.
The resurrection also serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty and power over life and death. It demonstrates that God has the final say and that His promises are true. As believers, we can rest assured that our faith is not in vain because it is anchored in the reality of the risen Christ. This truth should inspire us to live boldly and share the gospel with conviction, knowing that our faith is grounded in the historical and transformative event of Jesus' resurrection. [42:20]
1 Corinthians 15:12-18 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: How does the reality of Jesus' resurrection impact your daily faith and actions? In what ways can you live more boldly for Christ, knowing that your faith is validated by His resurrection?
Day 2: Essential for Salvation
The resurrection of Jesus is crucial for our salvation. Romans 10:9 states that if we confess Jesus as Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead, we will be saved. Without the resurrection, there would be no dealing with the condition of mankind, no removal of our sins, and no new life with God. The resurrection is the divine confirmation that Jesus' sacrifice was accepted and that He has conquered sin and death on our behalf. It is through His resurrection that we are offered new life and the hope of eternal salvation.
This truth should deeply affect how we view our relationship with God and our understanding of salvation. It is not merely about believing in a historical event but about experiencing the transformative power of the risen Christ in our lives. The resurrection assures us that we are forgiven, redeemed, and given a new identity in Christ. As we reflect on this, let us be reminded of the incredible gift of salvation and the new life we have been given through Jesus' resurrection. [46:21]
Romans 10:9 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: How does the resurrection of Jesus shape your understanding of salvation? In what ways can you live out the reality of your new life in Christ today?
Day 3: Promise of Eternal Life
Jesus' resurrection promises us eternal life. Romans 6:5-6 explains that if we have been united with Him in death, we shall certainly be united with Him in a resurrection like His. The resurrection reverses the death brought by sin, offering us eternal life as originally intended in Genesis. This promise of eternal life is not just a future hope but a present reality that transforms how we live today. It gives us the assurance that death is not the end and that we have a glorious future with God.
Understanding the promise of eternal life should fill us with hope and motivate us to live with an eternal perspective. It reminds us that our lives have purpose and that our struggles and sufferings are temporary compared to the eternal glory that awaits us. As we reflect on this promise, let us be encouraged to live faithfully and to share the hope of eternal life with others. [51:07]
Romans 6:5-6 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: How does the promise of eternal life influence your daily decisions and priorities? What steps can you take to live with an eternal perspective today?
Day 4: Establishes the New Covenant
The resurrection of Jesus ensures that the new covenant stands. Hebrews 13:20-21 speaks of the eternal covenant established through Jesus' resurrection. Without it, the covenant would have died with Him. The resurrection guarantees this eternal promise, providing us with peace and redemption. The new covenant is a relationship based on grace, where we are invited to experience God's love and forgiveness through Jesus' finished work on the cross and His resurrection.
This new covenant is a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness and His desire to be in a relationship with us. It assures us that we are no longer under the old covenant of the law but under the new covenant of grace. As we reflect on this, let us embrace the freedom and peace that come from being in a covenant relationship with God through Jesus. [55:12]
Hebrews 13:20-21 (ESV): "Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen."
Reflection: How does the new covenant established by Jesus' resurrection impact your relationship with God? In what ways can you live out the reality of this covenant in your daily life?
Day 5: Evidence of the Resurrection
The resurrection of Jesus is supported by multiple sources. All four Gospels recount the empty tomb and Jesus' appearances. Paul mentions over 500 witnesses, and historical accounts from non-Christian sources like Flavius Josephus corroborate the events. Our personal relationship with Jesus also serves as a testament to His resurrection. We know He exists because we have encountered Him in our lives. This evidence strengthens our faith and gives us confidence in the truth of the resurrection.
Reflecting on the evidence of the resurrection should deepen our faith and encourage us to share this truth with others. It reminds us that our faith is not based on blind belief but on historical and experiential evidence. As we consider the evidence, let us be inspired to live out our faith boldly and to share the hope of the resurrection with those around us. [01:00:56]
1 Corinthians 15:3-8 (ESV): "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. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me."
Reflection: How does the evidence of Jesus' resurrection strengthen your faith? In what ways can you share the truth of the resurrection with others in your life today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "If Jesus wasn't resurrected, then everything we preach and teach is worthless. If you did not know, that is the linchpin to our faith. If Jesus doesn't get resurrected, then everything about Christianity is futile." [42:20] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Without Jesus' resurrection, there is no salvation. There is no restoration for you and me, and there is no new life with God. Like we discussed, we have this condition. We have this problem. We couldn't fix it ourselves. If there's no resurrection, that is not dealt with." [45:48] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Without Jesus' resurrection, there is no eternal life. Most of us, I think, have taken biology. We know how we are going to deteriorate. We are going to die and our physical bodies will rot in the ground somewhere. Or you and I can incinerate them and they just sit in someone's closet for a while. We know what naturally happens. That's why He did the supernatural." [50:28] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Without Jesus' resurrection, there is no new covenant. Now, I love being a stickler about this because in America, we are not good with covenants. We are fantastic with contracts. Quid pro quo. I do this, you do that. But a covenant is an eternal promise essentially that as long as I live, this is what's going to happen." [54:09] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Jesus, our Savior, that good amazing life that he lived die brutally, horribly, and gloriously for you and me. The story doesn't end there. It begins anew. In his resurrection, offering us new life, new hope, the completion of the law, not to abolish it, but to complete it." [58:13] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "The beginning and the end of his life are miracles. In ways that we can't even fathom, which is part of the sermon today. But I just thought, how amazing. That's how the story both starts and ends." [40:44] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "If Christ is not resurrected, you and I still carry our sins. If Christ did not live again, you and I still bear everything that was the problem. It is in His resurrection that begins the new life and the completion of that process." [43:57] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Romans 8, 34. 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, indeed, is interceding for us. The Scriptures talk about where Jesus is now, doesn't it? It's at God's right hand. It's not in the ground. It's not in a tomb. It's not rotting here on earth. He resides in heaven on the throne." [48:04] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Without Him being raised from the dead, then you and I, just like back in, I think it was not Corinthians, but back in, it was Corinthians, then when we die, we're going to die and rot in the ground. That's our fate. That was our fate before this happened, before He made a new life available, which is my next point." [50:28] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins he sat down at the right hand of the majesty on again we see where is he now? He is interceding on our behalf to our holy and perfect God. It is through Jesus that our stripes, our wounds, are healed. It is through Jesus we are redeemed. That does not happen without a resurrection." [56:59] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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