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Part of the series: JESUS' RESURRECTION
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FACTS ABOUT THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST (4)

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.    This is the last lesson is a series entitled:  “Facts about the Resurrection of Christ.”

 

B.     Last week, we discussed how the resurrection plays a part in our initial obedience to the gospel.

1.      The resurrection of Jesus Christ is part of our saving faith (Rom. 10:9).

 

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

 

2.      Our obedience to the command to be baptized (Acts 2:38; 10:47-48) also involves the resurrection of Christ.

a.      Just as Jesus rose the third day, we rise from the waters of baptism after our death to sin and burial in water.

b.      Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12

 

Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death:  that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

 

C.     This morning we will see that the resurrection of Jesus continues to bless an individual even after his conversion.

 

I.                THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST GIVES US HOPE OF A RESURRECTION

 

A.    Twice in the book of Acts, the apostle Paul speaks of the resurrection as a part of man’s hope (Acts 23:6; 24:15).

 

But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee:  of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.

 

B.     This hope is also expressed in the idea of Jesus’ being the first fruits of them that slept (I Cor. 15:20, 23).

 

But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept.

 

1.      In the Old Testament, the first fruits of the harvest were dedicated to God (Exo. 23:19).

2.      The first fruits were the promise of more to come.

3.      If Jesus is the first fruits of the dead, He is the promise of more to come.

 

C.     Regardless of how is seems to us, death is not the end of man.  One day, every grave will open and every person who has died will come out.

1.      Martha expressed her belief in resurrection to Jesus (John 11:24).

 

Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.

 

2.      In His preaching, Jesus affirmed the resurrection (John 4:28-29).

 

Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

 

3.      The apostle Paul also proclaimed the resurrection to the Romans (Rom. 8:11); the Corinthians (I Cor. 15:35-45); the Philippians (Phil. 3:20-21); and the Thessalonians (I Thess. 4:13-14).

 

But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

 

II.              THE RESURRECTION GIVES US POWER IN OUR LIVING

 

A.    Philippians 3:10

 

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.

 

B.     All that you and I do, we do by faith.

1.      Three times the New Testament proclaims:  “The just shall live by faith” (Rom. 1:17; Gal. 3:11; Heb. 10:38). 

2.      Our faith is founded upon the fact that Jesus is not dead, but that He rose from the dead and lives today (I Pet. 1:21).

 

Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

 

3.      Paul expressed this in the negative in I Corinthians 15:14, 17.

 

And if Christ be not raised, then our preaching is vain, and your faith is vain.

 

C.     Christ’s resurrection ensures our resurrection.  If this is the truth, then the temptations and trials of this life can be endured (II Cor. 4:17-5:1).

 

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen:  for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.  For we know that, if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

 

D.    The resurrection of Christ ensures His coming.  This is what moves us to practice purity, holiness, and sanctification.

1.      Colossians 3:1-5

 

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.  Set your affection on things above, not on the things on the earth.  For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is our life shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.  Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth.

 

a.      Note that we have been raised with Christ.

b.      Note also that Paul says Christ shall appear.  This implies resurrection.

c.      Because we have been raised from the waters of baptism, and, until He appears, we are to seek those things that are above.

 

2.      I John 3:2-3

 

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be:  but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.  And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

 

 

III.            THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS ASSURES JUDGMENT TO COME

 

A.    Acts 17:31

 

Because he hath appointed a day in the which he shall judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

 

1.      Paul says that God has appointed a day when He will judge the world.

2.      Assurance has been given of this.  How?  In the fact that He has raised Jesus from the grave.

a.      Assurance:  credence, belief as to the truth of something

b.      Do you believe in the resurrection of Jesus?  If your answer is:  “Yes,” you better also believe in the judgment.  Christ’s resurrection assures the judgment.

 

B.     There are several facts about this judgment that we learn from Acts 17:31.

1.      It has been appointed.

a.      Strong (2476):  to stand, to establish

b.      Thayer:  to cause or make to stand, to make firm, establish

2.      It will take place on a certain day.  II Peter 2:9 definitely calls it “the day of judgment.”

3.      There will be judging that take place on that day.

a.      Strong (2919):  to distinguish, that is, decide…to try, condemn, punish

b.      Thayer:  to separate, put asunder, put out, select, choose…to judge, to pronounce an opinion concerning right and wrong

c.      See Matthew 25:31-33

4.      The world will be judged.

5.      The judgment will be in righteousness.

a.      Strong (1343):  equity

b.      Thayer:  justice, the virtue which give each his due

c.      I Corinthians 5:10; Rev. 20:12-15

6.      God will judge by Jesus Christ.

a.      Jesus will preside over the judgment (II Tim. 4:1).

b.      The Father has delegated that authority to Him.

 

C.     Remember:  Judgment is certain.  It is just as certain as Christ’s resurrection.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.    What have we seen today?

1.      Christ’s resurrection assures us all of a resurrection.

2.      Christ’s resurrection provides us with power in living the Christian life.

a.      It gives power to our faith.

b.      It enables us to face the trails of life.

c.      It motivates us to live holy lives.

3.      Christ’s resurrection is assurance of coming judgment.

a.      My friend, you will be judged.

b.      That judgment will be right.

c.      You will be distinguished or separated either to the right hand of God or to the left.

 

B.     Are you ready for the judgment day?