WHAT THE RESURRECTION MEANS TO US
Acts 13:26-33
From Richard Priddy and reworked by David Riggs
Intro.
A. In this lesson we want to examine what the resurrection of
Christ means to us.
I. THE RESURRECTION SPEAKS OF A LIVING SAVIOR. Acts
1:3
A. The angels said, "Why do you seek the living among the dead?"
Luke 24:4-5
B. The resurrection was the crowning miracle which proved Jesus
was the Messiah. Rom. 1:4
1. Had the Lord remained in that grave and returned to dust,
there would be no hope for deliverance from sin and death.
C. Death could not conquer Jesus Christ. Acts 2:23-24
1. His resurrection was His victory.
2. It was final proof of all that He claimed to be.
II. THE RESURRECTION TELLS US OF THE POWER OF GOD.
A. Many question the reality of the resurrection and offer flimsy
theories; e.g., "the swoon theory, went to the wrong tomb, the
disciples stole body, and so forth.
1. Actually, they are questioning the power of God, but "is
anything too hard for the Lord?" Gen 18:14
B. God's power is clearly demonstrated in the resurrection. Rom.
1:1-4; Eph 1:15-21;
1. The same power that brought Christ back from he dead is
made available for us.
a. Paul is praying that we might see the exceeding
greatness of the power.
2. 2 Cor. 13:4 - Again, Jesus lives by the power of God, and we
live with Him through that same power.
3. In a cemetery in Hanover, Germany, is a grave on which
were placed huge slabs of granite and marble cemented
together and fastened with heavy steel clasps. It belongs to
a woman who did not believe in the resurrection of the dead.
Yet strangely, she directed in her will that her grave be
made so secure that if there were a resurrection, it could
not reach her. On the marker were inscribed these words:
"This burial place must never be opened!" In time, a seed,
covered over by the stones, began to grow. Slowly it pushed
its way through the soil and out from beneath them. As the
trunk enlarged, the great slabs were gradually shifted so
that the steel clasps were wrenched from their sockets. A
tiny seed had become a tree that had pushed aside the
stones.
a. If God put such force in the world He created, He will
have no problem raising all the dead, whether drowned
at sea, cremated, or decayed into dust.
III. THE RESURRECTION VALIDATES CHRISTIANITY.
A. The foundation of the early Christian movement is Christ
crucified, buried, and risen in glorious and matchless power.
1. Acts 2:22-32; 13:26-33; 17:18
B. Paul showed that if Christ is not raised, the whole system
falls apart. 1 Cor. 15:13-21
1. If Christ is not risen, the cornerstone is taken out of the
Christian faith and the hopes that men and women have built
upon Jesus crumble to the ground.
IV. THE RESURRECTION GUARANTEES OUR REDEMPTION.
A. Righteousness or justification is imputed to those who have
faith in God who raised Jesus from the dead. Rom. 4:22-25
1. Some time ago, a lady wrote me a true story of an event that
happened: A kindergarten teacher was determining how
much religious training her new students had. While talking
with one little boy, to whom the story of Jesus was
obviously brand new, she began relating His death on the
cross. When asked what a cross was, she picked up some
sticks, and fashioning a crude one, she explained that Jesus
was actually nailed to that cross, and then He died. The
little boy with eyes all downcast quietly acknowledged, "Oh,
that's too bad." In the very next breath, however, she
related that He arose again and that He came back to life.
And his little eyes became as big as saucers. He lit up and
exclaimed, "Totally awesome!" (as told to Charles Swindoll)
2. You don't know the full identity of Jesus if your response
is "Oh, that's too bad."
a. You know His identity only if your description is
"Totally awesome!"
V. THE RESURRECTION IS THE FOUNDATION FOR THE HOPE OF LIFE BEYOND THE
GRAVE. 1 Cor. 6:14; 2 Cor. 4:14
A. Our Lord's resurrection is the promise of other resurrections.
1 Cor. 15:42-49
1. It is through Him that the bodies will be raised. John
11:23-25
2. All who are in the graves will hear His voice and come
forth. John 5:28-29
B. When our loved ones die and pass into that other world, there
is hope; and we have that same hope of life beyond the grave.
VI. THE RESURRECTION GIVES ASSURANCE OF THE JUDGMENT. Acts 17:30-31
A. There is coming a great day when God will judge all men.
B. God has assured us of it.
C. Just as He raised Christ from the dead, He will someday judge
all men by Christ. John 5:21-22
1. Through Christ we are delivered from the fear of death and
judgment. Heb. 2:14-15
Concl.
A. We began our journey as Christians through the resurrection. 1
Pet. 3:21
1. We continue our journey through a living hope brought
about by the resurrection. 1 Pet. 1:3
2. The Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead needs to
continually dwell in us. Rom. 8:11