He Is Not Here!
What does this mean for us (the believer) "He is Risen" 4 things we need to understand about this statement!
1. His risen body is necessary
2. His risen body is our hope of reconciliation
3. His risen body is eternal life
4. His risen body proves His Deity
1. His Risen Body was Necessary
(1Cor 15:16-22) For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile (vain, empty, worthless); you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep (death in Christ, Old Testament saints, prophets, believers before the cross, and after) in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable (miserable). But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits (the beginning of sacrifice) of those who have fallen asleep (those who died) . For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die (physical death), even so in Christ all shall be made alive (born again believers who put their faith in Him alone). If this event never happened or took place then we are still sinners without any hope. We would be forever lost to a Christ less eternity, but we know that He is Risen
2. His Risen Body is our Hope of Reconciliation
(Rom 5:8-9) But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified (declared righteous) by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. His death and resurrection is our security to be spared from the wrath to come. Which is to come for those who deny Jesus as Lord. What did Jesus say to the 2 men on the road to Emmaus, the Bible says Jesus expounded the Scriptures to them (Luke 24:25-32) their hearts were vexed with a burning passion to a living hope.
3. His Risen Body is Eternal
(Dan 12:2) And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt. The same is written in the Gospel of John in (chapter 5:28-29). A life of everlasting, eternal, forever in His glorious presence, secure forever!
4. His Risen Body Proves His Deity, and removes Doubt
(John 20:26-29) And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, "Peace to you!" Then He said to Thomas, "Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing." And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord (master, my authority) and my God!" (deity, position, supremely Divine) Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." Put your fingers here! Feel, touch, the scares that I endured for you!Remove the doubt and believe in who I said I was the great I”AM
We need to remember the Lord Jesus Christ is alive and well, sitting on the Throne of Glory. As the Hebrew writer says "upholding all things by the word of His power" (the universe and everything is constantly sustained by the power of the Son’s words, voice. " ...He had by Himself purged (cleansed by His blood) our sins, sat down (speaks of honor, authority, rest) at the right hand off the Majesty on High" (Heb 1:3). We get our rest in Jesus Christ because He says it is finished. He is given the Name above all names "Lord" (Phil 2:9). He is King of kings and Lord of Lords (Rev 19:16). He has won and crushed Satan, the fulfillment of what was said in the garden by our LORD (Gen 3:15) "her Seed will crush your seed"
How important are these words spoken to Mary by the messenger sent by God Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is RISEN
1. The resurrection gives evidence that the Word of God is true and reliable.
2. The resurrection means that Jesus is the Son of God.
3. The resurrection means that salvation is complete, Christ conquered Sin.
4. The resurrection establishes the church "I will build MY church" Jesus said and the "gates of Hell shall not prevail against it". (Matt 16:18)
5. The resurrection proved that death itself could not prevent Christ from establishing His church.
6. The resurrection of Christ proves that Heaven is waiting.
Jesus said (John 14:1-3) "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
This is a wonderful truth and promise for us (Christian's) who anticipate His wonderful return. Does your spirit jump for joy this morning? Knowing that He has conquered death for us and that He will return to receive us, unto Himself.
Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is alive our Savior has conquered the grave. This is what Christianity is all about. Jesus the God man came to this earth to bare our wrath from the Father, die and rise again on the third day. Why? To save sinners "of whom I am chief! As Paul said (1 Tim 1:15). What else needs to be done? It is finished! My only question is for the unbelief, the ones on the fence, the doubters, the skeptics is something I heard Paul Washer say which really struck my heart with great conviction. Here's what he said “He saved me. What else needs to be done? Isn’t Salvation enough?” Think about that for a moment and let it sink in. Our life, or salvation is all and only Him. Nothing else matters! Our lives begin and end with His death and resurrection. Isn't that enough to make you believe?
Watchman Nee said "Our old history ends with the cross; our new history begins with the resurrection."
John Piper says “The highest act of love is the giving of the best gift, and, if necessary, at the greatest cost, to the least deserving. That’s what God did. At the loss of His Son’s life to the totally undeserving, God gave the best gift – the display of the glory of Christ who is the image of God.”
He was born of a virgin
He died
He was buried
He rose again
He ascended into the heavens
He is seated on the Throne the Majesty on High
He is preparing a place for those who believe and call upon Him by faith!
“ He saved me. What else needs to be done? Isn’t Salvation enough?”
Lets Pray
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