Pastor David L. Brown, Ph.D.
Sermon Delivered 4/16/06

Introduction

Today is my favorite day of all the days of the year, because it is a day above every other day of the year for Christians. It is the day Christ Jesus the Lord arose from the dead. Do you know what that means Christian friend? Turn with me in your Bible to John 14:19 and listen to Christ’s own words – "Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also." Because Christ arose from the dead, one day, all of those who "sleep in Jesus" will be raised from the dead unto immortality. Turn to John 5:25 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live." Next, lets look at the words the Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:20-24 "But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. 24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power."

Purpose of Today’s Message

The purpose of this message is to focus on the death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ the Lord and its significance to mankind.

• The Death of Jesus Christ

Being put to death is nothing new! A month or so ago Linda and I stood on the exact spot where many enemies of the Crown of England had been put to death. Several years ago I walked down the road in Old Rome that Nero once lined with pitch-saturated human bodies that he had lighted on fire to illuminate the way. Why? Because he had declared them enemies of Rome. So, one must answer the question, "What makes Christ’s death any different from all the death of those who were convicted to die?"

Because of Who He Was

While it might be hard for us to grasp, nonetheless you must know that Jesus was the Son of God.

God himself testified that Jesus was His Son at Christ’s Baptism (Matthew 3:17) and again when Peter, James and John witnessed the transfiguration of Christ (Matthew 17:4-8). Jesus said he was the Son of God (John 10:36; Revelation 2:18). Even the demons clearly knew the Jesus Christ was the Son of God (Mark 3:11; Luke 4:41). Mark, John, Peter, Paul, the other Apostles, Nathanael, and many other who saw his mighty works testified that Jesus was the Son of God (Mark 1:1; John 1:34, 49; John 20:31; Matthew 16:16; Acts 9:20).

The premise or ground that the Jews used to put Jesus to death was that "he made himself the Son of God." (see John 19:7). That’s not true at all. Jesus did NOT make himself the Son of God, He WAS the Son of God. That can clearly be seen in John’s Gospel -- John 1:1, 14, 18 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him."

Clearly, Jesus was no ordinary person. He was the Son of God. But, how could this be proved, beyond a shadow of a doubt? Let me explain.

Jesus repeatedly put his disciples and the Jews on notice that He would rise from the dead after three days (Matthew 16:21; 20:18-19; John 2:19). Perhaps others have made such claims. But, I can tell you this. There has never been anyone else make good on that claim, except Christ. The Jews did everything in their power to keep the resurrection from happening (Matthew 27:62-66). So, what proof is there the Jesus was the Son of God? It is the Resurrection! Turn in your Bibles to Romans 1:4 "And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:"

Christ’s death was different because He was God The Son! Christ’s death was unique because he made good on his claim to rise from the dead. The grave could not hold Him because of who He was.

What Was The Purpose of The Death of Christ?

I do not need to say much of anything. I will let the Scriptures speak for themselves…

… 1 John 3:5 "And ye know that he was manifested [appeared] to take away our sins; and in him is no sin."

… 1 Peter 3:18 "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:" The sinless Christ died for the our sins!

… 1 Peter 2:24 "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed."

… Galatians 1:4 "Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:"

… Titus 2:14 "Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."

• The Resurrection of Jesus Christ

The literal, bodily resurrection of Christ is a fact! Anyone who denies the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ denies the plain testimony of Scripture. Turn with me to Luke 24:1-49 and let’s examine what Dr. Luke writes under the Inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

There were hundreds of eyewitnesses that saw the risen Christ. But what does the Resurrection do for us?

It guarantees the believers salvation from sin

Romans 4:25 "Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification."

Romans 6:4-11 "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. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord."

It assure the believers resurrection to immortality

2 Timothy 1:9-10 "Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:"

1 Corinthians 15:20-24 "But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. 24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power."

1 Peter 1:3-5 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."

Christ died for your sins and rose again and lives today. He is the ONLY way to Heaven. Have you received Him as your Savior? If not, believe on Him today.