Embracing the Simple Immensity of Easter 1 Corinthians 15:1-6 If in this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied 1 Corinthians 15:19 Introduction: The story of Easter is wonderfully simple, yet immensely powerful. This combination means that most if not all are here this morning because you have heard, seen (in a Passion play), and understand the story of Jesus, His life, death, and resurrection. It's a story most of our country embraces, and at the very least is willing to hide eggs and dabble in Cadbury cream for the occasion. But it is this very simplicity that can cause us to miss the significance. Its a little like turning on lights in our house. Yesterday I changed the bulb in my daughters room, and I was struck by the fact that I could twist this little glass orb into a socket and experience something that people for thousands of years could never enjoy: light, inside my house, that would not burn it down. A simple invention like the light bulb changed humanity indelibly forever, yet we often take it for granted, thinking of it only when the light goes out. This morning we must grapple with the question that a group of people in a city called Corinth struggled with nearly two thousand years ago. They believed in the fact that Jesus rose from the dead, but they were confused about their own life after death. In other words, they believed intellectually about the resurrection, but it did not alter their life, hope, and view of the future. This what we all must come to grips with this morning: What does Jesus' life, death, and resurrection have to do with my own? Does it affect my whole life or simply this day? Does it bring the hope and joy that I've been yearning for, or is it something to be easily ignored? Simplicity of the Gospel 1 Corinthians 15:1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you- unless you believed in vain. By way of reminder Gospel is information received outside of us - Paul wrote a letter to this group to instruct, and he started with what they already knew. The gospel did not originate inside of them, following their heart or desires or some sort of superior intellect. The gospel comes to us from outside of us, given by God for us Gospel tells us what Jesus did for us - The gospel tells us the only thing that can save - Notice that salvation is NOT SOMETHING SIMPLY IN THE PAST, but something that is still happening. We are saved at a point in the past (justified - declared righteous), are becoming more like Jesus in the present (sanctified), and will one day be completely saved - given new bodies, no longer enduring pain, seeing Jesus and serving Him forever. This is why the resurrection is so important, since salvation is not simply about now, but has echoes into eternity. By way of importance 1 Corinthians 15:3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 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 500 brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 1
Jesus is Christ incarnate - God had to put on flesh, becoming a man and living a life as perfect humanity, keeping and fulfilling the entire Law. This is what Jesus did throughout His private and public ministry, acknowledging the title as Christ, Messiah, performing miracles to validate that title, and ultimately facing death because of this very claim. Jesus had to die - Only God could satisfy the requirement of God. The only way that God could be just and justifier (Rom. 3:26) of anyone who has faith in Jesus. Death was NOT the mistake, it was not the result of an unseen plot, but was rather the point, the goal, and the mission. Jesus had to take the place of those He came to save, and that could only take place through the means of death. Jesus had to rise again - Easter is necessary because without the resurrection death would have the victory (1 Cor. 15:54-55). The true victory of the cross is that death could not contain Jesus, and though there was a sting in death, it was not enough to stifle the victory. Because Jesus was risen, we too will be with Him forever. Significance of the Resurrection Grounded in History Matthew 28:11 While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place. 12 And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers 13 and said, "Tell people, 'His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.' 14 And if this comes to the governor's ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble." 15 So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story has been spread among the Jews to this day. We are here this morning because of a word, and that word is faith. Faith is defined as being assured of things we hope in and being convinced of things we cannot see (Heb. 11:1). Faith is believing something that we cannot touch, cannot be repeated, and willing to follow something or someone we cannot see. This is true of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. None of us were there during the time of His life, none of us saw His death, and none of us saw Him after He rose again. We believe these things by faith. Yet our faith in the resurrection is founded in history, an event that really happened. Even those who do not believe in Jesus claims of being God and His claim as the Messiah believe that Jesus actually existed. The story of Jesus is not simply a myth or a legend. It actually happened. It s crazy, improbable, and mind-blowing, but it really happened. Our faith is not based on what we cannot see, but it is not blind, leaping into the darkness after something that never existed. Changed Everything (especially our future) 1 Corinthians 15:12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 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. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. 20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. The story of the resurrection is not simply a great story of good defeating evil, or a hero winning in the end, it is a story of life and death. If Jesus had simply died without raising again, He would have been a tragic figure who died unfairly for His principles and we would feel bad for He and His family. In fact if 2
Jesus died without rising again, we would have no hope and would ONLY face judgment for our sin. If Jesus died without rising again, we would not simply go back to dust, but we would be punished for an eternity for our sin. That is the power of the resurrection. God is perfectly holy and created us for His glory, but we all sinned and fell short of His glory, which meant He has to have payment for sin, which requires us to spend an eternity in hell. But in glorious grace and mercy, God never compromised His holiness but was willing to send His Son to this earth to live a life of perfection that we never could, to die a death we deserve, and rise again to conquer sin and death one and for all for all those who believe. This is the power of the resurrection. It is no mere story. It is a matter of our life and death. Without the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we would have no hope in this life or the next. However, just like the believers at Corinth, there were people in Jesus day that missed the resurrection. They were around, in the area, but they missed the power of the resurrection. Sometimes we think If only I could ve seen Jesus, then I would believe this crazy story. However, there were masses of people who saw, heard, and were even healed by Jesus who did not believe He was who He said He was. We want to look at these folks so that we ourselves do not miss the reason and purpose of the resurrection. Sadness of those who miss Easter Crowds or common people 1. The crowds who welcomed Jesus as king on Palm Sunday John 12:37 Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, A mass of humanity threw down their garments and branches five days before they called for Jesus to be crucified. They were amassed in Jerusalem for the feast of Passover and they wanted to see Jesus but they wanted to see a man named Lazarus, a man who Jesus raised from the dead a few weeks earlier (John 12:9). They were buzzing because Jesus was who they had hoped for, a messiah that would give them what they wanted, a way to get rid of Roman occupation. When Jesus did not turn out to be what they thought and hoped, they called for Him to be crucified. What they loved: They loved Jesus miracles. They loved that Jesus could raise people from the dead. They loved what they got from Jesus. They loved the fact that this man could be the one to save them from being servants of the Romans, which is why they shouted Hosanna, which means save us (John 12:13; Psalm 118:25-26). What they feared: This group feared the repercussions of following Jesus. Jesus made it clear that to follow Him would mean they could not follow the current religious leadership who taught someone can get to God by keeping the Law, the rules, by sheer determination of one s will (Matt. 5:20; Matt. 23). If they followed Jesus completely, they ran the risk of being put out of the Synagogue, which would have meant exclusion from family, applying their trade, and being a social outcast: John 9:22 His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone should confess Jesus to be Christ, he was to be put out of the synagogue. (This was the story of the man born blind healed by Jesus) The truth was it was easier to yell crucify Him than to yield their lives to Jesus. Jesus offered Himself to the crowds to forgive their sin and gather them as a mother hen (Matt. 23:37) in protection and 3
comfort. Jesus wanted the people to follow Him, but it would cost them everything, including reputation, family, and comfort. They did not want to give up the comfort of their life and yield it to a life of following Christ. The call to follow Jesus is a call to die: Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life (John 12:25). We cannot follow Jesus and keep the status quo of life. However, when we die, turn, and repent, we experience life for the first time ever, forever. Religious Leaders John 12:42 Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; A second group was really messed up by Jesus. Jesus exposed the religious leaders of the day for their greed, their abusing the people, and leading the people astray. They hated Jesus for it. John tells exactly what they loved: What they loved: John 12:43 for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God. They loved their position of reverence from the people, from the common man. It was a nice gig. They had power and authority, two things that do not come easily. They had position, and Jesus threatened what they treasured most. What they feared: John 11:47 So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the Council and said, "What are we to do? For this man performs many signs. 48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation." This group wanted Jesus dead because He was going to expose them to the people. In order to keep the status quo of their life, they devised an illegal, insidious, underhanded, and wicked plan to kill an innocent man (John 11:49-50). Jesus exposes our true intentions and pleasures. Some people think they are happier and content without Jesus. They are ok with Jesus as long as He does not call them to change. Jesus told the religious leaders of the day to repent and turn from their wickedness to follow Him, but they would have to leave everything. It was easier to kill Jesus, to make Him go away and live out a lie than to come to grips with the reality of their sin. Jesus offers us true, lasting happiness called joy. He came so that His joy would be in us, and our joy would be made full (John 15:11). Some would rather live out a lie of misery rather than yield to One who can bring them joy, like eating imaginary mud pies instead of those crafted by bakers. Political Leader (Pontius Pilate) John 19:4 Pilate went out again and said to them, "See, I am bringing him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in him. Pontius Pilate was a wicked man, and yet he found himself in a position that causes us to give him a measure of pity. He knew Jesus was innocent, but he feared an uprising of the people, which would cause the Romans to be upset, which would lead Rome to get rid of Pilate (either his life or his job). What he loved: Pilate loved his life and comfort. Even though Jesus was innocent, he wanted to save His own skin. He loved his own life in this world. 4
What he feared: Pilate feared losing his life in this world, and when the pressure was on, he was willing to have an innocent man killed to save his life in this world. He was weakened politically since he benefactor named Sajanus had lost his head (from trying to overthrow Caesar). He could not stand up for what he knew was right without it costing him a position, livelihood, and perhaps his life. John 19:12 From then on Pilate sought to release Him, but the Jews cried out, "If you release this man, you are no friend of Caesar. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar." Jesus made it clear to anyone who wanted to follow Him, For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it (Luke 9:24). Pilate, like a lot of people, wanted to keep the meager existence he created for himself. Following Jesus would mean loss in this life to gain Him. He was unwilling to lose. Jesus offers Himself as Savior, but also Lord. He saves us from sin to free us to follow Him with our whole life. Saving power of Grace Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. (1 Cor. 15:8-9) For the Unworthy Paul was a bad man and he knew it. Sincere. Passionate. Aggressive. Justice oriented, he set out to snuff out a movement called the church. He made it his mission. Those who had become followers of Jesus were now hunted down, imprisoned, and even killed at the oversight of Paul. As he reflected on this, he realized that though he had tried his best, worked his hardest, and fought for what he thought was right, all his efforts were in vain. What he thought was good was truly wicked. He was not only a murderer of men, he was even worse than this: self-righteous. The truth of Jesus' resurrection is for the unworthy. In fact, it's only for the unworthy. Jesus died for sinners, enemies of him, and those who had no hope. Easter is for the wicked, those who know it, and are ready to stop trying to earn it by being better, doing more, trying to save the world, putting on a show for others while we are wasting away inside. The gospel is for the broken, those who have done things you hope no one will know about or have had things done to you that you don't want to talk about. If you feel unworthy, you are in the right place. If you feel like you are good and the problem is out there, you will leave disappointed. Proven Effective But by the grace of God, I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain (1 Cor. 15:10) Paul was not having a pity party, but was magnifying God's grace, a free gift of unmerited favor that God lavishes on us. We cannot earn it. We certainly do not deserve it. Yet it is by God's grace alone through Jesus Christ by which we stand. That is the good news of the gospel, that God has done the work for salvation, forgiving our sin by pouring out His wrath, justice, and judgment on HIs Son so that we do not have to face it, being given Jesus' righteousness. God then raised Jesus from the dead signaling that we too will be raised with Him someday if we believe. So we are left with a few questions: 1) Do you believe in the reality of the resurrection? 2) Have you placed your trust in the risen Jesus, acknowledging your sin and unworthiness, asking for forgiveness, turning from your sin to follow Jesus and anticipating living with Him forever. An affirmative answer to 5
the first question is the basis for the second, but without the second you'll enjoy Easter for a day and that is all. Today is the day of salvation. "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that He raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved." (Romans 10:9-10) 6