The Resurrection of Jesus Christ

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ The death and then the resurrection of Christ are the two pillars on which the arch of the gospel rests. In fact, the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ is the crowning fact of the gospel; It is the very heart of Christianity.

THE EASTER Friends, I want us to turn to our Bibles to the book of Matthew 28:1-10 And today we are studying one of the most important truths that come to the human mind in HISTORY. The Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

THE EMPTY TOMB Matthew 28:1-10 A violent earthquake took place as an angel from heaven rolled back the stone. The guards shook in fear as the angel, dressed in bright white, sat upon the stone. The angel announced to the women that Jesus who was crucified was no longer in the tomb, He is risen, just as he said. Then he instructed the women to inspect the tomb and see for themselves. Next he told them to go inform the disciples. With the mixture of fear and joy they ran to obey the angel s command, but suddenly Jesus met them on their way. They fell at his feet and worshiped him. Jesus then said to them, Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee. There they will see me.

Rev.1:17-18 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: Do not be afraid. I am the First and the last. I am the Living One; I was dead and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.

Cont. Paul in 1 Corinthians 15 said, If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith We are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen sleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men." But then Paul declares, Cor. 15:14-20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep

JESUS DEATH Jesus Christ came into this world to die as our substitute for our sins. The sinless Son of God came to give his life as a ransom for many (Matt. 20:28). On that first Good Friday, Jesus was crucified. We know he died because one of the Roman soldiers pierced Jesus side with a spear to ensure his death. Some of his disciples then buried his body in a new tomb (John 19:30-42)

Cont. While Jesus was alive, he had predicted that he would rise from the dead. He challenged his enemies: John 2:19-20 Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days. He was speaking about his body.jesus also told his disciples many times that he would be killed by the leaders in Jerusalem, but be raised to life on the third day.

Cont. The leaders who killed Jesus were aware of this prediction that he would rise from the dead. Will you listen to Him? Matthew 12 :40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. He was speaking to the Pharisees and the teachers of the law about his death and resurrection you see.

APPEARANCE OF CHRIST There are at least 12 different appearance of Christ in the resurrection accounts, beginning with Mary and ending with Paul. They were physical, tangible experience with Christ eating, speaking and allowing himself to be touched. 1. His first appearance was to Mary Magdalene, on that early Sunday morning (Mark 16:9; John 20:10-18) 2. Jesus appeared to the women returning from the tomb (Matt.28:9-10). 3. Jesus appeared to two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-32).

Cont. 4. He appeared to Peter in Jerusalem. (Luke 24:34). 5. He appeared to his disciples and other followers, and also a second time to the two men from Emmaus, in a locked room in Jerusalem. The apostle Thomas wasn t there at that time. (Luke 24:36-43). 6. A week later, Jesus again appeared to his disciples behind locked doors and this time Thomas was present.

Cont. 7. Jesus appeared to seven of his disciples on the shore of the sea of Galilee. (John 21:1-24) 8. Jesus was seen by 500 believers at one time. (1 Cor.15:6). 9. He appeared to James (1 Cor.15:7). 10. He appeared to eleven disciples on a mountain in Galilee. Then Jesus said, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptize them in the name of Father and of the Son and of the Holy spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matt.28:18-20).

THE FINAL APPEARANCE 11. His final appearance is reported as being forty days after the resurrection when he ascended into heaven, with his disciples along the road to Bethany, on the mount of Olives (Luke 24:50-53). 12. He appeared to Paul on the road to Damascus when the light from heaven flashed around him (Acts 9:3-6).

Image of Christ s resurrection Being in the image of Christ s resurrection means experiencing his power in your life. 1. He has the power of change 2. He has the power of victory 3. He has the power of hope 4. He has the power of salvation 5. He is the life giver and the judge

JESUS THE JUDGE John 5:22 Jesus said, Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, verses 27-29 he continued, And he has given him authority to judge, because he is the Son of Man. Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come outthose who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned The resurrection of Jesus Christ means that he will raise up everyone whoever lived - some to eternal life and some to eternal condemnation - and Jesus Christ will be the judge.

CHRISTIAN FAITH The resurrection of Jesus is a testimony to the resurrection of human beings, which is a basic tenet of the Christian faith. As Christians, we take comfort in the fact that our God became man, died for our sins, and was resurrected the third day. The grave could not hold Him. He lives, and He sits today at the right hand of God the Father in heaven. Resurrection demonstrated that God accepted Jesus sacrifice on our behalf. It proves that God has the power to raise us from the dead. It guarantees that those who believe in Christ will not remain dead, but will be resurrected unto eternal life. That is our blessed hope.

Dead to sin, alive in Christ Paul in Romans 6:1-4 says Now what is our response to be? Shall we sin to our hearts content and see how far we can exploit the grace of God? What a ghastly thought! We, who had died to sin- how could we live in sin a moment longer? (now when did we die to sin?) Have you forgotten that all of us who were baptized into Jesus Christ were, by that action, sharing in his death? We were dead and buried with him in baptism, so that just as he was raised from the dead by that splendid revelation of the Father's power so we too may live a new life

REMEMBER TO CELEBRATE Brothers and sisters, we should remember daily that Our Blessed Savior rose from the dead according to The Word of God. We need to remember the Resurrection of our LORD Jesus Christ not just once a year. I believe we need to honor our Risen LORD and Redeemer every day of the year.

MOVEMENT TO THE FUTURE In reality, our faith and our salvation depends totally and completely upon the finished work of Our Lord Jesus. The blessed Gospel (Good News) of the Lord Jesus Christ is that He died for our sins, was buried and on the third day rose from the dead, all in accordance with the prophecies from the Old Testament Scriptures, as well as, the New Testament teachings of Jesus while He was on earth. The resurrection is not a return to the past, but a movement to the future.

CONT. May I say today that if you sideline with questions of unbelief in your mind it s because you do not come today and let the Spirit of God speak to you. Take this documentary here and make the reality of Christ who died for your sins and rose again. Make it a reality in your life - it can become a transforming experience for you.

WHAT IS EASTER? EASTER is not just a day on calendar It s not just an annual day for celebration It s not the church remembering for one day and then forgetting. It s not an Easter parade It doesn t just mean a long weekend. All I know when we say Easter we are talking about the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day.

A FRESH TOUCH Easter is a permanent and continuing fact; it tells us about the living Christ who says Behold I am alive forever more. Isn t this the truth? Easter is an experience that can transform lives today. My friends we need a fresh touch from HIM. We need renewed power today. We need overwhelming love today.

THE LIVING CHRIST Today we need a total dedication to His word only. If any man is being in Christ is a new creation He invites you this morning to come to him. He is the living Christ not a dead Christ. And this day will be Easter to you - not a new dress, not a new tie, a new suit but a new life, a new life that He gives to those who believe. Will you come? Will you come and receive him this morning?

JESUS OUR SAVIOR If you want to accept Christ as Savior and turn from your sins, you can ask Him to be your Savior and Lord by praying a prayer like this: "Lord Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. Please forgive my sins and give me the gift of eternal life. I ask you in to my life and heart to be my Lord and Savior. I want to serve you always."

IDENTIFYING JESUS Identifying Jesus in this way means that 1. He is the Son of God 2. Powerful and Authoritative 3. The bringer of hope 4. The bringer of life 5. The overcomer 6. The future

CONCLUSION May God give us faith to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and particularly in the fact that God raised him from the dead. Some one said Human knowledge must be understood to be believed, but divine knowledge must be believed to be understood May we come to know that Jesus Christ is the only savior and there is no other. May we all remember that Jesus is the Judge whom we will all face, because it is appointed to man once to die and then comes judgment. May God have mercy on us, that we will beg for mercy and pardon from Him and be saved. Amen.

AUTHOR: Richard Bandawo For more ministry downloads visit: http://www.agfbrakpan.co.za/ministry-archives.aspx For more ministry downloads by Richard Bandawo visit: http://www.agfbrakpan.co.za/ministryarchives.aspx?speaker=richard%20bandawo

COPYRIGHT INFORMATION Unless otherwise stated, Scripture quotations are taken from the NIV: THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Scripture quotations taken from the NASB: New American Standard Bible, Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation Used by permission. (http://www.lockman.org) Scripture taken from The Message (http://www.biblegateway.com/versions/message-msg-bible/) Copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.