Increasing Our Easter Gratitude
2014-04-20
1 Corinthians 15:14-20,
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 Christ we have hope in this life only, 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 level
of gratitude and joy a person has corresponds to realization of the cost of gift.
· There is a difference in value of re-gift
vs. sacrificial gift.
o
Like
driving 1500 vs 5 miles to visit on your family on Easter. Time, money, effort, distance.
· The level of gratitude and joy also relates
to the perceived seriousness of the situation: If you are released from $50 speeding
ticket vs. a murder conviction.
The level
of joy/gratitude/love on Easter is in proportion to the sense of personal indebtedness
to God. Luke 7:39-50
· You have a No/low understanding of
personal indebtedness to God if you view Easter as a “have to do” bi-annual
visit to church/parents/others.
· If you view your spiritual debt to
be present but not significant. That would be a moderate understanding.
o
Simon
was just as spiritually bankrupt as the woman, he just didn’t realize it.
· You have a high understanding of
personal indebtedness to God if you have the biblical view of yourself & the
cost Jesus paid for salvation.
o
The
cost to pay your incomprehensible sin debt was immeasurable.
§
Only
those who realize the depth/cost of their sin truly appreciate & celebrate
the complete forgiveness God offers.
Paul
understood this truth & how the resurrection was just as crucial as the crucifixion. 1 Tim
1:15-17, 1 Cor 15:17 & 20, Rom 10:9-10
· It is a historical fact that the
resurrection is the foundation to Christian faith & sets Christianty apart
from the rest of world's religions.
- Proof of resurrection is so
complete that only willful unbelief asks for more.
- You have an intellectual
responsibility to examine the evidence.
Jesus did
for us on the cross what we could never do for ourselves— purchased for Christians an acquittal, justification, and forgiveness.
· The resurrection doesn't add
anything to the condemnation-absorbing effect of the cross.
o
Christ’s
death was utterly sufficient & needs no repetition/addition to remove all
our condemnation. 1 Peter 3:18,
Rom 4:24-5:1
§ If there was no resurrection, then
Christ’s death would be that of just a martyr, victim of injustice, or a good ordinary
man with no saving value…..not that of Savior/God in flesh
·
So, the
resurrection was God’s proclamation: All Christians sin debt is paid in full.
o
Easter
validates Good Friday….loan paid in full
·
When
Jesus Christ was raised it was as if God said “I accept the substitutionary sacrifice/death & can
forgive sins because all guilt/condemnation
is removed.
Resurrection
is the undeniable proof that Jesus is the Judge, Messiah, and Savior ….this has
enormous consequences to all people. 1 Peter 2:9-11, Acts 17:30-31, 1
Cor 15:1-10, 17-20
· The purpose of the tomb being opened
was not to let Jesus out but to let others in!
o For sinners who repent the resurrection
promises peace/new relationship
with God, power over sin, & hope
in the present/future life.
· If you rightly understand the immeasurable,
precious cost that had to be paid for your incomprehensible sin debt….your level
of joy/gratitude/love toward Jesus will increase exponentially on Easter & every
day of both your earthly and eternal life.
