Because He
Lives
4-5-2015
Luke 24:1-8
24 But
on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the
spices they had prepared. 2 And
they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord
Jesus. 4 While
they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling
apparel. 5 And
as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to
them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is
not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in
Galilee, 7 that
the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified
and on the third day rise.” 8 And
they remembered his words,
He is Risen! He is risen indeed.
·
Read: Children “Who loves
God?” Mike: ”I love JC.” Mary: “But He
died.” Mike: “Yeah, but every Easter He rises
from dead again.” 1 Cor 15:3-4, Heb
10:12-13
o Review JC death & rez.
·
If you remove the living
Lord Jesus, then Christianity is among the other powerless religions & ethical
systems.
o Because Jesus rose from the dead & is alive
we can be absolutely certain of the truths that seem fantastic & beyond
belief. Today I am going to smother you with the Word.
1. Because He Lives: salvation was accomplished at cross.
1 Pet 1:3, Rom
4:23-25, 6:10, Jn 14:6
·
When Christ rose, it was as if the Father said...I accept
Jesus’ substitutionary sacrifice & death as payment for sin, &
therefore forgiveness is available.
o Jesus did for us on cross what we could never do for ourselves—pay the penalty
and punishment that our sin deserved.
§
But if He didn't rise, then it was just like the death
of an ordinary man with no saving value.
· Tomb was not opened to let Jesus Christ out but to show the way into a relationship
with God…..Gospel presentation.
2. Because He
Lives: Christ verifies present & future promises to BELIEVERS true
& include:
·
Present: The Holy Spirit indwells & empowers every Christian. Jn
14:16-17, 16:7, Acts
2:31-33 & 38, 1 Cor 6:19a,
Rom 6:14
o If there was No resurrection, there would be no ascension, no indwelling
of the Holy Spirit, no spiritual gifts or church.
§
Because He is raised, Christians possess the power
for living victoriously.
·
They have power over sin and temptation & have
a new hope & joy.
o The Jesus who loves you & gave Himself for you is alive & caring
for you every moment of your life…now and forever.
·
Future: You now have a new eternal destiny with
Jesus (for Christians.) Jn 14:2-3, 2 Pet 3:13, Rev 21:4, 1 Pet
1:3-4, Phil 3:20-21a,
o Christians get a new & perfect resurrection body like Christ’s. 1 Cor 15:44, 49 &
6:14
§ Someday no longer will you be sick, disabled, frail, mentally ill, weary,
·
All these promises should cause us to worship &
glorify God.
3. Because He Lives: It
is a guarantee of Jesus’ 2nd coming. Acts 1:10-11, 17:31, 2 Pet 3:10, Heb 9:28, Rev 22:12-13
· If He didn't rise, we wouldn’t have to worry that He’d come back to
judge the living and the dead.
o There is judgment & punishment for unbelievers & heaven for believers
awaiting.
Because Christ died for our sins, rose from dead,
& is now alive, we can have a new relationship
with God. A present & future life that is to be envied. 1 Cor 15:17-20, John 11:25-26
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