Do you ever get the feeling that whatever happens in life doesn't make very much difference one-way or the other? It is so easy to adopt the attitude that, ultimately, nothing in this vast world is really terribly important or life changing. So we drift along, trying to enjoy as much as possible while thinking, "After all is said and done, the dust of the universe is going to close over my frail body, just as it will over everyone else's."
I once asked a man if he knew where he would spend eternity. His response was yes, he would spend it six feet underground. Then he slammed the door in my face. Not only was this man rude, but also he was dead wrong! The Bible declares the truth of the resurrection. There is a resurrection unto death, and a resurrection unto life…but all will be resurrected! No one will spend eternity in the ground. The good news is this; there is a possibility of eternal life for all of us because of the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead that first Easter Sunday!
Where we spend eternity will be determined by whether or not we have truly believed that God has raised Jesus from the dead.
(Rom 10:9-10) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. {10} For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
So you see that it does make a difference what we believe about the resurrection of Christ. His resurrection makes all the difference in eternity for you and me. His resurrection proves that . . .
I. His Claims Are True!
A. Consider His Claims.
1. Jesus was constantly making claims that no good teacher would dare make unless He was a liar, a lunatic, or the true God.
2. He said, "I AM ...the Bread of Life, the Light of the World, the Way to God".
3. He even claimed to be God (Jn. 8:58; 10:30-33). (John 8:58) Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
(John 10:30;33) {30} I and my Father are one. {33} The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
B. The Proof of His Claims.
1. The Jews though He was guilty of blasphemy for 'saying' He was God…
2. But His resurrection proved that He was exactly who He said He was.
(1 Cor 15:20) But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
3. Note what Paul said in his letter to the believers in Rome.
(Rom 1:4) And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
II. His Sacrifice Was Accepted!
A. The Meaning of His Death.
(Mark 10:45) For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
(John 10:15) As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
(Rom 4:25) Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
1. Our sin separates us from God.
2. The Scripture tells us that the consequence of sin is death. (Ro. 6:23)
3. But Jesus came and willingly went to the cross to die in our place.
4. He would offer an acceptable sacrifice for sin as our substitute.
B. The Meaning of His Resurrection.
1. In raising Christ, God the Father was publicly declaring that His Son had satisfied divine justice and had paid the price for our sin.
2. Death, sin, hell, and Satan have no authority over Christ or over the one who believes!
3. J. Wilbur Chapman wrote the hymn entitled 'One Day', listen to these words.
Living He loved me, dying He saved me Buried He carried my sins far away. Rising He justified freely forever. One day He's coming -O glorious day!
III. His Offer of a New Life Is Available Now!
A. Forgiveness, Now.
1. Our being pardoned and forgiven of sin depends upon our believing.
2. What must we believe? The gospel…
3. Death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus!
4. Note: 1 Cor. 15:1-4
B. Power, Now.
1. Through the risen, living Christ, we are given new power!
(John 1:12) But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
(Eph 3:20) Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
2. This power enables us to say "no" to impurity, dishonesty, and selfishness.
3. And to say "yes" to purity, integrity, and loving obedience.
(2 Tim 1:7) For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
C. Resurrection, later.
1. The death of a loved one often crushes out of us the desire to live.
2. We're left numb, shocked, angry, confused.
3. Nothing seems to make any difference.
4. Their familiar voice will never be heard again.
5. But, we will be raised after death!
6. Christ's resurrection is our guarantee that all who have placed their faith in Him will also be raised.
7. His resurrection is God's pledge and prediction that we will be raised with new bodies.
(1 Cor 6:14) And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.
(1 Cor 15:51-52) Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, {52} In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
So does it matter? Does it make any difference if we believe in the resurrection or not? It makes the difference between joy and sorrow; life and death; and heaven and hell. The resurrection means that Jesus is truly the Son of God, that God as payment for our sin accepted His sacrificial death, and that we can each have a new life in Him.
(Phil 3:10a) That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection…
Do you know Him and the power of His resurrection today? Why not come and place your faith in the resurrected Christ? Do you know His power? Come yield yourself to Him today…He will empower you to live for Him.