Scripture Reading: Mark 16:1-7

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ

Intro.

1. “By any measure, the resurrection of Jesus is the most radical of Christian doctrines” (“Rethinking the Resurrection”, Kenneth L. Woodward, Newsweek, 4/8/96:61).
2. For centuries the accuracy of the Bible record of the bodily resurrection of Jesus has been studied, debated, objected to and believed.
3. Mk. 16:4-7 (9, 12, 14): The empty tomb and the appearances of the risen Christ are set forth in the NT as the two strands of evidence by which we are persuaded and in which we take comfort (Acts 1:3).

I. THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST:
A. Was Predicted (foretold) by the Old Testament Prophets, Psa. 16:8-11 (Acts 2:25-28, 29-32).
-Such a teaching meant the Christ would suffer and die - something unthinkable to the Jewish mind, Acts 17:2-3 (3:18); Matt. 16:21-22.
B. Was Promised by Jesus (Matt. 27:63), Jno. 2:18-22; Matt. 16:21; Jno. 11:25.
C. Proclaimed (declared) the Deity of Christ, Rom. 1:3-4 (Jno. 10:30-36).
-Knees do not bow to a dead man, but to the living Christ, our Lord, Phil. 2:8-11.

II. HIS RESURRECTION:
A. Is the Foundation of the Gospel, 1 Cor. 15:3-5.

1. Without it there is no “good news”, cf. Lk. 24:17-24.

2. Without it there would be no church, Matt. 16:18; Eph. 1:20-23.

B. Defeated Satan, Gen. 3:15; Acts 2:23-24.
1. The devil, who had the power of death, was defeated by Christ’s death (and subsequent resurrection), Heb. 2:14-16.
2. He abolished death, 2 Tim. 1:10 (Jno. 11:25-26).
C. Is the Basis of Our Faith and Hope, 1 Cor. 15:12-19.
1. “The early Christians claimed that in the Risen Christ, the Glory of Yahweh was made manifest in a new and unexpected way. It revealed the dawn of a ‘new creation’ -- the church -- and a new hope, that ‘in Christ’ everyone could reliably expect his or her own resurrection from the dead.” (Ibid, 70)
2. Glorious expectation, 1 Cor. 15:52-57.

III. DECLARATIONS OF THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS.
A. Worship on the First Day of the Week (Lord’s Day, Rev. 1:10).
1. He was raised on first day of week, Mk. 16:1-2, 9.
2. His exaltation announced on first day of week, Acts 2:32-33, 36.
3. Early disciples gather to worship Him on first day, Acts 20:7.
B. Water Baptism for Salvation from Sins, Rom. 6:1-11.
1. Die to sin and raised to new life, 6:4.
a. United with Christ in the likeness of His death; freed from the bondage of sin–raised in likeness of His resurrection, 6:5-6.

b. Died with Him – Live with Him, 6:8.

c. Christ raised: Death no longer has dominion over Him; Same is true of one baptized into Christ and raised with Him, 6:9-11.
2. To be baptized expresses a faith that God will raise you from your death in sin by the same power that raised Jesus from the dead, Col. 2:12.
3. How’s your faith? Will you put it into action and be baptized to be saved by the living Savior?

C. Necessarily Implied by the Lord’s Supper, Matt. 26:26-29.

1. Jesus had been telling them He was going away (would die), Lk. 18:31-34.

2. Christ’s promised participation with His disciples in the supper necessarily implies His resurrection, for without it He could not do so!
3. “Proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes” (can only “come” if He is now alive), 1 Cor. 11:26.
D. The Christian’s Hope, 1 Ths. 4:13-18.

1. We have a living hope because Christ lives, 1 Pet. 1:3.

2. The empty tomb stands as a monument to Christ’s glory and our hope of glory! Rom. 5:2; Col. 1:27

Conclusion

1. You must believe that God raised Jesus from the dead in order to be saved, Rom. 10:9-10; 6:3-4.
2. This belief leads us to righteousness as we confess our faith in the risen Lord and obey His commands.