15
Apr '25
Why the Resurrection of Jesus Matters!
15
Apr '25
Introduction: If Jesus had not risen from the grave, then we might as well throw our Bibles away! If Jesus Christ had not conquered death, then we would all die in our sins. But He has overcome death! Because of that, those who put their faith and trust in His Word can be redeemed by His blood and saved by His life. Plus, we are assured of a home in Heaven with those who have gone before us. Thank God for the resurrection of Jesus Christ! Do you believe in the Resurrection of Jesus? Why does it matter? Check it out:
1. DEATH has been DEFEATED! (1 Cor. 15:55–57) – “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Death ruled and reigned over the whole human race from Adam unto Jesus. While sitting on his throne with the crown upon his head, no one was able to challenge the “Grim Reaper”! That is, until the RESURRECTION and the LIFE—Jesus Christ—left Heaven’s glory, was born of a virgin, lived without sin, died to pay our sin debt, and then burst forth from the grave with resurrection power on the third day, just as He said He would. History was made. Eternity was sealed. Death was defeated! Truthfully, after witnessing so many live ones pass from this life unto the life to come, and preaching my dad, mom, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and countless friends’ funerals, this Pastor can honestly sing with a bereaved but blessed heart, “Oh VICTORY in JESUS!”
2. The DEVIL’S POWER over DEATH has been SQUASHED! (Heb. 2:14–15) – “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.”
Throughout the Bible, God repeats the message that it is appointed unto men to die, and then comes the judgment (Heb. 9:27). However, because the Son of God “tasted death” for every man; beside that, He became sin for us who knew no sin—now we can face the grave without FEAR! Is death intimidating you? Look to Jesus! Have confidence in His finished work!! Rest in His Word!!! Our Heavenly Home is awaiting!!!! The best is yet to come.
3. JESUS has the MASTER KEY! (Rev. 1:18) – “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”
He had to die. He had to suffer. He had to bleed. Why? So that we could go FREE—free from sin’s penalty, free from sin’s power, and one day free from sin’s presence. What appeared to be an awful tragedy when Christ was brutally crucified turned out to be the most historical and monumental event in human history—the RESURRECTION!
4. Every CHRISTian has ASSURANCE and HOPE of HEAVEN beyond DEATH! (1 Pet. 1:3–4) – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you.”
Praise the LORD! Jesus is ALIVE!! That means we have a glorious future ahead! Heaven is awaiting its citizens. Actually, according to both Peter and Paul’s inspired writing, that is what every believer has to look forward to. Do you ever think about it? Can you imagine what Heaven is going to be like? “I Can Only Imagine!” No more sickness, sorrow, suffering, or sin!!
Conclusion: Did you know that Jesus never preached a funeral? Instead, He raised Lazarus, Jairus’s daughter, and the widow of Nain’s son from the dead! While she led a procession of MISERY, Jesus led a procession of MAJESTY, which turned into VICTORY as her son was raised from the coffin!
Please don’t forget that JESUS has wonder-working power over death, demons, and disease! How? Because not only is He a WAY MAKER, a CHAIN BREAKER, a MOUNTAIN MOVER, a STORM CALMER, a PEACE GIVER, a DEVIL DEFYER, a GIANT KILLER, but the Son of God is also a GRAVE ROBBER! “Because HE LIVES, we can face tomorrow!” “I SERVE a RISEN SAVIOR!!”
Now we can sing from our hearts with joy and gratitude to the KING of GLORY because He has promised to come again! Will you join the chorus in Heaven and rejoice that we serve a RISEN SAVIOR?? That is why the RESURRECTION should matter to you!
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese