April 12th, 2020 – Morning Devotion With Pastor Dan
1. The credibility of Jesus Himself is at stake
- Jesus repeatedly and plainly predicted His own resurrection
- Read: (Matthew 16:21) (Matthew 17:23) (Matthew 20:19)
2. The credibility of the New Testament is at stake
- Of the eight known writers of the New Testament, six writers specifically affirm the resurrection
- 15 of the 27 NT books specifically affirm the resurrection – most of the remaining 12 imply it
3. The credibility of Old Testament prophecy is at stake
- Read: (Psalm 16:8-11)
- Notice Peter’s explanation of this passage – (Acts 2:23-27)
- David wrote Psalm 16 over 1000 years before the crucifixion
4. It is a foundational truth without which the gospel ceases to be good news
- Read: (1 Corinthians 15:14-19)
- Without the resurrection – we are not justified – (Romans 4:25)
- Those who reject the resurrection of Jesus are simply not Christians at all – (Romans 10:9-10)
b. The resurrection became the center of the early Church’s message – (the Gospel) – proclaiming the – crucified – resurrected – ascended Christ everywhere they went
- The resurrection of Jesus Christ was proclaimed as…..
- Proof that God has accepted Jesus’ death as a sacrifice for our sins! – (Romans 8: 31-34)
- Proof that Jesus’ blood was shed for the remission of sins – (Matthew 26:28)
- Proof of our justification – (Romans 4:20-25)
- Proof that God gives eternal life to those who believe upon Jesus – (John 3:34-36)
- Proof that the resurrection provides hope for our own resurrection – (1 Peter 1:3)
c. The first-century Christians were prepared to defend and teach what the Scriptures declared of Christ’s resurrection – (Acts 1:3) (Acts 26:22-23)
- It should be no less today – it should be a dominant part of our doctrine when we speak to people about faith in Jesus Christ
- So many disbelieve in Jesus’ death-defying power
- Skeptics scoff at the idea of Jesus coming back to life
- Our classrooms – media – culture – argue that the bodily resurrection of Jesus did not happen
- Well – what do you believe? – How much of this doctrine is part of our conversation?
d. When you can walk out of your own grave – that is power – (Acts 2:23-24)
- And of course – (Luke 1:37) says…..”For with God nothing will be impossible”
- Paul also spoke of the power of God concerning resurrection – (Ephesians 1:15-23)
- While it may be difficult for us to comprehend how the dead can be raised – it is not difficult for God
- I thank God for the empty tomb!….Because of Christ’s resurrection – because of all its witnesses – because of God’s word – I know everything Jesus has said – everything that Jesus has promised – is true
- The message of the tomb is still the message for this hour – “Come, see….go quickly and tell”
- The message that we have been given is an urgent message
- It is an urgent message because people are dying – without knowing the risen Lord
- It is imperative – it is urgent – that we reach them with the news of the gospel – and the truth of Christ’s resurrection – It is urgent that they know that He lives so that they may live also