Resurrection Power | Pastor Daniel Batarseh (Full Easter Service)

Christ is risen. Let's begin by reading from the

word of God in 1st Corinthians. Chapter 1.

First grand chapter 15 beginning in verse 1.

This is the message of Easter. This is the exclusive message

for everyone every day. Now, I would remind you Brothers

of the Gospel, I preached to you, which you received in which

you stand and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to

the word, I preached to you. Unless you believed in vain.

For I delivered to you as of first importance, what?

I also received that Christ died for our sins.

He had not died as A victim. He died a substitutionary death

for our sins. He was in complete control of

his death, burial and Resurrection. he was in full

control of the timing and of the method of his death, the day and

the way Verse 4. That he was buried.

He was raised on the third day in accordance with scripture and

that he appeared to cephas. Then there are 12 then he

appeared to more than 500 Brothers.

At one time, most of whom are still alive though.

Some have fallen asleep then he appeared to James.

Then to all the apostles last of all as to when untimely born, he

appeared also To me. And he wants to appear to you

this afternoon. That you may receive him as your

lord as his Lord ruler of your lord and savior, if you have not

done that. So yet, let us pray.

Our God and Father, we thank you for our Lord and Savior Jesus

Christ. We think, if you have died, he

died for our sins, and he was buried.

And, yes, he rose the third day Victorious.

Victor over death over sin, over the powers of Darkness, but we

thank you that your son. Jesus has he pleased you in

everything he has done Even then.

At the beginning of his ministry at his baptism.

You said this is my beloved Son in whom I am pleased and they

are not many days before the cross again on that mountain of

transfiguration who declared. Again, this is my beloved Son,

in whom I am pleased to hear him and through that is reduction.

What a powerful declaration that the Christ is a truly.

The Son of God. He has pleased, you father in

everything he has done and that is a reduction, just approve of

that at. You are satisfied and you are

pleased. Completely.

In what he has done, he has completed the work, he has

finished the task, he has a brought salvation and

justification to all those who put their trust in him and Lord

this afternoon. We pray that if there is any one

Among Us who does not know yet Christ as his Lord and Savior.

We bread, even this afternoon that you will reveal your son to

him or to her we pray. That this afternoon you bring

people from death into life in Christ Jesus as you were revived

us again Lord we wait upon you, we expect this afternoon.

The work of God Among Us as we submit to the Son of God and as

we worship Him in spirit and Truth, Lord, we give your son

this afternoon, all the glory, all the praise and all the

worship, and in his holy precious name, we pray.

Ray. I mean.

the Sabbath was cast, Mary Magdalene Mary, the mother of

James, and Salome brought spikes They might go.

Very early on Thursday of the week.

The sun had risen. They went to the tomb and they

were saying During the tube.

They saw a young man sitting on the right side dressed in a

white robe and they were alarmed and he said to them do not be

alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth who

was crucified Christ is risen.

Amen. And I am excited to open up

God's we're with you in a few moments to just discover the

implications of the resurrection and our present-day, how

Christ's Resurrection transforms transforms us transforms.

The way we view everything including day-to-day life.

If you're here for the first time, which is very common.

During this time of the year, we want to welcome you.

We're so glad that you can join us.

Perhaps you have come because you desire to just see what this

is all about out of curiosity. Or perhaps you're here because

you've been compelled you made a promise or maybe a deal with

somebody that if you come they would have to do something for

you. Regardless of the reason you're

here, you are here and our hope and prayer is that, you will

hear the truth that can transform your life and change.

You not just today, but for all of eternity and it's during this

time where we, as Christians, we give to the Lord as an act of

worship because we believe that God has given us all things.

So if it is on your heart, Believers to do.

So do so with a cheerful heart and And a couple of gentlemen,

will be here in a moment to help you with that.

And as that is happening, it is my duty to give some

announcements that are important concerning the church.

And as we celebrate, Resurrection Sunday today.

Next week is going to be one of the most clear demonstrations of

what Christ does and human life because people will be

identifying with Christ, through the act of baptism.

And so we have many Souls who are saying yes to Jesus, through

that act of obedience, and they will be baptized in that balcony

over there next week, and they will stand where I'm standing

and in a brief moment, explain, just what Jesus Christ has done

in their Lives though. They all have the common

salvation, they have a unique story, and we invite you to be a

part of that experience to see that.

In all this chaos that we are seeing in our world Christ is

still in the business of redemption.

He still saving souls and we want you to see that and so we

invite you to be here next week at 1:00 p.m. to witness those

testimonies. And with that, That's pretty

much all that I have in terms of announcement other than if you

are willing after this service church is not about performance.

Like this is not an event that we do to, you know, impress

people, to make sure that they feel a certain way.

Leaving this place church is a family and Maranatha Bible

Church. Really takes a much joy knowing

that we are community. So we are going to Feast after

the service and there will be a potluck downstairs where we

will. So I invite you to not run away

today. Don't run away.

Stay with us fellowship with us. At least say hello.

Grab a bite to eat and just see what Christ has done in people's

lives as you just talk to them and get to know them.

And that will be immediately after the service. what I love

about the teaching of the Resurrection, that it is

intensely, practical As much as it is theological, it is, it is

profound Paul, never ceases to make this intensely relatable to

our day-to-day lives. And I wish today we can spend

our time talking about what what would happen if the resurrection

wasn't true. But let me give you a glimpse.

Paul says, in First Corinthians 15 the same chapter that Pastor

Daniel read from in verse 30, he says, why are we in danger every

hour? As Believers as Christians as

Christian leaders. He goes, why are we in danger

every hour? I protest Brothers by my pride

in you which I have in Christ Jesus our lord, I die every day.

Not a physical death of course but a death to self selfish

ambition to sin. I die every single day.

What do I gain if humanly speaking, I fought with beasts

at Ephesus. He's not speaking about actual

animals, he speaking about people who are acting like

animals. What do I gain?

If I wrestle with such people? If the dead are not raised, then

he goes on to say, let us eat and drink for tomorrow, we die.

If Christ didn't raise. Can I tell you something?

We are wasting our time, this afternoon.

If Jesus Christ. That Jewish man who walked the

Earth 2,000 years ago. Who was historically crucified

on a Roman cross who was buried but we believe as Christians who

Rose from the grave, if Christ did not actually arise that may

I say something? Let every Church shut their

doors. Let every Pastor quit their

jobs. Let every Seminary refund their

students that every private Christian School, send back

those children to their homes because of Christ is not raised.

Then our faith is in vain. Preaching is in vain, singing is

futile. This is all a complete waste of

time. Let's just go eat.

This is go drink that. Just go be married.

Let's just live for self. But if Christ did die.

Then this is the most important thing that you will hear.

That truth Alters reality, Jesus Christ, arising from the grave

changes, everything. Changes everything, and you will

hear how it changes everything, how we can change everything,

but we come here not to hear something that we haven't heard

before. We come here to rehearse a true

that we've believed, and that's why we sing.

We are singing not to a theory, not to a theological Point, not

to some historical fact, we are singing to a living, God, a

living Christ who hears us and sees us and who will do

something with us one day. Would you stand with me as we

rejoice in the resurrection and give God the glory?

Nothing nothing.

We give you all the thanks. Praise honor and Glory this

morning, Lord, on the cross. You showed us that you were

willing to save us. Lord in your Resurrection, you

show that you are able to save us Praise you.

God, we ask that you would send your spirit can do Mighty things

this morning. Make yourself tangible to us.

Lord, we pray that you would Open the Eyes of the

spiritually. Blind God, we pray Lord for the,

the weary Christian that you would renew their hope in God,

we prayed fill us with joy inexpressible this morning.

Your servant and his preaching. God, we ask that you would speak

to us clearly this morning by your word Jesus.

The Apostle Paul said that if Christ had not been risen, then

preaching is in vain, but if Christ has risen them, preaching

is of utmost importance. And what you and I are going to

experience in this moment is a transaction of truth that can

literally alter the Eternal Destiny of the person who would

rightly respond to what will be communicated in a few moments

and so maybe you don't have a Bible.

But if you do turn with me to the book of Acts and Let's

explore what the word of God has to say about this celebration,

that we are observing together. Now, I've talked to many

Believers over the years, who have expressed a certain

enjoyment when they read through the book of Acts and maybe you

are among those who can Echo that sentiment.

And I wonder if the excitement is encouraged by the powerful

conversion stories that lux second volume describes or maybe

it's the Milestones of the advancements of the early church

that was moved by early believers who fearlessly ran

into a dark world that was drowning and depravity.

Or maybe it includes a fact that there are just amazing Miracles

that take place that God has enabled the early church to

perform in order to validate the authenticity of the Christian

message. I'm sure that the thrill that

people read through this books includes those observations, but

one of the things that never ceases to charge, me and

challenge me, whenever I read through, the book of Acts is the

way in which the Christian shared their faith.

And not necessarily because of the unusual boldness that they

displayed, or the willingness to patiently endure suffering as

they traveled and suffered for the sake of this message, would

always grips me, what always brings me to a place of

contemplation, is the emphasis of their message.

It's what the apostles and the early Christians highlighted,

whenever they spoke on behalf of the Kingdom of God and the good

news of Jesus Christ. And what that is really, if

you've noticed it, I'm sure, you know what I'm talking about.

If you haven't, then you will see it today.

The fascinating idea that whenever they preached,

especially to those who did not believe, or who are unaware of,

what the Christian message is, they always introduced and

explained and heralded the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

That Christ arose that he's alive, not that he just died,

but that he was Vindicated. And that he is now exalted, they

shared that continually. There are faithful to that

message. They were consistent in that

presentation. And as you realize it, it

challenges you to think about why it's not an emphasis in Our

Gospel presentation, you read through the book of Acts and

you'll see it in their teaching you See it and they're

evangelizing, you'll even see it in certain dialogues and you get

the Impressions that the apostles and the early

Christians, really believe that this component was crucial to

understanding the core of what we believe.

It's not secondary, it's not optional, it's not a side issue,

the Lord Jesus Christ, died and was buried, and bodily arose,

and ascended into heaven. That truth is not something that

should be highlighted once a year.

It shouldn't because it was emphasized and explain

continually and so many contexts by these Apostles and these

ambassadors of Jesus Christ. So then again I ask the

question. Why is it so often?

I'm speaking to the believer. Why is it so often me included

that when we tell somebody about the message that can save them?

We rarely bring up the resurrection.

Why is it that we point to his suffering?

But we don't we don't really talk about how he is alive.

And I think one evidence of our ignorance in that if you're

honest, with yourself, as I was, when I was thinking about this,

even when you think about the Prophecies of Jesus Christ, as

the Messiah, from the Old Testament, we can we can easily

shoot off those that speak about his crucifixion and even as

burial, but are we as quick to do, so, when we speak about his

resurrection, can we point to where it says in the Old

Testament? Not that he would just die but

that he would also be made Live again.

So indeed, it is challenging because we find ourselves in

that place. Then perhaps it is an indication

that we don't really understand the full implications of the

Resurrection. It has almost become a secondary

point, a sub point to the gospel and that cannot be.

Because when we come to Apostolic Christianity, what you

see is that, it was in the Forefront of their preaching.

And if we are serious, if we are truly Evangelical.

If we truly preach this news and share it, unashamedly, then we

have to imitate what they did. And that is to emphasize the

resurrection. I hope that truth stirs you to

consider what will be said today.

Because we could thank God that in the preaching of the Apostles

they give us they give us the implications of the

Resurrection. They give us the results of

Jesus being alive and that he was risen.

And so today in this brief time together, I present to you for

outcomes. For results, astonishing

realities that are not only connected to the resurrection,

but are unachievable without it. And as you and I hear these

truths today, the prayer before this meeting is that we would

not just be all believers and the resurrection, but

Proclaimers of it. We would know why we need to

tell it as we would the cross. And the first point I bring

today is found in Acts 2 24. And actually 24.

This is the first Christian message that was preached by an

unlikely candidate one, who betrayed Christ more than once.

Oh, the mercy of God. And we read here in a short

verse in the middle of this sermon.

Peter says, in verse 24, God raised him up loosening, the

pangs of death because it was not possible for him to be held

by it. It was not possible for him to

be held by it. and so if we have to understand anything about the

resurrection, let us understand this first crucial point, that

the resurrection of Jesus Christ, dismantles, death, it,

disarms death, What a powerful statement death could not hold

him. Jesus Christ was raised by God,

not excluding the fact that he himself and the spirit of God

were included in an active way in the resurrection.

But to see one Vantage Point, Jesus Christ was raised by the

father because death had no grip death had.

No hold on him. And whenever I come across this

verse, I cannot help but Saw defied death in my mind and

visualize how death must have reacted when he was faced with

Christ in the grave. I love to just imagine the utter

shock of death. When he looked Upon A man that

he has never seen and all of the history of mankind entering into

his realm. You see death was able to claim

so many bodies of millions of millions of people leading up

and tracing all the way back to our first parents.

It's one after the other before Christ.

Not one man was able to die without the dread of decay.

Because of the corrupt flesh, there was a clutch that death

had upon them to a certain degree.

But something happens, 2,000 years ago For thousands of years

before that death is undergone an unbroken routine.

A possessing one, descendant of Adam after the next.

Until something happened. For the first time in deaths,

long dealing with mankind, he encounters a man who on the

surface seem to have died. A criminal's death was unlike

any man that he's ever faced before.

On that Friday night. Jesus Christ of Nazareth enters

into the realm of sheol and as he comes his arrival is there,

he was examined for the sins that would forfeit his flesh to

Deaths ownership. But something strange happened

on that evening. When the record of Jesus life

was presented, there was no trace of sin.

Was there any wickedness in his deeds?

Not one. Was there any iniquity on his

lips? Not a whisper.

Was there any transgression in his thoughts?

Free from corruption? Obedient to the law perfectly

observed. And death while staring at their

record of Christ Perfection and his unspotted righteousness for

the first time. Admitted, that he could not, he

could not arrest that, undefiled pure and holy body.

And for the first time he witnessed God glorify flesh and

exalted into his presence. The Lord Jesus.

The Lord Jesus was convinced of this truth even while he was

alive. Do you remember what he told his

disciples in that discourse in John 14:30 I will not talk much

John 14:30

with you for the ruler of this world is coming.

He has no claim on me. He has no claim on me.

Accusation is not even possible. There is no legal, right for

death to be able to say you stay here under my possession.

The pangs of death were loosened. and God, in a sense

was obligated to Raised Christ. And for the first time, death

felt felt the body. Loosen from his clutch and he

witnessed the Resurrection, The firstfruits of those who have

fallen asleep in Christ. What does that have to do with

you and me? Well, Jesus said it, did he not?

Because I live, you also will live Paul added to that by

marvelously stating to the Corinthians as I just said,

Christ is the first fruits he went before us and he set the

example, and the expectation that the same way he escaped

death, the same way. Death could not hold him death.

Cannot hold you. It cannot keep you and must

legally, Give You Up, not because of your own

righteousness. But because by faith, you've

been clothed in the righteousness of Christ and that

goes with you into the grave. And so, as death examines, you

from head to toe and looks into your thought life and looks at

what you've done in private. And in public with your hands,

with your feet, with your eyes, when he will see, is what he

saw, two thousand years ago. Christ spotless righteousness,

imputed unto you and me. And then he has to say I cannot

hold them down and God can say he's mine.

She's mine and puts us up from the grave and Embraces us for

all of eternity. Christ's victory over the grave

paves the way for our bodies that were once tainted by sin to

be gloriously. Transformed.

You know what I always find fascinating, whenever I come to

this time of the year and reflect upon the resurrection,

not just of Jesus but a fallen men who have put their faith in

him. Why didn't Christ just give us

brand new bodies? Why didn't he just let these

bodies rot in the grave and he can just close us with something

completely new. Because what we believe about

the resurrection is it is these bodies Go in and we'll come up.

Planted mortally raised up into immorality, perishable into the

imperishable. We do not believe that because

we put our faith in Christ, these bodies remain.

And there's a new suit waiting for us at the Gates of Heaven.

That diminishes the power of Salvation.

What we believe is that these bodies we'll be saved.

So that death nor Satan can never say there is a part.

Of atoms race that we were able to keep to ourselves.

God, redeems, the whole man, not just your spirit, not just your

soul but your flesh. What a triumphant call of

Victory to say even these bodies will be redeemed.

That is the extent and the completion of the saving work of

Jesus Christ, you understand? This is not a matter of just

debate and if you stand on there, that's fighting, no, no.

This assaults, the gospel, if we dare even say that these bodies,

These will not be raised. They will be raised and it will

be a declaration to death and Hades that Christ was even able

to redeem flesh. The resurrection of Jesus.

This arms death. But the resurrected Christ also

makes Faith relevant. So come with me now to Acts

Acts 3 · chapter mention

chapter 3. When I mean the resurrection of

Christ makes Faith relevant, I don't mean culturally relevant.

You know that But relevant to our day-to-day life.

After Peter and John called for the healing of a man who was

lame from birth at the gate called beautiful.

That's an axe chapter 3. You can imagine that such a

miracle stunned, the crowd who witnessed it.

And so as this astounded group of people come Peter and John,

take advantage of the moment because they have the best

sermon illustration. You can imagine a man who was

born crippled who comes up and is now walking and leaping in

the temple, time for a sermon. Don't you think?

I saw you addresses the crowd, perhaps just like this, but I

believe, obviously, there is much more because thousands were

saved and he looks at them in the face and fearlessly

addresses them and communicates the gospel.

And would, you know, it, he brings up the resurrection from

the dead and what he says here in Acts 3, 15 is for

observation. And you look what he says to

this group of Jews. You killed the author of Life.

Whom God raised from the dead. To this, we Are Witnesses and

His Name by faith. In his name, has made this man,

strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through.

Jesus has given the man this perfect health and the presence

of you all, you killed them, you are guilty.

He does not pull any punches. He looks at this group, who

probably early on were calling for the crucifixion of Jesus

Christ on those streets in Jerusalem. and it does not

diminish the crime and how heinous such an offense is and

so he addresses them and he says you are the one who stand

guilty, but then, he goes on to say that Jesus was responsible

for this man who was just healed Notice the flow of thought,

Peter mentions God, raising Jesus Christ from the dead and

the next breath. He deals with the faith in his

name, being the cause for this miracle, there's a connection

there. There is a connection there.

And the reason for this explanation is back in verse 12,

when he sees the Jaws dropping of this site, he wants to make

it in fatica Lee, clear that there is nothing of his own

power, or John's or of their piety that made this possible.

And he quickly explains that the only reason the cause for this

miracle of taking place is because of faith in the name of

the resurrected Lord. It is Jesus Christ who has

performed this miracle in your presence as any true servant of

God. Would he gives the credit to the

Lord but it is also something to be said of how this this deals

with us. Faith in the name of Jesus

Christ. That's not some magical thing

that we believe. It's not that if you just put

certain words together things can happen.

It deals with authority. It deals with ability.

There's something about that name.

That's connected to the person that when we do things in his

name asked in his name things happen.

What does that imply that when I pray in the name of Jesus or

live for the name of Jesus or invoke the name of Jesus?

For Christ to intervene upon that faith means that he is

alert and he is aware, and he can intervene, which means what

he's alive. He's alive.

This is not just Theory. Again, this is not just some

magical recipe. That if you say certain things,

things will happen. What we are being told here is

that Peter and John possessed the trust in the Lord to perform

this wonder. And Christ was able to deliver

because Christ is alive. Do you remember how the gospel

of Mark ends? You remember that glorious.

Highlighted insight about Christ even after his resurrection.

Let me read it to you and realize that it applies today in

Mark, 16 19. So then the Lord Jesus after, he

had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the

right hand of God. Okay, great.

We'll see you in heaven, Lord. He was taken up into heaven

bodily, ascended, gloriously seated at the right hand of

God.. No.

Then we are told in verse 20 and they being the disciples went

out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them,

While the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by

accompanying signs. Jesus taken up into heaven,

still working with them while they preached.

What? I love so much about the way

Mark ends this gospel. Is because Mark, by the spirit,

gives us a certain facet of Christ that the other gospels do

not give remember marks intention of showing Christ is

to show that he was the perfect servant of God, right?

That's why there are less Parables and mark less teaching

and more action. More active, duty performed by

Christ to show. This is the one whom Isaiah and

the others spoke of not, just the Fulfillment of the servant,

the perfect Israel. who obeyed God perfectly but our model, as

Christians to see how we should serve the father with a

particular attitude and ambition as Christ showed us being man

himself And what you see there in that gospel is so much

happening at such a rate. And what encourages me so much

is that when you consider all of that, the spirit of God chooses

to end the account of the servanthood of Jesus Christ by

telling us that even after he arose, he still working.

He worked while on Earth and after he arose as a serving that

he was described in Mark, guess what?

He's still doing. He's still working.

The main point is this because he is alive our faith.

Not only promises Christ intervention and death.

It assures us Christ intervention in life in life

today. Now, Peter indirectly is

teaching us that Christ sees us. He hears us.

He's leading us. He's guiding us and in his

perfect wisdom, as a situation demands, he can intervene right

before our eyes. He is still working.

He's still Sovereign, he's still here.

And we would say about the resurrection, we have no fear in

death. Can you add something to that?

Please, there is no fear in life either, not just in death, but

even today because we serve a risen Christ.

And as the Lord worked with the apostles, while they live for

his glory, we do not believe that Christ will work with you

and through you and in you. As you have the resurrection in

the Forefront of your thinking and your meditation and you're

planning, he is with me. He is with me.

If you have faith in Christ that is the guarantee through the

resurrection. It is not just I will see you

when you give your final breath, I am with you in every breath.

That's the truth of this. That's what makes Christianity.

So, vibrant and Alive, we're not just here rehearsing some

historical, things were here, realizing that there is a

day-to-day Tea with Christ with Christ.

As one of my favorite preachers said, how can we have a dead

service with a living Christ and believe her?

How can you have a boring? How can you have a boring

existence? When you have the resurrection

of Jesus Christ, imposed Upon Your Existence by faith.

The resurrected Christ makes Faith relevant.

Why? Preach of Christ hasn't raised

well, what prey What hope? What's all this?

What comfort? Thirdly the resurrected Christ.

Now only makes Faith relevant. But inspires a Sanctified life,

look at Acts chapter 4, do you notice that we're just going to

Acts 4 · chapter mention

one chapter after the next? In Acts chapter 4.

Acts 4 · chapter mention

Look with me here in verse 32. There's a just a few verses I

want to read, but pay attention as I'm reading it, because this

is important. now, the full number of those who believed in

Acts 4:32, We're one heart. And soul.

Acts 4:32

And no one said that any of the things that belong to him was

his own, but they had everything in common and with great power,

here it is. The apostles were giving their

testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus and great.

Grace was upon them. All there is not a needy person

among them for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold

them and brought the proceeds of what was sold It's interesting

to note that in verse 32 and verse 34 we are informed of an

exceptional unity and generosity that was shared among the early

church, there is such a Detachment from possessions.

There was such a joy in the Lord that more than owning there is a

desire to serve. And there was an ambition, a

corporate ambition, to make sure that there is not one person in

the midst, that would be in genuine need and if your need

requires something of me than with great Delight, I will give

you what you need. You look at how inspirational

decision, you wonder how can it be how can you come to this

height of humility and compassion?

How did this culture become the way it was?

And you would say, perhaps like I did at first that this is

obviously the influencing work of the Holy Spirit.

When God, the spirit lives inside of you, he can bring you

to such lengths of love. But tucked in between verse 32

and verse 34, is an interesting detail that is not disconnected

to the surrounding context. I believe that it actually is

somewhat of an indication of the inspiration of this community of

love. That was shared in the early

church. What do we see here verse 33?

The apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of

the Lord, Jesus, and great. Grace was upon them.

All That seems like a very strange detail to tuck in

between two verses that are communicating the Deep care of

the church. Unless of course, there's

something there to consider. I wonder if the knowledge of the

resurrection of Jesus being taught and proclaimed, was a

catalyst for this kind of culture fruitfulness to be known

among these believers. Something about Christ being

alive, raining, exalted did something to them in a very

practical way. Not just theologically it

transformed their character. It made them deal with other

people differently, viewing them differently, handling them

differently, loving them differently.

You see the doctrine of the Resurrection is not just a

theological imperative but a truth that transforms us and

every detail when properly understanding the significance

of Christ rising from the dead, it radically Alters the way you

and I live, especially in the way you and I relate to one

another. Something about the resurrection

of Jesus that touch these Hearts, making them want to

touch other hearts. I can't help but think about 1st

Corinthians 15, we heard it in the beginning we heard it during

the announcements. If you have the time and if

don't make the time read that chapter, it is a theological

Masterpiece from Paul defending the case of Christ being raised

from the dead and he's dealing with Skeptics in the church.

He's dealing with those who are being tempted, not to believe

that Christ arose. And he goes from one point to

the next. He goes from one illustration to

the next. He goes from one example to the

next and it is so profound. It is so deep.

But what so touches me is the way Paul ends the thing.

After giving such a persuasive study of what it means for

Christ to be alive and what that does for you and me he ends with

an emphatic, therefore therefore what they're for something about

the future. Therefore, something is dealt

with in the past. Paul says you just heard and you

just read what it means for Christ to be alive.

Therefore, well, therefore therefore what?

In verse 58 of chapter, 15. Therefore, my beloved Brothers,

be steadfast. Immovable always abounding in

the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord, your labor is

not in vain. I challenge anybody that loves

theology. If your theology doesn't doesn't

make you a practical Christian, you're not doing theology,

right? I don't care how much you know

this is not matter if it does not influence the way you live,

you're wasting your time. This Mastermind this colossal

intellect. Found in the Apostle, Paul, he

loved to use that word. Therefore And here he says,

therefore after understand that Christ will be the first fruits

of those who have fallen asleep after realizing that the

perishable will raise the imperishable, after realizing

that death has lost its sting, all these things out, we quote,

and sing about. He says, oh, would you be

steadfast now? And immovable always abounding

in the work of the Lord. Let's examine this text in the -

if I am inconsistent. If I am easily influenced by my

feelings or circumstances of inconvenience, if I am

sporadically involved in the work of the Lord, I can make a

conclusion based on this tax and it is this that is very likely

that I have a poor view of the Resurrection.

I have a blurred understanding of what it means for Christ to

be alive if I'm so easily. Shaken found so easily offended.

If my sacrifice of my service to Christ is voluntary based on my

own desires and plans, you have not understood the resurrection.

Because Paul says, if you really understand that Christ is alive,

there will be something of an anchoring devotion and

consistency that will keep you moving forward until you meet

this Resurrection Christ. To believe in the resurrection

of Christ. Believes in my resurrection.

Which means as Paul says here that my labor is not in vain.

My labor is not in vain, I may not be encouraged by people.

I may not be praised. I may not be love.

That may not be appreciated. Look, what Paul says, put the

resurrected Christ before you and you will know a strength and

you will know a seriousness and you will know an ambition that

will bulldoze over all the things that would hold you down.

Otherwise How much of Christ being alive was used by these

teachers and these authors of scripture to cause the

Christians to live in a certain way.

It's all the way at the end of the book even in Revelation when

Christ himself, through John writes, personal letters to the

churches. How many times has he said

things to the effect of and the ones with eyes like fire, And

the one who walks in the midst of the lampstands.

What does that mean? Is that poetry?

No, it's all indications. That Christ is here.

He sees he hears, he observes he's taking into account. so, if

Christ is not raised, Then the white serve, what is this?

It's in vain. But if he has risen from the

dead, and there is great, joy in knowing that there is a reward,

think about Paul the Apostle and how he suffered over and over

again. And you know what he says, you

know, what he says when he's standing and trial with chains

around around his hands and his feet, it is with respect to the

resurrection of the Dead that I am on child before you this day.

This man was willing to go to prison, to be sued to be

slandered for what the resurrection.

I'm standing here because I believe this truth and I

preached this truth and I'm willing to suffer for this

truth. I'm telling you there's

something that needs to be healed in our vision.

Concerning Christ being alive. And one of the ways in which you

will know, if you want to check the pulse of your faith in this

truth, then look at your steadfastness.

Are you movable? Are you easily bendable?

Are you a bounding? You know, I bounding means like

overwhelmingly serving the lord If that's not there, if you can

be honest, and say that's not true.

Then ask yourself. Do I really believe that Christ

is alive? Do I really, really believe that

these sermons that I here, week after week deals with a God, who

is real? One.

Who conquered death? Do I really understand that?

And he will give you understanding.

Christ is risen is not a slogan for once a year, Christ is risen

as the banner over the Christians life.

Because to believe Christ is risen.

Also means Christ, will return. Which brings me to my final

point. The resurrected Christ.

Asher's coming judgment. We will ski skip a few chapters

here. Let's go to Acts chapter 17 and

Acts 17 · chapter mention

this is Paul not speaking to is that speaking to two Jews.

He's speaking to a gentile audience in Athens. some would

say that Paul Sermon here was one of One of the failures of

his ministry that he didn't mention Christ here, he didn't

emphasize on the gospel. He was more philosophical.

And his approach was in the best then that's debatable.

Especially when you come to verse 13 of chapter 17, as he

ends this sermon before a group of intellects with their noses

in the air. We were told earlier all they

did their entertainment in life was to hear something new.

Just like what philosophy is all about.

I remember being in my college class for philosophy and one of

the first things, the teacher said was, if you think that you

have the understanding of objective truth, you're wrong.

That's not what philosophy is about.

So my oh great, what's the point?

We're just going to be running around in circles talking about

things that don't matter. And I having an exclusive

understanding of what this is all about, no, thank you.

Just give me my great so I can move on.

And these people just they just wanted to hear something fresh

and something new. And so they they her Paul

speaking and they invite him into their little classroom and

say, tell us what you're saying, man.

And they were in for a shock. Because in verse 30, we read the

times of ignorance, God overlooked but now he commands

all people everywhere to repent. Because he fixed a day on which

he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he

has appointed now, look at this and have this.

He has given Assurance to All by raising him from the dead so

far. We've heard that the

resurrection guarantees victory over Death Christ supervision

and intervention in our lives and provides the motivation to

persist, and a Sanctified way of life in Christ imitation.

And as we conclude with this, As we learn of another consequence

of Christ, conquering death. And it is this because the

resurrection is true. Repentance is necessary.

Because the resurrection is true.

Then repentance is necessary. I believe that this message here

at least at this point Ruffles, our view of our traditional

understanding of Easter. We write with rehearse as we

sang and heard earlier that what Christ has done seals and

assures us that God has declared his satisfaction in the atoning

work of Jesus Christ by raising him from the dead.

He is declaring to the world. He was sinless and his work on

the cross was enough and it's suffice has and faith in him,

guarantees your future to be like his But it comes to a text

like this, and I see another dimension of assurance, another

guarantee that the resurrection declares and it is not just the

fact that you and I will conquer death.

It is the fact that judgment is on its way.

I have a feeling that this is not going to be emphasized and

many places on Resurrection Sunday.

It's a shame. because Paul preached, it Christ, raising

from the dead was a warning to every generation that he's on

his way. He's on his way.

This is not just some cute thing where we think about Jesus at a

distance who helps us in life and when we die, we'll have a

warm embrace. There is a sounding alarming

truth from the Resurrection. The moment it happened.

It is this the world is speeding towards a judgment Jew and

Gentile, small and great will be examined.

And evaluated by the righteous standard of Jesus Christ.

The one that God has chosen and has declared that I have, indeed

appointed him to be the universal ruler, and a decider

of the Eternal fate of every descendant of our first parents.

You know, that means you and me, what a All say he will judge the

world. By what standard in

righteousness. There's going to be no curve

here. There's not going to be

favoritism. You can't have your lawyer

stepping in your place. You can't have your pastor speak

on your behalf. He will judge in righteousness

and perfect Justice, perfect discernment, Perfect holiness.

And that is exactly why the apostles preached the

resurrection because it is inseparable from repentance.

Did you see the pattern in the book of Acts, read it next time

with those eyes and realize whenever the resurrection is

mentioned, there was always a call to repentance Christ is

risen. So repent the Lord conquered

death. So give your life to the one who

holds the keys of death and Hades.

And I wonder if the reason why we don't emphasize the

resurrection is means because we have to also speak about

repentance and we don't want to do that, right?

But the apostles did it and I don't know about you, I want

this kind of Christianity. Not the modern fluffy version of

it. The cotton candy idea of Christ.

I want the real Jesus and the real gospel and real conviction

and real conversion. I'm so glad to be in a

congregation who believes in the totality of this book which

includes lovingly calling people to repent.

But may I remind, you Faithful believer of the why to our

repentance the. Why to our repentance is because

Christ is risen. That's why.

And there's a fixed appointment that he will fulfill that God

has determined on a specific day.

That will deal with every soul. So when we go about, telling

people about the gospel, we are not informing them.

That there is a Christ who is raining.

We are also saying with just, as much importance that, yes Christ

is raining but he is also returning.

I wonder what Easter Sunday would look like every year.

If every assembly took advantage of visitors coming in to say

that, Christ is returning. I'm reminding you that today as

you're going to go have a lovely dinner with your family who are

probably a mixed breed of Believers and non-believers.

Regardless, let me tell you, as you go back to your day today

Christ is coming back. He's not staying up there.

He didn't stay in the grave and he's not staying in heaven.

He's coming to judge. And I praise God for that

because this world is a mess. And there's something even among

those who don't have faith in Christ because we've been

created in the image of God, too long for justice to be

implemented. There is something wrong here.

We're seeing corruption on every level.

And why does that disturb us? Why is it that as humans?

We have a court system, we have laws and dogs don't And monkeys.

Don't you might believe that you're related to a monkey.

I don't I believe I've been created in the image of God and

instilled within that reality is a sense that there is right?

And there is wrong. And when Romney has done and

must be dealt with, where does that come from?

Not from an explosion. But intricately woven from the

beginning, God's intention to have something of himself in

you. And in me, And so Christ is

returning to make things, right? But here's the thing, if you're

in the wrong, you're in trouble. He will judge the world in

righteousness, not your standard of, what's good.

Now, your standard of what's right?

And wrong his and when you come to his standard, you will fall

on your face. And Romans tells us your mouth

will be stopped. When you see that the law of

God, overshadows. All of us, including the best of

us because we all fall short of his glory.

All of us do including the preacher.

We all will be found wanting. And so we are told here of a

certainty of a judgment, but as certain as that judgment is so

is the certainty of forgiveness. Because Christ isn't just raised

from the grave. To say now you be a good boy

down there and you be a good girl because when I come back

I'm going to count your good works and make sure that it

outweighs the bad. And if it does then you'll get

in. the only thing that Christ will be looking for when he

returns is, if you put your faith in him, If you have

confessing admitted. I cannot attain my

righteousness, and I cannot have eternal life.

What hope is there for me with the news that judgment is on its

way? And here it is.

He drank that judgment on the cross.

That's the good news. You don't have to fear what's on

the way you don't have to shrink from shame.

You don't have to lose sleep at wondering like I did in my

college Years wondering if I stand before.

God well I make it and I grew up with Should parents.

I went to church a few times. I've read something of the

Bible. Who would that be good enough?

You don't have to be tormented with that uncertainty.

You can have an assurance that is so powerful and so

convicting. Convincing that you will remain

immovable in your trust of love and eternal life, being yours in

the name of Jesus Christ. And so, I call you today to not

just be aware of the judgment to come.

But of the love that already came 2,000 years ago.

Christ longs to save you. He longs to redeem you, he longs

to make you clean. He longs to wash away every

record of wrong that would rightfully condemn.

You he wants to bring you into his Fellowship forever and ever

and ever, I don't care how black your sin is, I don't care how

dark, how perverse, how twisted it may be Christ, knows it all

and he considered every detail of your depravity when he went

on that cross and drank the wrath of God on your behalf.

You may be ashamed to say it to others Christ already knows it.

So why why do you shrink from coming to him?

Why do you convince yourself that I must?

Wash something of my hands before I can even communicate

with them? I was like that.

I couldn't I couldn't bend my knee on the side of my bed and

that basement apartment to try to even speak to God.

Because I was a hypocrite, I called myself a Christian and I

was telling other people about some truths of the Bible just

because it was a moral code in my life.

But oh, I lived in sin. Blakeley and when I came to the

realization of True Discipleship and what it means to be a

follower of Christ, when I try to get on my knees to speak to

him. I immediately sprung back up

saying I'm not worthy for you to hear me yet.

The Bible tells me in Asher's me and convinces me.

That it's not because of my worthiness but it's about

receiving what Christ has done on my behalf that debt has been

paid by his blood on that check and you receive it and you live

with that freedom. And when you doubt it, look back

at that, check and same. That has been paid, that blood

made it sufficient. And then you preach to your

heart, that truth until it becomes an experiential reality

and you live with a liberty. You just heard about the

resurrection. You just heard about the gospel

again. And to come from that place of

judgment to Child of God, is through the canal, through the

channel of repenting and believing in him.

But as I just preach this, as I close in a moment, it is very

likely that there is at least three responses in your heart.

Sometimes, you can see it in people's faces too.

Three reactions to the idea of the resurrection and it's

actually found here in Acts 17 32. now, when they heard of the

resurrection of the Dead, some mocked, But other said, we will

hear you again about this. So Paul went out from their

midst but some men joined him and believed.

First, it's very possible that in this place on this beautiful

Sunday afternoon. You're mocking me.

And maybe not me, you're mocking these ideas that I am trying to

present to you. There are scorn in your heart.

Your jeering. Think this is all just fairy

tale stuff. And I wonder if these men mocked

and ridiculed because they seem like absolute nonsense rising

from the dead. I wonder if it was their

intellect challenging them. This is scientifically

impossible. This is outrageous.

This is irrational. Maybe And maybe that's your

reason. But I have a feeling that it's

something else. Actually, that's the surface

level. That's the excuse.

That's the mask. Because down deep inside, You

know. That if there is a resurrection

of Christ, then there is a raining Christ and if there's a

raining Christ, there's a returning Christ.

And if there's a returning Christ you'll be held morally

accountable for your life and you don't want that.

I don't want that, I've talked to so many people.

And we talked about dinosaurs and who wrote the Bible and week

and I just I got so tired of the parroting that I just cut to the

chase. Can you just be honest with me

man. Do you love your sin?

You just hate the idea of there being a lord over your life and

with stammering lips, they admit.

So yes. I'm the commander of my life.

I'm the determiner of my fate. You're terribly wrong.

And so people Mock and they scorn And they go back into what

they love and that is Darkness. Refusing the light that would

expose their Darkness, but then secondly, we hear that there are

others who said we will hear you again about this.

In other words, some were some were scorning While others,

desired a delay and discovering what this is all about.

And so, they told Paul will be back.

I just love to visualize it. There is a few who probably

interrupted his sermon by. Are you kidding me?

Resurrection, who brought this guy in here?

And they walked off. And then there is others with

their hand on their chin. Genuinely curious.

Perhaps and wondering we like to see you another day as they

walked off and followed their friends who are mocking earlier.

But can I tell you something, whether these men were sincerely

skeptical. Or they were those who just as

much didn't believe but we're less rude about it.

One thing is for certain delay is just as dangerous delay is

just as dangerous as immediate rejection.

Why? Because you will miss the

opportunity if you're not careful.

Look what happened here in verse 33.

So Paul went out from their midst when they said we'll come

back to you and hear from you. Again, we'll come back to next

week service and hear what you have to say, Paul left, they

miss their opportunity. It was gone, whether they

received another one. Now, we don't only God knows.

But the point is this, that if God has spoken to your heart,

this afternoon, if something in you was pricked, if you're

conscious is going off, don't put that off.

What you just heard is of utmost importance and so make it a

priority in your schedule. Even if you have to cancel some

things that would interfere with you knowing for certain that you

will also have resurrected life. Come and talk to a pastor speak

with your friend, over lunch or dinner with your relatives, who

brought you today. And inquire more, God is Not

intimidated by your doubts. If he is true and this is true,

then it will be able to endure the scrutiny of skepticism.

But speak about it, talk about it.

Inquire about it. Search about it, don't put it

off because being a Christian. Now, me seem inconvenient to

your carnality Some. Some were skeptical.

Paul moved on, they missed their chance.

And the last group we read here. Lastly, we are told some men

joined him and believed. Some men joined him and

believed. I love this text as a preacher

because it reminds me that you can get mixed reviews from your

sermon. And you were in line with the

Apostle Paul. You're okay.

Some of you in here are probably totally unstirred, like you're

going to walk out of here. Like nothing was just said

That's not my responsibility. And some of you will have

questions and maybe it will last beyond this meeting, and you'll

get some satisfaction and answers, but you'll live on in

your life. While others here today, perhaps

will understand that God is calling your name and if you

respond by faith, your life will never be the same.

Resurrection power will come into your life and you will live

a transformed born-again new existence in the name of the one

who saved you. Some join Paul, they come to him

or tell us more about this my conscience Bears witness that

this is true, that there is a resurrection that we will all go

somewhere after this, and we will stand before our creator.

But I need to know how to be on the side of his pleasure in his

goodness and his favor. And I'm sure Paul sat there

with, I don't know how many of them maybe five of them.

We have two names and there's others, uh, name and explained.

And he explained, and he explained, and their names were

written in the books. Of Life.

Would you like yours to be written in the book of life?

So that when God opens the books on the final day and looks for

your name, the name that has been written in blood Christ,

Royal precious blood Jesus said something in John 11.

I am the resurrection and the life whoever believes in me,

though. He die yet shall he live?

I am the resurrection and the life.

And the way in which you can inherit that same Resurrection,

glorified secure in his presence, forever, belief.

Believe. Repent and believe turn from

your sin, reject, that which will damn you and embrace the

one who longs to save you. And if you're in this place and

you're saying, that is me, that is something in my heart is

saying, I must, I must Fly To The Cross if I have to I will

throw myself at the foot of the cross.

I want to tell you today that there is a resurrected Christ

who sees and hears you now and if you but just in your heart

look to heaven and say oh God please intervene Intervene have

mercy on me. Son of David resurrected.

Lord, please, would you rinse me from my wrong?

And would you redeem me with your love that this man is

trying to communicate to me? I need it in my life.

I know this based on the authority of the word of God,

those who come to him, he will never ever push away.

He will embrace you and you will walk out of this place, not just

to a lovely dinner. You will walk out of this place

with a hope that can never be taken from you.

I pray that you would I may never see your face again.

Just like, Paul never saw these teachers and students and Athens

again. But I pray that this would pluck

something of your heartstrings to the point where you'll be

able to sing the song of Salvation because you put your

trust in the Risen Lord. Let's pray.

But we thank you, as we pray, we're not praying Into Thin Air.

These words are not going to fall to the ground.

You hear us even now? And Lord, we ask that you would

be pleased with what you've seen and heard in this place.

And that Lord has we've done our part by singing and declaring,

the glory of the Resurrection, you would do what only you can

do. And that's make resurrection

power, real and people in us, and we ask Lord that we would

taste something taste, something of your life.

And of your goodness and of your ability to rescue and intervene.

And he'll thank you that because you're alive.

You said, ask in my name and I will do it.

I will do it. I will hear you and I will

perform it. We thank you that this name is

connected to a living God and we ask Lord that In This Moment by

your grace salvation would come to this house that people would

come from Death to life and that those who are redeemed, who find

great trouble and being consistent in their Our service

to that to that person truth. They once were enthralled by

Lord. We ask that as Paul said in

First Corinthians 15, help us. See just how awesome it is that

you are alive and let it influence our service and our

character and our treatment of one.

Another oh, Inspire in this. That truth again, that you may

be glorified, you are worthy. You are worthy of 10,000 lives

to be lived in your name. But with the one life that we

have week, Consecrate it for your namesake.

And when we feel weary and tired and when we are in doing trials

and suffering, may we be like Paul who is able to endure, who

is able to endure chains because of the Resurrection, because of

the hope for Israel. But we give you worship because

you are alive and because you made us alive in Christ and your

name. We pray.

Amen. Let's Stand Together, shall We

Worship the Lord Jesus Christ together?

Rejoice. He's alive.

And may, we not just revisit that truth next year.

Rehearse that truth every single day of your life Christ is

risen. He sees me, he hears me, he's

with me, he's behind me, he's beside me.

He's before me know that and if you don't know that that can all

change today that can all change for you by simple repentance and

faith in his name and watch how he will become more real to you

than anybody else. That, you know what, we ask that

you would make that true, please help us.

Lord, Lord shattered, the curse of familiarity.

Makes us numb to these things that at once, excited us O Lord.

Would you touch our hearts of fresh Lord?

There might be some in here like those those individuals before

Paul and Athens Who Will Mock and they may not mock audibly

but with their lives, they will reject it.

Oh Lord. Please let it not be the case

and for those who would delay because it's inconvenient for

the moment. Lord, even now as we close let

their eyes be open to the urgency of the matter.

And for those who believe who came here, Leaving.

Lord, may they go on believing in this Truth, for the sake of

your glory. We ask these things in the

precious name of the Risen Christ, the Lord Jesus Christ

himself. We pray these things.

Amen. And amen.

And amen. Glory to God?

Yes, we can applaud Now there are some food downstairs.

It's been prepared, Fellowship, join us.

Say hello. We would love to just get to

know you and for those that we've known, you know, the drill

we're family. So we'll see you soon.

God willing. We'll see you next week.

Have a wonderful day in the Lord.

Take care.