For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel. Ezr 7:10
The Resurrection of the King
The Resurrection of the King as documented in this chapter is the grand finale of the Gospel story.
I. Consider How Significant the Resurrection of Christ Was:
A. It confirms that Jesus is the Son of God.
John 10:17 ESV “For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father."
B. It confirms Scriptural truth.
Acts 2:31 ESV “he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption”.
Psa. 16:10 ESV “For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption”.
C. It confirms the Christian’s resurrection when we die.
1 Thess. 4:13 ESV “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope”.
D. It confirms coming judgment.
Acts 17:30-31 ESV “The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead."
E. It confirms the essential truths of the Gospel
(1 Cor. 15:1-8).
F. It confirms the pledge of the Christian’s future inheritance
1 Pet. 1:3 ESV “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead”
G. It confirms the basis for the heavenly priesthood of Christ (Heb. 7:23-28).
H. It confirms the provision of power to live out Christianity
Gal. 2:20 ESV “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me”.
Eph. 1:18-20 NET
Rom. 6:4 ESV “We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life”.
II. The Empty Tomb (Matt. 28:1-10)
The dedication these women had for Christ was awe inspiring to say the least. How did God reward them for such loving devotion? By giving them, not only exclusive access to the empty tomb, but by also making them witnesses to the Resurrection declaration by a heavenly being - an angel. The fact is, the angel didn’t roll away the stone let Christ out, but to allow witnesses in to see that He really was not there. In actuality, the real message of Easter is “Come and see, then go and tell!” For the blood bought redeemed child of God, every Sunday is resurrection day.
The very position of the left behind grave clothes gave clear indication that a body was in them and just vanished, thus disproving theft of the body and proving that a miracle had taken place. If Christ’s enemies had stolen His body they would have taken great delight to produce it and silence His disciples once and for all. Since His disciples were skeptical about His resurrection to begin with, they would not have taken His body and risk their lives for something they did not believe.
III. The Evidence of Christ’s Resurrection (Matt. 28:11-15)
A. Christ resurrection is a documented recognized historical fact and anyone who questions or refutes it must present the evidence that He never rose from the dead.
Even though Satan failed in his attempt to destroy Christ on the cross, he is still deceiving many today into believing that Jesus is still dead and buried. It was in his capacity as the father of lies that Satan instigated the plot between the Jews and the soldiers as recorded in Matt. 28:11-15.
B. The very character of Christ required that He be raised from the dead.
God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it (Acts 2:24).
C. Christ gave His word that He would not stay dead.
His righteous life was evidence enough that nothing but truth ever came from His lips, to the extent that even His enemies could find no fault in Him. He either vacated the tomb where His dead body was buried, or He exposed Himself to the world as a liar.
D. Eyewitnesses testified that they had seen a living Christ (Luke 24:33-36; John 20:19, 20:26; Acts 1:3, 21-22).
The risen Christ was seen by more than 500 people at the same time (1 Cor. 15:6). This occasion alone blows away all of the unbelievers claims that the eye witnesses were either in hypnotic trances or were suffering from “self-imposed hallucinations.” What are the chances that more than 500 people could be subjected to hypnotism or suffer hallucinations all at the same time?
E. The transformed lives the early Christians are proof that He arose from the dead.
Considering that Peter and his fellow apostles didn’t anticipate the Resurrection, the extraordinary transformation in their lives confirms that they had to have encountered Christ. Peter, a once terrified coward became a powerful preacher in no time at all.
F. The living Christ was evidenced in the conversion of Paul (Acts 9:1-43)
This devoted Jewish rabbi was transformed into a fire and brimstone Christian preacher. No fairy tale or fantasy could accomplish such a change.
G. The NT reality, the continuance of the church, and the importance of the Lord’s Day all prove that Christ is alive.
H. The greatest evidence of all are converted sinners.
As the hymn writer says, “You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart!”
III. The Evidence of Christ’s Resurrection (Matt. 28:11-15)
A. Christ resurrection is a documented recognized historical fact and anyone who questions or refutes it must present the evidence that He never rose from the dead.
Even though Satan failed in his attempt to destroy Christ on the cross, he is still deceiving many today into believing that Jesus is still dead and buried. It was in his capacity as the father of lies that Satan instigated the plot between the Jews and the soldiers as recorded in Matt. 28:11-15.
B. The very character of Christ required that He be raised from the dead.
God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it (Acts 2:24).
C. Christ gave His word that He would not stay dead.
His righteous life was evidence enough that nothing but truth ever came from His lips, to the extent that even His enemies could find no fault in Him. He either vacated the tomb where His dead body was buried, or He exposed Himself to the world as a liar.
D. Eyewitnesses testified that they had seen a living Christ (Luke 24:33-36; John 20:19, 20:26; Acts 1:3, 21-22).
The risen Christ was seen by more than 500 people at the same time (1 Cor. 15:6). This occasion alone blows away all of the unbelievers claims that the eye witnesses were either in hypnotic trances or were suffering from “self-imposed hallucinations.” What are the chances that more than 500 people could be subjected to hypnotism or suffer hallucinations all at the same time?
E. The transformed lives the early Christians are proof that He arose from the dead.
Considering that Peter and his fellow apostles didn’t anticipate the Resurrection, the extraordinary transformation in their lives confirms that they had to have encountered Christ. Peter, a once terrified coward became a powerful preacher in no time at all.
F. The living Christ was evidenced in the conversion of Paul (Acts 9:1-43)
This devoted Jewish rabbi was transformed into a fire and brimstone Christian preacher. No fairy tale or fantasy could accomplish such a change.
G. The NT reality, the continuance of the church, and the importance of the Lord’s Day all prove that Christ is alive.
H. The greatest evidence of all are converted sinners.
As the hymn writer says, “You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart!”
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2Ti 2:15
Glorifying the Triune God by creatively declaring the relevancy and practicality of His timeless Word..
Bible Studies
CBC- Truth For Living Class
Apr.4, 2010 Lesson
Apr.4, 2010 Lesson