The Resurrection

 Temple Baptist Church - 3-31-2024

Luke 24:1-12

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  Resurrection Sunday.  A day set apart to celebrate our Risen Lord. 

 

Matthew 28:6  He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

 

B. Once again, we come to the Garden Tomb and find it, as always, still empty!  The “Stone” which the builders rejected became the “Chief Corner Stone” and, ultimately, the “Capstone of Christianity.” 

 

C. There are many “Cardinal Doctrines” in the Bible:  Fundamental, Key, Basic, Central, Principal.  When I use the term “Cardinal Doctrine”, I want you to understand that all doctrine is of major importance, but without the doctrine of the Resurrection, all others would be in vain. 

 

D. The resurrection of Jesus Christ was both the end and the beginning.  The finishing of the Gospel, a completed work.  The Beginning of a new life in Christ Jesus for the believer.

 

1.  The resurrection was the finishing of the Gospel.  In our text for this morning, we find the Gospel. 

 

a)  The death of Christ - Luke 24:7  Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.

 

b)  The burial of Christ - Luke 24:1  Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.

 

c)  The resurrection of Christ - Luke 24:6  He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,

 

d)  1 Corinthians, chapter 15, speaks of the magnitude of the resurrection.  In 1 Corinthians, chapter 15:1-4, we find the Gospel is perfectly defined.

 

1 Corinthians 15:1-4  Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;  (2)  By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.  (3)  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;  (4)  And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

 

1)  Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures.  The Son of God died once for all.  Sin’s payment was made in full.  The Father looked upon the travail of His Son and was satisfied.

 

John 19:30  When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

 

Romans 5:8  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

 

1 Timothy 2:4  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

 

2)  Christ was buried.  Placed in a Garden Tomb for 3 days and 3 nights.  There is no Good Friday found in the Bible!  Christ died on Wednesday.

 

Matthew 12:40  For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

 

3)  Christ rose again the third day according to the scriptures.  The Father’s Acceptance of the price paid.

 

Romans 1:4  And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

 

Matthew 28:6  He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

 

Mark 16:1-6  And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.  (2)  And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.

 

4)  There is the presentation of the Blood of Christ. 

 

John 20:17  Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

 

Hebrews 9:11-12  But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;  (12)  Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

 

2.  The resurrection was the beginning of a new life in Christ. 

 

a.  The Resurrection gives the believer hope in eternity.  I thank God that there’s a better day coming! 

 

1) Without the Resurrection of Christ, Calvary would have been in vain; we would still be in our sins; and there would be no hope of life after death!

 

2) Without the Resurrection of Christ, there would be no finishing!  No finishing of the Cross.  I am glad this morning that it is finished for time and eternity. Sin paid for in full and redemption purchased.  Hallelujah, what a Saviour!

 

3) Without the Resurrection of Christ, there would be no faithfulness to the Scriptures!  This Bible that I hold in my hands would be just another fiction book.

 

1 Corinthians 15:19-22  If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.  (20)  But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.  (21)  For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.  (22)  For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

 

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18  But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.  (14)  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.  (15)  For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.  (16)  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  (17)  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.  (18)  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

 

Titus 2:11-14  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,  (12)  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;  (13)  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;  (14)  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

 

b.  The Resurrection gives the believer confidence in life.  Everything is going to be alright!

 

Philippians 1:20-24  According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.  (21)  For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.  (22)  But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.  (23)  For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:  (24)  Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.

 

c.  The Resurrection gives the believer peace in death.  Death is the “door” through which we enter into the eternal presence of the Lord!

 

Psalms 23:4  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

 

John 11:25  Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

 

Revelation 14:13  And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

 

d.  The Resurrection gives the believer boldness in witness.  The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth!

 

Romans 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

 

2 Timothy 1:12  For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

 

Conclusion:  The Gospel is now finished as Christ has died for the sins of the world, was buried, and rose again for our Justification. 

 

Let’s stand and sing together: “Because He Lives.”

 

“Because He lives, I can face tomorrow; because He lives, all fear is gone; because I know I know He holds my future; life is worth the living just because He lives!

 

And then one day, I’ll cross that river; I’ll fight life’s final war with pain; and then as death gives place to victory; I’ll see the lights of glory and I’ll know He lives.”