Today, Born-Again believers all over the world celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, three days following His crucifixion by the Romans, at Calvary, ca. 30 AD. So, today, we want to talk about “THE SIGNIFICANCE (IMPORTANCE) OF HIS RESURRECTION!”
In Luke 24:1-12 the Scriptures say, “But very early on Sunday morning the women came to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2They found that the stone covering the entrance had been rolled aside. 3So they went in, but they couldn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4They were puzzled, trying to think what could have happened to it. Suddenly, two men appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes. 5The women were terrified (afraid) and bowed low before them. Then the men asked, “Why seek ye the living among the dead? (Why are you looking for someone who is alive in a tomb?) 6He isn’t here! HE HAS RISEN from the dead...”
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the key to the Christian faith. Without the resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Christian faith would just be “hopeful thinking” (1 Cor. 15:14).
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the basis for the witness of the church to the world. For instance: Some years ago, after a missionary in India had finished preaching in a market place, a Moslem stepped up and said to him, “You Christians must admit that we Moslems have one thing that you don’t have, and it’s better than anything you have.” “And what is it you have,” asked the missionary? The Muslim said, “When we go to Mecca, we can at least find the coffin and bones of Mohammed, but when you Christians go to Jerusalem, you find nothing but an empty grave.” “That’s just the difference,” replied the missionary. Mohammed is dead, and his remains are still in the coffin, but Jesus Christ suffered, died a shameful death on the cross and on the third day He rose from the grave.
Here is the raw truth: Mohammed is still in the grave. Jesus of Ogbunike is still in the grave. Olumba Olumba Ogbu is still in the grave. D. Lawrence is still in the grave. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are still in the grave. Moses, Virgin Mary etc are all still in the grave. But Jesus is the only One who died and rose from the dead never to taste death again.”
Herod could not stop Him. The nails could not hold Him back. The grave could not keep Him. The whole demons of hell could not keep Him in the grave (Col. 2:14-15). Jesus arose from the dead.
As Jesus rose from the dead, He declared in Matthew 28:18-20 saying, “All power is given unto Me in heaven and on earth. Go ye therefore, and teach (make disciples) of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” 20Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age (world). Amen.”
In Revelations 1:18 Jesus said, “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forever and ever! And I have the keys of Hell (Hades) and of Death.”
It is not only that Jesus rose from the dead, but also, He is the resurrection Himself. In John 11:25-26 Jesus said unto her Marth, “I am the resurrection, and the life: He that believeth in Me, though He were dead, yet shall He live: 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die. Believest thou this?”
What then is the significance of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ? The resurrection of Jesus from the dead means that:
1. Our salvation is sure and secure. Without the resurrection of Jesus Christ, our salvation couldn’t be possible (1 Cor. 15:1-4, 14-20), because a person could not be saved without believing in the resurrection of Jesus Christ (Rom. 10:9);
2. Every claim of Jesus Christ in the Scriptures is true (Jn. 1:1-3; Jn. 1:14);
3. Eternal life in Christ is real (Jn. 3:16; 5:24-25);
4. God the Father has accepted the atoning work of Jesus Christ on the Cross (Rom. 4:24-25).
5. Judgment awaits everyone including you (Heb. 9:27; Acts 17:30-31; Rom. 14:10; 2 Cor. 5:10);
6. The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead gives us the confidence that God will someday resurrect every Born-Again believer to heaven (1 Thess. 4:16-17).
7. Beyond the grave, there is a glorious life for all those that are Born Again but a terrible life for the wicked – those who refuse to accept Jesus Christ as LORD and personal Saviour (Ps. 9:17);
8. Beyond the grave there is a glorious body to be worn by the children of God (1 Cor. 15:20; Jn. 14:19; 1 Cor. 15:35-56);
9. Satan is a defeated foe (Col. 2:13-15);
10. Death has been abolished forever (Heb. 2:14-15);
11. The power of God is greater than the power of Satan (1 Jn. 4:4) and this power is at the disposal of every New Creation (Eph. 3:20). The resurrection of Christ from the dead emphasizes and demonstrates the supremacy of the power of God over the power of Satan.
We have power because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Rise up and use that power today!
Watch out for the next edition of Good News from the Pulpit!
- Your friend, I. I. Madubunyi.
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