On this Resurrection (Easter) Sunday we need to search ourselves.
All over the world people are celebrating the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Most churches will be full of people in their new outfits, but some are simply enjoying the holiday.
How many will really give serious thought to the importance of this day, really grasps the significance of the resurrection? Somewhere in the midst of egg hunting, speeches, and wearing new clothes ought to be the understanding that this day is important to those who have been born again.
The resurrection is not just a story, not a fairy tale. It's not just a religious symbol. It is a historical fact that is indisputable. Without a shadow of a doubt Jesus rose on the third day from the dead. Out of all the events in human history there are two that are very important to a child of God. First there is the virgin birth and then there is the resurrection.
Christianity hinges on these two events. To say that these events did not occurred, means that we will not inherit the kingdom of God as promised. Hank Hanegraaff writes, "The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the greatest feat in the annals of human history. It is the very 'capstone in the arch of Christianity.' Without it, all else crumbles. When we fully comprehend the significance of resurrection, our lives will be revolutionized. Without resurrection, there is no hope. Indeed without resurrection, there would be no Christianity."
Christ's resurrection proves He was God, and not an imposter. In John 2 Jesus chased out the money changers in the Temple because they'd turned God's Temple to marketing ventures.
The Jews asked Him, "What miraculous sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?" This is what Jesus told them: "Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days." (John 2:19 NIV)
They thought he was referring to the temple they were in. But verse 21 tells us He was referring to His body. He delivered on His miraculous sign, thus proving who He was.
The resurrection proves Jesus to be the Son of God and brings us face to face with the fact that He is who He claimed to be, God. The founder of every other religion died and stayed dead. Jesus rose again. This forces you to make a decision in your life. Since Christ is who He claimed to be, how will you respond to Him?
Then, the resurrection makes salvation possible. Without the resurrection of Jesus Christ every person is still dead in their sins. Romans 4:25 NIV says, "He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification."
If Jesus died and was never raised, then his death did nothing to accomplish justification. God raising him from the dead showed his acceptance of Christ's sacrifice. If God left Jesus in the grave, then the sacrifice was not accepted and no one has received cleansing from sin.
This is important to you because Jesus being alive means the way to God has been paved by Christ and you can be made right with Him and have a relationship with Him.
Finally, the resurrection makes your resurrection possible. You and I are spirit and body. Right now our bodies are affected by sin and die, but God has a plan to resurrect our bodies to perfection. These resurrected bodies, our current bodies transformed, will be bodies completely perfect and dominated by the spirit rather than the sinful nature.
You have to come to the conclusion that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is important to you. Then and only then will you live your life in such a way to please God. Your life will be full of joy and hope knowing that because has risen, you will one day meet him in glory.
Jackson is the pastor St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church on Elim Rd and a member of the United Ministerial Alliance.
All over the world people are celebrating the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Most churches will be full of people in their new outfits, but some are simply enjoying the holiday.
How many will really give serious thought to the importance of this day, really grasps the significance of the resurrection? Somewhere in the midst of egg hunting, speeches, and wearing new clothes ought to be the understanding that this day is important to those who have been born again.
The resurrection is not just a story, not a fairy tale. It's not just a religious symbol. It is a historical fact that is indisputable. Without a shadow of a doubt Jesus rose on the third day from the dead. Out of all the events in human history there are two that are very important to a child of God. First there is the virgin birth and then there is the resurrection.
Christianity hinges on these two events. To say that these events did not occurred, means that we will not inherit the kingdom of God as promised. Hank Hanegraaff writes, "The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the greatest feat in the annals of human history. It is the very 'capstone in the arch of Christianity.' Without it, all else crumbles. When we fully comprehend the significance of resurrection, our lives will be revolutionized. Without resurrection, there is no hope. Indeed without resurrection, there would be no Christianity."
Christ's resurrection proves He was God, and not an imposter. In John 2 Jesus chased out the money changers in the Temple because they'd turned God's Temple to marketing ventures.
The Jews asked Him, "What miraculous sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?" This is what Jesus told them: "Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days." (John 2:19 NIV)
They thought he was referring to the temple they were in. But verse 21 tells us He was referring to His body. He delivered on His miraculous sign, thus proving who He was.
The resurrection proves Jesus to be the Son of God and brings us face to face with the fact that He is who He claimed to be, God. The founder of every other religion died and stayed dead. Jesus rose again. This forces you to make a decision in your life. Since Christ is who He claimed to be, how will you respond to Him?
Then, the resurrection makes salvation possible. Without the resurrection of Jesus Christ every person is still dead in their sins. Romans 4:25 NIV says, "He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification."
If Jesus died and was never raised, then his death did nothing to accomplish justification. God raising him from the dead showed his acceptance of Christ's sacrifice. If God left Jesus in the grave, then the sacrifice was not accepted and no one has received cleansing from sin.
This is important to you because Jesus being alive means the way to God has been paved by Christ and you can be made right with Him and have a relationship with Him.
Finally, the resurrection makes your resurrection possible. You and I are spirit and body. Right now our bodies are affected by sin and die, but God has a plan to resurrect our bodies to perfection. These resurrected bodies, our current bodies transformed, will be bodies completely perfect and dominated by the spirit rather than the sinful nature.
You have to come to the conclusion that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is important to you. Then and only then will you live your life in such a way to please God. Your life will be full of joy and hope knowing that because has risen, you will one day meet him in glory.
Jackson is the pastor St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church on Elim Rd and a member of the United Ministerial Alliance.