CENTRAL THOUGHT
By His death and Resurrection, the Lord Jesus Christ conquered death.
HYMN: CHRIST THE LORD IS RISEN TODAY
Text: John 11:25-26, Rev. 1:16-18, 1 Cor. 15:3-8
INTRODUCTION:
The word “death” as applied to man in the scripture means separation or a cutting off from realizing God’s purpose, for which he was created. Death does not mean annihilation or extinction of being. There are three types of death namely physical, spiritual and second death or eternal death. Physical death is the common denominator of all mankind in the sense that the rich and the poor will both die. This is the separation of inner man from the outer man; that is the soul and the spirit from the body. The body dies and goes to dust (Gen. 3:19). The body without the spirit is dead (James 2:26). Spiritual death is separation of man from God because of sin (Gen. 3:8, Isa. 59:2, Matt. 8:22, Col. 2:13, 1 Tim. 5:6). Eternal death is the eternal separation from God (Isa. 66:22-24, Matt. 10:28, Rev. 2:11). Resurrection means the act of raising a person or thing from death or the state of life. The death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ are two key events in the scriptures that have profound importance in our Christian faith. They are the basis of our salvation and the hope of the glorious life to come.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this study are:
- To know the significance of the death of Christ
- To know the different types of resurrection.
- To know how the resurrection of Christ brought hope to believers.
- To know how believers should live in view of the hope of the resurrection.
Bible Truth
Q1. WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE DEATH OF CHRIST?
John 12:24, 1 Cor. 15:3-4, Heb. 2:14, 9:11-28
The violent death of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary was to pay the price of and for our lawlessness. We are bought with a price (a ransom), this price is the precious blood of Jesus, which was shed on the cross of Calvary and on our behalf (Gal. 3:13, 4:4-5). Our redemption means that we are released from the law and from sin, which was not possible by our keeping of the law in order to obtain acceptance from God. We are also redeemed from guilt as we receive forgiveness of sin (Eph. 1:7).
Christ’s death was substitution. By this He took our place of death, which we rightly deserved. His substitution death qualified Him to become our advocate and intercessor before the Father in Heaven. Christ’s death is significant in that we are not only forgiven but in the sight of God, we appear as if we had never sinned. This is possible only by having Christ’s righteousness imputed to us, who were enemies of God (Rom. 4:23-25).
An individual can therefore, identify with the death of Christ by believing in Him (John 3:16) and also walking in the newness of life (Rom. 6:3-5).
Q2. WHAT DO YOU UNDERSTAND BY THE RESURRECTION? MENTION OTHER TYPES OF RESURRECTION.
Resurrection is the act of raising a person or thing from death or returning to life, experienced by a person that had been dead. Resurrection qualified by the article “The” refers to the rising again of Jesus Christ from the dead. The resurrection of Jesus Christ goes beyond just rising form the dead to the fact that He remains ever alive (Rev. 1:8). There are three types of resurrection. We have the resurrection of Christ as the first fruit of all mortal humans who will certainly experience physical death. The Lord Jesus is at times referred to as the second Adam who brought life to all men who were dead in sin. By virtue of His resurrection, those who believe in Him will also experience His type of resurrection and will be taken to heaven with Him at the rapture.
In Eph. 2:1-6, there is another kind of resurrection. This is spiritual resurrection in which an individual is raised from the deadness of transgression by the quickening power of the Holy Spirit to newness of life in Christ. This is the new birth experience Jn. 3:3-5. This is an experience that takes one into the realm of living victoriously over sin and the devil and living out the life of Christ in love, holiness and righteousness, faith in God and in the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit.
There is also the resurrection of the “wicked dead” after the millennial reign of Christ. This will be followed by the great white throne judgment at which the wicked will be judged for their wicked works and damned to the lake of fire (Rev. 21:8, Rev. 20:11-15). From the above, it is clear that there is resurrection for both the saint and the sinner. So, everybody, both good and bad, will experience resurrection and nobody can hide away from God.
Q3. HOW DID THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST BRING HOPE TO THE BELIEVER?
The assurance that a universal judgement of the just and the unjust will take place is enough hope for the Christians (Acts 17:31). “Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead”. He has given proof of this to all men by raising Him from the dead. The resurrection of Christ has brought hope to believers in the following areas:
- Victory over death: 1 Cor. 15:53-57
- Justification: Romans 4:25
- Resurrection of believers: John 11:25-26
- Eternal life: Rev. 1:18
- Gifts: Psalm 68:18
VICTORY OVER DEATH (1 Cor. 15:53-57)
“So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory”. The resurrection of Jesus guarantees the believer of a future. The Scripture reveals that if Jesus did not rise from the dead, then we are of all men most miserable. We would have been lost eternally (1 Cor. 15:16-19).
Through His death and resurrection, the Lord conquered death for man. Man does not have to live in fear of death. Anyone who believes in Christ is made spiritually alive in this world. The person experiences deliverance from spiritual death even in this world as he receives power to become the child of God (John 3:1-7, Rom. 8:16). The person also passes from death unto life (John 5:24). There will not be eternal death for such a one because through faith in Christ, He enters into the fellowship with God on this earth, which will last through eternity.
JUSTIFICATION (Rom. 4:25)
Although, man sinned and had to be punished for his sins, God’s love for him did not diminish. God in His mercy provided a means of redeeming man from sin, and its consequences. “The seed of the woman shall bruise the head of Satan” by which man shall have his freedom from sin (Gen. 3:15). Before the fulfillment of this promise, the blood of some animals was accepted for the atonement of sin. However, this fell short and could not fully cover sin nor deliver man from the yoke of sin.
Man being a sinner by nature could not be in a position to atone nor deliver himself from the yoke of sin. Thus, it required the blood of a holy and innocent man to atone and deliver man from the guilt and penalty of sin. This is what Jesus did, by coming into the world and shedding His blood on Calvary; He became God’s remedy for the sin of man. If the Lord Jesus Christ had died and remained in the grave, like all that had come and died, we would not have justification from sins. The Scripture says “And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins” (1 Cor. 15:17). Justification simply means “you are no longer guilty”. You are now set free. The resurrection of Christ brought justification into our souls. “Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification” (Rom. 4:25).
RESSURECTION OF BELIEVERS (John 11:26)
The resurrection of Christ is one proof of the existence of God. Christ would not have risen from the dead if there were no God. This is because the living God raised Him. The resurrection of Jesus means that salvation is a finished work and a reality. Jesus said that salvation was completed when He died on the cross and His resurrection is the confirmation. Without the resurrection of Christ, Christianity would have been a dead religion like other religions, which are dead because their founders are dead.
Also, the resurrection of Christ guarantees that everyone shall rise also. “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept” (1 Cor. 15:20). Both the righteous and unrighteous will rise. The righteous to eternal life while the unrighteous will rise to face an angry judge and be condemned forever.
In other words, the resurrection of Christ is an assurance to the believer that since Christ is “the resurrection and life” the believer will not die spiritually and will not experience the second death. (Jn 11:25-26).
ETERNAL LIFE (Rev. 1:18)
Jesus Christ said “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and death”. The word “eternal” means everlasting, unending, ever continuing, without end. Human beings are finite. Eternal is a period or age when there will be no time. God lives forever and forever (Rev. 4:9). Forever and forever refers to the existence of Christ. It gives us the picture of absolute endlessness. The resurrection of the Lord Jesus gives us hope that the believer will live forever in heaven. There is heaven for the believers (Rev. 14:13).
GIFTS (Psalm 68:18, Eph. 4:8-15)
“Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them”. There is heaven as a gift for the believers where there will not be pain, no more sickness but where Christians will worship God forever and forever. By reason of Christ’s resurrection, the believer can, by faith, receive special gifts from the Holy Spirit for the building up, strengthening, and encouragement of the body of believers (i.e. the church).
Q4. HOW SHOULD BELIEVERS LIVE IN VIEW OF THE HOPE OF THE RESURRECTION?
Rom. 6:5-12, 1 John 3:3
“For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection”. Our “Old man”, meaning our old ways of doing things, is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed and as such Christians should not serve sin. We should reckon ourselves to be dead indeed unto sin but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Sin should not reign in our mortal bodies. Christians should not live in sin, we should live above sin. In view of the hope of resurrection we should purify ourselves, for our God is pure. 1 Jn. 3:3. We should be busy in His vineyard and maintain His standard even in our secular commitment.
Admittance to the holy city can only be based upon living a pure life here on earth. (Rev. 21:27, Heb. 12:14). “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:3,4). The inheritance of the believer is reserved in heaven. The believer should ensure that nothing is allowed in his life to rob him of his heavenly inheritance.
Daily Living Application
The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the basis of the Christian faith. In order to partake of the residency of heaven, decisions must be made. Sinners must decide to repent. Backsliders must decisively seek restoration. Believers must decide to live the overcoming life. “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son” (Rev. 21:7). We must overcome the world (1 John 5:4-5). False prophets, sin and evil must not have dominion over us. We must flee from all appearance of evil (1 Thes. 5:22, Rom. 12:17-21). Whether they be persecutions or temptations or tribulations, we must overcome to arrive at this great destination and make the shores of heaven our harbor through out eternity. There is the necessity for holiness, blamelessness, watchfulness, prayerfulness, and love. Heaven is not reserved for only 144,000 (Rev. 7:9). Those who are saved will resurrect to heaven (Matt. 25:46). The blessed hope that resides in the heart of every believer is the hope of spending eternity in heaven.
Memory Verse:
1 Cor.15:22-23
“For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the first fruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming”.
Daily Devotional Guide
Monday: Jesus gives real life.
John 11:25-26
Tuesday: Jesus is alive forever and ever.
Rev. 1:16-18
Wednesday: Christ’s resurrection from the dead is a historical fact.
1 Cor. 15:3-8
Thursday: Through Christ’s resurrection, He conquered death for his followers.
1 Cor. 15:53-57
Friday: By His resurrection, He obtained and gave gifts to men for the church.
Eph. 4:8-15
Saturday: Be alive to God in Christ Jesus
Rom. 6:5-12