THE RESURRECTED CHRIST, MARCH 31ST, 2024

Posted by on Mar 29, 2024 in Sunday School |

CENTRAL THOUGHT
Without the resurrection, the belief in God’s saving grace through Christ is vain.

TEXT: JN 11:25-26, JN. 20:1-18, 1 COR. 15:1-4, 14-21

INTRODUCTION:
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is foundational to the Christian faith and without it, the faith of the believer in Christ, is in vain (1 Cor.15:17). The manner in which Jesus died, buried, and resurrected was unique, with infallible proofs and had no precedence. The resurrection on the third day was literal, real, and physical and it was after he was crucified, confirmed dead, and buried. All four gospels recorded that Jesus resurrected on the first day of the week (Luke 24:1, John 20:1), but Matthew (Matt. 28:1) and Mark (Mark 16:1) specifically added that it was after the sabbath (our present-day Saturday) and so Sunday could be regarded as the resurrection morning. The great mystery of godliness is based on the truth that God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world and received up into glory (1 Tim. 3:16).
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a very important event that provides hope and assurance that by His resurrection we have eternal life.

LESSON OBJECTIVES
1.) To understand what the word “resurrection” means.
2.) Outline proofs of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
3.) Know what resurrection implies and appreciate why it is celebrated annually; and also
4.) Outline what the resurrection teaches us.

BIBLE TRUTH

QUESTION 1A) WHAT IS THE MEANING OF RESURRECTION?
According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the word “Resurrection” is the rising again to life of all the human dead before the final judgement or the state of one risen from the dead. Also, the word ‘RESURRECTION” could mean bringing back to life one that was dead. It is translated from the Greek word “Anastasias” in the New Testament which means “rising up” or “standing again”.

QUESTION 1B) WHAT DO YOU UNDERSTAND BY THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST?
JOHN 19:30-36, MATT. 28:1-8.

This is the Christian belief that God raised Jesus after His crucifixion, starting HIS exalted life as CHRIST and LORD (Phil. 2:9-11). Jesus Christ was crucified, died, and was buried, but on the third day, he came back to life again. The resurrection was a real, literal, physical, raising of Jesus’ body from the dead. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the rising up of Jesus Christ from the dead.

QUESTION 2) HOW DO WE KNOW THAT JESUS CHRIST WAS RESURRECTED?
ACTS 1:3, REV. 1:18
There are many infallible proofs to show that Jesus rose from the dead; a few are outlined below:
-That His Tomb Empty Is the Evidence:
Matt. 27:57-66 tells us that a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, laid the dead body of Jesus in a tomb hewn out of rock, and that he sealed the tomb by rolling a large stone against its door. The passage also tells us that a guard was placed at the tomb to secure the tomb. The tomb became empty as the Lord rose from the dead with power and came out. Luke 24:3 says, “And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus”. What else can this be but the proof of the Lord’s resurrection? If Christ had not risen from the dead again, His tomb should still remain closed like others that have died; because He rose from the dead on the third day, His tomb has been empty.

  • The resurrection was attested to by angels. Matt. 28:5-7, Luke 24:4-7, 23
  • He was seen by Mary Magdalene Mark 16:9, Jn. 20:15 and other women Matt. 28:9.
  • The soldiers who guarded the grave in which Christ was buried were terrified by the things that accompanied the resurrection of Christ (Matt. 28:2-4), though they were paid off to lie (Matt. 28:11-15).
  • Jesus walked and talked with two disciples on the way to Emmaus and ate with them (Luke 24:13-32).
  • He was seen of the disciples and many others (Matt. 28:16-17, Luke 24:36-40, Jn. 20:19-26, 21:1, 4-14, Acts 1:3, Acts 10:40-41, 1 Cor. 15:4-8). The fact that Jesus presented Himself alive is the proof that He resurrected.
  • Jesus was seen of the disciples forty days (Acts 1:3).
  • The Holy Spirit came according to the promise of Christ (John 16:7, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:3, 33).
  • Finally, the disciples preached about the resurrection of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem, the very city where He was crucified and rose again from the dead. If Jesus did not rise from the dead the disciples would not have had the boldness to preach about His resurrection (Acts 2:14-24).

QUESTION 3) WHAT DOES THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST IMPLY?
The resurrection of Jesus Christ means a number of things for the believer and our world. They include the following:

  • It is essential to the Christian faith (1 Cor.15:17-19).
  • It is the cornerstone of redemption plan of God for man.
  • It is a major evidence that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and proof that He is the Messiah (Acts 13:33, Rom. 1:4).
  • It shows that Jesus accomplished the purpose why He came, and God accepted the sacrifice of Christ for sin once and for all (Rom. 4:25).
  • It gives the assurance that we can have forgiveness of sin (1 Cor. 15:17).
  • It shows victory over death (Isa. 25:8, Acts 2:24, Rom. 6:8-9, 1 Cor. 15:55-57, 2 Tim. 1:10).
  • All things are subject to Christ (Matt. 28:18, Phil. 2:10).
  • It is the fulfillment of prophecies in the Bible and the word of Christ (Isa. 53:10-12, Luke 24:45-46, Acts 2:24-28, Acts 13:34-35, Matt. 20:19, Mark 9:9, 14:28, Jn 2:19-21).
  • It shows that God’s word concerning the resurrection of the dead (saved or unsaved) is true (Dan. 12:2, Jn. 5:28-29, Rev. 20:13-15).
  • It gives the Christian a living hope (1 Pet. 1:3-4).
  • It is the Guarantee of Everlasting Life for the Believer. The Resurrection of Jesus is the factual basis for everlasting life for those who believe in Him. If a person believes in Jesus Christ, then one of the provisions is eternal life. Jesus said, because I live, you will live also (John 14:19). Jesus said, I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though he may die, he shall live (John 11:25). Paul wrote also, “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus”, 1 Thess. 4:14.

QUESTION 4.) WHAT DOES THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST TEACH US?

The resurrection of Jesus Christ teaches us a number of things amongst which are:
1.) There will be resurrection for all people: 1 Cor. 6:14- God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us by His power. If we believe He kept the promise to raise Jesus by His power, then we must believe He will keep His promise to raise us up by that same power (2 Cor. 4:14, 1 Cor. 15:12-14). Jesus’ resurrection is the guarantee (first fruit) demonstrating that He will raise us up. Also, read 1 Thess. 4:13-17.
2.) The judgement of all people: Acts 17:30, 31. The assurance that God will judge us is the fact that He raised up Jesus. In order for all to be judged, we must first come back from the dead. The fact that God has already raised Jesus demonstrates His power to keep His promise to raise and then judge us.
3.) It shows that Jesus is alive, and continually makes intercession for the saints: Rev. 1:17-18, 1 Tim. 2:5, Heb. 7:25
4.) We have a relationship with the resurrected Christ who is the first fruit of resurrection because man has been reconciled to God. (Acts 26:23, 1 Cor. 15:20, 2 Cor. 4:14).
5.) The resurrection teaches us that the believer can live to please God and exercise the power of God. Rom. 6:7-12.
6.) Believers can live as overcomers in the affairs of life. Rev. 12:11
7.) The eternal reward of the righteous: 1 Thess. 4:13-18. If there is no resurrection of the dead, then our reward for righteousness would have to come only during this life. But if we believe Jesus died and rose again, then we should also believe that, when He returns, the dead will be raised, and we will be with Him forever. 1 Peter 1:3-4. We are begotten to a living hope of an eternal inheritance by the resurrection of Jesus. If we die before Jesus comes again (as most men have), then to receive this reward, we must be raised. Jesus’ resurrection proves that God will keep His promise to raise and reward us. To Christians, Jesus’ resurrection is important, not just because it proves to us who He is, but also because it is the basis for the hope of our own eternal reward.

DAILY LIVING APPLICATION

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not just a matter of fact, but a matter of truth that determines our eternal identity and destiny, whether eternal life or death (eternal damnation). The resurrection of Jesus from the grave is an undeniable fact of history. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the focal point of the whole purpose of God with the human race. The Christian faith is built round it; Christianity exists upon the basis of Christ’s resurrection from the dead. This was the driving force in the lives of the disciples, and we should celebrate it not only annually, but everyday of our lives.

MEMORY VERSE
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”.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
MONDAY: JESUS CHRIST DIED INDEED.
John 19:30-36.
TUESDAY: JESUS CHRIST WAS CRUCIFIED BUT IS RISEN INDEED. Matt. 28:1-8.
WEDNESDAY: ANGELS TESTIFIED THAT HE IS RISEN. Lk. 24:4-7, 23.
THURSDAY: THE RESURRECTED CHRIST WALKED AND TALKED WITH HIS DISCIPLES.
Lk. 24:13-32.
FRIDAY: VICTORY OVER DEATH ESTABLISHED IN CHRIST’S RESURRECTION.
Rom. 6:8-9, 1 Cor. 15:55-57
SATURDAY: CHRIST’S RESURRECTION FULFILLED. BIBLE PROPHECIES.
Lk. 24:45-46, Acts 13:34-35, Jn. 2:19-21