Title: Meaning of Resurrection (John 11:25-27)
The core of Christian thought is the cross and resurrection. I believe that Jesus died on the cross to atone for my sins. The proof of the Atonement is that human beings, who had no choice but to die because of sin, received the salvation of life. That salvation is guaranteed by the resurrection. Because Jesus overcame the power of death by his resurrection. Those who believe in the resurrection will be able to live forever.
Today's text is the word of the Lord when He raised Lazarus from the dead. The Lord is receiving a clear confession of faith in the resurrection from us. And after that, he brought Lazarus back to life. Resurrection is not only the resurrection of the dead body, but also the resurrection of the spirit and the resurrection of all things.
God gives grace to us who have a confession of faith in the resurrection even here and now.
So, what does the resurrection of Jesus Christ mean?
First, the resurrection proves that the Bible is the Word of God.
The event of the resurrection of Jesus proves that the Bible is not just a religious book that records the history of Israel, but the word of God. In 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 it is written, “I first declared to you what I received, because according to the scriptures, Christ died for our sins, and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.” The Apostle Paul is arguing to the Corinthians that Jesus did not resurrect by chance, but died according to the Bible and was resurrected according to the Bible.
Second, we know that Jesus is the Christ who saves the world.
The name Jesus is one of the most common names from the early church until now. The word Christ means Savior. However, we know that Jesus in the text is the Christ who saves us through the resurrection. No matter how much Jesus said, "I am the Son of God. I come from heaven. I am the way, the truth, and the life. If you believe in me, you will be saved." This is what Peter says in Acts 2:36, "Therefore, let all the house of Israel know for sure, that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."
Romans 10:9-10 says, “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. There is a saying, 'to come. If you believe in the resurrection of Jesus, you will be saved. The Apostle Paul also testifies of the resurrection of Jesus in 1 Corinthians 15. I saw Peter more than once, and I saw more than 500 disciples. Likewise, in the Bible, the experience of the resurrection of Jesus appears 13 times. In verse 14 and below, the Apostle Paul says, "If Jesus is not resurrected, what you believe and what I believe are in vain. There will be no use. There will be no injustice like us.
Dear brothers and sisters, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, our faith has become the faith to receive eternal life, the faith to save, and the faith to have the sure inheritance of the kingdom of heaven. Believe that Jesus is our Savior because He is resurrected.
Third, it assures that truth and justice must triumph.
In Acts 3, Peter and John made a man lame from birth get up and walk in the name of Jesus. At that time, Peter turned to the people who had gathered and said, "When you asked Pilate, will you release the sinful murderer Barabbas or Jesus? God raised this dead Jesus. God raised the holy and righteous Jesus." It emphasizes that truth and justice triumph. You must believe in the resurrection of Jesus that the truth must triumph. The resurrection of Jesus Christ guarantees the final triumph of righteousness.
The fourth guarantees that there is heaven.
One of the most moving scenes in the Bible is Acts chapter 1. Many people saw Jesus Christ ascending from the clouds when he ascended into heaven after his resurrection. At this time, the angels said that Jesus, who had ascended on the clouds, would come again like this. You are talking about the existence of heaven. In John 14, Jesus talks about suffering and resurrection, saying, "You believe in God, believe me. I am going to prepare the kingdom of heaven." God has guaranteed the existence of heaven through the resurrected Jesus.
Fifth, it shows the grace of being born again.
The meaning of resurrection is the grace and blessing of regenerating one life, giving it a new life, and allowing us to enjoy the heavenly inheritance. 1 Peter 1:3-4 says, “Blessed be the God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to his abundant mercy, has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is incorruptible, undefiled, and unfading, reserved for you in heaven. It is what you have done.” The Holy Spirit, who came to us through the resurrection of Christ, is the Spirit that regenerates life. The wind of God's Spirit (pneuma) is the wind that gives life. In John 16:7 he said, “But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; the Counselor will not come to you unless I go away; but if I go, I will send him to you.” . The resurrection of Jesus Christ shows us the grace of the Holy Spirit who regenerates us and gives us new life. Please believe that the Holy Spirit, who is with us, enables us to believe without seeing, to believe in the resurrection, and to live a life of salvation.
In Acts 1, when the disciples met the resurrected Lord and asked when they would restore this kingdom, the Lord said, "Only God knows the time and the deadline. Pray that you will receive the promised Holy Spirit." Those who met the resurrected Lord believed in the resurrection and waited according to the word. And he poured out the fiery Holy Spirit on those who had gathered in Mark's upper room. By believing in the resurrection, the moving of the Holy Spirit and the fullness of grace begin.
Dear Chungnam Jeil Church members,
I hope you will become saints who profess your faith in the resurrection until you go to heaven. I hope that you will live with the evidence of the resurrection.