Title Doctrine Sermon (3/23)-The Purpose of Jesus' Resurrection
Title: The Purpose of Jesus' Resurrection
Main text: 1 Corinthians 15:20-22
Date: 2008. 3. 23. Easter Sunday day service
The resurrection of Jesus is an undeniable historical fact, even though it may not be believed by human knowledge and experience. The resurrection of Jesus does not depend on the claims of men. Although there is no resurrection, there is a resurrection, and Jesus was raised from the dead before people claimed that there is a resurrection. We must believe the Bible. We must believe and follow the claims of the Bible. The Bible testifies of the resurrection of Jesus. Then why was Jesus resurrected?
First, He was resurrected to complete the Atonement.
Jesus revealed himself to be the Son of God and testified that he was the “resurrection and life” as the Son of God (John 11:25). Martha, who was hearing the testimony of Jesus, said, “Ouch, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God who is to come into the world” (John 11:27). Jesus, the Son of God, was nailed to the cross and died for the solution of our sin problem. But the Son of God is the resurrection and life, so he died and rose again. He proved that he was the Son of God by his resurrection. It is the Son of God who died on the cross for us. It is very important to check this fact. If Jesus died on the cross and was not the Son of God, He did not die for us. It is just that he died bearing the burden of his sins. But Jesus confirmed that He was the Son of God by His resurrection (Romans 1:4).
If there is no resurrection, the evidence that “Jesus is our Savior” is false, and the evidence that “Jesus died for our sins” is false (1 Corinthians 15:14). We remain sinners because what we believe is based on a lie (1 Corinthians 15:17). There is resurrection. Jesus was resurrected to fulfill our Atonement.
Second, He was resurrected for the resurrection of all Christians.
The resurrection of Jesus is “the resurrection of the firstfruits” (1 Corinthians 15:20). In the Old Testament (Leviticus 23:9-14), the Feast of Firstfruits appears. Before the harvest, the first sheaf of ripe grain was offered to the priest. The priest waved the first ears of grain and offered sacrifices. After offering sacrifices as thanks to God, the harvest began in earnest. Jesus was resurrected as the firstfruits of the resurrection of all Christians about 2,000 years ago, and all Christians will be resurrected after Jesus when he comes again (1 Corinthians 15:23). The resurrection of Jesus is my resurrection.
We are not resurrected with our present bodies. You cannot inherit the kingdom of God with the present body, that is, blood and flesh (1 Corinthians 15:50). In order to inherit the kingdom of God, our perishable bodies will put on immortality and our mortal bodies will put on immortality (1 Corinthians 15:53). In this way, Jesus was resurrected for the resurrection of all of us Christians.
Third, He rose from the dead to abolish the power of death.
Resurrection swallows up death and overcomes it (1 Corinthians 15:54-56). The authority of death is based on sin, but when Jesus was shed on the cross and died, sin, the basis of the authority of death, was removed. The resurrection of Jesus is the completion of the atonement and the event of breaking the authority of death. We are freed from the power of death by believing in the death and resurrection of Jesus. Also, by participating directly in the resurrection at the second coming of Jesus, the authority of death will be abolished forever. By participating directly in the resurrection, we will swallow up the power of death and overcome it forever. After the resurrection, there will be no death or weeping for the dead.
The apple tree fell to the ground and rotted and covered it with soil. After a long time, a new shoot sprouted and became a tree, bearing fruit. Apparently he fell to the ground and died, but came back to life. The reason is that there was a seed of life in the apple that fell to the ground. Faith in Jesus is the seed of life. Those who have this faith will live again even if they die. “If the Spirit (Holy Spirit) of him (God) who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead (God) will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit (Holy Spirit) who dwells in you. ” (Romans 8:11).