Alright, so of course being Easter we're gonna be covering the topic of the
resurrection and while it's probably nothing new, it's nothing anyone in here
has ever heard, I'm gonna ask brother Andrew if you would just take one of
those walkie-talkies whatever the baby monitor and just turn it just push on
the power button and give it to her that way she isn't locked away in a room
that's you know basically a sound booth back there. So anyway let me just start
over. So again we're preaching about the resurrection this morning and of course
that's going to be a topic that we're all very familiar with but it's a great
topic to always come back to. Obviously there's so much that the Bible
says about the resurrection it's hard to cover it all in one sermon so I'm really
just gonna keep the three points this morning and and they're all
illiterated so it'll be make extra nice and easy for you but the first
point I want to make this morning is that the resurrection is real you know
we're living in a day today where many people scoff and mock at the things of
the Word of God they scoff at the Bible you know they would deny you know the
reality of the resurrection but the resurrection is a very real thing you
know we have a testament here we have the Bible which testifies to the fact
of the resurrection and obviously the resurrection is probably the most
powerful thing that's ever happened on the earth when you think about it it's
the most influential event in human history is the resurrection of
Christ so it really shouldn't be you know much of a reach to think that if
something as magnificent and as powerful and as amazing as a resurrection took
place that people of that time would take note of it and then take the time
to write it down I mean think about all the many things that people write about
many just the trivial inconsequential you know events that happen that people
write about in mass all the other different you know maybe even
significant events throughout history that have been many many many books have
been written about you know we could name several I'm sure off the top of our
head so should it really surprise us that if something as powerful as a
resurrection took place that people would take the time to write it down you
know that if something like that happened obviously people are gonna
want to record that event for everyone to know about you know and God and his
Providence and his wisdom obviously made sure that that event was recorded from
several different perspectives and written about and has preserved it for
us in the Word of God so we can say with certainty that you know our faith has
found a resting place in the Word of God and in the resurrection of Christ
because it is the scriptures that testify to the resurrection of Christ
that should not surprise us that it's being written about because again it's
the most significant event in human history the resurrection is real and of
course despite the fact that we have a Word of God that it's something that
did take place there have always been and always will be people that seek to
deny the resurrection because if you can deny the resurrection of Christ you can
deny the deity of Christ you can deny the authority of Scripture okay everything
is hinging upon the resurrection of Christ okay now there's always been
people again keep something Romans we're gonna go to several different places so
I apologize if you you know get a paper cut or sprain your thumb or something
this morning but we're gonna be looking at a lot of different passages if you
would go to 2nd Timothy chapter number two I'll briefly just quickly get
through this point that the resurrection is real you know obviously you know
that's probably not news to anybody in the room this morning you know if you're
here on Easter Sunday you know you've taken the time to come to church and
acknowledge the resurrection of Christ you know that's probably because you
believe it that you understand that it's something that is real but we have to
always remember is that there's people that deny it you know that's that's
never going to be that's never going to be not be the case there's always going
to be people there always have been people that deny the resurrection just
think about even in Jesus Day there were the Sadducees that came to him and when
the Sadducees were those which said there is no resurrection you know they
didn't believe in the spirit they didn't believe in the resurrection they you
know they denied their they were kind of their you know the modernists or the
liberals of Jesus Day right the the rationalists who were preaching a social
gospel of sorts game then you have you know even in acts where people are
coming and denying the resurrection they're being opposed by the Jews but
we know that we have the evidence the testimony of Scripture because it tells
us in Acts chapter 1 that he showed himself alive Christ after his passion
right after his death in his burial by many infallible proofs you say what's
the infallible proof you have that the resurrection is real the testimony of
Scripture and that's it you say well you're just it sounds like you're just
putting all your faith in that well yeah but do we not just read Romans
chapter number four that you know it is faith that has counted us for righteous
the Bible tells us that without faith is impossible please God if people are
looking for a logical reason to believe the resurrection they're not going to
get one you know if they're looking some for some some kind of evidence outside
of Scripture it's not there okay we believe in the resurrection because we
believe in the Word of God we have faith in the Word of God because of passages
like Acts chapter number 1 verse 3 where it says to him she means to whom
also he Jesus showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs
and we're going to look at a few of those proofs this morning being seen of
them 40 days and speaking of things pertaining to the kingdom of God so it's
not like Jesus rose from the grave and immediately took off you know Jesus rose
from the grave and then stuck around right before he ascended into heaven you
know he showed himself alive and he did miracles and he proved that it was him
that had come back from the dead that's how we know that the resurrection is
real acts you know there's several other passages we could turn to but if you're
there in second Timothy chapter number two didn't have you go there second
Timothy 2 verse 16 Bible says shun profane and vain babblings for they will
increase unto more ungodliness in Jesus day there was people that were denying
the resurrection in Paul's day there was gonna there are people are denying the
resurrection in our day they're going to be people who deny the reality of the
resurrection how are we to respond to try to convince them to try to bring
them over to our side to try to find something outside of Scripture to prove
our point no the Bible says to shun and profane vain babblings to shun profane
and vain babblings look if you're denying the resurrection of Christ
that's a profane and vain babbling because it's flying in the face of
Scripture and notice for they will increase unto more ungodliness these are
why we that's why we should shun these things because it's a never-ending
battle you know if we're just gonna sit here and defend every single thing and
try to counter every single you know attack you know that's gonna take up all
of our time either look people are either gonna believe the Word of God or
they're not you're either gonna accept it by faith or they aren't that's it
verse 17 and their word will will eat as doth a canker it's like a sore it's like
a it's gonna spread okay of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus so Paul was
dealing with these same vain babblers on his day and what was it that they
were babbling about what was the what was the profane and vain babbling verse
18 who concerning the truth have erred saying that the resurrection is passed
already and overthrow the faith of some so obviously there weren't denying the
resurrection of Christ but they're saying look there is no other
resurrection it's already come and gone and so they're attacking this doctrine
of the resurrection okay there's always going to be people who deny the
resurrection there was in Jesus Day you had the Sadducees there was you know in
the Apostles Day you know you had the Jews and others and then you had of
course even in Paul's day you know two people in particular that are named
Hymenaeus and Philetus now the reason why it's important to understand that
the resurrection is real is because that the resurrection is required without the
resurrection we have no salvation and this is kind of a deeper you know more
elaborate doctrine but I'm just gonna kind of touch on this this morning okay
if you would go over to John chapter number 20 and John chapter actually you
know what go to Romans 1 I had you in Romans just go to Romans 1 you know the
resurrection is real you know we have the the infallible proofs of Christ
himself we have the testimony of Scripture preserved unto us for all ages
testifying of these things that Christ in fact did rise again and improved
himself alive to his disciples we have that today but ultimately we believe
that by faith you know we believe that because we have the faith of Abraham we
Abraham believed God and it was counted in for righteousness that's the faith
that we have that's what makes us the children of Abraham John chapter 20
verse 8 says this then went in also that other disciple which came first to the
sepulcher and he believed so this is the day when they're coming to the sepulcher
and there the resurrection is taking place for as yet they knew not the
scripture that he must rise again from the dead and I'm emphasizing that he
must rise again from the dead the resurrection is not only real but the
resurrection is required it was necessary that Christ not only died and
was buried but also that he rose again from the dead the resurrection is
required and we say why is it required well one is because the fact that it
testifies to the divinity of Christ look if Christ had died and not risen again
then our faith is vain and we are of most men all of all men most miserable
okay then we have a dead faith because we're professing and a God who has not
power over the grave and over hell and over death and over sin okay but that
our God has risen again Christ has resurrected again he has power over the
grave he has power over sin you know that's why our faith stands because of
the fact that we believe in the true God and we know that we do because of
the fact of what of the resurrection that he rose again from the grave the
resurrection is required because one it testifies the divinity of Christ you
there in Romans 1 don't get too excited we're gonna see me in the first four
verses verse 1 Paul a servant of Jesus Christ called to be an apostle separate
into the gospel of God which he had promised to four by his prophets in the
Holy Scriptures concerning his son Jesus Christ our Lord which was made of the
seed of David according the flesh and declared to be the Son of God with power
so Jesus Christ was made of the seed of David according the flesh and he was
what declared to be the Son of God with power according to the spirit of
holiness by the resurrection of the dead so how was Christ declared to be the Son
of God by the resurrection of the dead it wasn't enough that he just said I was
that he was the Son of God it wasn't just enough that he made that claim he
actually had to prove it right and obviously a lot of a lot of the other
things that he did were proofs enough you know a lot of the miracles that he
worked you know they said you know no man can do these things except God be
with him right but obviously the resurrection is the greatest miracle of
all and that's a miracle that Christ even performed during his ministry if
you remember he's raising people from the dead at certain points okay but the
fact that he himself resurrected from the dead by his own power is a
testimony of the divinity of Christ that's why it's required that's why the
resurrection is such an important doctrine that's why we have to
understand not only is it real but that it's required okay it testifies that the
the divinity of Christ not only is it required because it's a testimony of
Christ's you know godhood but also because of the fact that it's a part of
the gospel if you don't if you deny the resurrection you're not saved okay and
that's important because you have a lot of you know as Paul said you know vain
babblers right profane and vain babblers out there today who are gonna say a lot
of spiritual things they might even quote Bible they might even you know
have a good message they may be very eloquent they might be able to speak
well but if they're denying the resurrection of Christ then you know
what they're not saved and I don't care how eloquent they are I don't care how
well-spoken they are I don't care how powerful they are I don't care how right
they might sound and other things if they're denying things like the virgin
birth the Trinity if they're denying things like the resurrection they're
they're just as unsaved as somebody who believes in a works-based salvation they
might even say hey we're saved by grace through faith right they may understand
it's not of works but if they're gonna deny the resurrection they're still
unsaved okay the resurrection must be believed in order to to be saved it's a
part of the gospel if you would go over to John chapter number 20 John chapter
number 20 Jesus said in John 11 verse 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 now what's he saying about he that believeth in me what is it about
him that he's supposed to believe in order to have in order to live though
they were dead in order for themselves to be resurrected right what is it they
have to believe that I am the resurrection and the life they have to
believe that statement that he is the resurrection and a life and whosoever
liveth and believeth in me shall never die believeth thou this and look we have
to believe in the resurrection not only of Christ but also of ourselves okay
that we also will be resurrected it's a part of the gospel and let me make this
point too on this idea or this doctrine rather that that the
resurrection is part of the gospel it's a bodily resurrection and that's
important to point out because some people out there like the Jehovah
Witnesses are gonna say oh yeah he rose from the grave but you know it was a it
was a spirit or he inhabited a loner body you know he got one from on loan
okay you know and there's there's some ways to shut that down look at John
chapter 20 verse 26 and after eight days against us after he's already appeared
to his disciples once before and after eight days again his disciples were
within and Thomas was with them remember Thomas denied for he says
except I see you know if you put my thrust my finger into the prince of his
ails and his hands and thrust my finger aside you know I shall not believe right
he's doubting Thomas so Thomas is there with them and came and then came Jesus
the doors being shut and stood in the midst so again this kind of gives you
know a kind of a glimpse into what the resurrected body is like the fact that
the doors were shut and then he is in the midst like the Bible's pointing it
out for a reason explaining you know what's what's the significant of the
doors being shut I mean again you know this is a great opportunity to just
reminded that every detail in the scripture is important does it matter
this morning to us whether that door is open or closed out front it really
doesn't have any bearing on what's going on in here does it where maybe we're
letting some AC out or something I don't know and the bill might be up a few more
dollars because of it although I think the heats on right but you know but here
in the scripture obviously it's a very key detail you know it is God trying to
let us know that you know the the disciples were very they were like your
dad growing up you know don't let the heat out you know they're like they like
they were worried about the thermostat all the time or something is that what's
going on here no obviously not obviously what's going on here is it's showing us
that an aspect of that resurrected form that it's able to just manifest in the
midst of them without having to use a door and some people say oh he could
walk through things I don't know if that's how it is but I think it's more
of like a you know teleportation type of thing right now and I don't want to I
might preach on that tonight because it's that's a very interesting topic I'm
not I'm not sure yet but anyway the point is this is that you know it's a
bodily resurrection right so he shows up on to them he's in it says and he stood
in the midst and said peace be unto you then say anything to Thomas to reach
hither thy finger and behold my hands and reach hither thy hand and thrust it
to my side be not faithless and but believing and Thomas answered and said
unto them my Lord and my God right so Thomas is saying hey the print of the
nails in his hands I got to feel that right the nails plural because he was
crucified on a trip on the cross which is also called the tree you know they
also believed your whole witnesses that he was crucified on a pole right but
that would only require one nail right whereas they understood the disciples
that he was the pot Thomas said I want to feel the prince of the nails in his
hand plural meaning there's two nails at the least obviously the feet were
another one but he's saying here look thrust I think you reach hither thy
finger behold my hands reach hither thy hand thrust it into my side and be not
faithless but believing he's saying feel my body right you know that which we
have seen and heard which our hands have handled of the word of life right they
physically you know handled Christ they there was a physical resurrection and it
wasn't a loner body it was the same body that went into the grave rose again
right that's why I did not see corruption because it rose again on the
third day if you would go over to Luke 24 Luke 24 we'll point this out again
because this is a key point because there's people out there and say oh yeah
we believe in the resurrection but then you find out they believe in some weird
other resurrection that wasn't bodily that is not as scripture describes it
okay and it's important to us because you know that's the hope that we have in
Christ you know that once I one day our flesh also will be reunited with our
soul reunited with our spirit in heaven and it will be that flesh will be
transformed right will be will receive that new body in Christ okay that we you
know like job said you know that that he has that hope that what that in his
flesh he shall see God right in his flesh he shall see God that's why it's
important we believe in a bodily resurrection Luke 24 verse 36 and as
they thus spake Jesus himself stood in the midst of them and said on the peace
be unto you but they were terrified and affrighted and suppose that they had
seen a spirit he said to them why are you troubled why do thoughts arise in
your heart so they're they're troubled because they're thinking they're seeing
what a spirit like just some kind of ethereal manifestation right or some
kind of you know dark foreboding kind of evil spirit perhaps right there might
you're like when they saw Christ walking on the on the water right they
were afraid if they thought it was a spirit that began to cry out but of
course he calms them down verse 38 says why are you troubled why do thoughts
arise in your hearts behold what my hands and my feet so how is he trying to
prove that that his his that it's him by saying hey handle me you know touch me
see and that I that it is me right that it is I myself handle me and see for a
spirit hath not flesh and bones as you see me have right so Jesus here is
testifying to the fact that he had flesh and bones right flesh and bones he's
saying I'm not a spirit I have a body it's the same body as we saw back in
Luke 24 or excuse me in John 20 you know that was that had the same prints the
same wounds that were inflicted okay so it's the body of the resurrection verse
40 and when he had thus spoken he showed him his hands and his feet and while
yet why they yet believe not for joy and wondered he said to them have you
hear any meat right and that's you know something we often ask ourselves to
right that's it sounds like what's for dinner right but he's of course in the
Bible meat just means food you know so you know he's not asking for a steak
here and they brought and they gave him a piece of broiled fish and of a
honeycomb and he took it and did eat before them so again this is the
resurrected Christ showing us that he has flesh that he has bone that he has
those wounds and that he also is able to eat right so this is kind of a picture
of what's possible in the resurrected body you know if you wonder what's it
going to be like obviously we see through a glass darkly we don't
understand everything but the Bible gives us glimpses of what the new man
is like and part of our resurrection will you know Bible says we'll get here
in a minute when we see him we shall be as he is right we're gonna be like him
we're gonna have that same body he is the firstfruits and we're gonna be heirs
with him okay so part of our resurrected form seems to me it has this ability to
just kind of manifest right and you know and that sounds kind of maybe that
sounds kind of you know hokey to you or it might sound kind of you know what
you've been reading too many comic books or something but actually you know I
thought this out I think it serves a very practical purpose because you have
to remember in the millennium we're going to rule and reign with Christ
you're gonna have a human population that is going to multi I mean there's
gonna be billions upon billions of people you know multiple you know
populating the earth during the millennium and there's gonna you know we
know from Scripture that some are gonna have reign over five cities others gonna
reign over ten cities you know it's it makes sense it's a very practical thing
that our glorified body would have this ability to just kind of appear in the
midst of somewhere when you think about it you know I mean I'm going to Detroit
you know for soul winning you know this week it's gonna take me many hours to
get there good night it took me 14 hours to get to Boise you know last two weeks
ago because all the delays and things like that man I could have used the
glorified body then you know just there you know sorry your flights been delayed
you got to go to another gate you know boom gone right so obviously there's a
real practical purpose behind this when you think about it this resurrected form
that can just show up so again you know these are just some details about the
resurrection obviously the main point here I'm making is that the resurrection
is required it's it's it's because it proves the divinity of Christ because it
is a part of the gospel and we believe in that bodily resurrection now I've
kind of already alluded to you know my next point here talking about what our
resurrection is going to be like and so my last point is this is that not only
is the resurrection you know required not only is the resurrection real but
the resurrection is repeated the resurrection is repeated this wasn't
just a one-off right obviously Christ's resurrection is a one-time thing you
know we're going to be resurrected one time but when you think about it Christ
wasn't even the first person to be resurrected all right you've had other
people who've come back you know who were dead and you see that in stores in
the Old Testament the guy that was buried and touched you know Elijah's
bones and came back to life right you know you have other examples even in
Christ he's he's bringing back the the widow's son right even and we'll look
here go to Matthew chapter 27 at the crucifixion of Christ you know people
came back so even Christ's resurrection was a repetition right of something
that's already happened before now it does differ in one way we'll see that
here in a minute because the Bible does say that Christ is the first fruits and
sometimes people have that question well how can he be the first fruits if
there's other resurrections that have already taken place if other people have
been brought back from the dead okay we'll answer that in a minute but again
the resurrection it's not only real not only is required but it's repeated says
in Matthew chapter 27 verse 52 Matthew 27 52 and the graves were opened right
and of course this is at the crucifixion when Christ died and many bodies of the
Saints which arose which slept arose you had the veil being rent and then you
have graves being open I don't know I don't necessarily believe is that it was
all the graves you know this wasn't like the zombie apocalypse or anything
okay but this was and many bodies of the Saints which slept arose so these saved
believers these people that had already you know were Saints you know that great
this is another great passage on doctrines about Saints right that it's
those that believed and we had Saints even back then you'd have to sit around
wait for the you know some guy in a funny hat and address to declare
somebody a saint right you this the Bible calls these people to hear Saints
they they which slept arose and came out of the graves after his resurrection and
went into the holy city and appeared unto many so obviously I got that
backwards that's after his resurrection but go over to John chapter number five
John chapter number five so it's been repeated right you have you know Christ
resurrection you have these Saints arising and his resurrection after his
resurrection and then you know we're of course we're going to be
resurrected you know our resurrection is just a repetition of Christ's Bible
says in Luke 14 but when thou makest the feast call the poor and the maimed and
the lame and the blind and thou shalt be blessed for they cannot recompense thee
for thou shall be recompensed at the resurrection of the just right and again
he's making a distinction there's a particular resurrection the
resurrection of the just we also know that there's another resurrection we'll
look at it here in John 5 the resurrection of the damned Marvel not at
this verse 28 John 5 28 for the hours coming in which all that are in the
graves shall hear his voice all that are in his graves and shall come forth they
that have done good under the resurrection of life and they that have
done evil under the resurrection of damnation you know I don't believe
that's all happening at the same time I believe that that's talking about two
different resurrections you know you have the judgment seat of Christ and
the great white throne judgment okay but again so this is a repetition you have
Christ resurrection you have resurrections that happen before that
you have you know resurrections that happen immediately after the resurrection
of Christ then Christ himself tells us hey there's other resurrections coming
you know this is the beautiful thing about the resurrection this is why it's
great to have a day where we just focus on the resurrection of Christ that's
what I love about this holiday that's why I have a particular tie and shirt
for this one day out of the year right you know I dress up a little bit nicer
because I love Easter I love the resurrection it's a great doctrine you
know and and it brings hope to us you know not it's not just the hope that we
have in Christ you know that we're saved but also you know that there is a
resurrection awaiting us you know and the older we get probably the more
significant that becomes the more you know the more we find hope in that the
closer we draw an eye to our own death you know we have maybe we cling a little
stronger to that hope of the resurrection and we should you know that
should give us great hope you know that's why when a saint dies in Christ
we don't mourn as others do who what which what have no hope you know when we
see a saint pass on go home to be with the Lord we know that that's not goodbye
obviously it's it's a temporary you know parting but we know because of what
because of the resurrection that we will be reunited in heaven and that glorified
form you know that that's a great hope that we have it's a great thing to
understand that the resurrection is not only real and required but also that it
has been and will be repeated and we're part of that repetition you know we have
a part in that resurrection of life you know if we believed in Christ and you
know if you would go over to we'll go over to revelation chapter number
Revelation chapter number 20 and we'll see another resurrection here talking
about how we saw in John 20 there's two different resurrections so we're looking
at the rep these these repetitions of the resurrection revelation 20 verse 4
and I saw thrones and they that sat upon them and judgment was given unto them
and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus and
for the Word of God which worships not the Beast neither his image nor there
had received his mark upon their foreheads so we're talking about that
these tribulation Saints right or in their hands they that lit and and they
lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years and why was this all possible not
just because the resurrection of Christ but because of the fact that there is a
resurrection for the Saints as well there's a second they will be repeated
and it's great that you know again it kind of speaks to the point of what I
was just saying that when we understand that the resurrection is repeated you
know it takes the sting out of death it takes the victory out of the grave you
know we've conquered as Christ has death and the grave because of the
resurrection because it's real because it's required because it's repeated
right they were they they were beheaded right and they were willing to they
counted they're not like their lives dear unto death right and they again
reigned with Christ a thousand years but the rest of the dead lived not again
until the thousand years were finished this is the first resurrection meaning
there's a second right blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first
resurrection look that's me and you you know if we believed on Christ if we
believe in the resurrection of Christ if our faith is in the finished work of
Christ upon the cross if it's in the resurrection of Christ if it's in the
atoning work of Christ you know we're blessed and holy because we have part in
that first resurrection and it sounds like a pretty good resurrection you got
people ruling and reigning with Christ you've got this glorified form we still
get to eat you know it's it's gonna be a great resurrection we're blessed and
we're holy why because the resurrection is real because it is required and
because it is repeated blessed as he that hath and holy as he that hath part
the first resurrection what's especially blessed about this on such the second
death hath no power look the first death has still has power over this sinful
flesh the old man is still in bondage to physical death right but you know that
it the second death hath no power now look if you had a choice between two
deaths you take the first one right because the second one is being put in
that lake of fire which is the second death the lake which burneth with fire
and brimstone which is the second death you know I obviously having to go
through the first death is probably you know not something anyone's really
looking forward to but you know it sure beats the second one by a long shot and
here's the thing you know on such the second death hath no power but they
shall be priests of God and of Christ and shall reign with him a thousand
years why is that all possible why is it that the second death has no power why
is it that we're going to be priests why is it that we're going to reign with
Christ why is it that we're gonna have this glorified body because the
resurrection is real because it's required and because it's repeated now
again let me just kind of point out here because some people you know the might
get confused and think well how can Christ you know be the firstfruits right
if you would go to 1st Corinthians chapter number 15 1st Corinthians
chapter 15 while we are the you know the resurrection is something that has been
repeated before and even after you know and after Christ Christ's resurrection
is unique in a particular way okay and it's one that we have to you know look
forward to it's how our resurrection will be okay but Christ and his
resurrection is a first okay it's it's unique in a certain way first 20 first
Corinthians 15 verse 20 but now is Christ risen from the dead and become
the firstfruits of them that slept so Christ is the firstfruits right because
he's risen from the dead and it's become the firstfruits now you might say well
what about others who were resurrected others that came back from the dead in
the Old Testament and even in Christ's day you know wouldn't that make them the
firstfruits it actually wouldn't okay for since 21 for for since by man came
death by man came also the resurrection of the dead at for as in Adam all die
even so Christ shall be made alive but every man in his own order Christ the
firstfruits and then afterward they that are Christ at his coming talking about
when Christ comes you know they that are dead in Christ shall rise and then you
know and and and we which are alive remain of the coming Lord shall not
prevent them okay that we'll all be changed in a moment twinkling him and I
so that's kind of the order that he's laying out there Christ's resurrection
came first right and then they that are alive at us you know at his coming they
that are resurrected at his coming afterwards okay so obviously other
people were came back from the grave but Christ is the firstfruits in the in
because of the fact that Christ's resurrection you know was permanent like
he does not die again everybody that has was resurrected in the Old Testament
they didn't receive a glorified body okay they came back but then they died
again right Christ's resurrection is different because the fact that as he
said if you would go over to Romans chapter number six you know as it said
in our bulletin this morning I am he that liveth and was dead and behold I am
alive forevermore amen and have the keys of dell hell and of death right he says
I'm he that liveth and was dead and behold I am alive forevermore I have the
keys of Helen of death he's a death hath no more Dominion over him that's what
makes Christ resurrection unique that's what makes him the firstfruits although
others were resurrected you know after him you know his was unique because he
didn't die you know those Saints that were that rose you know at his
resurrection those people aren't still around they came back in that same body
that they had obviously was a miracle supernatural but they died again you
know that young man the widow's son that he rose from the you know out of the
casket that guy died again Lazarus that he raised from the grave Lazarus died
again Christ is the only one that has resurrected and has it will never die
again that's what makes him the firstfruits that's pretty simple to
understand Romans chapter number or you got it I'm sorry I should have go to
Romans chapter 6 go to go to Romans 4 where we were he kept a bookmark there
hopefully but we'll we'll wrap it up there here in a minute but you know
Christ is the firstfruits he said in Romans 6 knowing that Christ being raised
in the dead dieth no more death hath no more Dominion over him you know Christ
is the firstfruits why because he dies no more so the resurrection is repeated
and this reveals again our new man we know that when we're resurrected again
you know it's not gonna you know I'm glad Lazarus got another few however
long he got I'm glad those other Saints in the Bible that were resurrected
before during and out you know during the time of Christ and in the Old
Testament they got to come back and enjoy some more time here on earth but
you know our resurrection is better than theirs because of the fact that when
we're resurrected you know we're going to never die again now those other
people they kind of they kind of got bragging rights because they're gonna be
like hey I was resurrected twice buddy like you know I might not have what you
only got how many times you've been resurrected once yeah rookie you know I
mean that's weak you know you got to get that second resurrection and it's like
well they haven't right but if you're gonna have a resurrection you know it's
it's the one we're gonna get because of the new man right that's the difference
all those other other Saints that resurrected thus far have not received
the new man even the souls you know to be absent from the body to be present
with the Lord those souls that are in heaven now have not been reunited with
their body that new man you know they're they're going to reap the benefit of
that as well that that that they're gonna be had that new man revealed unto
them they haven't even gotten that yet we're all partaking that together I had
you go to Romans 4 but first Peter 1 reads blessed be the God and Father of
Lord Jesus Christ which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us
again into a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the
dead you know God is blessed you know we take this time on Sunday you know Easter
Sunday to to really remember the resurrection and what it should really
remind us of is that you know obviously we're blessed because of the resurrection
because of the fact that we're gonna have that new body because everything
that's coming to us that that that great inheritance that's waiting for us
but really that's all because of the resurrection of Christ you know because
because of the reality and the requirement of the resurrection of
Christ you know we have that and what that should cause us to say is like
Peter blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ you know that's
bought and begotten us again unto what a lively hope right a living hope you know
we don't have this hope that's just kind of like well maybe that'll happen you
know maybe maybe you know I hope that happens like people use hope today like
like they're wishing for something you know they well you know hopefully the
odds are in my favor right things like that you know our hope is a lively hope
we have a living a lively hope it's real it's authentic it's going to happen it's
just a matter of time until we are you know brought unto that new man by the
resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead what gives us this hope what what
can we say with confidence that you know we have a living hope why can we rejoice
today that you know that that there's more beyond the grave for us you know
and it's and not the second death it's the resurrection of Christ from the dead
that's what gives us that lively hope Romans chapter 4 actually I've got the
wrong passage here but I think anyway yeah I do but I'll just read to you it
says in Romans therefore we are buried with him by baptism unto death that like
as Christ was raised up from dead by the dead from the dead by the glory of the
Father even so we also should walk a newness of life for if we have been
planted together in the likeness of his death we shall also be in the likeness
of his resurrection you know we've been planted like his death we're gonna we're
all gonna die but our hope is that we shall also be in the likeness of his
resurrection you know that's the living hope that we have if you would go to
Philippians 3 we'll close there Philippians chapter number three you
know it's such a great topic the resurrection it's such a it's such a
great hope that we have and it's something you know we should be reminded
of continually not just once a year I mean obviously we're specifically here
to celebrate and acknowledge the resurrection of Christ you know
everything that means but you know what does that mean to us today it means that
we have that lively hope it means that we have that new body right and that's
that in and of itself is so so magnificent right like that like Peter
said blessed be the God Father of our Lord Jesus Christ just the fact that
we're going to be resurrected and given that new man and and never die again and
to and to have it all done through faith through the work of Christ and not not a
works of righteousness which we have done you know but by his mercy he has
saved us you know that truly should cause us to bless God you know it's you
know each and every day but you know God is even as good as that is as
indescribably great and wonderful and magnificent as that is God's even better
than that you know we can't even begin to comprehend the goodness and the love
of God it's beyond measure and we can't count it back to him okay and another
proof of this is the fact that not only do we are we resurrected look if I just
get resurrected if I just if the second death has no more power over me has no
dominion over me that's enough reason right there to just praise God for all
of eternity like I don't need another thing from the Lord but God is so good
is not only give us that by grace through faith but he also gives us the
opportunity to earn rewards there in that heaven in that new body and into
into into reap a reward through our labors here on this on this earth if you
would you're there in Philippians chapter number three he said in verse
eight a doubtless I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge
of Christ Jesus Christ my Lord for whom I have suffered the loss of all things
and do count them but dung that I may win Christ and be found in him not
having my own righteousness which is of the law but that which is through the
faith of Christ the righteousness which is of God by faith that I may know him
and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings being
made conformable unto his death Paul saying you know what I'll be just like
Jesus I'll do everything he did you know I'll come and invite Christ I will
humble who humbled himself and took upon himself the form of a servant you know
that's what Paul saying because of because of Christ because of the
resurrection I'm more than willing to partake up to have fellowship in his
sufferings okay and be made conformable unto his death you know I'll he's Paul
saying I'll I count it all dung go ahead crucify me destroy me I have a lively
hope I have a resurrection and if I get to suffer more here on this earth in
this present body it's just gonna lead to a greater resurrection I may know him
verse 10 and the part and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of
his sufferings being made conformable unto his death he's saying I welcome it
all if by any means I might attain and the resurrection of the dead he's saying
it's just gonna be a better resurrection for me I I'd more than willing go
through all these sufferings I'm more than willing be made conformable to his
death I'm more than willing to suffer the loss of all things if it means a
better resurrection if I may attain unto the resurrection of the dead not as
though I had already tain either were already perfect but I follow after if
that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus
brethren I count not myself to be apprehended but this one thing I do
forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth which those things
which are before I press toward the mark for the prize the high calling of God in
Christ Jesus Paul had obviously like all of us an understanding of the
reality of the resurrection he understood all the doctrinal things
behind it why it was required okay he understood that it was going to be
repeated he understood that reality of the resurrection but you know that
wasn't just a head knowledge that he sat on right he said if the resurrection is
real if it's going to be repeated if there's going to be a reward he said I
want to attain unto that reward and what did that involve pressing toward
the mark counting you know forgetting those things which are behind counting
all of it but done you know that he might you know attain unto the
resurrection of Christ that is the mentality that we have to carry with us
throughout the Christian life it's great that we're here today to celebrate the
resurrection of Christ but how do we pry that plaque practically in our lives you
know we should get this perspective like Paul has of these realities of the
resurrection but it should move us to attain into that better resurrection
meaning you know we should be more than willing to put other things aside in
order to serve Christ and to attain into a better resurrection we're all going to
have a resurrection but we're not all going to attain under the same
resurrection some people's resurrection obviously we're all going to have the
same glorified body all obviously it's all gonna have a lot of the same
abilities we don't know everything that's gonna have but you know what
there it seems to me when I read through the scripture that there's levels of
reward okay that's what we need to walk out with this morning that's that's the
reality that we need to live in when it comes to this reality of the
resurrection let's go ahead pray