I
Mean all right the part of the chapter we're gonna focus on is found in Romans chapter number 4 and verse number 22
Where the Bible reads and therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness now
It was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him
But for us also to whom it shall be imputed if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord
From the dead who was delivered for our offenses and raised again for our justification
Untitled my sermon this morning is he must rise from the dead. He must rise from the dead now
Obviously today is Easter a lot of people will call it resurrection Sunday
There's nothing wrong with the word Easter and you say what is Easter all about?
Well, it's simply about the resurrection of Jesus Christ
Okay
And the resurrection of Jesus Christ is one of the most if not the most important doctrines in the Christian Christian faith
He said well, I thought it wasn't important for him to die on the cross and to you know suffer all those things
Yes, but it was even more important for him to rise from the dead
You see throughout the years and throughout the centuries many people have given their lives for other people
Many people in a noble heart whether it's for their children. It was for their wives. It was for their husbands
It was for their families or maybe just as a noble act for a stranger have given their lives for other people
And what did they deliver them from what they deliver them from possibly a physical death?
however, only one man was able to not only deliver others from from from a
Physical death in the sense of we will rise again
But also from the spiritual death, which is hell and that was Jesus Christ our Lord
And that's why the resurrection is so essential in the Christian faith
It's not so much as the fact that it is important that he died on the cross
But he was it was even more important that he resurrected from the grave
Look what the Bible says there verse 24. We'll read it again
It says but for us also to whom it shall be imputed if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead
Who was delivered for our offenses?
So I'm not downplaying the fact that he suffered on the cross
Okay, I'm not downplaying the fact that he he was crucified. He was beaten. He was scourged. He was humiliated all those things
We understand that that was important. In fact, the Bible says he was delivered for our offenses. You said what does what does that mean?
Well, the Bible tells us that if we keep the whole law yet offend in one point
We're guilty of all right and the Bible tells us that for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God
That there is none that doeth good. No, not one as it is written. There's none righteous
No, not one our righteousness. The Bible says we're all as an unclean thing and our righteousness are as filthy rags
Why is that because we've already offended the Lord by breaking his law
now you think of all the commandments in the Bible, okay, and
Most command most people know know of the Ten Commandments
They may not know all the Ten Commandments, but one of the Ten Commandments is thou shall not bear false witness, right?
Which is lying but who can say in this world that they've never lied, right?
Like if I were to tell you let me see a show of hands of some of those of you who have not lied
And if you were to raise your hand, I would say well you just come you just broke that law right now
Because you just lied, right?
There's no one in this world now
Maybe there's obviously there's people here who are not murderers. Not everyone's an adulterer, right?
Physically speaking but the Bible does teach us that if we offend in one point, we're already guilty of all, you know
There's not adjustment upon earth that do with good and sin if not the Bible says and so because of that the Bible says for the
Wages of sin is death. We there's a just penalty for our actions
There's a just penalty for us breaking breaking the law of God and the Bible tells us here that Jesus Christ was delivered
What does that mean?
He was delivered to the cross to be scourged to be being to be humiliated for our offenses the offenses
We've done against God now go to Isaiah chapter 53. We're gonna see how that how this looks here
Brother David, can you hit the AC please? Thank you. The Bible says who was delivered for our
Offenses this was necessary. Okay for him to be crucified
And we see that in Hebrews chapter 12 that they obviously he despised the shame
But look what it says in Isaiah 53 in verse number one
This is a prophecy of the Lord
It says who hath who hath believed our report and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?
For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant and as a root out of the dry ground
He hath no form nor comeliness and when we shall see him there is no beauty that we should desire him
He is despised and rejected of men a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief and we hid as it were our faces from him
He was despised and we esteemed him not surely he hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows yet
We did esteem him stricken smitten of God and afflicted
He was wounded for our transgressions
He was bruised for our iniquities
The chastisement of our peace was upon him and with his stripes the Bible says we are healed now go to Romans chapter number five
Now here's the interesting thing about this scripture
I met people, you know
Especially those who would esteem Judaism as a legitimate religion as a Christian religion and they'll say that Isaiah 53 is referring to the nation
Of Israel. Well, here's the thing
Israel was not wounded for our transgressions
They weren't bruised for our iniquities the chastisement of our peace was not upon them
This is referring to one man who bore these griefs and these sorrows. Okay, the Lord Jesus Christ
Why because he was delivered for our offenses
Okay
Romans chapter 5 in verse number 6 look what the Bible says for when we were yet without strength and due time Christ died for the
Ungodly for scarcely for a righteous man will one die yet peradventure for a good man
Some would even dare to die but God commanded his love toward us and that while weary at sinners Christ died for us
So it tells us there that even though we were ungodly even the Bible says that we're enemies of God
Jesus Christ was willing to suffer the consequences to be delivered a just man to be delivered for unjust people and
That's a beautiful story. That's something that we ought to be thankful for every single day
But here's the thing though if he was just delivered for our offenses. It'd mean nothing to us
Now I may have some emotional
You know backing to it and you know
We've read stories of people have given their lives for other people and it was just like a noble act
But in reality that would affect us in no way if all he did was just die for us
You see the Bible tells us goes on to say that he was
Delivered for our offenses, but he was raised up for our justification
Okay, yeah, it was necessary for him to be offered
Okay, it was necessary for him to be delivered because of what we've done
But it was even more necessary for him to resurrect from the grave. Okay?
Now go to 2nd Corinthians chapter number 5
2nd Corinthians chapter number 5 this may be basic to some of you this morning, but for others it may not be okay
And the Bible says in 2nd Corinthians chapter number 5 in verse 21 just to reiterate what we're talking about being delivered
It says in verse 21 for he hath made him to be sin for us who knew no sin
That we might be made the righteousness of God in
Him the Bible says so he was made sin for us the Bible says and and so it was very much necessary for him to
Die even more necessary for him to resurrect from the grave now go to Romans chapter number 10 Romans chapter 10 is a our verses
That we use when we go out and preach the gospel
and when we talk about the gospel, we're talking about the death burial and
Resurrection of Jesus Christ you see the Bible tells us that it's the gospel that can save you you say you saved me from what?
Well according to the Bible every person in this world is condemned to a place called hell
Okay
The Bible says as I mentioned before for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God
The Bible tells us in revelations 21 8 it gives a list of people who are gonna go to hell and even says that the liars
Shall be cast shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death
So if you committed even lying the Bible says you're worthy of that second death referring to the lake of fire, okay?
So you say well, how can I avoid that? How can I get away from that?
We'll look at Romans chapter 10 verse 6 says
But the righteousness which is of faith speaking on this wise say not in thine heart who shall ascend into heaven
That is to bring Christ down from above or who shall descend into the deep that is to bring up Christ again from the dead
You know when I read that I often think of people that I speak to when I'm giving them the gospel
And I want them to be saved
You know I say are you 100% sure that if you died today you go to heaven and they'll often say well who can know
That no one knows that for sure. You know have you died they tell me right?
Have you been to heaven have you been to hell and the answer is obviously no. I've never been there of course
I haven't been there. I'm still alive. You know
But you what is Romans chapter 10 telling us don't ask those questions
Who shall go to the heavens who should go into the deep even in Deuteronomy it says that right?
But what say that the verse number eight the word is nigh thee even in thy mouth and in thy heart
That is the word of faith
which we preach that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and
Shall believe in thine heart that God has raised them from the dead thou shalt be saved
The Bible says see a lot of people believe that in Jesus in the sense of the he exists
They wouldn't even believe that he's the Son of God a lot of religions
He said, but the Bible says you have to believe that he rose again from the dead
To be saved
Okay. Well, I believe that he was crucified
Yeah, but the Bible says you have to believe that he rose again from the grave from the dead very important. Okay
Verse 10 says for what the heart man believeth unto righteousness and with the mouth
Confession is made unto salvation. So the Bible says that not only you have to believe it, but you have to confess it with your mouth
Okay, we would say pray
Ask Jesus Christ to be your Savior and let me say this if you're in here today, and you don't know for sure
that if you're to die that you would go to heaven if you don't know where you would go when you would die then you
Need someone in this room to come talk to you before you leave to help you know these things and to confess
Jesus Christ right that he rose again from the grave and asked him to be your Savior
Why is that because the Bible says that is it appointed for a man wants to die, but after this the judgment?
so everyone's gonna die one day and
Look if you're saved the Bible says to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord
But the Bible also says in Luke 16 of the man who was not saved that he died and in hell
He lifted up his eyes
immediately
now look I come from a Catholic background and
That's what that's what I grew up as as a Catholic and the Catholics teach that there's a purgatory
In fact, I heard it multiple times yesterday was out Sony purgatory is basically it's not heaven
It's not hell something in between and they teach literally that you can pray people out
I mean I had a family member die recently and they had a prayer session for him
Why they wanted to pray him out of hell out of purgatory into heaven
Let me say this as sincere as people are when they do those things. It's not happening
It doesn't exist
You say oh, I don't know. I think it. I think it does nowhere in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation
Will you ever find the concept of purgatory?
Okay, look the only thing closest to purgatory the rat is right here
This is purgatory. Okay, and we could pray for people to get saved here. All right, but after this
There is no purgatory
There is no your soul going to some sort of sale to wait for the for the prayers of people to get you out
It doesn't exist. And here's the thing. You say I don't agree with you. I think you're wrong on that
But do you want to gamble with that?
You know, look here's the here's the options that you have
Either I'm wrong and you go to purgatory and hopefully you can round up about 20 people to pray for you out of purgatory
Or you're wrong and when you die
You go to hell
You shouldn't say that I say that out of love because I don't want anybody to go to hell
Okay purgatory doesn't exist the Bible only talks about heaven and hell
And the Bible says that if that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in that heart that God has raised
Them from the dead thou shalt be saved say from what from the wrath to come
You see the Bible explicitly talks about God's wrath
Okay, and God's wrath is manifested in a place called hell
Alright anybody who says well God is a God of love. He is a God of love
But guess what? He's a God of wrath, too
in fact
He's such a God of wrath and anger that he created in a place for souls to go for all of eternity and they'll never
Get out. I mean you talk about wrath. I
Mean, I'm sure you've been angry with someone before but I'm not sure if you've ever been so angry and so wrathful
Do you want someone to go to a burning place of fire and torment where there's rest neither day nor night for all forever?
Okay
God says God created a place just like that. Okay. He said well, I don't want to go there
Well, the Bible says that Jesus Christ can deliver us
from the wrath to come
Okay, look at verse number 10. It says for with the heart. Excuse me verse 17 skip down to verse 17
So then faith cometh by hearing hearing by the Word of God
So we need the Bible to be saved. All right, you need to hear God's Word
You need to believe what God is saying now what I say now what anybody else in this room says you need to believe what God
says you see
Yesterday when Sony was one of my friends and he asked a really important question
He goes, what do you think is more important my opinion your opinion or God's Word?
And more more often than not they would say God's Word
Okay, and he would tell him he would give him the gospel right then and there because our opinions don't matter
Not even my opinion matters you say aren't you opinionating? No, no, I'm simply expounding what the Bible says
You measure it according to what I'm reading to you and see if it matches up obviously
Okay, so then faith cometh by hearing hearing by the Word of God, but I say have they not heard
Yes
Verily their sound went into all the earth and their words into the ends of the earth go to John chapter
end of the world, excuse me, John chapter 20
So the resurrection is important. It's important for everyone. And in fact, it's so important
To God, it's so important in the Bible that there's multiple
Parables there's multiple illustrations. There's multiple examples not just in the Bible
But in just in life in general to remind us that Jesus Christ God in the flesh the Son of God
Came to this earth. He died and he resurrected. He shows it everywhere
Look at John chapter 20 verse number 3 the Bible says Peter therefore went forth and that other disciple came to the sepulcher
So they ran both together and the other disciple did outrun Peter and came first to the sepulcher and he's stooping down and looking in
Saw the linen clothes lying yet
when he not in
then cometh Simon Peter following him and went into the sepulcher and see at the linen clothes lie and the napkin that was about
His head not lying with the linen clothes
But wrapped together in a place by itself
then went in also that other disciple which came first to the sepulcher and he saw and believed for as yet they knew not the
Scripture that he must rise from the dead now go to Luke 24
So we see a couple times in Scripture where the disciples it says that they didn't know the scripture
Where he was supposed to rise from the dead
So this this concept in this doctrine of the resurrection is not something we only find in the New Testament
In fact, it's even in the Old Testament. It's everywhere. Why is that? Because the Bible says that he was raised again for our justification
It's very important for people to know what that is
Okay, and it's so important to God that not only did he put it in the Bible, but he put it just in nature in general
Okay, we're gonna look at that in just a little bit Luke 24 verse 44 says and he said unto them
These are the words which I spake unto you while I was yet with you that all things must be fulfilled
Which were written in the law of Moses and in the prophets and in the Psalms concerning me then opened
He their understanding that they might understand the scriptures and said and said doesn't be it is written thus
It behooved Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day
their repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations beginning at
Jerusalem now go to Psalm 16, please
I'm sorry. Don't go to Psalm 16. Actually. Yeah, go to Psalm 16. I'm not playing with you
I'm just trying to figure out which which Christian we should go to first
So according to the Bible the resurrection is not just in the New Testament
It's also in the Old Testament as well and you see it because it says as it is written and any time you see that
Phrase as it is written. It's referring to a scripture in the Old Testament now
I'm gonna read to you from Hosea chapter 6 and verse 1 where the Bible says come and let us reason
Excuse me
Let us return unto the Lord for he hath torn and he will heal us he hath smitten and he will bind us up
After two days will he revive us in the third day?
He will raise us up and we shall live in his sight to foreshadowing of that resurrection
Look at Psalm 16 in verse number 9
The Bible says therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoiceth my flesh also shall rest in hope
For thou will not leave my soul where in hell
Neither wilt thou suffer thine holy one to seek
Corruption that will show me the path of life and thy presence is fullness of joy at thy right hand
there are pleasures forevermore now, this is David speaking this right here and
David is saying
that God
Obviously, this is a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ
So we're gonna look at Acts chapter 2 where that was a fulfillment obviously of what Jesus Christ did
The Bible says that God will did not leave Jesus's soul in hell
He said whoa, hold on a second
What are you talking about Jesus soul in hell?
The Bible teaches us that when Jesus Christ died that he descended first into the lower parts of the earth
And we say well, that's the lower parts of the earth
Yeah, but if you read the Bible and you study what are the lower parts of the earth even even like scientifically speaking
There's fire and brimstone
Okay, and the Bible teaches us that the hell is in the center of the earth. He said why would Jesus go to hell?
Well simply for the fact that if you died
You know and you weren't saved you'd go to hell
So if the Bible says that he's the propitiation for our sins and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole
World if he was our substitute according to the Bible that means he would have to go to hell
For us he would have to suffer that cup. He said but he was delivered for our offenses
Yes, but the fact remains is that the wages of sin is death and that death is referring to a place called hell
So he suffered hell for three days and three nights for every single person in this world
Okay, and the Bible says that God did not leave his soul in hell. Well, what happened after that?
He resurrected his body did not see corruption the Bible says he came out of the grave
And let me say this when Jesus Christ resurrected from the grave. It was a bodily resurrection
There is a false teaching out there that says that it wasn't a bodily resurrection. It was a spirit
You know and people need to just get off of YouTube and stop watching all the you know
You know the CT, you know, what do you call CTV cam videos of ghosts and spirits and all these things?
Because all that stuff is made to just kind of brainwashing condition and you think well, maybe it was a spirit
Maybe it wasn't a bodily resurrection. It was bodily
Okay, why is that because when he revealed himself to the disciples he said touch me handle me
They put their fingers in the side in his wounds in the in the print in the prince of his hand
Okay, a spear hath not flesh and blood he said, okay
But now that I like what he did next to prove that it was a bodily resurrection. He ate food
Spirits don't eat
You don't believe me go to the Buddhist temple and look at all the the plates of fruits and vegetables and chicken
That they said out there for their gods
Come back the next day and see if they ate that
They don't eat that a
body
He registered was a bodily resurrection and is proven simple for the fact that he ate honey and fish. He's like, I'm hungry
Give me some food
He ate
Amen, and so and by the way, the reason that's so important to note to to note
It's simple for the fact that when we resurrect
It's not just gonna be a spirit that resurrects
You know, it's a body
now, you know
Some people say yeah, man
I'm just gonna let go cuz I'm gonna get my six-pack and you know when I resurrect it doesn't necessarily work like that
Okay, it's a glorified body but not glorified according to you, right?
You know eight-pack and in a chest and you know all that stuff. No, it simply means it's without sin
Okay, and so it's important. So it was a body to go to Acts chapter 2
Acts chapter number 2
We're gonna see where this this scripture is quoted here
And many times in the Psalms you'll see David referencing the death of Christ and his resurrection
Okay, and look throughout the world there are different religions that emphasize a
Type of resurrection. Okay, because deep down inside every single human being doesn't want to die
People could scoff at that and laugh at that and say I don't care about dying, you know
I'm not afraid to die but deep down in their hearts. They're afraid to die
Okay, and the fact remains is that not only deep down this air deep down inside. They're afraid to die
They want to keep living they want to resurrect, you know in November I
We we made a documentary on the day of the dead
It's this it's a pagan false practice of the Aztecs that has integrated within the within the Catholic
institution and
Their belief is that on November 1st
November, excuse me
October 31st and November 1st that the spirits of the dead resurrect from the grave to commune with their families
And if you ask anybody they'll tell you yeah
They're coming to commune and that's kind of like their way to console themselves over the death of their families
You know, they miss their mom
They're mr
dad their brothers or sisters and the only way they can console themselves is to put their faith in this false
Teaching that their spirits once a year could come back from the dead and commune with them
And so they put out offerings they do all these things that are anti God anti Bible and look you say well
Are they wrong for doing that? Yes. Okay, but here's the thing
I'm not just saying that they're wrong and then that's the end. That's the end of it
No, what it is is that Satan is trying to create a substitute for the real resurrection
You see God does not have a cheap resurrection. They only takes place once a year
as a spirit
No, he has a legitimate resurrection
Okay, and in fact he spends
Chapters in the Bible even in first Thessalonians where he tells you come for one another with these words
Why because one day though you lost your family members if they are saved you will see them again
in a bodily resume in a bodily form a bodily resurrection and by the way
It's not once a year and then they leave and then it's not for three days and then they leave and they come back
No, it's permanent
Okay, it's far greater than any any
resurrection that any person any
The Satan could ever come up with this is the legitimate resurrection and throughout the world
You'll see religions teaching something something to this extent reincarnation is one of them, right?
Because they always want to come back
Well
They're copying God is what they're doing
They're copying God's design because God is the only one who can legitimately raise you from the grave in a bodily form
To have and have eternal life. You'll live forever. Look at Acts chapter 2 in verse 25. This is for David speaketh concerning him
Concerning who Jesus I first saw the Lord always before my face for he is on my right hand that I should not be moved
Therefore did my heart rejoice and my tongue was glad moreover
Also, my flesh shall rest in hope because that will not leave my soul in hell
Neither will thou suffer thine holy ones to see corruption notice that he emphasizes his flesh
His flesh will resurrect from his flesh actually resurrected from the grave. And by the way, the Jehovah's Witnesses
Teach it's a spiritual resurrection that he didn't really bodily resurrect
Why would they want to take that away from the that doctrine from the Christian faith? Well, because it's essential for salvation
That's why okay now go to Malachi chapter number four
Malachi chapter four if you go to the New Testament, the first book of the New Testament is Matthew you make a left
There's Malachi. So the resurrection is very much important in the Christian life. Okay, it's important obviously to believe for salvation
But it's also a beautiful theme to really study and understand why is that because it just
Gives you a greater appreciation for that which took place
Okay, and that's why we're not afraid to die
Really and look if you're afraid of dying
The number one either you're not saved or number two you are saved
But you don't understand and you haven't dug into the Bible in regards to these things
Because look when we die, it's not permanent I'm talking about our flesh
You know what? I mean?
Like, you know
We make this big deal of how good we want to look on her in our casket get a nice little marble casket
The white suit and stuff like that
That stuff don't even matter in
Fact go ahead and study what they do to these graves. I'm talking about these these cemeteries what they do to the people in these graves
Okay, and how they sometimes remove the bodies to make move room without asking for permission
Okay, you say I can't how could you say something like that? You know, it's a corrupt world
But they do these things but see that's why I'm not placing my faith in the cemetery where I'm gonna be placed
Okay, I know the fact that no matter where I turned out no matter what I'm wearing
No matter how nice and beautiful my casket looks I'm getting out of there
It's only that's a temporary
Place residence for me to live until until the rapture takes place the dead in Christ shall rise first the Bible says
Okay. Now if you want to look good in the resurrection, okay, then buy your white suit or something
You know as you're coming in you're coming out of your grave
But the resurrection is all over the Bible. Okay. In fact, the resurrection is something obviously on Sundays
We meet on Sundays because of the resurrection
Okay, despite what anybody says that we should be celebrating Church on Saturday, okay on the Sabbath
No, Jesus Christ resurrected on the third day, which is a Sunday
That's why every Christian throughout all ages and even in the Bible. They've always been on the first day of the week
Which is Sunday. Okay now
But not only is the do we recognize the resurrection on Sundays every single week, but you don't want even in nature
The resurrection presents itself you think of the Sun
Okay, now a lot of people who would who believe that you ought to be celebrating
Easter or excuse me Church. You ought to be doing it on Saturdays, you know, they'll use they'll say this
Oh, you're you're worshipping the Sun God because it's Sunday
You know
That's why you should be doing it on Saturday
Why so I could worship the Saturday Saturday God or I mean you can flip that around and tell them that as well
But look what the Bible says in Malachi chapter 4 in verse number 1
For behold the day cometh that shall burn as an oven and all the proud yea
All that do wickedly shall be stubble and the day that cometh shall burn them up
Say it the Lord of hosts that it shall leave them neither root nor branch verse 2, but unto you that fear my name
Shall the son of righteousness?
Arise with healing in his wings and he shall go forth and grow up as calves of the stall
The Bible says and I want you to notice that it says son capital S
No, that's not a misprint
Okay, they didn't mess up when they translated it
Which a lot of people I'm sure would like to take the cage of you and see if there's a mistake right there
It should say s o n not s u n. Well, here's the thing. Jesus Christ is the son of righteousness
Okay, but the fact remains is that well you said why would he compare it to a son?
Because the Sun sets and the Sun rises
right every single day and
It's a reminder to all of us
The Jesus Christ was buried and he rose again
You know, what a beautiful way
I mean who enjoys Sun sets and Sun rises I do one of the most beautiful things you ever see in your life
When I was working crazy hours as a security guard, I always see the Sun, right? It was beautiful
It was the most beautiful when it's barely coming up
Okay, but what was it? That's a picture. It's a reminder that Jesus Christ rose from the grave
And look he not only gives it to us as Christians but also to unbelievers why so they are without excuse
God gave the Sun to every single person in this world
He allows it to set and he allows it to rise to remind people that there's a God who came as flesh who died
He was buried and he rose again every single day. He does it
To remind us of that. What a beautiful picture of that
You know, and by the way these people who are atheists these people who are agnostics these people who don't want to believe in God
What do you know what each and every one of them enjoys a sunset and a sunrise?
And every single one of them has to come to grips that yes
That is the Sun and it's a picture of Jesus Christ whether they like it or not
the Son of righteousness
And look anybody who says they all you guys shouldn't celebrate that because it's Sunday and you know
You guys are worshiping the Sun. No one in here worships the Sun
If you do get out, you know
No one in here does that
No one's ever bound down to the Sun
No one thinks no one's a pagan here and those who accuses of doing that
I like to tell them you point out to me the CCTV camera. I'm worshiping the Sun
You point out to me that give me a proof that I've done that before no Christian in the right mind would ever do that
You know, but these are people who just want to discredit the Bible
They want to make it look stupid and foolish and that there's errors and it's just not perfect. No, it is perfect
And see here's the thing
There's a song that I used to like listen to you used to say about the King James
Why is it if you find something wrong with it? There's something wrong with you
That's how you got to view the Bible if you find a discrepancy quote unquote in the Bible
Then you need to check your own discrepancies
Rightly divide the word of truth study to show thyself approve them to God a workman that needeth not to be ashamed
The Bible teaches us that yeah, he is the son of righteousness and every single day when you see that sunrise
You know, it ought to remind you out of the resurrection. Jesus Christ was buried and he rose again. He didn't stay in the grave
that's why we're not for the the
The Jesus hanging on the cross, obviously, it's idolatry according to the Bible
You know, but the Jesus hanging on the cross. Look he didn't stay on the cross. He didn't even stay in the tomb
You
Know he didn't stay in any one of those he's at the right hand of the Father today. He's in heaven. He's alive
Okay, go to Psalms chapter 19
I'm gonna read to you from 2nd Peter 1 19 you go to Psalms 19
The Bible says in 2nd Peter we have also a more sure word of prophecy where until you do
Well that you take heed as into a light that shineth in the dark place until the day dawn and the day star arise
In your hearts, you know
There's a lot of pictures in just nature that are meant to just reinforce and reiterate the doctrines found in the Bible
And the resurrection is one of them look at Psalms 19 in verse number one or verse number one
Excuse me
It says the heavens declared the glory of God and the firmament showeth his handiwork day and today utters utter its speech and night into
Night showeth knowledge and that means every single day
Through something the heavens declared the glory of God
But every single day God is uttering speech and teaching knowledge of God's Word
Look what it goes on to say
There is no speech nor language where there is
Where their voice is not heard
Their line has gone out throughout through all the earth and their words to the end of the world in them hath
He set a tabernacle for the Sun which is as a bridegroom by the way, Jesus Christ. What is he?
He's the bridegroom right coming out of his chamber
Rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race
His going forth is from the end of the heaven and his circuit unto the ends of ends of it and there is nothing hid
From the heat there. Look there's people throughout the world and you've often heard this illustration or people ask this question
What about the the guy in Congo and the jungles in the cave?
You know, what if what if does he die if he dies will he go to hell? Yes
Okay, by the way, they got this human exists
Okay, but just for your sake
Yes, he would die and go to hell because the Bible teaches us that God has shown his knowledge
He's uttered his speech throughout the whole world. Now, if you don't believe that then you're calling God a liar
Because he said that his speech has gone throughout the whole earth
Is that true?
Yes
You say well, I just don't know how that would work logically. Well, you know what?
Faith is the substance the evidence of things hope for excuse me
The substance of things hope for the evidence of things not seen you just have to believe it
And look God is not a man that he should lie
And if he said it's gone throughout the whole earth, that means everyone has heard this. Okay, go to Genesis chapter 8
So we see that the resurrection is pictured even in the Sun and I want to encourage you today
Take time go see the sunset
Let it remind you of how Jesus Christ died
He was delivered for your offenses, but also recognize that the Sun cometh up in the morning
He does resurrect he will resurrect and so we if we were if we're in Christ obviously Genesis chapter 8 in
Verse 15 now we see you also see the resurrection through the ark
Verse 15 the Bible says here and God spake unto Noah saying go forth of the ark thou and thy wife and thy sons and thy
Sons wives with thee bring forth with thee every living thing
That is with thee of all flesh both of fowl and of cattle of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth
That they may breed abundantly in the earth and be fruitful and multiply upon the earth and Noah went forth and his sons and his
Wives, excuse me and his wife and his son's wives with him every beast every creeping thing and every foul
And whatsoever creepeth upon the earth after their kind went forth out of the ark now, obviously the story goes is that?
God destroyed the whole world
He saved eight people including two of every animal in an ark now go to first Peter chapter number three
This is a picture of the resurrection because look at what first Peter chapter 3 says
People often use first Peter chapter 3 to prove that baptism can save you
Okay, which the Bible actually rejects that the Bible does not teach that baptism can save you now brother John over there
He's gonna be getting baptized today. Amen. And and and if he wasn't he is now. I'm just kidding
Just kidding. We're making it we make it public so he doesn't go back on it. I'm just kidding
He's gonna get baptized but you know what John saved
That's why he's getting baptized because he's already saved
But there's a false doctrine out there that teaches that in order to be saved you have to be baptized
And they'll use first Peter chapter 3 in verse number 18
Look what it says for Christ also has one suffered for sins
The just for the unjust that he might bring us to God being put to death in the flesh
But quickened by the spirit by which also he went and preached into the spirits in prison
Which sometime were disobedient when once the long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah
While the ark was a preparing wherein few that is eight souls were saved by water
Now they'll say look see there you go. They're saved by water
But here's the thing that the water saved Noah and his family
No, in fact if they were into in the water, they would have drowned with everyone else. You know, what saved them was the ark
They went in and then what they went into the water
But guess what once they came out every living thing came out of that ark
Picture of the resurrection look the like figure weren't to even baptism
That also now save us not the putting away of the filth of the flesh
but the answer of a good conscience toward God by the
resurrection of
Jesus Christ
So if you were to take that parentheses out of verse 21
It would say the light figure weren't to even baptism does also now save us by the resurrection of Jesus
Christ you see water doesn't save you the ark saved him
Because once they went into that door just like the door who's Jesus Christ, they're saved
They were they were saved from the wrath of God
Okay, and what happens when they landed they came out every living thing came out just like us when we die
Yes, we will be buried but guess what when we resurrect as we will resurrect living we will be living. Okay
physically living Genesis 22, please
Genesis chapter 22
We see the resurrection through just nature the the Sun
We also see it through through the ark beautiful picture there of the resurrection
But we also see it through Isaac in the Bible Genesis 22 in verse 7
It says an Isaac spake unto Abraham his father and said my father and he said here am I my son?
And he said behold the fire in the wood
But where is the lamb for a burnt offering and Abraham said my son God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering
So they went both of them together and they came to the place where which God had told them of and Abraham built an altar
There and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar upon the wood
So let me give you a little bit of background. What's going on? God commanded
Abraham to sacrifice his only son, which is Isaac. Okay now put yourself in his shoes. I
Have a son. He's a year and seven months. Is he awake right now? Okay, he's awake. Usually he's sleeping when I preach
You know, I have a son
I don't know if I would even if God told me I don't know if I'd be able to do that
I'll just be honest with you my friend frailty. I don't think I'd be able to do that
But Abraham, of course, he's the father of faith. He obeys God
He takes Isaac and he's about to go sacrifice in verse 10 says and Abraham stretched forth his hand and took the knife to slay
His son, so he's like he's about ready to bring it down
This guy's obedient verse 11 and the angel the Lord called unto him out of heaven and said Abraham Abraham
And he said here am I and he said lay not thine hand upon the lad neither do thou anything unto him for now
I know that thou fear is God seeing thou has not withheld thy son thine only son from me and
Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked and behold behind him a ram caught in the thicket by his horns and
Abraham went and took the ram and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son
Excuse me, instead of his son go to Hebrews chapter 11. So you say well, where's the resurrection in that?
There's no resurrection in that. How is that a picture of the resurrection?
Well first and foremost
Isaac and Abraham are a picture of God the Father and God the Son
God the Father who's willing to sacrifice his only son begotten son for everyone, right?
and that's a picture of that but look at Hebrews chapter 11 says in verse 17
Hebrews 11 17 says by faith Abraham when he was tried tested
Offered of Isaac and he that hath received the promises offered up his only begotten son of whom it was said in thy
That in Isaac shall thy seed be called and look what it says in verse 19
Accounting that God was able to raise him up
Even from the dead from whence also he received him in a figure see Abraham where you see where's the resurrection in Genesis?
Well, it's in Hebrews chapter 11
Because Abraham understood I'm it's okay I can sacrifice him because I have faith that God will what raise him up from the dead
He believed and he had the faith the Bible says that he staggered not at the promises of God
But was strong in faith giving glory to God
He had so much faith that he knew even if I sacrifice my only begotten son Isaac
God can raise him from the grave. He can raise him from the dead
Beautiful picture of the resurrection there. Look every single saved person has that faith
You know, that's why we don't mourn as the world mourns
You know, if you have unsaved family members, you know exactly what I mean when I say how the world mourns
Devastated
You know and they have a lot of traditions that they practice to console themselves in
My own family people who are not saved and I'm not saying I don't say this to to be disrespectful in any way
But when someone dies in our family they literally keep the body there
For like a day while they fellowship they eat
They talk
They go they go to the casket sometimes or the bed where they're at
Hold them and they just keep them and then sometimes they'll just go do something else in the house or wherever they're at
But they'll keep the person. There's like no closure
You
Know and I've even been to to to funerals where they'll have the casket there and they'll keep the casket open throughout the whole time
And and they just they don't know how to let go
You know and the fact remains obviously you and I both know and the Bible teaches us that that person is not even there anymore
It's the shell obviously, but that's the only thing that they can hold on to
Right. I mean, I've seen weird stuff just in Hispanic culture
Where they'll they'll they just can't let go and they're there with them
They'll hold them when I had a cousin who passed away decades ago. He was he was killed and
and I remember being a little boy being at that funeral and it was my brother's best friend his cousin and
I remember it was just the most devastating thing that could ever take place in my family's life
It was so devastating to my brother and I don't mean to be weird or anything
He literally took my cousin out of the casket
Pulling him out because he could not
Deal with the fact that his cousin died
You know and we think that's like crazy, but you know what? That's why the Bible says we don't mourn as they do
You see we'll honor someone obviously when someone dies and Lord. We won't have any funerals anytime soon here. Okay?
You know that's gonna take place maybe later on in the future
But when that happens we understand we we will definitely have a funeral to honor the person to honor the family
To create to create an atmosphere of closure for them, but you know what? We understand as Christians
This person is not there there before the Lord. They're alive before the Lord, you know, we're gonna see them one day
You know, but the world the world doesn't understand these things. Okay, what I have you turn
Go to Leviticus chapter 16
Leviticus
Chapter 16, we're just looking at different examples in the Old Testament of the resurrection
Leviticus 16 is a chapter that talks about the scapegoat
Okay in the Old Testament
Obviously we know that the Bible says in John chapter 1 that Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God who should take away the sins
Of the world and the reason to call it the Lamb of God is because obviously in the Levitical laws
It was necessary every single day and throughout the year to do sacrifices unto the Lord
Okay, whether it was a ram. It was a goat. It was sheep
It would have to be something that they would sacrifice to remind them of what Jesus Christ was going to do in the future
Okay, but look at this beautiful picture of this this the sacrifice here Leviticus 16 verse number six
the Bible says here and Aaron shall offer his bullock of the sin offering which is for himself and make an atonement for himself and
for his house and he shall take two goats and
present them before the Lord at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation and
Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats
One for one lot for the Lord and the other lot for the scapegoat and Aaron shall bring the goat upon which the Lord's lot
Fell and offer him for a sin offering
So what they would do is they would take lots to pick which one was for what?
Whatever lot fell for the Lord they would offer that one in other words. They would burn it, right?
It was it was a burnt offering then they would eat it. What is that picture? Well that picture is Jesus Christ going to hell
Almost every offering in the Old Testament was burned. Okay, that's how we know that Jesus Christ went to hell
It was it's a picture of it. All right, you said well, what about the scapegoat?
We'll look at the scapegoat verse number 10
It says but the goat on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat shall be presented what alive
Before the Lord to make an atonement with him and to let him go for a scapegoat in the wilderness
He said what's the scapegoat? It's someone we place our blame on
right
Basically like Jesus Christ and Barabbas, you know Barabbas is the one who didn't deserve to be delivered
Jesus Christ was taught what was was was uh
Was treated as Barabbas. He was a man who was Jesus Christ was sinless Barabbas was not he was guilty of insurrections
He was he was guilty of all kinds of crimes yet. He went free and who took the blame Jesus Christ did
Okay, just like you and I did but the Bible says here that he was presented alive
before the Lord
Let me say this Jesus Christ when he died, yes, he went to hell for three days and three nights
But guess what then he was alive
Live before the Lord. Okay, go to John chapter 20
John chapter number 20, we're gonna see this John chapter 20
This is after the resurrection. It says here Jesus in verse 16
Jesus saith unto her Mary she turned herself and saith unto him Rabbanite, which is to say master
Jesus saith unto her touch me not for I am not yet ascended to my father
But go to my brethren and say unto them I ascended to my father and your father and to my God and your God
By the way, that's a good verse to use against modalism. Amen
My father your father
He didn't say I am the father so I'm gonna send him to myself
I'll be kind of ways like I'm gonna send to myself. No, he's ascending to his father now
You're in John chapter 20 to skip down to verse 26
So he says don't touch me because I'm not yet ascended unto my father
Look at verse 26 and after eight days again his disciples were within and Thomas with them
Then came Jesus the doors being shut and stood in the midst and said peace be unto you then saith he to Thomas reach hither
thy finger and behold my hands and reach hither thy hand and thrust it into my side and be not faithless but
Believing and Thomas answered and said unto him my Lord and my God showing what the he presented himself before the Lord
between that time
Okay, it's proof of the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the scapegoat
He not only was offered and was burned but also he was presented alive before the Lord proving the resurrection there
Go to John chapter 12
John chapter 12, this will be our last example here
I just want to give you a couple of examples of the resurrection in the Bible
To increase our appreciation of the resurrection
What I have you turn I'm sorry John 12, all right, let me turn there myself John chapter 12 verse number 23
The Bible reads here and Jesus answered them saying the hours come that the Son of Man should be should be glorified
Verily verily I say unto you
Accept a corn of wheat fall unto the ground and die it abideth alone
But if it died it bringing forth much fruit he that loveth his life shall lose it
He that hated this life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal
So Jesus is teaching a parable here, but it's all it has a second meaning obviously
Anytime a seed is sown into the ground it dies
When it is sown
But obviously once it comes out, what does it come out as as a tree as a plant as something different?
It's it's the same thing. It's a seed but it's changed
Into something else, but see you can't just grab a seed and just throw it right here
And expect for a tree to come out of that and he said it needs to be buried and needs to die
In order for it to produce something else of what then what it is. Does that make sense?
So Jesus Christ is saying look except the corner we fall into the ground and die. It's it's it's meaningless
It's not gonna do anything. But once it dies, it's gonna produce a lot of fruit
All right now go to 1st Corinthians chapter number 15
1st Corinthians chapter 15 and let me say this that's why it's important that when people die
You bury them
Don't burn them
Now there's a there is a there is a tradition now that's being implemented until into the culture of this matter of
cremation
Okay, and you know cremation and there's all kinds of other things but primarily one of them is cremation
Well, the reason we bury people is to picture the resurrection
They get buried and guess what they come out of new they're going into the ground
It's not you say well, you know
I just think they should burn them because it's a lot cheaper and all these things but look we ought to honor the dead
That's what I believe. Okay, and some people say well, you know, yeah, you shouldn't bury that
I don't I'm not of the type that says you shouldn't bury them or you shouldn't burn them because you know
If you spread their ashes, how's God gonna find them or whatever? There's people that believe that I've had Christians. Tell me that
I'm like, what about all those Christians that were burned at the stake and stuff like God's not gonna be like, oh, yeah
That's right Christians were burned at the stake. Yeah
But not only that look even if they're burned and they're spread God can find it all. Okay, God's gonna find but
We want to picture the resurrection
You see if someone's being burned. What does that picture going to hell?
right
We don't want to picture that we want to make sure that we picture the the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ
Baptism is a picture of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ
Burying someone six and six feet under is the picture of the death burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ
Look at first Corinthians chapter 15 verse 1 says moreover brethren
I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you which also you have received and wherein you stand
By which also you are saved if you keep in memory what I preached unto you unless you have believed in vain
So the Bible is telling us there that you have to believe in the resurrection in order to be saved
It's essential verse 3
it says for I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received how that Christ died for our sins according to the
Scriptures and then he was buried and then he rose again the third day according to the scripture skip down to verse number 12
It says now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead
How say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead now?
We lift we often laugh at Jehovah's Witnesses for believing that but that's been around even since that day
The people were denying the resurrection of Jesus Christ the Sadducees did not believe in a resurrection
So this is a doctrine that's been a false doctrine that's been taught for centuries and centuries
That there is no resurrection from the from the dead. Why do people teach that because it's essential to be saved
Okay, it's not just the fact that he died
He needed to resurrect verse 13
But if there be no resurrection of the dead
Then is Christ not risen and if Christ be not risen then is our preaching vain and your faith is also
vain scary thought
He says look if Christ did not raise from the dead. I should even be here
I should be looking for my van that they stole last night, right? That's what I should be doing right now
But you know what? He did die. He did resurrect. So the preaching is not in vain
And look I want to ask these people who don't believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ
So that means you're saying that every single disciple and every single possible is wrong
That they're they're vain and they're wrong because the Bible is telling us right there
It says if Christ be not risen in our preaching vain and your faith is also vain
Look if Christ be not risen, let us eat drink and be married for tomorrow we die
And nothing else happens after that, but because he did resurrect and because it did happen. It's not vain
There is a heaven and there is at health skip down to verse 35. It says but some man will say
How are the dead raised up what body do they come
These are the guys that want the six-pack
You know in their glorified bodies, you know, how's that gonna happen?
You know how you know cuz if they're if they've been there for it for for thousands of years they've decayed
They've rotted away
You know, how is that even gonna happen read Ezekiel and you see how God raised up a whole army of valley of dry bones
Okay, God is the he's the he's the creator
He's the one who came up with this material
You know, he's spoken into existence
You think he can't just make it again for what God all things are possible. Okay, and with what body do they come?
You know, how are we gonna look at we're all gonna be white
Or we're all gonna be like brown and Hispanic, you know, what color are we gonna be? It doesn't matter
Who cares?
We should even care about that even now
Okay, I could care less how dark or light I am I
Don't
Believe in tanning parlors or so the whatnots that's vain. That's wicked. That's stupid
You shouldn't even even think twice about those things. Why cuz it's that the stuff doesn't even matter
Okay, we're gonna look way better in the resurrection anyways
Well, you say why is that because obviously our resurrected bodies is something that God approves of
Right. It's it's Bruce 2.0
You
Know you say well, you know, I'm balding right now, you know
Am I gonna have a full set of heroin in the resurrection?
Who cares?
In the resurrection, no one's gonna be judging you anyways
You know
So but then people were asking this question even back then
And look what Paul tells them that fool
Let me let me let me translate that to our monitor that you idiot
Why are you asking that that that which thou so is is not quickened
accepted die
Can't be brought back to life if you're not dead
Right and that which thou so is thou so is not that body that shall be
But bare grain it may chance of wheat or of some other grain
But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him to every seed his own body
All flesh is not the same flesh
But there is one kind of flesh of men another flesh of beasts another of fishes and another of birds
There are also celestial bodies and bodies terrestrial
But the glory of the celestial is one and the glory of terrestrial is another now. I will say this
Though it doesn't matter if we're gonna have a six-pack or you're gonna lose your gut or whatever
You're hoping to find in the resurrection. The Bible does say that some will have a better resurrection
Okay, now don't miss this
This is very important because they'll all say people are gonna be resurrected some will have a better resurrection than others
In fact, some are gonna shine brighter
Than others see at that point
You're not gonna care if you're going bald or not or if you have your six-pack or not. Keep your six-pack
I want to shine brighter
So the Bible tells us that if we work for the Lord if we win souls to Christ if we labor for God if we
Do that which is right on his side and we labor for him. We can have a better resurrection
We can shine bright and look at the boxes for verse 41
There is one glory of the Sun and another glory of the moon and another glory of the stars for one star
Differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead it is sown in corruption
It is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor. It is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness
It is raised in power. It is sown a natural body. It is raised a spiritual body
There is a natural body and there is a spiritual body
So it's telling us just like there's a moon and then there's the Sun there's the stars and everything every you look at the stars
Stars don't shine as bright as others
Some glimmer a little bit some are a little bit more dim. Some are very bright
Well God says that's how the resurrection is gonna be
So if you want a better resurrection get to work
Start winning people to Christ and by the way yesterday was a good day to start you man
Today's a good day to start. All right, you say man. I'm trying to amp up the amperage on my hate on my resurrected body
Well start winning some souls to Christ to shine nice and bright
It's great that we're gonna resurrect the foresaved
But look if God's offering us a better resurrection to shine brighter as we see in Daniel then you want get to work
Yeah, I'm just not very eloquent in preaching the gospel. I just I'm not a good speaker
You know what? We're good at we're gonna make an excuses
Because God's not looking for talented people to go preach the gospel. He wants obedient people
Look and he equips us to have that better resurrection if you want it
Okay, let's get down to verse 50
It says now this I say brethren that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God
Neither the corruption inherit in corruption behold. I showed you I show you a mystery
We shall not all sleep
But we shall all be changed in a moment in twinkling of an eye at the last trump for the trumpet shall sound and the dead
Shall be raised incorruptible and we shall be changed for this corruptible must put on incorruption and this morgue
Oh must put on immortality
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 it is written death is swallowed up in victory. Amen
Talking about the reds you see why is the resurrection important? It's so essential to the Christian faith
It speaks about it in volumes in the Bible because it's telling us we will resurrect one day
Our bodies will be changed don't get complacent and too comfortable in this life
You know don't hold on too tightly to the things of this world
Your money and your possessions in your cars and your houses and your money and your money and your money
Why because that's all gonna go away
You ought to invest in the things that are necessary for the for the next life
for your resurrection
Don't be a broke man in heaven
There's gonna be a lot of broke people in heaven
Why because they're so caught up in the things of this world
They're so concerned with their 401k and all their money and their possessions and what they can get in this world
And they're not in church. They're not reading the Bible and they're not winning people to Christ
Well, guess what? You're gonna have a sorry resurrection
You don't want that
You can change that
Get to work today
Okay, so why is the resurrection so important because it not only just deals with our salvation, but it helps us keep the right perspective
To
Say hey, you know, I'm not gonna be here very long and I want to make sure that the body I get
when I resurrect is
Is nice and bright
You know, so I got to use this shell
To get that work done because I do want a better resurrection as the Bible says, you know, the resurrection is so important
I love Easter, you know, my son my wife had an Easter egg hunt for my son at home his first Easter egg hunt
We don't believe that in the Easter Bunny, but hey
He likes eggs and he likes candy. I'm gonna give it give it to the boy
You know, we had a good time but more important than that
Is to remember and by the way next Sunday, we're gonna do the same thing. Amen
It's resurrection Sunday next to the next next next next Sunday as well
But really it's for us to just remember and keep in mind and keep on the forefronts of our minds the resurrection
And if you're not saved today, and you don't know a hundred percent sure that if you're to die today you go to heaven
You need to get that
Settled before you walk out these doors
Okay, because here's the thing some will wake up to everlasting life and some will wake up to everlasting contempt
Some will wake up to everlasting death
Okay when you die
Get that thing settled today. Amen. Thank God for the resurrection. Let's pray father. We thank you so much for this day
thank you so much for the resurrection of Jesus Christ and
Lord
We're thankful of course for his death and that he was delivered for our offenses
But it wouldn't have meant anything if he did not resurrect from the grave
And we're thankful for that because it shows us a shadow of things to come it teaches us that that's what's gonna happen to us
As well, it's so important that you put it in the Sun you put it in the plants
You put it in parables and stories of the Old Testament you command us to do baptisms
Why to picture the resurrection of Jesus Christ you do so many things to to just
Drive home this the concept in this doctrine of the resurrection help us not to take it for granted
I pray you bless the remainder of our day in Jesus. Let me pray. Amen