The Resurrection of Christ

The Resurrection of Christ

1. The Importance of the Resurrection
   
   
   1. It is one of the two primary doctrines of the Gospel
      1. 1 Corinthians 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
      2. The importance of both is in the fact that with out the other neither fact would be enough for salvation
      3. What if Christ had remained in the grave?
      4. Without the perfect substitutionary death His resurrection would have no saving power.
      5. The resurrection was the proof that Jesus was the son of God - Romans 1:4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
      6. His resurrection proves that His death was sufficient to cover all sins because it was the Son of God who died.

1. It was the foundation stone on which the Church was built.

1. Negative suppositions that prove the importance of the resurrection
   1. Our preaching is in vain -1 Corinthians 15:14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain
   2. Our faith is in vain - 1 Corinthians 15:14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
      1. If He did not rise then all that we accepted as a free gift from God such as divine sonship, eternal life, justification, sanctification, glorification, we did not actually receive
      2. 1 Corinthians 15:17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
      3. Faith gains its power from the object in which it believes
   3. The Apostles would have been false witnesses
      1. 1 Corinthians 15:15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.
      2. The early Apostles where qualified by the fact that they were eye witnesses of the resurrection.
   4. Believers are yet in their sins
      1. 1 Corinthians 15:17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
      2. The resurrection of Christ proved the justifying value of His death.
      3. Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
   5. Those who have died are perished 1 Corinthians 15:18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.

1. Acts 4:33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

1. Almost all of the nearly sermons centered on the resurrection of Christ.
   1. Peter from Solomon’s porch - Acts 3:15 And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.
   2. Acts 4:10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.

1. The Nature of the Resurrection
   
   
   1. The Entire Trinity was Involved

1. God’s Involvement
   1. Eph. 1:19-20. And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
   2. Acts 2:24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

1. Jesus’ Involvement
   1. John 10:18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father
   2. John 2:19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.

1. The Holy Spirit’s Involvement
   1. -- American Standard -1 Peter 3:18 Because Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God; being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;
   2. Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
   
   
   

   Study Questions:

   1. Why is the resurrection of Christ important?
   2. Why are the primary doctrines concerning the burial and resurrection important?
   3. Explain the work of the trinity in the resurrection.
   4. What if Christ did not rise?

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The Death of Christ

Understanding the Death of Christ

1. His death met the need for a sinful man

1. His death met the requirement for a righteous God
   1. Because of the met requirements God can forgive and receive man back into fellowship.
   2. Nothing can challenge or change God’s perfect provision for Salvation.

1. It is vicarious
   1. Vicarious come from the word "vicar" which means "a substitute, one who takes the place of another and acts in his stead"
   2. Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
   3. Matthew 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
   4. 2 Corinthians 5:21 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.
   5. Christ did not bear His own sins - 1 Peter 2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
   6. When he died He died for the sins of others "Vicarious"

1. Is it fair for God to punish an innocent man?
   1. Jesus Himself took upon sin.
   2. It is not unlawful for the judge himself to pay the penalty he imposed.
   3. Jesus was not compelled, He was a volunteer - John 10:17-18 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
   4. We are not saved by the murder of an innocent man, but by one who willingly offered Himself for us

1. It is an atonement
   1. It means "a covering"
   2. Romans 5:11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
      1. This is the only verse in the new Testament that uses the word "atonement." In the Greek this verse actually says "reconciliation"
      2. In the Old Testament "atonement" was the covering of sins of an individual hiding them from God.
         1. Psalms 51:9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
         2. Leviticus 4:20 .. and the priest shall make an atonement for them, and it shall be forgiven them.
         3. Leviticus 1:4 And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.
         4. Isaiah 38:17 .. for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.
   3. Christ is more than a "covering"
   4. In Christ sin is forgiven and sin is removed forever
   5. Hebrews 10:4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins..
   6. Hebrews 10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

1. It is a propitiation
   1. Romans 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
   2. 1 John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
   3. "Propitiation" means the turning away of wrath or "appeasement"
   4. John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
   5. Christ death removed God’s wrath.Romans 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
   6. The sin of man has incurred the wrath of God. That wrath is only averted by the atoning offering of Christ

1. It is reconciliation
   1. The position of enmity between God and man can become a relationship of peace and fellowship
   2. Romans 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
   3. Col 1:20-21. And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled.
   4. God and man once stood face to face, Adam sinned, God turned His back and Adam turned His back, Christ dies, God turned back toward man, it is up to man to turn his face back toward God.

Study Questions:

1. Why it is important that Jesus’ life was not be taken but given?
2. Explain the term “Vicarious” with scripture references.
3. Why was the sacrifice of Jesus more that a covering?
4. In context with scripture explain reconciliation and why it is necessary.

Redemption

1. Redemption
   
   
   1. Definition "a releasing or liberation from captivity, slavery or death by the payment of a price, called a ransom"

1. Two primary meanings "payment of a price and deliverance of a captive"

1. The death of Christ is the price that was paid for the deliverance of the sinner.
   1. -- King James - Matthew 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
   2. -- Revised Standard - Matthew 20:28 even as the Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

1. The deliverance that Jesus obtained is called "redemption".
   1. Hebrews 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
   2. Two critically important words in the above scripture are "once" and "eternal"

1. Redeemed from what?
   1. The penalty or curse of the law - Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
   2. From the Law itself - Romans 7:4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; and Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
      1. Romans 6:18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
      2. We are to act according to the righteous guidelines set down by God.
      3. I am not under the law but I have learned from the law many things including what sin is.
      4. To ignore the many lessons of the law is acting as an immature believer - Galatians 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
   3. From the power of sin - Romans 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. And Romans 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? (see also Ti. 2:14; 1 Pt. 1:18,19; Rom. 6:12-14)
   4. From Satan - Hebrews 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
   5. From the evil world - Galatians 1:4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
   6. Our body - Romans 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

1. The final redemption - Luke 21:27-28 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

1. Summary of the benefits of Christ’s death
   1. It was vicarious - our substitution
   2. It was an atonement - our covering
   3. It was a propitiation - our appeasement
   4. It was a reconciliation - our new relationship
   5. It was a redemption - our ransom

1. For Whom Did Christ Die?
   
   
   1. For the church- Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; (read v. 26 and 27) also John 10:15 As the Father knoweth me, even so I know the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

1. For the entire world - Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. And John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
   1. Why are not all saved if He died for everyone?
   2. Because belief is a free will choice.
      1. John 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
      2. John 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
      3. John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
      
      
      

      Study Questions:

      1. What is the purpose of redemption?
      2. Give two definitions of redemption.
      3. What is the price of redemption? Why that price?
      4. How can mankind take advantage of the redemption that is offered? What happens if they do not?

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Man's Sinfulness, God's Holiness

The Need for a Mediator and the Plan

1. Job. 9:32-33. For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment. Neither is there any daysman (mediator) betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both.
   1. Because Of God’s righteous nature as a perfect judge the only way for man to approach God is through a mediator
   2. In order for Jesus to be a mediator for God He must be God
   3. In order to be a mediator for man He must be man
   4. The situation called for a plan a divine plan
   5. 1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

1. The penalty for the sins of mankind must be done away with if man is to have a relationship with God

1. The penalty for sin is death.

1. The importance of the death of Christ - Old Testament
   1. Genesis 3:21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them.
   2. Genesis 4:4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
   3. The offering of Isaac (Gen 22)
   4. The Passover lamb (Ex.12)
   5. The Levitical Sacrificial system (Lv. 1-7)
   6. The Brazen Serpent (Nm. 21; Jn. 3:14)
   7. Isaiah 53:7 he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

1. Since God cannot die because He is a spirit, there must be a body.
   1. John 1:14 - And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
   2. Hebrews 2:14 - Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same nature, that through death he might destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil,
   3. In the plan of salvation the righteous judgment of God had to be satisfied.
   4. The law of God requires justice, that justice requires death for sin.
   5. A body had to be given for sin, but not just any body, a perfect man was the only way to pay such a heavy price.

1. The incarnation was not an end in itself but a means to an end, and that end is the redemption of the lost through His death on the cross.

1. Christ partook of flesh and blood in order that he may die.

1. The Gospel is the good news of salvation through the death burial and resurrection of Christ

1. Christ death was absolutely necessary
   1. John 3:14 - And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
   2. Matthew - 16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
   3. Luke 17:25 - But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation.
   4. Luke 24:7 - Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.
   5. Acts 17:3 - Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.

1. The only basis by which a Holy God can forgive sin is by His son bearing the penalty of the sinner’s guilt.

1. God cannot forgive sin based on the grounds of repentance alone.

1. God does not forgive sins just because He loves.

1. His love caused Him to give His only begotten son to be a ransom for sin, that is why the sinner is forgiven.

1. Why was the cross needed if God is love?
   1. God is the moral ruler and judge of the universe.
   2. A father forgives His children freely if the child is repentant, but a father who also is a judge cannot simply forgive a criminal even though the criminal is His child.
   3. The judge has a righteous duty to uphold the law.
   4. If a judge allowed lawlessness to go unpunished then he would be a corrupt judge.
   5. A moral, just judge can only forgive a crime if the penalty for that crime has been paid.

1. How can God forgive and at the same time be the "judge of all the earth"?
   1. Psalms 89:14 - Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.
   2. A problem worthy of God - how to cancel sin and treat it as if it were not and yet maintain and vindicate His righteousness?
   3. Any divine pardon that belittles or disregarded the moral law would make the world a horrible place.
   4. Psalms 85:10 - Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

Study Questions:

1. Why does the penalty for sin need to be paid?
2. Why is there a need for a mediator? Why must the mediator be God and man?
3. List at least four scripture references that tell us that God is a righteous judge.
4. How is God able to cancel sin and still maintain His righteousness?