The Resurrected Life: Why the Resurrection?
Easter Sunday Message
March 31, 2024
Resurrection has been a constant promise by God.
1. The resurrection was promised by Isaiah.
(Isaiah 26:19) Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy! For your dew is a dew of light, and the earth will give birth to the dead.
2. The resurrection is promised by Jesus.
(John 6:44) No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.
3. The resurrection was promised by Paul.
(Romans 6:8) Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.
(1 Corinthians 6:14) And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power.
4. The resurrection was promised by John.
(1 John 3:2) Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.
Why is the resurrection so important to me and my life?
1. The resurrection is the cure for my fear of death.
(John 11:25–26) Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
2. The resurrection is the cure for my fear of judgment.
(John 5:24–25) Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. 25 “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.
3. The resurrection helps me suffer with purpose in a world of emptiness.
(Romans 8:17) and if children, then heirs — heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
(1 Peter 4:12–13) Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
4. The resurrection helps me endure with truth in a world of deception.
(2 Timothy 2:11–12) The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; 12 if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us…
5. The resurrection helps me lay down my self-indulgence in a world of materialism.
(John 12:24–25) Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
6. The resurrection is what gives me courage in a world full of anxiety.
(2 Corinthians 5:6–9) So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.
7. The resurrection is the cure for my fear of eternity.
(2 Corinthians 4:14) knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence.
(Colossians 3:4) When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.