Col 3:1-4, Rom 8:11
“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” – Col 3:1
“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.” – Rom 8:11
While Colossians talks about our potential position with the risen Christ, Romans speaks to the powerful process through which we attain that position. Note that in both passages there is no question that Christ is risen; and when the conjunction “if” is used in Colossians 3:1 it is not if Christ is risen, but if you are risen with Him.
Today, as we celebrate the most powerful, impactful and possibly the most controversial event in human history – the Resurrection of Christ, we need to realize that very few religions will deny the bodily existence of Christ on this earth, but where they defer is in His deity, divinity and ultimately power over our eternal destiny.
It’s however surprising that we entertain so much controversy over His existence – I mean if we agree that He existed, couldn’t we have just asked Him who He was?
Well they did – and He left no one in doubt:
• I and my Father are one – John 10:24, 30 – there was a division among the Jews. Some said he had a devil, some said can the devil open the eyes of the blind? So the Jews asked rather exasperatedly – if thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.
• I am (the Christ, the Son of God) – Mark 14:61-62 – here the high priest asked blatently – are you the Christ? In the response He spoke more about post-resurrection
• Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God – Matt 16:15-17 – here Jesus himself asked the question and confirmed Simon’s statement that He was the Son of God.
Now, He did not just claim to be the Son of God, but backed up His claim by not just suggesting/implying but outrightly stating and prophesying that He was going to rise from the dead and detailing how He was going to do that:
Like Jonah was in the whales’ belly for 3 days and 3 nights – Matt 12:40 – To the Scribes and Pharisees
Destroy this temple and rebuild it in 3 days – John 2:19 – To the Jews
Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men:23 And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again – Matthew 17:22-23 – To His disciples
I am the resurrection and the life… – John 11:25-26 – Martha questioned Him about the issues surrounding Lazarus death. She believed in the resurrection, but maybe did not realize the He was the resurrection.
But what’s the big deal about the resurrection?
Let’s face it, anyone could claim to be the Son of God, but to predict that you will come back from the dead, after 3 days, and actually do that – is something else entirely. That’s why the resurrection is the foundation and bedrock of our faith.
Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.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.16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead – 1 Corr 15:12-21
Because if Christ is not risen – our preaching is vain, your faith is vain, you are still in your sin, those who died in Christ died in vain, and quite frankly (for believing and putting all our faith, hope and future in a man who has been dead for over 20 centuries) we are of all men most miserable.
You can see why the Resurrection of Christ is such a big deal to us and can imagine why it would suffer such great attacks over the centuries. In fact, a known atheist and skeptic, lawyer/award winning journalist took it upon himself to disprove the resurrection – Lee Strobel.
(Background and a video clip)
However, the only thing he disproved was his doubt. He summarizes his findings of overwhelming proof for the resurrection in 4 E’s:
1. Execution – 5 ancient sources outside the Bible
2. Empty tomb – sealed, guarded tomb was found empty – Even the enemies of Jesus believed the tomb was empty. They did not dispute that but only made up stories to explain how it was empty. The disciples did not have the motive or means
3. Eye witnesses – no fewer than 9 ancient witnesses – who reported the incident in the lifetime of other eye witnesses. By the way these were witnesses who were willing to die for their testimony.
4. Early accounts of the resurrection disputing the claim that it was a legend – 1 Corr 15:3 (22-25 yrs after Jesus death). Paul encounters Christ 1-3 yrs after the death of Christ. Reports of His resurrection so early that you can’t write them off as being a legend
Now, my goal for today was not just to prove to you about the authenticity of the resurrection – that has been done over and over again. In fact, all we have to do is look around – all creation screams that He is alive – if not for what He has done in the lives of some of you, for what He continues to do in the lives of countless others.
I think its interesting that many who consciously deny His existence today are the first to shout His name when something goes wrong. The calendar of time – AD “Anno Domini”, which means “in the year of our Lord” refers to all time after the birth of Jesus and is basically a reverse count down to His return. So no I really don’t believe I need to prove He lives today.
My goal today is as seen in John 20:31 – ..that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
You need to believe. Some have believed in their heads but now I’m talking about believing in your heart – Romans 10:9-10
After believing you have to receive – John 1:12
But as many as received Him, to them gave he power (the right) to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: – John 1:12
Seek Him and things above
So, this means that if you can believe in Him today and take the next step of receiving Him, you can receive the same power/rights that He had because at this point, it is the same Spirit (same awesome, powerful, life-giving Spirit) that raised Him from the dead that now dwells in you.
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. – Romans 8:11
What Rights am I talking about:
• If evil could not stain Him then sin shall not have dominion over you (Rom 6:14) – I’m talking of power over sin
• Since death could not hold Him, then by His stripes ye were healed (1 Peter 2:24) – I’m talking of power over sickness
• The host of hell could not stop Him so no weapon formed against you shall prosper (Is 54:17) – I’m taking about power over satan
• The tomb could not contain Him, this is power over every Situation
Because of the Spirit that raised up Christ from the dead which now dwells in you – how many want to receive that power this morning.
That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; – Phil 3:10
1 Peter 3:15 – be ready