Posted on May 10, 2016 by Steven Richichi

Why The Resurrection?

The entire Christian faith is built on the Foundation of the Resurrection. That Jesus Christ was resurrected is historical fact.  If His enemies could have proved otherwise Christianity would have died unborn.  But the fact that it couldn’t be disproved by many hostile attempts speaks even more loudly to affirm its reality.

1 Corinthians 15:12-19 (ESV)  Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.

In Paul’s mind, if there was no Resurrection there was no gospel.  You are still in your sins.  The Resurrection is the heart of the Gospel for many reasons.

  1. The Resurrection proved Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God.  There is only one begotten of the Father, Jesus Christ.
  1. The Resurrection demonstrated Jesus paid for our sins.  Jesus died as a substitute for the offenses committed by those whom God would redeem.  Our righteousness was filthy rags and the blood of bulls and goats was not sufficient.  The resurrection proved that Jesus’ sacrifice was accepted.
  1. The Resurrection secured justification for all who believe on Jesus!  Justification is a legal verdict declaring the offender “not guilty.”  It is a legal verdict based on and secured by the work of Christ.  Anyone for whom justification is provided is forever forgiven.  To be justified is to be eternally secure!  This is all proved by God’s grace apart from human effort or merit.
    1. God does not justify us because we are worthy, but by justifying us makes us worthy.  Thomas Watson (c. 1557–1592)  Justification means “just-as-if-I-never-sinned.”
    1. God loves us, not for anything that we are, but for what he is.  William Barclay (1907–1978)
  1. The Resurrection proves Christ is returning to judge the just and unjust!  The fact He was raised proves there will be a judgement.  There are three types of people who hear the Word: 1) mockers; 2) listeners (“will hear you again on this matter”); 3) believers.
  1. The Resurrection made reconciliation possible!  “What this means is that those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun!  All this newness of life is from God, who brought us back to himself through what Christ did.  And God has given us the task of reconciling people to him.”  This is the wonderful message He has given us to tell others.  To reconcile means “to bring from enmity to friendship.”  Be reconciled to God today!

What can you do?  The first thing you need to do is come.  Second, God commands men everywhere to repent.  Change your mind, heart, and ways.  He is the only one who can change your heart.  Three, you need to believe.  He didn’t say church membership or doing good things.  And fourth, you need to confess.