The Right View of

The ResurrectionPhilippians 2:5-11

Philippians 2:5-11

5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery

to be equal with God:

7 But made himself of no reputation, and took

upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself,

and became obedient unto death, even the death of

the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and

given him a name which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things

under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Live by faith not by sight Philippians 1:21

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain Romans 8:18

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Philippians 1:23-24

I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.

I. IntroductionChrist's resurrection is the defining

event of our faith and all of history. It demonstrates Jesus' power over

death, confirms His divinity, and provides a powerful example of the Lord's ability to keep His word.

The resurrection of Jesus is critical to the gospel message and to Christianity itself.

II. The disciples initially responded to the resurrection from a human

perspective

A. Although Jesus had told the disciples He would be killed and rise three days later, they thought the crucifixion was the end.

B. They had seen Him perform miracles, listened to His sermons, and watched His life for years.

C. But the Scriptures give no record that any of the Lord's followers waited outside His tomb for the resurrection.

Examples of unbeliefThe women who visited the grave after the

Sabbath came prepared to anoint a dead body.

The disciples could not comprehend the eyewitness report of the empty tomb; the women's words "appeared to them as nonsense" Luke 24:11

Peter, who ran to the grave, simply marveled at the vacant burial place (Luke 24:12). I believe he didn't yet realize that Jesus had risen.

The two men on the road to Emmaus didn't recognize Christ at first (Luke 24:13-35).

Thomas told his friends that he would have to touch the wounds on Jesus' hands and side before he would believe their good news (John 20:25).

III. What difference does it make if we believe in the

resurrection?1st

The biblical concept of the afterlife includes the resurrection of all people and then the judgment.

But some people choose to believe that when this life ends, they will cease to exist.

This perspective enabled some within the church at Corinth to justify immorality.

2nd

Paul challenged the Corinthian church 1 Cor. 15:14, 17 14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our

preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. 17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is

vain; ye are yet in your sins. Our entire faith rests on the

resurrection. If Jesus did not rise from the dead, then

Bible study, tithing, sharing the gospel, and all other spiritual practices are a waste of time.

But the fact is, He did rise from the grave.

The moment we receive Him as Savior, the Holy Spirit resides within us and gives us the power to live victorious Christian lives.

3rd

Those who don't believe Jesus rose from the dead must rely on themselves.

That may work during this life. But even those who were confident that

death would bring oblivion often have last-minute doubts when facing their own mortality and God's judgment Heb. 9:27

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment

IV. What is the evidence that Christ is

risen? 1st

When Jesus rose from the deadHe ascended to the Father and

offered Himself as the only adequate sacrifice for the sins of mankind.

Right now, He sits at the Father's right hand and makes intercession for you and me.

Not only did Christ die for us; He lives eternally for us and promises never to leave or forsake us

Hebrews 13:5Let your conversation be without covetousness;

and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake

thee.

2nd

We have a clear conscience and the assurance that our sins are forgiven.

In the midst of life's challenges, you and I have supernatural confidence and peace.

We can testify for the past years of walking with the Lord

He has proven His sufficiency in every circumstance of our life.

V. What if you don't believe Christ rose from

the dead?1st

Jesus predicted that He would be killed and then rise within three days (John 2:19-21).

If He lied about that, how much confidence can we place in His other promises?

I believe that those who deny the resurrection also reject Jesus

If you don't accept that Christ rose from the grave, then you have no hope of reuniting in heaven with your loved ones who have passed on to glory.

Death is the end. In contrast, those of us who believe in the

resurrection have the promise that if we are "absent from the body . . . [we are] at home with the Lord" (2 Cor. 5:8).

We can look forward to living forever with our believing friends and family

VI. The Proclamation of Jesus' Name

Christ told His disciples that "repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations" (Luke 24:47).

Missions can include medical attention or supplies of food and clothing, but their primary goal should be to proclaim the name of Jesus.

If we don't share the gospel with people, we are ignoring their most important need—forgiveness of sins so they can experience eternal life.

VII. ConclusionWithout the resurrection, Christianity

would lose its unique and powerful message.

The gospel promises us that the Son of God came to earth to die for our sins—and that He rose on the third day, triumphant over the grave.

Because He is risen, you and I can face both life and death with confidence, knowing He is always with us.