UP FROM THE GRAVE HE AROSE!

ROMANS 1:1-5

Pastor Rick Jackson

It is highly likely that most people are celebrating Easter with colored eggs and baskets filled with goodies brought to them in a most bizarre manner. Many who are enjoying this day have no conception that it began almost two millennia ago in a tomb where the occupant had neither the inclination, nor the obligation, to stay put. Easter is not just another holiday, it is, rather, the most important HOLY day of all holy days. Christmas has no real meaning without Easter. Good Wednesday (not Friday as erroneously taught by many) would be a flop without Easter. But you put the resurrection in its proper place and Christmas becomes the joyous event the angels declared it to be. Good Wednesday becomes THE Day of Atonement God intended it to be.

The resurrection is mentioned in most, if not all, the books of the New Testament and many books of the Old Testament but this morning let us look at what just one New Testament book says about it- and even them, we will have to skim the surface if we are not to be here all day.

I. CONCERNING JESUS, THE RESURRECTION DECLARES AT LEAST THREE THINGS:

The fact that Jesus was born of the virgin Mary establishes his earthly lineage to David, but the resurrection:

1. Declares Him to be the Son of God with Power [1:3, 4]

-Not “a” son, but “the” Son

-Not Joseph’s son, but God’s Son

-Not without power, but WITH power

2. Declares Him to have Defeated Death [6:9] it has no power over Him

-we must face death, He conquered it

-we may postpone death for a short time but He overpowered it

3. Declares that One Payment is Enough! [6:10]

Yes, the resurrection declares much concerning Christ Himself but it also declares much concerning the saved.

II. CONCERNING CHRISTIANS, THE RESURRECTION DECLARES AT LEAST EIGHT THINGS:

1. Christians Have Eternal Security [5:8-10]

2. Christians Have a Reason to Live Right [6:4-5]

3. Christians Will Live with Jesus [6:8]

4. Christians are Alive unto God [6:10-11] no longer dead in sin

5. Christians Serve Christ Not to be Saved, but because they are Saved [7:4-6]

6. Christians Can Expect to be Raised as Jesus Was [8:11]

7. Christians Have Christ Praying for Us [8:34]

8. Christians Should Serve Christ in Life or Death [14:8-9]

Yes, the resurrection declares much concerning Christians but it also declares much concerning the unsaved.

III. CONCERNING THE LOST, THE RESURRECTION DECLARES AT LEAST FOUR THINGS:

1. You Can Have Christ’s Righteousness Imputed to You [4:24]

2. Christ’s Payment for Sins Was Enough [4:25] you don’t [and can’t] add a thing to it

3. You Can Have Peace with God [5:1]

4. Salvation in Christ is Yours for the Asking [10:9-13]