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A Baker’s Dozen Reasons Why the Resurrection Matters

Last Sunday we had an impromptu look at why the resurrection is so crucial. Here are a few of those reasons -- and some more as well!

1. The resurrection shows that death and curse is not the last word, which means that:

a. our lives are not futile.

1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV) Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

b. there is hope of real justice in the world, of things being “made right.”

c. we can live lives free from the fear of death since it no longer has the last word.

Hebrews 2:14-15 (NIV) Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil--and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.

2. The resurrection proves God’s commitment to humanity forever, and to human bodily life forever.

Luke 24:36-43 (NIV) While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, "Do you have anything here to eat?" They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.

3. The resurrection is the basis of our power and newness of life in Christ. We are raised spiritually or reborn by the same power that raised Jesus from the dead, and this same power is available to us as we grow ever more into his likeness.

Ephesians 1:18-20 (NIV) I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,

4. The resurrection proves Jesus’ message about Himself and of the kingdom to be true. Because of the resurrection we believe in the spiritual and redemptive significance of Jesus’ death on the cross, which, apart from his resurrection, would be meaningless for us.

5. The resurrection gives hope that the earth itself will be renewed in the end.

Romans 8:18-25 (NIV) I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

6. The resurrection means that Jesus is now the king and judge of the earth, and that we will all have to do business with Jesus when he returns.

Acts 17:30-31 (NIV) In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead."

7. The resurrection means that the blessing of God promised to Abraham can now spread forth to the nations. Jesus is raised and now sends forth the promised Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:33 (NIV) Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.

Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV) Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

8. The resurrection is the basis of our need to turn to Christ, to repent, to be loyal to Him, for he is indeed Lord and Christ.

Acts 2:36-38 (NIV) "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

9. The resurrection means that I have new affections and new goals for life.

Colossians 3:1 (NIV) Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

2 Corinthians 5:15 (NIV) And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

10. The resurrection of Jesus means that he really is there now interceding for us.

Romans 8:33-34 (NIV) Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

11. The resurrection means that I now do things I wouldn’t do otherwise -- like tell people about the resurrection of Jesus.

1 Corinthians 15:30-32 (NIV) And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour? I die every day--I mean that, brothers--just as surely as I glory over you in Christ Jesus our Lord. If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus for merely human reasons, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die."

12. The resurrection gives us who are in Christ a personal and living hope:

1 Peter 1:3 (NIV) Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

2 Corinthians 4:14 (NIV) because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence.

13. The resurrection allows me to enjoy the blessings of life, knowing that there is not a sad or tragic ending to my life story or to the worlds’ story.

Copyright © 1996 by Joel Gillespie. Reproduction for non-commercial use is permitted, provided the material is not altered, and provided that the copyright notice is retained.