Topics: Easter, ressurection, Jesus
I. Our past can be redeemed
* Our story collapses if Christ was not raised from the dead!
- Read 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 and note the 7 hypothetical "if" statements! a. No gospel (14); no truth (15); no forgiveness (17); no hope (18); no value (19); b. Or it's all true (20)
- Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us - for it is written, "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE" - in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith (Galatians 3:13, 14).
II. Our present can be significant
* Our story is being written through our choices!
- If the dead are not raised, LET US EAT AND DRINK, FOR TOMORROW WE DIE (1 Cor. 15:32b).
- "I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, by loving the LORD your God" (Dt. 30:19, 20a).
- Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who WILL RENDER TO EACH PERSON ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS: to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation (Romans 2:4-8).
III. Our future can be known
* Our story for all eternity is confirmed by faith in Christ!
- "Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live . . . Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment" (John 5:25, 28, 29).
- For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23).
Easter Sunday Sermon by Pastor Rod Akins April 17th, 2022
