SUBJ: A Consideration of the things that have come to us as a result of the Resurrection of Christ.

AIM: That our hope would be based in His resurrection – To provide an Resurrection meditation.

INTR:
1. A narrative of the Way of the Cross and the Crucifixion
-- The ordeal in the Garden including His prayer and betrayal
-- To Annas and then to Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin
-- Peter’s denial
-- Condemnation and then to Pilate
-- To Herod and then back to Pilate, the release of Barabbas and the scourging and mockery.
-- Then to the cross – Via Dolorosa
2. The ordeal of the cross and the Gospel there:
-- The Word of forgiveness
-- The Word of Salvation
-- The Word of affection
-- The indescribable Word
-- The Word of human suffering
-- The Word of commitment and contentment and
-- The Word of completion – It is finished!
3. A most dismal scene causing us to visit the lowest ebb in His existence and the backdrop against which victory is declared.
4. And then the Resurrection – and salvation assured thereby!

THESIS: Whatever benefit; whatever assurance; whatever hope we have in Christ proceeds from His resurrection.

I. Our Witness is unto Christ (vv 12-15)
1. Our resurrection is inseparably tied to His both now and in the future. Vv. 12-13
2. What do we preach and what do we believe? V. 14
3. To deny bodily resurrection is to deny His resurrection – and the things that come from it.
4. But, our witness is from a lively hope because of it 1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
5. Life and immortality brought to light: 2 Timothy 1:10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
6. We witness to the hope of resurrection in the face of death. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

II. Our Position is in Christ (vv. 16-19)
1. Without the resurrection there is no real object to faith.
2. Consider the meaning of “raised for our justification” in Romans 4:25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
3. The position of a saved life: Romans 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
4. Assured by our position in Christ: Job 19:25-27 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: 26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: 27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.
5. The position we are to which we are raised: Ephesians 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
6. We must see Christ as the substance of Resurrection: John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

III. Our Confirmation comes from Christ (vv. 20-23)
1. The narrative of the resurrection and our cause for rejoicing that not only did He raise, He is risen.
2. “But now is Christ risen from the dead…” – All are made alive in Christ.
3. A testimony indeed: Matthew 27:52-53 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, 53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
4. The work of Christ is to bring about the resurrection of His own through His resurrection: John 6:39-40 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. 40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. AND see also: John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
5. Bodily resurrection is a Spiritual issue: Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
6. Our expectation: Psalms 17:15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.