Sunday Sermon
UNDERSTANDING THE RESURRECTION PRODUCES RADICAL CHANGES
Date: March 23, 2008
Speaker: Pastor Gerry Gregoire
Scriptural Reference: 1 Cor 15:14 & Rom 10:9
Listen to Audio Sermon

(1CORINTHIANS 15:14 & ROMANS 10:9)
14And if Christ has not risen, then our preaching is in vain [it amounts to nothing] and your faith is devoid of truth and is fruitless (without effect, empty, imaginary, and unfounded).

ROMANS 10:99Because if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

WHEN JESUS RESURECTED FROM THE DEAD IT POINTED TO GOD’S INTENTION FOR THE LIFE AND PURPOSE OF JESUS. YES, HE WAS TO SUFFER, CRY AND DIE BUT ALSO HIS RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD IS THE BASIS OF OUR TESTIMONIES AS CHRISTIANS.

THE CENTRAL AUTHORITY FOR OUR SALVATION ACCORDING TO ROMANS 10:9 IS THAT WE CONFESS JESUS WITH OUR MOUTHS AND BELIEVE THAT HE ROSE FROM THE DEAD. LOOK AT ROMANS 1:4 4And [as to His divine nature] according to the Spirit of holiness was openly designated the Son of God in power [in a striking, triumphant and miraculous manner] by His resurrection from the dead, even Jesus Christ our Lord (the Messiah, the Anointed One).
THIS RESURRECTION WAS USED TO POINT OUT TO MANKIND THAT HE WAS THE REAL SON OF GOD. NO OTHER PERSON WAS EVER ABLE TO COME BACK FROM THE DEAD. NO MAGICIAN OR TRICKSTER HAS EVER BEEN ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH THIS. ONLY JESUS THROUGH THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

1 CORITHIANS 15:17 SAYS: 17And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is mere delusion [futile, fruitless], and you are still in your sins [under the control and penalty of sin];

PAUL GOES A STEP FURTHER AND SAYS IF HIS RESURRECTION WAS NOT REAL WE HAVE NO HOPE AND OUR FAITH IS A DELUSION.

FROM THE VERY BEGINNING, THERE HAS BEEN AN ATTEMPT TO COVER-UP THIS TRUTH.

MATTHEW 28:11-15
11While they were on their way, behold, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had occurred.
12And when they [the chief priests] had gathered with the elders and had consulted together, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers,
13And said, Tell people, His disciples came at night and stole Him away while we were sleeping.
14And if the governor hears of it, we will appease him and make you safe and free from trouble and care.
15So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this story has been current among the Jews to the present day.

THEY WANTED TO COVER IT UP BECAUSE IT WAS SO POWERFUL TO THINK THAT THIS PERSON NAMED JESUS AROSE FROM THE DEAD. THEY OFFERED MONEY, THREATS TO LIVES TO KEEP THE REAL TRUTH HIDDEN. AND TO THIS DATE THE DEVIL WANTS TO HIDE AND KEEP AT A LOW PROFILE THIS REALITY AND TRUTH BECAUSE IF YOU BELIEVE AND UNDERSTAND THE PURPOSE OF THIS STORY IT CAN AND WILL CHANGE THE WAY YOU THINK AND LIVE.

NOW AT THIS TIME OF THE YEAR, WHEN CHRISTIANS CELEBRATE THE GREATEST HAPPENING EVER ON EARTH, THE DEVIL IS STILL USING MEN AND WOMEN TO MOVE PEOPLES MINDS FROM WHAT WE ARE REALLY CELEBRATING, THE BASIS OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH, TO SUCH THINGS AN BUNNIES, CHICKS, EGGS AND PETER COTTONTAIL. HE ALSO USES NEW CLOTHING TO DISTRACT. OH! YOU HAVE TO LOOK GOOD IN THAT NEW EASTER BONNET AND CLOTHES AS YOU WALK DOWN THE AVENUE. ARE YOU GETTING THE PICTURE?

WITH TODAYS YOUNGER GENEREATION EASTER MEANS EASTER EGG HUNTS AND CANDY IN BIG BEAUTIFUL BASKETS. CHECK OUT THE STORES AT THIS TIME OF THE YEAR. THIS PUSH TO MATERIALIZE EASTER STARTED RIGHT AFTER VALENTINE’S DAY. THEY WANT TO KEEP THE PUBLIC’S MIND ON THE PERIPHEAL THINGS RATHER THAN WHAT SHOULD BE OUR MAIN FOCUS, AND THAT IS JESUS AND HIS RESURRECTION. AMEN!

OH! MY FRIENDS, THE DEVIL IS THE MASTER OF COVER-UP. NOTICE WITH ME WHAT SATAN HAS DONE WITH DAYS THAT REALLY BELONG TO GOD. EVEN AT CHRISTMAS, ITS BECOME CANDY, TOYS, GIFTS AND SANTA CLAUSE. THEY HAVE TAKEN ALL SAINTS DAY AND MADE IT HALLOWEEN WITH GHOULS AND SKELETONS AND WITCHES SURROUNDING US EVERWHERE. THANKSGIVING HAS BECOME A DAY OF FOOD, WITH THE CENTRAL FIGURE BEING A TURKEY AND NOT THANKING GOD FOR WHAT HE IS DOING IN OUR LIVES.

WE HAVE TO TAKE TIME TO EDUCATE THIS YOUNGER GENERATION AS TO THE REAL MEANING OF RESURRECTION SUNDAY. MOST OF THESE HOLIDAYS ARE AIMED AT CHILDREN BECAUSE IF WE CAN KEEP THEM CONFUSED AS TO WHAT THE REAL CELEBRATION IS, THAN THEY WILL NOT TEACH THEIR CHILDREN WHEN THEY BECOME PARENTS.
YOU WANT TO KNOW HOW YOU’RE CHILDREN FEEL ABOUT GOD, CHECK OUT THEIR BEHAVIOR IN CHURCH. DO THEY STAND AND WORSHIP OR SIT AND WATCH. ARE THEY EXCITED ABOUT CHURCH OR IS THERE ATTITUDE JUST ONE OF HO-HUM?

NOT ONLY KIDS BUT SOME ADULTS COME TO CHURCH AND JUST SIT OR STAND AROUND AS IF THEY REALLY DON’T KNOW WHO GOD IS AND WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR THEM. WE MUST TEACH THROUGH EXAMPLE AND ACTUALLY TELLING THEM WHY WE WORSHIP AND PRAISE THIS GOD OF MIRACLES.

EVEN IN THE DAYS OF JESUS PEOPLE DID NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT HAD HAPPEN AND HAD TO HAVE IT EXPLAINED TO THEM.

ONE EXAMPLE IS FOUND IN LUKE 24:13-16
13And behold, that very day two of [the disciples] were going to a village called Emmaus, [which is] about seven miles from Jerusalem.
14And they were talking with each other about all these things that had occurred.
15And while they were conversing and discussing together, Jesus Himself caught up with them and was already accompanying them.
16But their eyes were held, so that they did not recognize Him.

VERSE 16 THEY COULDN’T QUITE FIGURE IT OUT AND IN THIS CASE JESUS SERVES AS THE EXAMPLE ABOUT HOW EXPLAINING IT TO THE CONFUSED IS NECESSARY EVEN FOR PEOPLE TODAY.

LOOK AT LUKE 24: 25-47
25And [Jesus] said to them, O foolish ones [sluggish in mind, dull of perception] and slow of heart to believe (adhere to and trust in and rely on) everything that the prophets have spoken! 26Was it not necessary and essentially fitting that the Christ (the Messiah) should suffer all these things before entering into His glory (His majesty and splendor)? 27Then beginning with Moses and [throughout] all the Prophets, He went on explaining and interpreting to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning and referring to Himself. 28Then they drew near the village to which they were going, and He acted as if He would go further. 29But they urged and insisted, saying to Him, Remain with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is now far spent. So He went in to stay with them.
30And it occurred that as He reclined at table with them, He took [a loaf of] bread and praised [God] and gave thanks and asked a blessing, and then broke it and was giving it to them 31When their eyes were [instantly] opened and they [clearly] recognized Him, and He vanished (departed invisibly). 32And they said to one another, Were not our hearts greatly moved and burning within us while He was talking with us on the road and as He opened and explained to us [the sense of] the Scriptures? 33And rising up that very hour, they went back to Jerusalem, where they found the Eleven [apostles] gathered together and those who were with them, 34Who said, The Lord really has risen and has appeared to Simon (Peter)! 35Then they [themselves] related [in full] what had happened on the road, and how He was known and recognized by them in the breaking of bread. 36Now while they were talking about this, Jesus Himself took His stand among them and said to them, Peace (freedom from all the distresses that are experienced as the result of sin) be to you!37But they were so startled and terrified that they thought they saw a spirit.38And He said to them, Why are you disturbed and troubled, and why do such doubts and questionings arise in your hearts? 39See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself! Feel and handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you see that I have. 40And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. 41And while [since] they still could not believe it for sheer joy and marveled, He said to them, Have you anything here to eat? 42They gave Him a piece of broiled fish, 43And He took [it] and ate [it] before them. 44Then He said to them, This is what I told you while I was still with you: everything which is written concerning Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled. 45Then He [thoroughly] opened up their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46And said to them, Thus it is written that the Christ (the Messiah) should suffer and on the third day rise from (among) the dead, 47And that repentance [with a view to and as the condition of] forgiveness of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

CLARIFY THE SCRIPTURES AS YOU GO THROUGH THEM.
JESUS HAD TO EXPLAIN WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND WITH THE HELP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT THEY WERE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND AND BECAME MORE COMMITTED.
IN LUKE CHAPTER 24:50-53 IT REALLY SHOW US WHAT SHOULD RESULT WHEN WE UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF THE RESURRECTION.
50Then He conducted them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up His hands, He invoked a blessing on them.
51And it occurred that while He was blessing them, He parted from them and was taken up into heaven. 52And they, worshiping Him, went back to Jerusalem with great joy; 53And they were continually in the temple celebrating with praises and blessing and extolling God. Amen (so be it).

THEY WERE CONTINUALLY CELEBRATING WITH PRAISES AND BLESSING AND EXTOLLING GOD. THAT IS WHAT CHRISTIANS NEED TO BE DOING THESE DAYS. UNDERSTANDING THE RESURRECTION POWER CHANGES HOW YOU THINK AND LIVE AND CELEBRATE.

LET’S LOOK AT JUST A FEW NEW TESTAMENT EXAMPLES BEFORE WE CLOSE:
THE RESURRECTION SET THOMAS ON THE RIGHT ROAD.

LETS LOOK AT JOHN 20:26-30 ---26Eight days later His disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, though they were behind closed doors, and stood among them and said, Peace to you! 27Then He said to Thomas, Reach out your finger here, and see My hands; and put out your hand and place [it] in My side. Do not be faithless and incredulous, but [stop your unbelief and] believe! 28Thomas answered Him, My Lord and my God!

THOMAS NEEDED TO SEE WHAT HE WANTED TO BELIEVE. WHAT THOMAS SAW WITH HIS EYES THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL SHOW YOU IF YOU ASK HIM. HE CELEBRATED THIS GREAT RESURRECTION ONLY WHEN IT BECAME REAL IN HIS SENSES.

AND THIS IS WHAT HOLDS MANY PEOPLE BACK FROM UNDERSTANDING AND EXPERIENCING THIS POWER THAT COMES WITH THIS ACT OF RESURRECTION THAT GOD GAVE US. BECAUSE HIS WORD AND THIS ACT SOLIDIFY WHAT GOD HAD PROMISED HIS PEOPLE.

ARE YOU GETTING THIS? WHEN WE DON’T UNDERSTAND WHY GOD DID THIS, WE WILL NEVER OPERATE IN THE POWER THAT COMES WITH IT. THIS WAS THE PERIOD AT THE END OF THE SENTENCE.
THE WAY PETER THOUGHT AND ACTED WAS COMPLTELY CHANGED WITH THIS RESURRECTION POWER.

LOOK AT ACTS 2:32-33 ---
32This Jesus God raised up, and of that all we [His disciples] are witnesses,33Being therefore lifted high by and to the right
hand of God, and having received from the Father the promised [blessing which is the] Holy Spirit, He has made this outpouring which you yourselves both see and hear.

THIS RESURRECTION NOW MAKES IT POSSIBLE FOR YOU TO SEE AND HEAR ABOUT GREAT WORKS THAT GOD IS NOW DOING.

AND NOW LOOK AT VERSES 41-47
41Therefore those who accepted and welcomed his message were baptized, and there were added that day about 3,000 souls. 42And they steadfastly persevered, devoting themselves constantly to the instruction and fellowship of the apostles, to the breaking of bread [including the Lord's Supper] and prayers.43And a sense of awe (reverential fear) came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were performed through the apostles (the special messengers). 44And all who believed (who adhered to and trusted in and relied on Jesus Christ) were united and [together] they had everything in common; 45And they sold their possessions (both their landed property and their movable goods) and distributed the price among all, according as any had need. 46And day after day they regularly assembled in the temple with united purpose, and in their homes they broke bread [including the Lord's Supper]. They partook of their food with gladness and simplicity and generous hearts, 47Constantly praising God and being in favor and goodwill with all the people; and the Lord kept adding [to their number] daily those who were being saved [from spiritual death].

THIS WAS NOT THE SAME PETER, NO, THIS WAS THE PETER THAT HAD RECEIVED THE HOLY SPIRIT BECAUSE OF THE RESURRECTION. THIS WAS THE PETER THAT SUPERNATURALLY UNDERSTOOD THE RESURRECTION AND WAS NOW OPERATING IN IT’S POWER. HE WAS NOW ABLE TO COVEY TO THE CROWDS THE IMPORTANCE OF WHAT HAD JUST HAPPENED. THE PEOPLE WERE NOW OF ONE MIND AND WERE CONSTANTLY PRAISING GOD. THESE PEOPLE WANTED TO LEARN MORE AND STARTED FELLOWSHIPPING TOGETHER. THEY HAD DEVELOPED A NEW REVERENCE FOR GOD. SELFISHNESS WAS NO LONGER A PART OF THEIR LIVES.

THIS MY BROTHERS AND SISTER IS WHAT WE NEED TO BE LIKE TODAY. GREAT THINGS ARE NOT BEING DONE BECAUSE MANY DO NOT UNDERSTAND OR MISS TOTALLY WHAT THIS RESURRECTION WAS ABOUT.

IT WAS ABOUT GETTING POWER, A NEW LIFE, A NEW BOLDNESS AND AN UNQUENCHABLE DESIRE TO SHARE THIS NEW FOUND FAITH WITH OTHERS. FOLKS, MY GOD RESURRECTED FROM THE DEAD. HOW ABOUT YOURS?
WE DON’T JUST COME TO CHURCH AND STAND AROUND AND KEEP SILENT. WE REALLY UNDERSTAND ENOUGH TO MAKE TEACHING OUR KIDS A PRIORITY FOR OUR LIVES AND WE NOW LOOK FORWARD TO GATHERING WITH OTHER SAINTS TO CELEBRATE THIS RESURRECTION INTO A NEW LIFE.

ALL THE OTHER THINGS, LIKE EASTER BASKETS, BUNNIES, EASTER EGG HUNTS AND CANDY ARE ALRIGHT, BUT THEY ARE NOT TO BE OUR MAIN FOCUS AND IT CANNOT BE THE ONLY THINGS KIDS LOOK FORWARD TO WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING THE REAL REASON WE COME TO CHURCH. OUR LIVES NEED TO BE DIFFERENT BECAUSE OF WHAT WE UNDERSTAND. BE BLESSED ON THIS RESURRRECTION SUNDAY.