March 31, 2024
Resurrection Sunday
SERMON: THE POWER OF THE RESURRECTION
Luke 24:1-12
What is it that separates Jesus from all other religious leaders of the world? It’s because He arose from the dead and not them. Religious teachers made an impact on the world, but they died never to be seen alive again. But Jesus was more than a great teacher, more than a man, He was God and he proved His superiority over all religious teachers by conquering the grave.
To this day, millions of people put their faith in Muhammad, Buddha, or Confucius, but they all died centuries ago. Not one of them rose from the dead – none even claimed that they would come back from the dead. Of all the great spiritual leaders that walked the earth, Jesus is the only one who died and then rose again from the dead.
Jesus’ resurrection is the most important and crucial part of our faith. If the resurrection did not happen, then the claims of the New Testament are nothing more than a lie. No resurrection, no Christianity.
Without the reality of the resurrection, our Bible is just a collection of good sayings and good advice. Even the worst counselors give good advice every now and then.
The resurrection is important to our faith because it’s what guarantees the absolute validity about who Jesus was and the truth of His teachings. If there was no resurrection of Christ, then our faith is based on the teachings of a mere man. Paul declared in 1 Corinthians 15:13-14, “But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen. And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.”
When we talk about THE POWER OF THE RESURRECTION, what kind of power are we speaking about? Let’s look at three movements that will help us today.
I. THE POWER OF THE RESURRECTION IS ALMIGHTY
POWER v. 2-3
The stone was rolled away.
The rolled away stone perplexed the women (v. 4). However, the stone had not been rolled back for the benefit of Jesus, but for the witnesses to the resurrection. When Jesus arose, He was in His resurrection body, the heavenly body of the spiritual dimension; and the spiritual dimension has no physical bounds. But the witnesses needed to enter the tomb and see the truth.
The body of Christ was gone
This is the age of power
Automobiles, planes, spacecraft
The power of knowledge, scientific breakthroughs
Nuclear power: domestic and destructive
Resurrection power is the greatest of all
The power to restore life
What can science do in a cemetery?
The power of the Trinity is involved in the resurrection (We know that God raised [Jesus] from the dead, the basic answer, (Gal.1:1). But, the power of the Trinity was involved in the resurrection.
The Power of the Son (John 10:17-18)
The Power of the Father (Eph. 1:18-20)
The Power of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 1:4)
II. THE POWER OF THE RESURRECTION IS AMAZING POWER v. 4-11
Here is power to save the soul (Amazing Grace)
No hope apart from the resurrection
The power of Christ to save
His life: the perfection needed to save
His death: the payment needed to save
His resurrection: the power needed to save
“Why seek ye the living among the dead?” (Why are you looking in a tomb for someone who is alive, NLT)
We were all spiritually dead
All can come to Christ and be made alive
No case is too difficult for Him
Come to Christ in faith and find life
III.THE POWER OF THE RESURRECTION IS AVAILABLE POWER
Paul writes (NIV), “I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection” (Philippians 3:10).
In another letter he tells readers (NLT), “I pray that you will begin to understand how incredibly great His power is to help those who believe Him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 1:19-20).
Yes, the same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead two thousand years ago is available to us right now to transform the weaknesses in our lives into strengths.
Power is worthless unless available
Power plants must be wired to homes and factories
Power must be transmitted to be of any use
God has made resurrection power available to us
Responsive Reading: Luke 24:1-12
