1 00:00:31,299 --> 00:00:33,559 One of my favorite hymn is He Lives. 2 00:00:34,099 --> 00:00:37,079 One of the reasons why I know he lives because he lives in my heart. 3 00:00:37,699 --> 00:00:39,515 And I did talk to him today. 4 00:00:39,667 --> 00:00:42,603 If you wasn't in your Bibles tonight, turn to John chapter two. 5 00:00:42,771 --> 00:00:44,359 I know what I said this morning. 6 00:00:45,779 --> 00:00:49,451 I now understand that the guys back in the booth are like, if he 7 00:00:49,475 --> 00:00:51,243 preaches on Daniel, we got this. 8 00:00:51,411 --> 00:00:52,559 If he doesn't. 9 00:00:53,859 --> 00:00:57,759 I came across this again, a message on the resurrection. 10 00:00:58,329 --> 00:01:04,177 And I did want to tonight to take some time and something that 11 00:01:04,313 --> 00:01:05,869 Lord touched my heart about. 12 00:01:07,049 --> 00:01:11,425 I am so thankful for the resurrection. 13 00:01:11,617 --> 00:01:14,389 And the reason why is because without it there is no salvation. 14 00:01:15,049 --> 00:01:16,669 Without it, there is no hope. 15 00:01:17,929 --> 00:01:21,633 In John chapter 2, look with me in verse 19, John chapter 2, verse 16 00:01:21,681 --> 00:01:22,269 19. 17 00:01:23,539 --> 00:01:24,919 Look back at verse 18. 18 00:01:25,699 --> 00:01:29,835 Then answered the Jews and said unto him, what sign showest 19 00:01:29,867 --> 00:01:35,723 thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things Again, he was 20 00:01:35,731 --> 00:01:39,547 in the house, don't make my house the house of merchandise, and 21 00:01:39,603 --> 00:01:40,043 so forth. 22 00:01:40,091 --> 00:01:43,115 And then verse 19 says, Jesus answered and said to them, destroy 23 00:01:43,147 --> 00:01:46,759 this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. 24 00:01:47,139 --> 00:01:50,641 Then said the Jews, 40 and six years was this temple in building, 25 00:01:50,795 --> 00:01:53,249 and wilt thou rear it up in three days? 26 00:01:53,949 --> 00:01:54,869 Verse 21. 27 00:01:54,909 --> 00:02:00,209 But he spake of the temple of his what body of his body. 28 00:02:02,349 --> 00:02:03,749 Verse 22 is important too. 29 00:02:03,789 --> 00:02:04,741 Look at verse 22. 30 00:02:04,845 --> 00:02:09,989 And when therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples 31 00:02:10,069 --> 00:02:13,029 remembered that he had said this unto them. 32 00:02:13,149 --> 00:02:15,109 And they believed the Scriptures. 33 00:02:15,269 --> 00:02:18,697 And the word which Jesus had said, said again. 34 00:02:18,753 --> 00:02:23,625 We think about the apostles and the disciples as they're walking 35 00:02:23,657 --> 00:02:26,793 and talking with Jesus again for three and a half years. 36 00:02:26,961 --> 00:02:32,729 And though they understood who he was even to the very last, they 37 00:02:32,769 --> 00:02:35,721 were hoping as well, as I said this morning, they were hoping as 38 00:02:35,745 --> 00:02:38,761 well that he would set up the kingdom, that he would usher in the 39 00:02:38,785 --> 00:02:42,441 Davidic dynasty, that he would set up the eternal kingdom. 40 00:02:42,585 --> 00:02:42,943 And. 41 00:02:43,001 --> 00:02:49,667 And even though Jesus had told them five times in the New Testament, 42 00:02:49,763 --> 00:02:54,563 five times, that Jesus alluded to or outright said to his disciples, 43 00:02:54,611 --> 00:02:59,571 his apostles, I am going to die, I am going to be buried, and 44 00:02:59,595 --> 00:03:01,679 I am going to rise again three days later. 45 00:03:02,139 --> 00:03:07,299 And yet still there was that anticipation, if you would, or the 46 00:03:07,339 --> 00:03:10,973 hope of, of him setting up a physical kingdom. 47 00:03:11,101 --> 00:03:11,645 Let's pray. 48 00:03:11,677 --> 00:03:15,501 Heavenly Father, we again come to you, thanking you for the resurrection. 49 00:03:15,565 --> 00:03:19,901 I pray, Lord, that you would again enforce that, reinforce it 50 00:03:19,925 --> 00:03:23,325 tonight in our own minds the importance of it. 51 00:03:23,477 --> 00:03:26,329 And God, may you continue to work in our lives. 52 00:03:27,269 --> 00:03:30,749 The resurrection, we understand, is the power of God. 53 00:03:30,829 --> 00:03:32,029 We thank you in Jesus name. 54 00:03:32,069 --> 00:03:32,769 Amen. 55 00:03:33,429 --> 00:03:34,541 In John chapter 10. 56 00:03:34,565 --> 00:03:36,697 We won't turn to verses 17 through 18. 57 00:03:36,853 --> 00:03:38,337 We talk about the resurrection. 58 00:03:38,433 --> 00:03:41,569 If there had been no resurrection, there would be no inspired 59 00:03:41,649 --> 00:03:45,269 word of God, because the word of God would be a lie. 60 00:03:46,569 --> 00:03:48,673 John, chapter 10, verse 17 and 18. 61 00:03:48,761 --> 00:03:52,545 The resurrection is the foundation of all the great doctrines 62 00:03:52,577 --> 00:03:53,509 of the Bible. 63 00:03:53,929 --> 00:03:57,585 Again, it all rests on it, because without it, you don't have. 64 00:03:57,737 --> 00:03:59,109 You don't have faith. 65 00:03:59,449 --> 00:04:00,353 And that's where. 66 00:04:00,441 --> 00:04:01,713 First Corinthians 15. 67 00:04:01,801 --> 00:04:02,657 Let's turn over there. 68 00:04:02,713 --> 00:04:07,953 Most of you know these verses, but First Corinthians 15, Paul addressing 69 00:04:08,001 --> 00:04:09,089 the church of Corinth. 70 00:04:09,169 --> 00:04:10,593 The church of Corinth had a. 71 00:04:10,681 --> 00:04:13,713 That's why it's called the Book of Corrections, because the 72 00:04:13,721 --> 00:04:16,705 church of Corinth had some issues, some serious issues. 73 00:04:16,777 --> 00:04:18,561 You think we have issues now? 74 00:04:18,585 --> 00:04:21,505 The Corinthian Church was full of problems. 75 00:04:21,537 --> 00:04:24,145 And one of the things the Corinthian Church had a problem with, 76 00:04:24,217 --> 00:04:27,617 there was some teaching in the Corinthian Church that there was 77 00:04:27,673 --> 00:04:28,961 no resurrection. 78 00:04:29,105 --> 00:04:30,481 That there was no resurrection. 79 00:04:30,545 --> 00:04:36,615 So Paul addresses that in chapter 15 of 1 Corinthians, chapter 80 00:04:36,647 --> 00:04:36,935 15. 81 00:04:37,007 --> 00:04:39,139 He says, Moreover, brethren, verse 1. 82 00:04:39,839 --> 00:04:43,495 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached 83 00:04:43,527 --> 00:04:47,047 unto you, which also you have received, and wherein you stand. 84 00:04:47,183 --> 00:04:50,647 So you're going to give us the Gospel by which also you are saved 85 00:04:50,743 --> 00:04:54,359 if you keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless you have 86 00:04:54,399 --> 00:04:56,103 believed in vain. 87 00:04:56,231 --> 00:04:59,495 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received. 88 00:04:59,567 --> 00:04:59,751 How? 89 00:04:59,775 --> 00:05:02,653 That Christ died for our sins according to the Scripture, and that 90 00:05:02,661 --> 00:05:07,129 he was buried, and that he rose again the third day, according 91 00:05:07,509 --> 00:05:12,989 to the Scriptures, it goes on to say, and then he was seen of Cephas, 92 00:05:13,069 --> 00:05:16,925 then of the twelve after that he was seen of above five hundred 93 00:05:16,997 --> 00:05:21,853 brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain unto this present 94 00:05:22,021 --> 00:05:25,261 but some are fallen asleep, some have died, but the greater part 95 00:05:25,285 --> 00:05:26,573 of them are still alive. 96 00:05:26,701 --> 00:05:30,051 During the time of Paul after that he was seen of James, then of 97 00:05:30,075 --> 00:05:34,819 all the apostles, and last of all, he was seen of me also as that 98 00:05:34,859 --> 00:05:37,171 one born out of due time. 99 00:05:37,355 --> 00:05:40,659 And he goes on to speak about him being the least of the apostles. 100 00:05:40,739 --> 00:05:41,651 Look at verse 10. 101 00:05:41,755 --> 00:05:44,227 But by the grace of God, I am what I am. 102 00:05:44,363 --> 00:05:49,139 And his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain, 103 00:05:49,299 --> 00:05:51,667 but I labored more abundantly than they all. 104 00:05:51,803 --> 00:05:56,503 Yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 105 00:05:56,671 --> 00:05:58,263 Look down there, verse 14. 106 00:05:58,351 --> 00:06:02,039 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching in vain, and 107 00:06:02,079 --> 00:06:05,979 our faith is also vain. 108 00:06:07,199 --> 00:06:08,903 And look at verse 17. 109 00:06:08,991 --> 00:06:13,079 And Christ be not risen, and our faith is Vain and ye are yet 110 00:06:13,119 --> 00:06:13,831 in your sins. 111 00:06:13,895 --> 00:06:15,219 But look at verse 20. 112 00:06:16,639 --> 00:06:21,553 But now is Christ risen from the dead and become the first fruits 113 00:06:21,601 --> 00:06:24,069 of them that slept. 114 00:06:24,649 --> 00:06:30,161 Paul says if Christ did not rise from the dead, first off, he 115 00:06:30,185 --> 00:06:31,457 begins with the gospel. 116 00:06:31,633 --> 00:06:35,409 If Christ didn't rise from the dead, there is no gospel because 117 00:06:35,449 --> 00:06:39,073 there's no power to enforce the gospel. 118 00:06:39,201 --> 00:06:43,233 And by the way, in his resurrection, he also put into force 119 00:06:43,281 --> 00:06:44,789 the New Testament covenant. 120 00:06:45,129 --> 00:06:47,353 I'm thankful we don't live in the Old Testament, aren't you? 121 00:06:47,481 --> 00:06:50,505 I'm thankful I don't live in the Old Testament economy underneath 122 00:06:50,537 --> 00:06:52,073 the Old Testament system. 123 00:06:52,241 --> 00:06:54,617 I'm thankful I live under the New Testament economy. 124 00:06:54,673 --> 00:06:57,689 And the New Testament and the resurrection is what put the New 125 00:06:57,729 --> 00:06:58,869 Testament contract. 126 00:06:59,249 --> 00:07:01,129 It's like as if he signed the contract. 127 00:07:01,249 --> 00:07:03,149 It's what put it into force. 128 00:07:03,489 --> 00:07:06,749 And Paul starts out here again by giving the gospel. 129 00:07:07,809 --> 00:07:11,749 The gospel given to him was now given to them. 130 00:07:12,049 --> 00:07:15,907 And if Christ didn't rise from the dead, then, then that's in vain. 131 00:07:16,083 --> 00:07:18,115 He said our faith is in vain. 132 00:07:18,227 --> 00:07:20,083 It's worthless, it's for nothing. 133 00:07:20,211 --> 00:07:21,475 Our preaching's in vain. 134 00:07:21,507 --> 00:07:22,579 It's worthless, for nothing. 135 00:07:22,659 --> 00:07:26,195 And he also describes there that the grace that was bestowed 136 00:07:26,227 --> 00:07:29,519 upon him, Remember now, Paul was. 137 00:07:31,099 --> 00:07:32,643 Paul was a murderer. 138 00:07:32,771 --> 00:07:34,599 He persecuted the church. 139 00:07:35,019 --> 00:07:39,571 And before he accepted, before he met the Lord, before he met the 140 00:07:39,595 --> 00:07:41,833 Lord there on the road to Damascus. 141 00:07:42,011 --> 00:07:44,109 And God transformed his life. 142 00:07:44,149 --> 00:07:45,933 The Lord transformed his life. 143 00:07:46,021 --> 00:07:47,249 It's a miracle. 144 00:07:47,669 --> 00:07:51,821 And once that transformation took place, Paul began to serve the 145 00:07:51,845 --> 00:07:52,381 Lord. 146 00:07:52,525 --> 00:07:59,341 And he's saying that God gave me that grace, unmerited favor, that 147 00:07:59,365 --> 00:08:01,769 he labored more abundantly than them all. 148 00:08:03,349 --> 00:08:05,501 He's not being braggadocious there. 149 00:08:05,525 --> 00:08:08,049 He's just saying I worked harder than everybody. 150 00:08:10,439 --> 00:08:15,359 Because he did not want the grace that he had been given by God 151 00:08:15,519 --> 00:08:16,899 to be in vain. 152 00:08:17,639 --> 00:08:21,391 He said the grace that God gave me, that unmerited favor, that 153 00:08:21,415 --> 00:08:23,579 unearned favor that God gave me. 154 00:08:23,879 --> 00:08:25,439 I was undeserving. 155 00:08:25,599 --> 00:08:28,767 I was, you know, a terrible. 156 00:08:28,863 --> 00:08:32,095 I'm summarizing a terrible man done all these things and yet God 157 00:08:32,127 --> 00:08:33,007 gave me that grace. 158 00:08:33,103 --> 00:08:35,219 And that grace was not in vain. 159 00:08:36,659 --> 00:08:39,039 He said, my preaching's not in vain. 160 00:08:39,619 --> 00:08:41,599 My faith is not in vain. 161 00:08:43,219 --> 00:08:46,359 Because Jesus indeed rose in verse 20. 162 00:08:47,299 --> 00:08:51,371 Christ is risen from the dead and become the first fruits. 163 00:08:51,515 --> 00:08:53,851 Notice how he puts that, the first fruits of those. 164 00:08:53,955 --> 00:08:55,515 In other words, he's the first one to rise. 165 00:08:55,547 --> 00:08:57,611 But we all are going to rise from the dead. 166 00:08:57,635 --> 00:08:59,003 Those who accepted Christ as Savior. 167 00:08:59,051 --> 00:09:04,533 We're going to re rise from the dead or be translated and raptured 168 00:09:04,581 --> 00:09:08,089 up with him one day in the moment, in the twinkling of an eye, 169 00:09:12,189 --> 00:09:18,389 Paul made it clear, if there was no resurrection, then there is 170 00:09:18,429 --> 00:09:19,249 no hope. 171 00:09:20,829 --> 00:09:22,449 I'm thankful there is hope. 172 00:09:23,869 --> 00:09:26,805 I pointed this out before we preach this verse, this chapter. 173 00:09:26,837 --> 00:09:28,219 It's one of my favorite chapters. 174 00:09:28,349 --> 00:09:31,379 Look at verse 58, just as a side note. 175 00:09:32,759 --> 00:09:35,871 Therefore, in other words, Paul says at the very end of this 176 00:09:35,895 --> 00:09:43,151 chapter, because Jesus Christ rose from the dead, therefore our 177 00:09:43,175 --> 00:09:44,495 preaching's not in vain. 178 00:09:44,607 --> 00:09:46,415 Our faith is not in vain. 179 00:09:46,607 --> 00:09:49,679 The grace that was bestowed upon me was not in vain. 180 00:09:49,839 --> 00:09:53,487 And then in verse 58, he says, Therefore, my beloved brethren, be 181 00:09:53,543 --> 00:09:56,875 steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. 182 00:09:56,907 --> 00:10:00,651 For as much as you know that your labor is not in vain in the 183 00:10:00,675 --> 00:10:05,039 Lord, then he says, your labor is not in vain. 184 00:10:05,699 --> 00:10:10,091 Can I tell you tonight and remind you that the service of the 185 00:10:10,115 --> 00:10:14,639 Lord as you work for the Lord, that your labor is not in vain. 186 00:10:15,539 --> 00:10:16,315 Coming out yesterday. 187 00:10:16,347 --> 00:10:17,451 We had a good crowd yesterday. 188 00:10:17,515 --> 00:10:19,723 Out passing out door hangers. 189 00:10:19,771 --> 00:10:20,389 Yesterday. 190 00:10:20,499 --> 00:10:22,069 That labor's not in vain. 191 00:10:23,289 --> 00:10:24,945 You teaching a Sunday school class. 192 00:10:25,017 --> 00:10:26,593 Are you working in master clubs? 193 00:10:26,641 --> 00:10:28,869 Or you greeting people at the door? 194 00:10:29,609 --> 00:10:31,429 You taking up the offering. 195 00:10:31,849 --> 00:10:32,833 That's not in vain. 196 00:10:32,881 --> 00:10:36,309 All that works together to help spread the gospel. 197 00:10:37,449 --> 00:10:39,073 You giving in the offering. 198 00:10:39,201 --> 00:10:41,349 You sacrificing for missions. 199 00:10:42,089 --> 00:10:43,505 That's not in vain. 200 00:10:43,697 --> 00:10:45,109 That's not worthless. 201 00:10:45,849 --> 00:10:48,349 Your labor not in vain. 202 00:10:49,249 --> 00:10:53,545 Playing an instrument, singing in the choir, being encouragement. 203 00:10:53,577 --> 00:10:54,857 What a choir special this morning. 204 00:10:54,913 --> 00:10:55,785 Amen. 205 00:10:55,977 --> 00:10:57,229 Love that song. 206 00:10:57,889 --> 00:11:01,321 I could see the crowd's reaction, too, you know. 207 00:11:01,505 --> 00:11:02,505 Awesome. 208 00:11:02,697 --> 00:11:03,993 That has an impact. 209 00:11:04,161 --> 00:11:05,705 Your labor's not in vain. 210 00:11:05,817 --> 00:11:10,169 Come up here early to church on Sunday nights and having to play 211 00:11:10,209 --> 00:11:10,457 the. 212 00:11:10,513 --> 00:11:11,129 Well, Ms. 213 00:11:11,169 --> 00:11:13,029 Linda used to play the organization. 214 00:11:13,439 --> 00:11:15,499 Apparently she got fired. 215 00:11:16,879 --> 00:11:22,647 Or the organ is broke and we've decided the organ is broke. 216 00:11:22,743 --> 00:11:28,151 And we've also decided that that is a Hammond organ and it was 217 00:11:28,175 --> 00:11:32,179 bought a long time ago, but it's a very antiquated organ. 218 00:11:32,719 --> 00:11:34,087 Use a different word. 219 00:11:34,263 --> 00:11:36,007 And the people that. 220 00:11:36,063 --> 00:11:44,829 The person that works on that organization, he also is 120. 221 00:11:46,009 --> 00:11:48,257 And I know I got sidetracked. 222 00:11:48,273 --> 00:11:49,309 It's all good, though. 223 00:11:50,809 --> 00:11:54,749 And there is no one else to work on the thing. 224 00:11:55,129 --> 00:11:59,681 So send us your name and address if you know how to work on 225 00:11:59,705 --> 00:12:02,029 organ that's 100 years old. 226 00:12:04,659 --> 00:12:06,235 Your labor is not in vain. 227 00:12:06,347 --> 00:12:06,619 Ms. 228 00:12:06,659 --> 00:12:10,639 Linda has been playing the organ for our church since the beginning. 229 00:12:11,139 --> 00:12:12,519 25 years. 230 00:12:13,939 --> 00:12:14,731 Appreciate her. 231 00:12:14,755 --> 00:12:15,959 We haven't fired her. 232 00:12:18,899 --> 00:12:20,559 Your labor is not in vain. 233 00:12:22,899 --> 00:12:30,613 I watch staff members come in early, stay late and I'll brag on 234 00:12:30,621 --> 00:12:31,541 Miss Valerie a little bit. 235 00:12:31,565 --> 00:12:32,789 She don't want me to do that. 236 00:12:32,829 --> 00:12:36,165 But starting a new ministry here at the church is not an easy 237 00:12:36,197 --> 00:12:36,809 task. 238 00:12:38,109 --> 00:12:42,053 And knowing that you're going to have to spend extra time and extra 239 00:12:42,101 --> 00:12:46,181 effort, a lot of time up here, as well as her husband getting a 240 00:12:46,205 --> 00:12:49,249 ministry like the daycare off the ground. 241 00:12:49,549 --> 00:12:53,621 I appreciate that, but it's more than me appreciating it, that 242 00:12:53,645 --> 00:12:54,889 labor is not in vain. 243 00:12:55,349 --> 00:12:57,101 We've already seen the results of it. 244 00:12:57,205 --> 00:12:57,677 We have. 245 00:12:57,733 --> 00:13:00,765 We've seen visitors here because of the daycare, seen families 246 00:13:00,797 --> 00:13:04,205 here because of the daycare, and they have received the Gospel. 247 00:13:04,397 --> 00:13:06,529 Your labor is not in vain. 248 00:13:08,549 --> 00:13:12,045 Sometimes we get tired in the way, but we should never get tired 249 00:13:12,077 --> 00:13:13,209 of the way. 250 00:13:13,829 --> 00:13:15,677 Sometimes we do need to take a break and rest. 251 00:13:15,733 --> 00:13:18,701 But understand that there's no retreat. 252 00:13:18,765 --> 00:13:20,131 There's no surrender. 253 00:13:20,325 --> 00:13:21,939 There's no turning back. 254 00:13:22,559 --> 00:13:25,095 We just need to continue to charge hell with a squirt gun. 255 00:13:25,127 --> 00:13:25,831 Amen. 256 00:13:25,975 --> 00:13:26,819 We do. 257 00:13:27,599 --> 00:13:29,175 There's a hell to shun. 258 00:13:29,367 --> 00:13:31,959 And there's people out there who need Jesus. 259 00:13:32,119 --> 00:13:33,207 And Paul knew that. 260 00:13:33,263 --> 00:13:37,431 And Paul spent his life giving the gospel. 261 00:13:37,495 --> 00:13:41,207 Spent his life, literally spent his life spreading the gospel 262 00:13:41,223 --> 00:13:42,215 of Jesus Christ. 263 00:13:42,367 --> 00:13:45,415 And I almost see him pointing his finger at this church, going, 264 00:13:45,487 --> 00:13:47,265 at the Corinthians Church, not ours. 265 00:13:47,407 --> 00:13:51,245 At the Corinthian church, going, you're saying that what I'm 266 00:13:51,277 --> 00:13:52,541 doing is in vain. 267 00:13:52,685 --> 00:13:55,789 You're saying that the preaching and the sacrifice and all 268 00:13:55,829 --> 00:13:59,085 the things that I have done and others have done is in vain. 269 00:13:59,117 --> 00:14:00,929 He says, that is not in vain. 270 00:14:01,269 --> 00:14:02,769 That is not in vain. 271 00:14:03,189 --> 00:14:05,329 Jesus did rise from the dead. 272 00:14:06,149 --> 00:14:07,769 He said, we saw him. 273 00:14:09,269 --> 00:14:11,901 Not only did I see him as one out of due time. 274 00:14:11,925 --> 00:14:14,489 In other words, he saw him after the fact. 275 00:14:15,449 --> 00:14:17,789 But he said 500 saw him. 276 00:14:18,169 --> 00:14:22,513 And the apostles saw him, many of them still alive. 277 00:14:22,561 --> 00:14:24,509 He said, many of them still alive today. 278 00:14:26,329 --> 00:14:28,017 Our labor is not in vain. 279 00:14:28,193 --> 00:14:30,337 Jesus Christ rose from the dead. 280 00:14:30,513 --> 00:14:33,649 Romans chapter 4, verse 25 says, he was raised again for our 281 00:14:33,689 --> 00:14:34,709 justifications. 282 00:14:35,049 --> 00:14:38,801 He was raised from the dead and rose from the dead to see our 283 00:14:38,825 --> 00:14:42,189 sins forgiven, our sinless full record erased. 284 00:14:42,849 --> 00:14:43,881 Romans, chapter one. 285 00:14:43,905 --> 00:14:45,193 I'm going to go over there and read this verse. 286 00:14:45,241 --> 00:14:50,105 Romans 1:4, speaking about the resurrection. 287 00:14:50,297 --> 00:14:51,609 It's an interesting verse. 288 00:14:51,689 --> 00:14:54,629 Romans, chapter one, verse four. 289 00:14:55,249 --> 00:14:56,745 I still call this my new Bible. 290 00:14:56,777 --> 00:15:00,649 It's hard to get the pages to turn here. 291 00:15:00,689 --> 00:15:01,481 Paul says. 292 00:15:01,585 --> 00:15:07,369 He says, and I declared and declared to be the Son of God with 293 00:15:07,409 --> 00:15:08,011 power. 294 00:15:08,185 --> 00:15:11,739 Talking about Jesus Christ according to the spirit of holiness 295 00:15:12,399 --> 00:15:15,831 by the resurrection from the dead. 296 00:15:15,975 --> 00:15:17,459 Let Me reread that again. 297 00:15:17,759 --> 00:15:20,819 Speaking of the deity of Jesus Christ, he says this. 298 00:15:22,399 --> 00:15:23,479 I'll back up to verse three. 299 00:15:23,519 --> 00:15:24,103 Might help. 300 00:15:24,191 --> 00:15:27,687 The context concerning his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, which 301 00:15:27,743 --> 00:15:31,255 was made of the seed of David according to the flesh and declared 302 00:15:31,367 --> 00:15:34,311 to be the Son of God with power according to the spirit of 303 00:15:34,335 --> 00:15:37,619 holiness by the resurrection from the dead. 304 00:15:38,119 --> 00:15:41,039 How do we know that Jesus Christ is indeed the Son of God? 305 00:15:41,199 --> 00:15:43,535 By the resurrection of the dead from the dead. 306 00:15:43,567 --> 00:15:49,407 By his resurrection, we indeed know that he is absolutely the Son 307 00:15:49,423 --> 00:15:50,179 of God. 308 00:15:51,319 --> 00:15:53,499 The deity plays a part in this. 309 00:15:53,959 --> 00:15:57,023 The resurrection makes Christ superior to all other religions. 310 00:15:57,071 --> 00:16:00,575 By the way, if you study other religions, you'll find that none 311 00:16:00,607 --> 00:16:05,041 of those who have led those different religions have risen from 312 00:16:05,065 --> 00:16:05,665 the dead. 313 00:16:05,777 --> 00:16:09,857 It's only in Christianity that you have one who claims to have risen 314 00:16:09,873 --> 00:16:12,305 from the dead and who rose from the dead. 315 00:16:12,497 --> 00:16:13,777 Buddha is still in the ground. 316 00:16:13,833 --> 00:16:17,889 Allah is still in the ground, still in there, still dead and still 317 00:16:18,009 --> 00:16:18,865 in the ground. 318 00:16:19,017 --> 00:16:21,349 But Jesus Christ has risen from the dead. 319 00:16:23,849 --> 00:16:28,429 Satan hates the teaching of the resurrection because it's a central 320 00:16:29,489 --> 00:16:30,841 part of the Gospel. 321 00:16:30,985 --> 00:16:32,549 It's the guts of it. 322 00:16:34,129 --> 00:16:36,829 By the way, it's the central theme of the message of the apostles. 323 00:16:37,489 --> 00:16:41,097 Forty times in the New Testament referred to the resurrection. 324 00:16:41,273 --> 00:16:46,217 Forty times Acts 4:33, the Bible says, and with great power 325 00:16:46,273 --> 00:16:48,921 gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. 326 00:16:48,985 --> 00:16:52,229 The apostles gave witness of the resurrection with great power. 327 00:16:53,409 --> 00:16:56,669 We know that the resurrection of Jesus Christ was prophesied. 328 00:16:57,919 --> 00:17:02,983 We think back to even Jesus own words when he said, as Noah, 329 00:17:03,031 --> 00:17:05,495 as Jonah was in the bell of the well three days and three nights, 330 00:17:05,527 --> 00:17:08,631 so must the Son of man be Jesus. 331 00:17:08,695 --> 00:17:11,979 Even speaking about his death and his resurrection. 332 00:17:12,319 --> 00:17:16,859 I'm going to turn to Matthew, chapter 16, verse 21 and read a verse. 333 00:17:17,439 --> 00:17:18,779 Lick your fingers. 334 00:17:19,279 --> 00:17:20,659 You can go with me. 335 00:17:21,759 --> 00:17:24,719 Matthew 16:20, verse 21. 336 00:17:26,299 --> 00:17:30,371 From that time forth began Jesus to show unto his disciples 337 00:17:30,435 --> 00:17:33,779 how that he must go unto Jerusalem and suffer many things 338 00:17:33,819 --> 00:17:37,459 of the elders and chief priests and scribes and be killed 339 00:17:37,619 --> 00:17:39,203 and be raised again. 340 00:17:39,371 --> 00:17:45,971 The third day we just read John 2:19 that he said, Destroy this 341 00:17:45,995 --> 00:17:47,315 temple in three days. 342 00:17:47,467 --> 00:17:49,119 I will raise it up. 343 00:17:51,149 --> 00:17:54,437 He made it clear he didn't beat around the bush. 344 00:17:54,613 --> 00:17:55,909 He was going to die. 345 00:17:56,069 --> 00:17:58,901 He was going to be buried and he was going to rise again from the 346 00:17:58,925 --> 00:17:59,529 dead. 347 00:18:00,029 --> 00:18:04,089 And again at least five times he made this clear to his followers. 348 00:18:05,469 --> 00:18:07,729 No man could know that ahead of time. 349 00:18:08,109 --> 00:18:11,925 The weatherman can't even forecast the weather tomorrow, especially 350 00:18:11,997 --> 00:18:12,981 around here. 351 00:18:13,165 --> 00:18:14,849 What we need is some more wind. 352 00:18:18,269 --> 00:18:20,329 Of course we Always make fun of the weathermen. 353 00:18:20,909 --> 00:18:23,089 That's because they're worthy of it. 354 00:18:25,309 --> 00:18:31,973 No prophecy in other religions in their books concerning the resurrection, 355 00:18:32,021 --> 00:18:35,449 as we have of Jesus Christ and their religious books. 356 00:18:35,789 --> 00:18:37,249 It's the Bible only. 357 00:18:37,789 --> 00:18:41,969 In other words, God dares to predict the future. 358 00:18:42,529 --> 00:18:43,549 His word. 359 00:18:43,889 --> 00:18:45,229 And it happens. 360 00:18:46,289 --> 00:18:53,069 Ever prophecy fulfilled, every word kept, ever promised kept. 361 00:18:54,209 --> 00:18:55,225 It's the word of God. 362 00:18:55,257 --> 00:18:57,109 It's an amazing, amazing book. 363 00:18:58,689 --> 00:19:00,989 So Jesus spoke of his resurrection. 364 00:19:01,809 --> 00:19:03,349 He spoke of his death. 365 00:19:04,609 --> 00:19:08,149 And then we understand and know the reason why. 366 00:19:08,469 --> 00:19:10,765 We know that Jesus rose from the dead. 367 00:19:10,957 --> 00:19:12,573 There's several reasons. 368 00:19:12,621 --> 00:19:15,597 One is they sealed the tomb, right? 369 00:19:15,653 --> 00:19:17,569 So the Roman government sealed the tomb. 370 00:19:18,069 --> 00:19:20,525 Pilate made sure the tomb was sealed. 371 00:19:20,637 --> 00:19:23,997 They guarded the tomb and there could have been as many as 372 00:19:24,053 --> 00:19:26,369 16 soldiers guarding that tomb. 373 00:19:27,029 --> 00:19:29,249 So how did Jesus rise from the dead? 374 00:19:32,709 --> 00:19:35,839 I mean, either man or God did it. 375 00:19:37,819 --> 00:19:39,443 His friends couldn't. 376 00:19:39,571 --> 00:19:43,879 There were soldiers in the way, and his enemies wouldn't. 377 00:19:45,739 --> 00:19:47,039 But God did. 378 00:19:48,379 --> 00:19:53,523 Hebrews 13, verse 20 says, now the God of peace that brought again 379 00:19:53,691 --> 00:19:56,019 from the dead our Lord Jesus. 380 00:19:56,099 --> 00:19:59,107 Now I read a moment ago, I reread John 2:19. 381 00:19:59,163 --> 00:20:02,599 It says, Destroy this temple and, and in three days what I will 382 00:20:02,639 --> 00:20:03,431 raise it up. 383 00:20:03,535 --> 00:20:07,511 Understand that all three parts of the Trinity had part in 384 00:20:07,535 --> 00:20:08,551 the resurrection. 385 00:20:08,695 --> 00:20:11,591 It alludes to the Holy Spirit raising him from the dead. 386 00:20:11,615 --> 00:20:13,463 It alludes to God raising him from the dead. 387 00:20:13,511 --> 00:20:16,859 It alludes to Jesus who said, I will raise from the dead. 388 00:20:19,999 --> 00:20:22,139 Jesus Christ rose from the dead. 389 00:20:22,959 --> 00:20:26,919 I already talked about 1 Corinthians 15:6, the testimony of 390 00:20:26,959 --> 00:20:32,369 500 born again believers who witnessed him after his resurrection. 391 00:20:33,829 --> 00:20:36,733 That's more witnesses than witness the declaration signing of 392 00:20:36,741 --> 00:20:38,289 the Declaration of Independence. 393 00:20:41,909 --> 00:20:44,701 I think also as we think about proofs of the resurrection, we think 394 00:20:44,725 --> 00:20:46,849 about self preservation. 395 00:20:50,469 --> 00:20:53,009 These men were willing to die for Jesus. 396 00:20:54,799 --> 00:20:57,459 Now some of them boasted about that before his death. 397 00:20:57,999 --> 00:21:01,499 Peter is one of them who ended up denying Jesus. 398 00:21:02,719 --> 00:21:06,459 But after the resurrection, things changed. 399 00:21:07,039 --> 00:21:09,911 I mean changed. 400 00:21:10,055 --> 00:21:13,559 Here was Peter who denied Jesus three times. 401 00:21:13,679 --> 00:21:18,087 And yet 50 days later, he stands up and he preaches to thousands 402 00:21:18,103 --> 00:21:18,791 in Jerusalem. 403 00:21:18,855 --> 00:21:20,561 Thousands upon thousands of people. 404 00:21:20,695 --> 00:21:23,981 And he preaches to them, you missed out. 405 00:21:24,165 --> 00:21:25,969 You missed the Messiah. 406 00:21:27,509 --> 00:21:30,285 You missed out on partaking of the Messiah. 407 00:21:30,317 --> 00:21:33,489 And then he says, number two, he says to them, you killed the Messiah. 408 00:21:34,389 --> 00:21:35,645 He calls this huge crowd. 409 00:21:35,677 --> 00:21:36,765 I'm talking about thousands. 410 00:21:36,877 --> 00:21:38,349 He calls them murderers. 411 00:21:38,509 --> 00:21:40,409 That's some boldness, isn't it? 412 00:21:41,029 --> 00:21:45,149 The man who 50 days prior had denied Jesus three times stands up 413 00:21:45,189 --> 00:21:47,067 and calls that same crowd up. 414 00:21:47,133 --> 00:21:49,779 Bunch of murderers for murdering the Messiah. 415 00:21:51,639 --> 00:21:55,099 Something, something happened, something different. 416 00:21:56,199 --> 00:21:58,179 Well, of Course it was the Holy Spirit. 417 00:21:59,559 --> 00:22:05,019 It was having eyewitnessed Jesus in the flesh, they saw him, 418 00:22:05,959 --> 00:22:15,749 beheld him, watched him eat, and thus willing to die for him. 419 00:22:17,169 --> 00:22:25,065 I'm always amazed at how the body is just magnificently made. 420 00:22:25,137 --> 00:22:27,989 Fearfully, the Bible says, fearfully and wonderfully made. 421 00:22:29,249 --> 00:22:32,709 This body that God gave us is an amazing, amazing thing. 422 00:22:33,409 --> 00:22:38,401 And this body that God made us, made for us, it will do everything, 423 00:22:38,465 --> 00:22:42,629 everything it can, it can to stay alive. 424 00:22:44,329 --> 00:22:50,209 There's just something within us, the self preservation, self preservation 425 00:22:50,369 --> 00:22:58,929 of keeping ourselves alive, that we would do anything to a certain 426 00:22:58,969 --> 00:22:59,669 extent. 427 00:23:00,169 --> 00:23:03,857 So what I'm saying is all of these men and women who are willing 428 00:23:03,873 --> 00:23:07,119 to die for Jesus is proof of the resurrection. 429 00:23:09,139 --> 00:23:14,359 Why die for a man who didn't rise from the dead, right? 430 00:23:15,699 --> 00:23:18,359 It would be different if it was a few. 431 00:23:19,299 --> 00:23:22,999 It would be different if it was some cult over in, you know, 432 00:23:23,459 --> 00:23:25,003 I don't even say the word Waco. 433 00:23:25,131 --> 00:23:28,331 I'm sorry, but if it was some cult, you know, and you had three 434 00:23:28,355 --> 00:23:30,235 or four hundred little people who. 435 00:23:30,307 --> 00:23:35,167 Following some guy who wants to drink the Kool Aid, but that's 436 00:23:35,183 --> 00:23:36,379 not the case here. 437 00:23:38,599 --> 00:23:43,779 Hundreds of thousands impacted by the life of Jesus. 438 00:23:44,919 --> 00:23:49,259 Hundreds of thousands of men and women willing to give their life 439 00:23:50,359 --> 00:23:51,739 for Jesus Christ. 440 00:23:53,079 --> 00:23:57,619 That absolute proof of the resurrection. 441 00:23:58,359 --> 00:24:00,699 And it is exactly what the song said. 442 00:24:01,779 --> 00:24:03,159 How do I know he lives? 443 00:24:03,459 --> 00:24:04,999 I talked with him today. 444 00:24:05,939 --> 00:24:07,399 How do I know he lives? 445 00:24:07,779 --> 00:24:09,399 I walked with him today. 446 00:24:10,819 --> 00:24:12,091 How do I know he lives? 447 00:24:12,195 --> 00:24:13,719 Because he lives in my heart. 448 00:24:14,979 --> 00:24:18,395 I understand we don't base our necessarily our faith on feelings. 449 00:24:18,427 --> 00:24:21,707 But listen, feelings are not just left out either. 450 00:24:21,883 --> 00:24:24,907 And I'm thankful for times in my own life where I have experienced 451 00:24:24,923 --> 00:24:30,853 the grace of God in such an amazing fashion that it's undeniable 452 00:24:30,901 --> 00:24:37,365 to me that Jesus Christ has risen from the dead and that he's 453 00:24:37,397 --> 00:24:40,369 just as real as I am standing right here. 454 00:24:41,869 --> 00:24:47,333 And these men and women who saw him, even though again, self 455 00:24:47,381 --> 00:24:48,929 preservation kicks in. 456 00:24:50,749 --> 00:24:51,813 You've heard the stories. 457 00:24:51,861 --> 00:24:55,627 I mean, people stranded on an island, you know, two or three stranded 458 00:24:55,643 --> 00:24:57,547 on the island and they end up with no food. 459 00:24:57,603 --> 00:25:00,679 And man, they'll turn on each other quick. 460 00:25:02,099 --> 00:25:03,755 Two people in a life raft. 461 00:25:03,867 --> 00:25:05,359 You've read some of the stories. 462 00:25:06,739 --> 00:25:09,755 Not very nice, right? 463 00:25:09,907 --> 00:25:11,019 Self preservation. 464 00:25:11,099 --> 00:25:13,643 And yet these men and women willing to give their life for the 465 00:25:13,651 --> 00:25:14,123 Lord. 466 00:25:14,251 --> 00:25:18,363 And again we think about, again, Jesus Christ rising from the 467 00:25:18,371 --> 00:25:18,603 dead. 468 00:25:18,651 --> 00:25:22,795 Proof of this is the lives that we have seen transformed. 469 00:25:22,907 --> 00:25:24,139 All of us have witnessed it. 470 00:25:24,179 --> 00:25:28,039 If you've been a Christian very long, either your life has been 471 00:25:28,339 --> 00:25:29,675 drastically transformed. 472 00:25:29,707 --> 00:25:31,039 I was raised in church. 473 00:25:31,539 --> 00:25:34,315 I was saved at the age of 6 years old. 474 00:25:34,467 --> 00:25:37,243 You know, I hadn't taken drugs. 475 00:25:37,291 --> 00:25:42,699 And a lot of the things that, you know, that might be considered 476 00:25:42,779 --> 00:25:47,013 some great testimony and some great transformation and God transforming 477 00:25:47,061 --> 00:25:47,413 life. 478 00:25:47,501 --> 00:25:51,429 But I have witnessed many others who were alcoholics and many 479 00:25:51,469 --> 00:25:57,045 others who were druggies and many others whose life was just rattled 480 00:25:57,077 --> 00:26:01,381 and ridden and awful and see them get saved and see God turn their 481 00:26:01,405 --> 00:26:05,129 lives around, it's miraculous thing that happens. 482 00:26:05,629 --> 00:26:08,529 I'm thankful God's still in a life changing business. 483 00:26:09,309 --> 00:26:11,089 He transforms lives. 484 00:26:11,479 --> 00:26:12,175 Amen. 485 00:26:12,287 --> 00:26:14,219 It's an amazing, amazing thing. 486 00:26:15,719 --> 00:26:19,379 Again, we see this change in the apostles after the resurrection. 487 00:26:20,519 --> 00:26:21,259 Why? 488 00:26:22,519 --> 00:26:24,179 Because of the risen Savior. 489 00:26:25,799 --> 00:26:30,111 The risen savior, Romans chapter 4, verse 25. 490 00:26:30,135 --> 00:26:33,039 I alluded to this while ago, that Jesus Christ was raised for 491 00:26:33,079 --> 00:26:34,259 our justification. 492 00:26:35,399 --> 00:26:40,849 He was raised from the dead in order that we might have our sins 493 00:26:40,929 --> 00:26:41,749 forgiven. 494 00:26:42,889 --> 00:26:47,349 In other words, had he just shed his blood and died our sins, 495 00:26:48,009 --> 00:26:50,309 we would still be in our sins. 496 00:26:52,249 --> 00:26:58,069 But he did not just die and be buried, but he paid for our sins. 497 00:26:58,409 --> 00:27:02,305 And having paid for our sins in full, proof of that, the proof 498 00:27:02,337 --> 00:27:07,797 that he paid for our sins, his resurrection, the proof that he paid 499 00:27:07,813 --> 00:27:10,969 for our sins in full is the resurrection. 500 00:27:11,309 --> 00:27:15,449 The power of the Gospel is the resurrection. 501 00:27:15,949 --> 00:27:18,969 Without it, the gospel is nothing. 502 00:27:20,589 --> 00:27:23,445 So preacher, you believe that a man rose from the dead? 503 00:27:23,477 --> 00:27:24,689 I absolutely believe it. 504 00:27:25,869 --> 00:27:27,169 Not even a question. 505 00:27:28,349 --> 00:27:32,161 I believe today as the Bible states that he's at the right hand 506 00:27:32,185 --> 00:27:34,897 of the throne of God, making intercession for me. 507 00:27:35,033 --> 00:27:36,749 Making intercession for you. 508 00:27:37,289 --> 00:27:40,321 I believe as he stated, that if he did not go away, he would not 509 00:27:40,345 --> 00:27:41,377 be able to send the comforter. 510 00:27:41,473 --> 00:27:44,113 And when he went away, when he rose from the dead, he sent a comforter, 511 00:27:44,161 --> 00:27:45,185 the Holy Spirit to us. 512 00:27:45,257 --> 00:27:50,509 Who lives and abides in us, who's there to give us grace and 513 00:27:50,889 --> 00:27:53,069 power to live the Christian life. 514 00:27:55,859 --> 00:27:57,387 Thankful for Romans 5:1. 515 00:27:57,443 --> 00:28:01,611 Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through 516 00:28:01,635 --> 00:28:02,919 our Lord Jesus Christ. 517 00:28:05,859 --> 00:28:10,679 John 14, verse 19 says, because he lives, we live. 518 00:28:11,699 --> 00:28:13,099 First Corinthians 15:20. 519 00:28:13,139 --> 00:28:17,227 I quoted it, we read it a moment ago, that Christ was the first 520 00:28:17,283 --> 00:28:20,639 fruits of the resurrection. 521 00:28:21,229 --> 00:28:23,209 There's coming another resurrection. 522 00:28:26,669 --> 00:28:33,093 First Corinthians 15 describes it as a trumpet sounding and the 523 00:28:33,101 --> 00:28:36,773 dead in Christ rising in a moment and a twinkling of an eye 524 00:28:36,901 --> 00:28:40,809 at the last trump and we shall be changed. 525 00:28:41,309 --> 00:28:43,889 I'm looking forward to that transformation, aren't you? 526 00:28:44,269 --> 00:28:49,125 I'm looking forward to a brand new body, looking forward to heaven. 527 00:28:49,237 --> 00:28:52,769 I'm looking forward to being reunited with family. 528 00:28:53,549 --> 00:28:53,957 Ms. 529 00:28:54,013 --> 00:28:54,609 Jan. 530 00:28:57,549 --> 00:28:58,005 Ms. 531 00:28:58,077 --> 00:29:01,973 Grigsby, I think about members of our church who've gone on to be 532 00:29:01,981 --> 00:29:05,329 with the Lord family, my mom and many others. 533 00:29:07,949 --> 00:29:09,249 It could be today. 534 00:29:10,669 --> 00:29:12,729 All because of the resurrection. 535 00:29:13,759 --> 00:29:15,499 All because of the resurrection. 536 00:29:17,519 --> 00:29:22,871 Thankful for Jesus who died, who buried and rose again from the 537 00:29:22,895 --> 00:29:27,379 dead, that I can have and experience eternal life. 538 00:29:28,639 --> 00:29:29,479 Amen. 539 00:29:29,639 --> 00:29:30,559 All right, let's all stand.