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Presented, April 16, 2006 am

REMEMBERING THE LORD’S RESURRECTION

Today is a special day for many in the religious world. It is a day referred to as Easter. To the Jews, this day is associated with the Passover. To Catholics and most of the denominational world, this day is a celebration of our Lord’s resurrection. However, as you study the Bible, you will find that this observance is NOT found in its pages. Nowhere do we read of a special Sunday being set apart for celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Also, a study of church history will reveal that while this holiday was one of the earliest observed, it was not officially recognized until the Council of Nicea in 325 A.D. The Catholic season of Lent, was not fixed until the 8^th century A.D.

Today is a special day for us as well. It is special in that we are assembled here today as we are every Sunday. Our worship service is NO different from any other service to God we offer because we find no authority to set apart special Sundays to observe such feasts. We must constantly remind ourselves that we are here to worship GOD in Spirit and in truth (John 4:24) and not to please the whims of man. He is a jealous God who demands that we worship Him according to His pattern.

Having said all this, we are not saying that the resurrection is not important or that we do not remember the resurrection, because WE DO. In fact, much of what we do is a testament to the resurrection of the Lord. Let us consider some ways we remember the resurrection. We remember it:

I. As we read of it in the Bible

a. All 4 gospels record the resurrection of our Lord on the first day of the week. Mathew, Mark and Luke all devote the last chapter to the resurrection of the Lord.
John 20 & 21 records the account giving numerous appearances that our Lord made.

b. 1 Corinthians 15 is a discourse of Paul appealing to the significance of the resurrection in our lives as Christians.

c. As you read the book of Acts you find it as a recurring theme in the preaching of Peter & Paul. It was preached on Pentecost in Acts 2:23-33 by Peter
Acts 4:2, the temple leaders were disturbed that the resurrection was being taught
Acts 17:30-31 The resurrection is a fact that our faith is founded upon.

d. Truly, if we believe the Bible to be true, we MUST accept the resurrection of our Lord.

II. In Becoming Christians

a. Our hope of salvation is found in the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. That is why it was so emphasized in the preaching of the apostles.

b. The very act of obeying the gospel centers on the resurrection.
Hebrews 5:8-9 speaks of the example of Jesus learning obedience (a reference that culminated in His death and resurrection) and He becoming “the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him”
We must believe – Romans 10:9 says, “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
We must repent – the idea of repentance involves making Jesus your Lord and master. This is an indication of your belief that He still lives. We are serving a risen Savior rather than One who used to live. 2 Corinthians 13:4 speaks of the fact that while He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God.
Acts 2:38, having just concluded a lesson dealing heavily with the resurrection Peter calls for repentance if their sins are to be forgiven.
Note also Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Chris; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me…”
We must confess Him – Matthew 10:32-33 finds Jesus calling upon us to confess Him. This is more than a single acknowledgment though this is involved. It is a continual way of life.
We must be baptized - Note Romans 6:3-6 which compares our baptism to Christ dying and being raised from the dead. In like manner, we are “raised to walk in newness of life.”
Colossians 2:12 also says, “buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.”

c. As one obeys the gospel, he does so understanding the importance of the resurrection.

III. As we partake of the Lord’s Supper

a. For many, today is one of only a few occasions each year that they partake of the Lord’s Supper.

b. But it is something we do EACH first day of the week following the example of Acts 20:7.

c. This memorial is a remembrance of His death and resurrection.
As He instituted the Lord’s Supper in Matthew 26:26-29 Jesus broke bread which symbolized His body and fruit of the vine which represented His blood. It was instituted to commemorate His death. NOTE vs. 29 where Jesus states that this would be something He would drink with His disciples, “when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.” This is an indication that it would be observed AFTER He arose from the dead.

d. Note that it was His resurrection that made His death so great unto us. Consider 1 Corinthians 15:12-17 where Paul is appealing to the resurrection. There he notes that if Christ is not risen, “your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.” So as we partake of the Lord’s Supper or ANYTHING we do in which we remember His death, we ALSO remember His resurrection. Where our faith is concerned, they CANNOT be separated.

IV. As we ponder our home in heaven

a. Everyone here wants to go to heaven when this life is over. What gives us that hope? Why is it that when we attend a funeral of one of our own, we have hope? It is the resurrection of our Lord.

b. Again, 1 Corinthians 15:18-19, Paul notes that if in this life only we have hope, we are of all men most pitiable.

c. Often as we read of hope, it is founded in the resurrection.
Philippians 3:10-11 – Paul’s walked away from it all because of this hope.
1 Peter 1:3 – begotten again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 speaking of the resurrection Paul says we have hope

d. Why are we here today? Why do faithfully serve God and give up the ways of the world? It is our hope of heaven after this life. We know that there is something better waiting on the other side.
1 Corinthians 15:50-54 speaks of our bodies changing and putting on an incorruptible body.

V. Our prayers to God are offered though Jesus –

a. Even in our prayers to God, there is faith in the resurrection of our Lord.

b. Proper prayers are offered through Jesus Christ to God the Father.
Ephesians 2:18 says, “For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.”
Also 1 Timothy 2:5-6 which describes our Lord as our Mediator. Note how he IS our Mediator though he GAVE himself for us.

c. We are told in Romans 8:34 that Christ is risen, sits at the right hand of God and intercedes for us.

d. Hebrews 7:24-25, in appealing to the priesthood of Jesus in contrast to that of the Levites, the writer notes that He continues forever, unchangeable, and He always lives living to make intercession for us.

Thus we can see the resurrection of our Lord is something to be remembered. There are other aspects of the Christian life that serve as a reminder of our Lord’s resurrection including His church (not the church of a dead Lord, but a risen Savior). But it is not taught in God’s word as a special day set aside each year as Easter. That is based in the traditions of man. Let us remember this important event in the life of our Lord, not just this day, but every day and every week as we assemble together and in all we do to serve Him. How are you remembering His resurrection?