03-23-08 Sermon Review

This past Sunday was a joyful day celebrating the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. The following sermon is an abridged transcript from Sunday's message.

The Significance of the Resurrection

Resurrection Sunday, what a precious day to celebrate the Resurrection. But it always saddens me that many come through the doors of our churches in America to celebrate Resurrection Sunday as if it was any other Holiday. It's a day to celebrate life, procreation, age, and on the list goes. And in this culture where Resurrection Sunday is trivialized, and the meaning of it all has been eclipsed with marshmallow bunnies and cadberry eggs, we must stop and ask ourselves, why do I celebrate, why do I rejoice in the resurrection. I pray that there is a reason why you want to rejoice in the resurrection.

To help us answer this question, why we rejoice, we'll look to the Word of God to reveal us great truths of the resurrection. Our text is in Romans 4:19-25

"Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb; yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform. Therefore IT WAS ALSO CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS. Now not for his sake only was it written that it was credited to him, but for our sake also, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification."

Here in this text, Paul is explaining to us why the story of Abraham's justification was written in Scripture. He writes that it was for our sake. Why? Because we believe in the Lord Jesus who died and resurrected for our justification. And it was for this that Jesus went to the cross and was raised from the dead, for our justification. Verse 25 states that He was "delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification." If there was no need on our part, no need for justification, there was no need for Christ to die and be raised. No need for justification, no need for the resurrection. Nada.

Christ did not die and resurrect from the dead simply because he wanted to. Christ did not die and resurrect from the dead for the sake of resurrecting. Christ did not die and resurrect from the dead to show that He was mighty and powerful. Christ did not die and resurrect from the dead to show us a moral example of how to live for others. Christ died and resurrected from the dead for our justification.

So then I conclude: We will celebrate and rejoice in the resurrection as much as we celebrate and rejoice in our justification.

So then, what is justification? Everyone has a personal relationship with God, but not everyone has a right relationship with God. There's only two kinds of relationships with God, one that embraces Him as Father and LORD, and one that fears Him as Judge and awaits His fierce wrath. Everyone of us by default fall into the latter group and face the anger of God. Do you recognize your need to be justified before God? That your relationship with God is twisted and needs to be corrected? You can try replacing your need to be justified by other things, but nothing will satisfy. You need to be justified before God.

How then are we justified? For this Paul gives us the example of Abraham. It can be outlined in three statements.

He contemplated his dead body (vs 19). Abraham knew it was impossible for him to attain what God has promised, that he would have a son. It was physically impossible. In the same way, we need to recognize our deadness spiritually. We are in no way capable of attaining justification on our own. We need to contemplate that and recognize that.

He continued in faith (vs 20-21). Though it was impossible in the flesh, Abraham knew all things were possible with God. He did no waver. He knew that His God was able. It is the same for us! Though we are incapable, we believe in the God who is able! "With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible" (Matt 19:26).

He captured the prize (vs 22). The faith that Abraham has was not vain. He actually received the promise that He put His faith in. How much more so for us who actually have the cross, who actually know the risen Savior! The product of our faith, justification, is a reality!

Justification is a gift of mercy upon sinners by a loving God. Do you embrace this merciful act by God? Do you embrace God enough to value your justification? If you do, then you recognize the significance of the resurrection. No resurrection, no justification. So much so that Paul would write in 1 Corinthians 15:17-19:

"And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied."

Notice what the problem for Paul is if Christ is not raised: we are still in our sins. We are still in need of justification without the resurrection. This is the significance of the resurrection. In the resurrection, we find our justification. The results of having this justification, the results of believing and attaining justification by faith is the joy of the believer. Romans 5:1-11 explains that in great detail. Now, whenever you think about the resurrection, I pray you'll closely tie it with your justification. Just meditate on this thought: There was no reason why Christ should have to die and resurrect if not for your need of justification. Keep asking why did He do it? why? why? And fall in love with the mercy of God, fall in love with the resurrection. Stay strong and God bless!