The Resurrection You Don’t Want to Miss 1. For Easter, we celebrate because is raised from the dead. Dr. Glenn Robertson Easter is one of the great celebrations of the Christian faith. We :20 -26 celebrate it with children’s activities like Easter egg hunts. We celebrate it by dressing in bright and beautiful clothing. Why not? It We celebrate Easter as Jesus’ victory over sin and death. That victory is to bring us the victory at our own participation in is not that such activities are essentially about Jesus or worship. Yet, resurrection in the end. there is a spirit of rejoicing which we should enjoin because God has won the victory over sin and death. 1 Corinthians15:20-26 NIVO It is a time for feasting. Eating out or having meals with the family 20 But has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of gathered near. (My step-mother, Marvel Lou, when she was alive those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. often made great Easter lunch feasts. We looked forward to her 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But meals and the family joy of being together.) each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. It should also give us a willingness to risk more for Jesus than we

24 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God often do. It is easy to enjoy food and fun at Easter. That is the soft the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. stuff. It is more difficult to place ourselves in places of risks for the 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. faith. Yet, if we are willing to accept it, Jesus has given us victory 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. over sin and death, so we should have a greater boldness to live for

Him. This is likely the first written text of the from Consider the willingness of the first disciples to die for their witness the dead. We believe it predates the gospels by a few years. because they knew that Jesus had been raised from the dead. Yet, However, as part of the effort of the Apostles to witness to the we are so often timid about talking to people about Jesus. world, they sought to write the gospel in testimonies and in the formal Gospels. The Martyrdom of the Apostles:

Peter, crucified in Rome near the same time Paul was beheaded. Killed by Nero who began to persecute the church.

James, son of Zebedee was killed by the sword under order of Herod Agrippa. Andrew, crucified in Greece. correct them. In this passage, he affirms the truth that Jesus is Phillip crucified in Egypt in 54. raised from the dead. James son of Alphaeus, stoned to death at old age Thaddaeus, crucified in Turkey or Syria He uses a metaphor for Jesus’ resurrection. Jesus is the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. The idea of firstfruits comes from the Simon the Zealot, crucified in England Judas, Iscariot, hanged himself. tithing on the harvest. The harvesters would gather the first tenth of John, the only apostle to die of natural causes, died on Patmos the harvest to take to the temple as an offering. Then they would return to the field to finish the harvest. The firstfruits, here, then, around AD 100. All of the Apostles went preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ into the means there is more to come. The rest of the harvest will follow, world which did not welcome them. They did not live good lives in now that the firstfruit has been collected. the here and now. Yet, because of their witness, the faith moved Jesus’ resurrection assures us of our resurrection. Paul goes on the out into the world. speak of the rest that is to come at the end of the age. Jesus is coming back to finish the work. He will bring in the rest of the The world is growing increasingly hostile to the Christian faith. Many believers are compromising faith to fit into the mainstream of harvest in our resurrections. He will defeat the devil. Lastly, he will culture. Will you be willing to endure in the faith if the world says destroy the last enemy, death. change or die? 1 Cor. 15:51-54 NIVO

Christ’s victory over death is also the key to our victory over death. 51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be That is the real reason we celebrate every Easter. We are changed-- 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and celebrating that Jesus has promised us victory over death. we will be changed.

53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed 2. Easter reminds us that Jesus’ resurrection means there with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the is more to come. saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory." Jesus is the firstfruits of resurrection. Harvest metaphor.

Paul wrote this part of the letter to the Corinthians because some Here is why we can celebrate. We now know that death is not the people claimed there is no resurrection from the dead. He wrote to final victor. Our loved ones who have died in the Lord will be united with us once again. And, if we die, we know we will live with the Lord forever, yes, even in new bodies, because we will take part in We are hear to celebrate the victory Jesus has won over sin and the final resurrection. death and the power he has to give us eternal life. Yet, many who call themselves Christians are doing as Paul said, living as enemies of the cross. Their gods are the gods of pleasure and satisfaction.

3. The resurrection you do not want to miss is your NIVO Philippians 2:12 resurrection. Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in It is great to celebrate Easter. It is great to go to church and take my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work part in what believers are doing in celebrating Easter. But do not out your salvation with fear and trembling. make the mistake of thinking that celebrating Easter will give you We have lost out the fear and trembling part of salvation in our day. some merit for salvation, some extra bonus points with God, if you We would do well to consider what it means to be a true believer so have neglected this salvation for the rest of the weeks that you have we do not miss out on the final resurrection at the end. not worshiped. Many assume they are believers. They were raised in church. They Do not be deceived. You love the world or you love God. The world had some church background when they were young. They say and God usually don’t go together too well. The world is in rebellion prayers. They go to church sometimes. Yet none of these things against God. So, getting your best life now is likely not a real means you are saved. If you have been born again by the power of Christian faith response to the Savior who died for you so you could the Holy Spirit by placing your faith in the death and resurrection of be released from judgment for sin. Jesus Christ, you are still a lost person, disconnected from eternal Hear Paul in Philippians 3:18-21. life.

18 For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with Make sure of your salvation. Repent of sin and turn to Jesus as your tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Savior and ask Him to give you eternal life. Don’t look to the church 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. to save you. Only God can give you salvation. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, This Easter, give Christ your devotion. Allow Him to become your 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his Savior and Lord. control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.