Because He Lives

Sermon Date:  April 5, 2015

Sermon Topic: Because He Lives

Foundational Scripture:  1 Corinthians 15:20 - But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

Scriptures: Romans 5:10, John 2:19, Acts 2:22, Psalm 51:5, 1 Corinthians 15:17, Ephesians 2:11 – 13, Philippians 4:11, 2 Timothy 2:11, John 1:12, 1 John 3:8, Galatians 5:22

Sermon Notes:

Today we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. The resurrection is the foundation of our faith. Christ died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again.

There has to be preparation to receive him. Without preparation, man will be eternally lost.

Romans 5:10 – For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. We must confess and have the faith to believe and then we’ll be saved. When we confess Christ as our Lord and Savior. We aren’t saved from the presence of sin, but from the power of sin. Sin has no power over us.

The spiritual man must be fed. We feed the natural man but we must also feed the spiritual man. John 2:19 – Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. The resurrection proves the power of God. Acts 2:22 – Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Jesus is our life.

Every person born since Adam was born in the bondage of sin. Since the first man sinned, sin was transferred to every being. Psalm 51:5 – Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. We were conceived in sin.

For as in Adam all died even as in Christ all shall be made alive.

The first man was born without sin but when he sinned the fellowship was broken.

They sacrificed animals to cover their sin, but it wouldn’t remove their sin.

God wasn’t surprised when Adam sinned. God is not surprised when we sin.

Resurrection is the answer to Adam’s sin. 1 Corinthians 15:17 –  And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. If Jesus wasn’t raised from the dead everything we do is in vain.

Christ came, died and rose again so we could have eternal life. When you sin or transgress don’t feel like you need to be saved again. The righteous acts of God set us free, forever.

Christ was the perfect sacrifice. Ephesians 2:11 – 13 – ¹¹ Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

¹² That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: ¹³ But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

Remember when you had no hope. When you had to create joy and peace in your life. This was before you had a relationship with Christ.

On the cross, Christ took on the sins of the world. God isn’t tied up in the mindset of what is and isn’t possible.

God is almighty!

God was involved in the resurrection. It was the Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead.

The same spirit that raised Christ from the dead lives in us. We are never alone or without God in our lives. Our standing in Christ is secure. Our state in Christ is progressive.

You’re not at the same level everyday. Philippians 4:11– Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. Whatever state I’m in, I’ve learned to be content.

Be angry and sin not! Don’t let the sun go down on your wrath. Don’t hold it in. The Holy Spirit quickens us.

The resurrection of Christ was necessary. Our faith is in the preaching of Christ. Our salvation is based in the belief in God’s word.

If there was no resurrection we would be wasting our time in church. All of our witnesses would be liars. We would be miserable people, because we would have faith in something that doesn’t exist. When the trumpet sounds the dead in Christ will rise first.

Be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the works of the Lord.

All the Saints wont be dead when Christ returns. In a moment it will change.

2 Timothy 2:11 – It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: We are saved to a relationship with Christ.

John 1:12 – But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name We make the faith confession to receive salvation.

We must change from just coming to church to be the church. If you are saved, you are the church.

We are the church – we go to the building to meet, but we are the church.

The resurrection demonstrates victory over spiritual forces – the enemy has no power over you. The enemy doesn’t respond to verbiage, he responds to knowledge.

You have to know what’s written. We need a relationship with Jesus. Church membership isn’t as important as the knowledge of Christ.

1 John 3:8 – He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. The works of the devil was destroyed already. Satan has no power over you. He comes with temptations and suggestions. Cast down those negative thoughts. We have been delivered. Satan has no power.

We have the keys to death, life and the grave. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven and whatever you loose here will be loosed in heaven.

When you speak doubt it reinforces your conversation. We have peace with God. We already have peace and joy. Galatians 5:22 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, We have the power.