INCREDIBLE BUT EDIBLE - CHRIST WAS RISEN FROM THE DEAD

Job –IF A MAN DIE, SHALL HE LIVE AGAIN?  ALL THE DAYS OF MY APPOINTED TIME WILL I WAIT, TILL MY CHANGE COME

Acts 26:8 – WHY SHOULD IT BE THOUGHT A THING INCREDIBLE WITH YOU, THAT GOD SHOULD RAISE THE DEAD.

MESSAGE:  INCREDIBLE BUT EDIBLE - CHRIST WAS RISEN FROM THE DEAD

Sub topic:  WHAT DOES YOUR BANNER READ?

Incredible meaning hard to digest.  Edible meaning it can be eaten and digested.

The resurrection of Christ is one of the greatest doctrines of the Christian faith.  Many believe in the death of Christ, yet reject His resurrection.

Romans – Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.  Christ died for our offenses (sins) and was raised again so that we that are saved through our faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ  can be justified (excused)  of all of our past, present and future offenses before a Holy God through the blood of Jesus Christ.

A balanced gospel  will always include his saving death and his saving resurrection life.  We are saved first by his Death, and then we are saved by his life. Romans –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.

Importance of the Resurrection:

Christ has to be risen in order for the church to experience the resurrection at the time appointed.  1 Corinthians 15:12-19

12                Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among  you that there is no resurrection of the dead.

13                But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen.

14                And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.

15                Yea, and we are found false (LIARS) witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ, whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.

16                For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised.

17                And if Christ be not raised your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

18                Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished

19                If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.  My notes:  If we could only hope in Christ in this life, we would all be living a fantasy, walking a fantasy and talking a fantasy.  A fantasy can be interpreted as an unrealistic idea!  When we fail to embrace the reality of the risen savior by living true holiness, our faithless life carries a banner that states, Christ is an unrealistic idea.

THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS FULFILLED PROPHECY:

Acts 2;24       Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains (Unplesant physical sensation) of death, because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

John 10:15-18

15                As the Father knoweth me, even so know I know the Father, and I lay down my life for the sheep.

16                And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice, and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

17                Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again

18                No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself.  I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.  This commandment have I received of my Father.

THERE WILL ALWAYS BE THE FOOLISH AND THE WISE –WHAT DOES YOUR BANNER READ?

John 10: 19-21

19                There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings. Pastor’s comments:  People will always be either for us or against us when we speak the Word of God.  What does your banner read?

20                And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?  Pastor’s comments:  People will call God’s people devils and every other names, for speaking God’s Words.

21                Others said, these are not the words of him that hath a devil.  Can a devil open the eyes of the blind.  Pastor’s Comments:  Some will listen to The Word of God and believe that Christ has risen from the dead.  These are those that Christ referred to when he said, “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold, them also I must bring……”  The believers of Christ will say, Incredible but it is Edible, Glory be to God in the Highest.

Pastor Sharon T. Spencer

– Easter Sunday Sermon