WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:13.120 Turn your Bibles this morning to 1 Corinthians chapter 15. 00:00:15.120 --> 00:00:18.379 ! I think that means there's children's church. 00:00:18.379 --> 00:00:22.219 ! John was whispering in my ear, 00:00:22.219 --> 00:00:24.560 and I had someone actually ask me, 00:00:24.560 --> 00:00:25.780 is there children's church today? 00:00:25.780 --> 00:00:27.560 and they were asking the wrong individual. 00:00:27.559 --> 00:00:32.000 Linda, you're guilty of putting me on the spot and saying, 00:00:32.000 --> 00:00:32.920 is there children's church? 00:00:32.920 --> 00:00:35.839 and having been my secretary for what, 10, 12 years, 15? 00:00:35.839 --> 00:00:37.879 it's like, don't ask me. 00:00:37.879 --> 00:00:44.239 I'm thinking about preaching, and there's like zero bandwidth beyond that. 00:00:46.079 --> 00:00:48.359 Yes, children are dismissed now, please. 00:00:51.359 --> 00:00:53.640 And I love saying to you, turn in your Bibles. 00:00:55.200 --> 00:00:57.379 Go to 1 Corinthians chapter 15. 00:00:57.560 --> 00:01:07.760 It's one thing to be preaching through a book such as John, 00:01:08.320 --> 00:01:15.200 and know that, Lord willing, next week when I come back from vacation, 00:01:15.780 --> 00:01:18.000 I will be in John 16, 00:01:18.000 --> 00:01:23.900 and it is a passage and a portion of Scripture that I've never preached before. 00:01:23.900 --> 00:01:30.480 And there's a part of study and prayer in dialing into that that is just a wonderful blessing. 00:01:32.620 --> 00:01:38.980 It is also a blessing, however, to come to a passage that you have used over and over again, 00:01:39.860 --> 00:01:42.180 mindful of this fact, 00:01:42.180 --> 00:01:49.540 that while the information has been viewed and studied and prayed about before, 00:01:50.340 --> 00:01:55.920 the ministry of the Spirit of God in that text and in my life and in your life 00:01:55.920 --> 00:01:58.020 is different each time. 00:01:58.140 --> 00:01:59.400 It's renewed, refreshed. 00:01:59.760 --> 00:02:02.100 It is valuable, and it is significant. 00:02:02.099 --> 00:02:04.599 And so one of the things that I would challenge you, 00:02:04.699 --> 00:02:08.240 this is probably not your first Easter, right? 00:02:09.639 --> 00:02:13.759 There are some of you that were probably carried to your first Easter service 00:02:13.759 --> 00:02:17.419 without your dad or mom ever asking you if you wanted to go. 00:02:17.419 --> 00:02:22.399 And you probably have been part of that routine, 00:02:22.639 --> 00:02:25.519 and there's a certain thing that you do on Easter. 00:02:25.659 --> 00:02:27.239 You dress a certain way, flowers. 00:02:27.379 --> 00:02:28.839 By the way, how many of you like these flowers? 00:02:29.279 --> 00:02:30.899 I had absolutely nothing to do with it, 00:02:30.919 --> 00:02:34.759 and I'd like to thank all the ladies who did a wonderful, beautiful job. 00:02:35.179 --> 00:02:36.779 I think Mary Ellen kind of encouraged it. 00:02:36.799 --> 00:02:37.479 Where are you, Mary Ellen? 00:02:37.560 --> 00:02:38.099 Somewhere out here? 00:02:39.659 --> 00:02:40.019 Whoa! 00:02:40.459 --> 00:02:41.419 It's like... 00:02:41.419 --> 00:02:44.559 We like things like that. 00:02:44.659 --> 00:02:46.119 It's just a... 00:02:46.119 --> 00:02:46.419 Yeah. 00:02:46.719 --> 00:02:49.139 It's like whipped cream on things, you know? 00:02:49.179 --> 00:02:49.719 It's like, good. 00:02:50.939 --> 00:02:53.479 We celebrate Easter, 00:02:53.479 --> 00:02:57.519 and we get into the blessing of what this day is, 00:02:57.599 --> 00:03:00.519 and I think sometimes we caught up in the flow of it 00:03:00.519 --> 00:03:05.060 and don't think carefully about why the day really is significant. 00:03:06.219 --> 00:03:08.579 And so I want you to think very carefully this morning 00:03:08.580 --> 00:03:12.660 about the significance of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:03:12.840 --> 00:03:15.940 And we are using this passage in 1 Corinthians 15, 00:03:16.360 --> 00:03:22.700 which is a text that kind of dives into the Apostle Paul's preaching 00:03:22.700 --> 00:03:26.060 in relationship to the question of the resurrection. 00:03:27.400 --> 00:03:31.160 And I want you to walk away from this morning's lesson 00:03:31.160 --> 00:03:33.060 with several things in mind. 00:03:33.140 --> 00:03:34.320 Number one, listen carefully, 00:03:34.319 --> 00:03:39.939 what the Holy Spirit does in response to your prayers in your life 00:03:39.939 --> 00:03:45.120 is dependent in part on you praying at all. 00:03:46.379 --> 00:03:49.060 What I mean by that is it is fairly easy 00:03:49.060 --> 00:03:50.379 when you are looking at a passage, 00:03:50.479 --> 00:03:51.359 and you've looked at it before, 00:03:51.439 --> 00:03:53.000 and you've looked at it a number of times, 00:03:53.400 --> 00:03:54.039 that you can kind of, 00:03:54.319 --> 00:03:56.180 well, I got this one, 00:03:56.240 --> 00:03:57.680 and kind of settle back and not say, 00:03:57.780 --> 00:03:58.979 I need the Holy Spirit's help, 00:03:59.099 --> 00:04:00.280 that we get into this, 00:04:00.280 --> 00:04:01.360 and we understand it, 00:04:01.479 --> 00:04:03.140 and we're affected by it 00:04:03.140 --> 00:04:05.840 in a fashion that honors the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:04:06.740 --> 00:04:08.780 So I trust one of the things that happens 00:04:08.780 --> 00:04:10.159 is you walk away from here saying, 00:04:10.319 --> 00:04:13.000 wow, the Spirit of God used the Word of God 00:04:13.000 --> 00:04:15.000 to affect the believer's life, 00:04:15.120 --> 00:04:18.819 and you are changed and growing as a result of that. 00:04:18.819 --> 00:04:21.500 Secondly, I would pray that if you are here today 00:04:21.500 --> 00:04:23.399 and do not know the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:04:23.740 --> 00:04:25.120 that today would be the day 00:04:25.120 --> 00:04:27.340 that He in His kindness and His grace 00:04:27.340 --> 00:04:28.819 brings you to the point of recognizing 00:04:28.819 --> 00:04:31.500 the bankruptcy and the darkness 00:04:31.500 --> 00:04:32.740 and the misery of your heart, 00:04:32.860 --> 00:04:35.060 and you are drawn to call out on Jesus 00:04:35.060 --> 00:04:36.659 as your only hope and Savior. 00:04:37.219 --> 00:04:39.719 Because really what this day celebrates 00:04:39.719 --> 00:04:43.259 is the reason that I can say without any hesitation 00:04:43.259 --> 00:04:46.019 that there is salvation in no other name 00:04:46.019 --> 00:04:47.159 but the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:04:47.699 --> 00:04:49.000 And as I lift them up this morning, 00:04:49.039 --> 00:04:49.899 and as you lift them up, 00:04:50.079 --> 00:04:51.539 that was good singing this morning, wasn't it? 00:04:52.060 --> 00:04:53.579 I'm sitting here on the front pew. 00:04:53.699 --> 00:04:55.100 It's one of the best seats in the house, 00:04:55.219 --> 00:04:57.579 and I am just listening to you guys blowing it out, 00:04:57.579 --> 00:04:59.439 and I'm thinking, man, what a day. 00:04:59.639 --> 00:05:00.099 What a day. 00:05:00.459 --> 00:05:03.639 We worship Him because of the resurrection. 00:05:04.419 --> 00:05:05.859 Now, as we look at the passage there, 00:05:06.800 --> 00:05:08.859 I want you to mark what it says in verse 3. 00:05:09.319 --> 00:05:11.800 Actually, again, go into the details in verse 1. 00:05:11.860 --> 00:05:12.079 It says, 00:05:12.439 --> 00:05:14.099 I remind you, my brothers, 00:05:14.259 --> 00:05:15.899 of the gospel I preached to you 00:05:15.899 --> 00:05:18.519 which you received and in which you stand. 00:05:18.519 --> 00:05:23.339 Paul is recognizing here at the very beginning 00:05:23.339 --> 00:05:25.680 of the importance of what he is going to be talking about, 00:05:25.759 --> 00:05:26.279 and he says, listen, 00:05:26.719 --> 00:05:28.539 I'm reminding you of something 00:05:28.539 --> 00:05:30.879 that has been a central thread 00:05:30.879 --> 00:05:32.599 throughout all of my preaching. 00:05:33.959 --> 00:05:37.339 It is not only a central thread of all of my preaching, 00:05:37.459 --> 00:05:37.919 but he says, 00:05:38.279 --> 00:05:39.959 it's what you rest on. 00:05:40.019 --> 00:05:42.899 It's what you are established in. 00:05:43.240 --> 00:05:44.779 And then later on, he also says, 00:05:44.779 --> 00:05:47.339 it is that which you are being saved by. 00:05:48.099 --> 00:05:50.659 The reality of the fact is that our salvation 00:05:50.659 --> 00:05:53.399 is dependent upon the resurrection. 00:05:54.439 --> 00:05:56.419 And this morning, as we get into this passage 00:05:56.419 --> 00:05:58.199 and what Paul has to say, 00:05:58.699 --> 00:06:00.899 I want you to walk out of here being very, very thankful. 00:06:01.039 --> 00:06:04.119 I am so thankful that Lord Jesus Christ died 00:06:04.119 --> 00:06:06.919 for my sins according to the Scripture 00:06:06.919 --> 00:06:09.799 and that He rose again according to the Scriptures. 00:06:09.800 --> 00:06:13.020 Now, what we find here in this passage, 00:06:13.180 --> 00:06:15.639 and we're going to look at verse 4 in particular, 00:06:15.759 --> 00:06:15.920 it says, 00:06:16.000 --> 00:06:16.579 He was buried, 00:06:17.020 --> 00:06:18.740 then He was raised on the third day 00:06:18.740 --> 00:06:19.920 in accordance with the Scriptures. 00:06:20.280 --> 00:06:22.120 We find kind of pressed together 00:06:22.120 --> 00:06:25.240 a perfect picture of apostolic preaching. 00:06:26.300 --> 00:06:28.780 Apostolic preaching is important to us 00:06:28.780 --> 00:06:31.340 because the apostles were appointed by Christ 00:06:31.340 --> 00:06:34.280 to be His formal representatives 00:06:34.280 --> 00:06:37.639 and His mouthpiece, His speaker. 00:06:37.639 --> 00:06:41.699 They were given legal, in a sense, 00:06:41.839 --> 00:06:43.699 legal authority to represent Christ 00:06:43.699 --> 00:06:46.560 and the apostolic preaching is very significant. 00:06:46.699 --> 00:06:48.419 So this morning, we want to think very carefully, 00:06:48.899 --> 00:06:51.680 what is the centrality of the resurrection 00:06:51.680 --> 00:06:53.659 in the preaching of the apostles? 00:06:54.419 --> 00:06:55.620 And as we look at this, 00:06:55.680 --> 00:06:57.120 I want you to begin by recognizing 00:06:57.120 --> 00:06:59.240 that context is important. 00:07:00.019 --> 00:07:03.560 One of the things that is so profoundly important 00:07:03.560 --> 00:07:04.899 in our own Bible study, 00:07:04.939 --> 00:07:05.939 and I remind you of this, 00:07:05.939 --> 00:07:07.379 part of the purpose of preaching 00:07:07.379 --> 00:07:10.339 is to inform and encourage 00:07:10.339 --> 00:07:12.839 your own Bible study at home. 00:07:13.699 --> 00:07:15.240 This is not the only place 00:07:15.240 --> 00:07:16.199 that you ought to find 00:07:16.199 --> 00:07:18.199 spiritual encouragement and refreshment. 00:07:18.680 --> 00:07:19.920 It ought to be taking place 00:07:19.920 --> 00:07:21.800 every morning, every night, 00:07:21.920 --> 00:07:22.980 in your own heart, 00:07:23.079 --> 00:07:24.959 that you are refreshed and encouraged 00:07:24.959 --> 00:07:26.600 by the truth of who God is 00:07:26.600 --> 00:07:27.800 and what He has done, 00:07:27.879 --> 00:07:29.740 by the significance of the Word. 00:07:30.560 --> 00:07:33.959 So woven into preaching that is biblical 00:07:33.959 --> 00:07:37.219 is the intention of helping you learn to think 00:07:37.219 --> 00:07:39.759 how you go about finding things in the Scripture. 00:07:40.199 --> 00:07:41.859 And I tell you that context is important. 00:07:42.719 --> 00:07:44.399 An illustration of that would be 00:07:44.399 --> 00:07:49.299 if you were standing in front of a firing squad 00:07:49.299 --> 00:07:50.399 and you heard someone say, 00:07:50.399 --> 00:07:50.799 fire, 00:07:51.799 --> 00:07:50.799 fire, 00:07:51.799 --> 00:07:57.259 or if you heard someone yell fire in here, 00:07:58.219 --> 00:08:01.759 or if you having been very, very cold 00:08:01.759 --> 00:08:03.519 and a camping situation, 00:08:03.679 --> 00:08:04.639 I know, Doug, 00:08:04.699 --> 00:08:05.779 you're going to be camping in June, 00:08:05.839 --> 00:08:06.319 am I right? 00:08:07.039 --> 00:08:09.319 The campfires that you guys are going to have 00:08:09.319 --> 00:08:11.219 is just for marshmallows and hot dogs 00:08:11.219 --> 00:08:12.079 and entertainment. 00:08:12.799 --> 00:08:14.060 But I can tell you, 00:08:14.199 --> 00:08:16.139 if you were in a situation 00:08:16.139 --> 00:08:18.159 where you were nearly freezing to death 00:08:18.160 --> 00:08:20.260 and you were trying to get the tinder going 00:08:20.260 --> 00:08:21.180 and nothing was happening 00:08:21.180 --> 00:08:21.840 and you're wondering 00:08:21.840 --> 00:08:22.880 whether you're going to make it or not, 00:08:23.080 --> 00:08:24.660 and finally there's a little flicker 00:08:24.660 --> 00:08:25.500 and a little bit of smoke 00:08:25.500 --> 00:08:26.860 and fire. 00:08:27.640 --> 00:08:30.560 Every context makes a difference. 00:08:31.460 --> 00:08:32.580 And here is the apostle 00:08:32.580 --> 00:08:34.720 bringing this issue 00:08:34.720 --> 00:08:37.259 of the centrality of the resurrection 00:08:37.259 --> 00:08:39.100 into focus for believers 00:08:39.100 --> 00:08:39.800 and he says, 00:08:39.899 --> 00:08:40.080 listen, 00:08:40.200 --> 00:08:41.240 I'm telling you something 00:08:41.240 --> 00:08:42.980 that is supremely important 00:08:42.980 --> 00:08:44.480 and you need to pay attention to. 00:08:44.860 --> 00:08:46.060 It is the resurrection 00:08:46.060 --> 00:08:47.899 of the Lord Jesus Christ from the dead. 00:08:48.699 --> 00:08:49.779 I want you to understand 00:08:49.779 --> 00:08:50.559 that the issue 00:08:50.559 --> 00:08:52.019 that we are dealing with this morning 00:08:52.019 --> 00:08:53.360 is that there's no salvation 00:08:53.360 --> 00:08:55.199 apart from the resurrection. 00:08:56.000 --> 00:08:57.919 I remember talking with an individual 00:08:57.919 --> 00:08:58.819 not too long ago 00:08:58.819 --> 00:09:00.299 and the comment was made 00:09:00.299 --> 00:09:01.039 that really, you know, 00:09:01.399 --> 00:09:02.799 Jesus was a pretty good person 00:09:02.799 --> 00:09:04.639 and he really gave us a great model 00:09:04.639 --> 00:09:07.279 but it's not that important 00:09:07.279 --> 00:09:08.179 that he existed. 00:09:09.699 --> 00:09:10.740 There are others that say, 00:09:10.899 --> 00:09:12.299 well, maybe Jesus did exist 00:09:12.299 --> 00:09:13.819 as a historical figure 00:09:13.819 --> 00:09:15.500 but the fact of the matter is 00:09:15.500 --> 00:09:16.439 is that he just died 00:09:16.439 --> 00:09:17.120 and that was it. 00:09:18.159 --> 00:09:19.199 I'll tell you something, 00:09:19.299 --> 00:09:20.339 apart from the resurrection, 00:09:20.600 --> 00:09:22.179 we have no hope of salvation 00:09:22.179 --> 00:09:25.159 and we have no confidence at all 00:09:25.159 --> 00:09:26.480 not only in eternity 00:09:26.480 --> 00:09:27.919 but in victory in this life 00:09:27.919 --> 00:09:28.980 and we're going to get into that 00:09:28.980 --> 00:09:29.419 a little bit more 00:09:29.419 --> 00:09:30.600 and understand it this morning. 00:09:31.299 --> 00:09:32.719 As we look at the passage 00:09:32.719 --> 00:09:35.100 and we think about apostolic preaching, 00:09:35.839 --> 00:09:37.519 what I want you to understand 00:09:37.519 --> 00:09:40.360 is that apostolic preaching, 00:09:40.559 --> 00:09:42.000 the preaching of the apostles 00:09:42.000 --> 00:09:43.759 was something that held together 00:09:43.759 --> 00:09:45.120 and was consistent throughout. 00:09:45.120 --> 00:09:48.179 When you ask three different people 00:09:48.179 --> 00:09:50.279 what happened in a particular incident, 00:09:50.840 --> 00:09:51.580 one of the things 00:09:51.580 --> 00:09:53.299 that we usually find out 00:09:53.299 --> 00:09:54.240 is that everybody had 00:09:54.240 --> 00:09:55.139 a different perspective. 00:09:55.200 --> 00:09:55.720 Isn't that right? 00:09:57.039 --> 00:09:58.159 You saw the accident, 00:09:58.259 --> 00:09:59.019 I saw the accident, 00:09:59.100 --> 00:10:00.200 somebody else saw the accident, 00:10:00.620 --> 00:10:02.539 two people were involved 00:10:02.539 --> 00:10:03.179 in the accident 00:10:03.179 --> 00:10:04.360 and most of the time 00:10:04.360 --> 00:10:06.299 they have two different stories, 00:10:06.399 --> 00:10:07.200 particularly if they're trying 00:10:07.200 --> 00:10:08.299 to determine who was right 00:10:08.299 --> 00:10:08.980 and who was wrong 00:10:08.980 --> 00:10:11.860 for the sake of insurance, right? 00:10:12.139 --> 00:10:14.960 Oh no, I waited for the light, 00:10:15.060 --> 00:10:16.039 it was green 00:10:16.039 --> 00:10:18.920 and you were the one 00:10:18.920 --> 00:10:19.539 who drove through 00:10:19.539 --> 00:10:20.779 and broadsided me or whatever, 00:10:20.899 --> 00:10:22.480 you know, there's always an issue 00:10:22.480 --> 00:10:25.019 and we come at this issue 00:10:25.019 --> 00:10:27.259 of determining what is right 00:10:27.259 --> 00:10:28.800 by paying attention 00:10:28.800 --> 00:10:30.039 to how it fits together 00:10:30.039 --> 00:10:31.940 and marvelously, 00:10:32.139 --> 00:10:33.659 the preaching of the apostles 00:10:33.659 --> 00:10:36.139 have this unity that comes about 00:10:36.139 --> 00:10:37.439 because God is the one 00:10:37.439 --> 00:10:39.319 who gave the scriptures to us 00:10:39.319 --> 00:10:42.419 and over 2,000 plus years, 00:10:42.539 --> 00:10:43.299 thousands of years, 00:10:43.480 --> 00:10:44.439 he gave the scriptures 00:10:44.439 --> 00:10:46.019 through about 40 different authors, 00:10:46.340 --> 00:10:47.819 he gave it in three different languages, 00:10:48.220 --> 00:10:49.340 he gave it in all different 00:10:49.340 --> 00:10:50.159 kinds of settings 00:10:50.159 --> 00:10:51.860 and yet it all fits together 00:10:51.860 --> 00:10:53.860 and we can track the reality 00:10:53.860 --> 00:10:56.419 of what Christ Jesus came to do 00:10:56.419 --> 00:10:57.600 and what he did. 00:10:58.819 --> 00:10:59.519 And so this morning 00:10:59.519 --> 00:11:00.439 as we think about 00:11:00.439 --> 00:11:02.840 the importance of apostolic preaching 00:11:02.840 --> 00:11:04.379 on the resurrection, 00:11:04.539 --> 00:11:05.559 let me kind of remind you 00:11:05.559 --> 00:11:06.479 of the importance 00:11:06.479 --> 00:11:07.539 of apostolic preaching 00:11:07.539 --> 00:11:08.519 by having you turn 00:11:08.519 --> 00:11:10.059 to a passage just for a second 00:11:10.059 --> 00:11:11.619 in Acts chapter 2 verse 42. 00:11:12.379 --> 00:11:13.559 The early church, 00:11:13.799 --> 00:11:14.979 when they gathered together, 00:11:15.559 --> 00:11:16.219 one of the things 00:11:16.219 --> 00:11:17.219 that was at the heart 00:11:17.219 --> 00:11:18.599 of their gathering 00:11:18.599 --> 00:11:20.599 was the preaching 00:11:20.599 --> 00:11:22.859 and teaching of the apostles. 00:11:23.779 --> 00:11:24.979 And so when we are here 00:11:24.979 --> 00:11:25.739 this morning, 00:11:26.519 --> 00:11:27.259 in essence, 00:11:27.419 --> 00:11:28.239 what I am doing 00:11:28.239 --> 00:11:29.799 and what Pastor Shearer 00:11:29.799 --> 00:11:30.519 has been doing 00:11:30.519 --> 00:11:31.939 and what Pastor Andrew 00:11:31.939 --> 00:11:32.899 continues to do 00:11:32.899 --> 00:11:34.339 is draw attention 00:11:34.340 --> 00:11:35.440 to the preaching 00:11:35.440 --> 00:11:36.399 or the truth 00:11:36.399 --> 00:11:37.060 of the apostles. 00:11:37.200 --> 00:11:39.080 Acts chapter 2 verse 42. 00:11:39.259 --> 00:11:40.500 They devoted themselves 00:11:40.500 --> 00:11:43.580 to the apostles' teaching. 00:11:44.740 --> 00:11:45.980 When people got together, 00:11:46.840 --> 00:11:48.259 the thing was at the heart 00:11:48.259 --> 00:11:50.360 of their gathering 00:11:50.360 --> 00:11:52.500 was apostolic teaching. 00:11:52.680 --> 00:11:54.300 There's no doubt 00:11:54.300 --> 00:11:55.780 of the importance 00:11:55.780 --> 00:11:56.899 of apostolic teaching 00:11:56.899 --> 00:11:57.980 and one of the illustrations 00:11:57.980 --> 00:11:58.940 of it is that 00:11:58.940 --> 00:12:00.680 most of you this morning 00:12:00.679 --> 00:12:02.620 have a copy of the Bible 00:12:02.620 --> 00:12:03.759 either in your hand 00:12:03.759 --> 00:12:04.459 or on your phone. 00:12:04.539 --> 00:12:06.379 I was kind of intrigued 00:12:06.379 --> 00:12:06.899 this morning 00:12:06.899 --> 00:12:08.019 when Megan read the scriptures. 00:12:08.139 --> 00:12:08.679 Where are you, Megan? 00:12:08.759 --> 00:12:09.500 You're somewhere out here. 00:12:10.099 --> 00:12:10.659 Megan, Megan, Megan. 00:12:11.620 --> 00:12:12.579 Ah, there you are. 00:12:12.879 --> 00:12:13.679 Did you notice that 00:12:13.679 --> 00:12:14.559 instead of pulling out 00:12:14.559 --> 00:12:15.379 the sacred text, 00:12:15.620 --> 00:12:16.799 she used the sacred phone? 00:12:22.059 --> 00:12:23.259 I grew up in a time 00:12:23.259 --> 00:12:24.439 where Bible quizzing 00:12:24.439 --> 00:12:25.839 and sword drills 00:12:25.839 --> 00:12:26.719 were really important. 00:12:26.879 --> 00:12:27.399 How many of you 00:12:27.399 --> 00:12:27.959 did sword drills? 00:12:27.960 --> 00:12:30.139 I mean, it's an age-specific issue. 00:12:30.259 --> 00:12:30.940 You know, all of you 00:12:30.940 --> 00:12:31.360 who are, yeah, 00:12:31.700 --> 00:12:32.139 sword drills? 00:12:32.240 --> 00:12:32.800 What are sword drills? 00:12:33.980 --> 00:12:34.920 Probably all depends 00:12:34.920 --> 00:12:36.080 on whether I have 3G 00:12:36.080 --> 00:12:36.660 or 4G 00:12:36.660 --> 00:12:37.700 or whatever else it is. 00:12:37.740 --> 00:12:38.639 You know, it's like, bang. 00:12:39.540 --> 00:12:40.560 We used to have to know 00:12:40.560 --> 00:12:41.540 where John was 00:12:41.540 --> 00:12:42.340 without just hitting 00:12:42.340 --> 00:12:43.400 a little icon 00:12:43.400 --> 00:12:44.700 that pulled up John. 00:12:44.800 --> 00:12:45.120 You know, it's like, 00:12:45.180 --> 00:12:45.920 John is about, 00:12:47.540 --> 00:12:49.480 here's the thing 00:12:49.480 --> 00:12:50.540 I want you to focus on. 00:12:51.820 --> 00:12:53.360 The apostolic preaching 00:12:53.360 --> 00:12:54.740 put a great deal 00:12:54.740 --> 00:12:55.860 of emphasis on the fact 00:12:55.860 --> 00:12:56.940 that this book 00:12:56.940 --> 00:12:58.060 is God's Word 00:12:58.060 --> 00:12:59.419 and we are gathered 00:12:59.419 --> 00:13:00.419 around it 00:13:00.419 --> 00:13:01.879 because it is God's Word. 00:13:02.480 --> 00:13:03.200 We're dependent, 00:13:03.759 --> 00:13:04.960 and thankfully so, 00:13:05.120 --> 00:13:07.019 on the clear revelation 00:13:07.019 --> 00:13:07.740 of God 00:13:07.740 --> 00:13:10.139 of what truth actually is. 00:13:10.879 --> 00:13:12.060 And so when the apostles 00:13:12.060 --> 00:13:14.060 taught that the resurrection 00:13:14.060 --> 00:13:14.860 happened 00:13:15.560 --> 00:13:16.800 and it is essential, 00:13:17.340 --> 00:13:18.539 we recognize that 00:13:18.539 --> 00:13:19.740 to be entirely true 00:13:19.740 --> 00:13:21.200 and we hang on to it 00:13:21.200 --> 00:13:22.279 and we hold on 00:13:22.279 --> 00:13:23.960 and believe that it is valuable 00:13:23.960 --> 00:13:25.900 and our hearts are thus blessed 00:13:25.900 --> 00:13:27.639 by what we find 00:13:27.639 --> 00:13:28.200 in the Scriptures. 00:13:28.920 --> 00:13:30.080 So let me mark with you 00:13:30.080 --> 00:13:31.320 just kind of a broad swing 00:13:31.320 --> 00:13:32.860 of the apostolic preaching 00:13:32.860 --> 00:13:33.580 on the cross 00:13:33.580 --> 00:13:34.700 and the resurrection. 00:13:34.940 --> 00:13:35.200 Peter, 00:13:36.280 --> 00:13:37.300 in every sermon 00:13:37.300 --> 00:13:38.759 recorded in the book of Acts, 00:13:39.160 --> 00:13:41.259 we don't know how many 00:13:41.259 --> 00:13:41.700 he preached, 00:13:41.840 --> 00:13:42.960 but in every sermon 00:13:42.960 --> 00:13:44.280 recorded in the book of Acts, 00:13:44.360 --> 00:13:46.100 and Peter was one of the 00:13:46.100 --> 00:13:47.080 predominant preachers 00:13:47.080 --> 00:13:47.840 in the book of Acts, 00:13:48.160 --> 00:13:48.840 every sermon 00:13:48.840 --> 00:13:51.300 has a central theme 00:13:51.299 --> 00:13:52.259 that includes 00:13:52.259 --> 00:13:52.879 the resurrection 00:13:52.879 --> 00:13:54.139 of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:13:54.299 --> 00:13:55.439 The very first sermon 00:13:55.439 --> 00:13:57.319 on the day of Pentecost, 00:13:57.679 --> 00:13:58.659 how did Jesus start out? 00:13:58.719 --> 00:13:59.319 Does anybody remember? 00:14:00.799 --> 00:14:02.159 He let people know 00:14:02.159 --> 00:14:04.199 that they had crucified Jesus 00:14:04.199 --> 00:14:06.399 and that this same Jesus 00:14:06.399 --> 00:14:07.959 who they had crucified 00:14:07.959 --> 00:14:09.359 was risen again 00:14:09.359 --> 00:14:10.519 and he was waiting 00:14:10.519 --> 00:14:11.479 to be the judge 00:14:11.479 --> 00:14:12.139 of the whole earth 00:14:12.139 --> 00:14:13.539 and they realizing 00:14:13.539 --> 00:14:14.399 what had happened, 00:14:14.679 --> 00:14:15.299 what they'd done, 00:14:15.579 --> 00:14:16.159 they cried out, 00:14:16.339 --> 00:14:17.439 what must we do? 00:14:18.219 --> 00:14:19.240 In every place 00:14:19.240 --> 00:14:20.840 that Peter preached, 00:14:21.220 --> 00:14:22.600 the resurrection was central. 00:14:23.240 --> 00:14:23.879 It's interesting, 00:14:24.000 --> 00:14:24.560 if you were to go 00:14:24.560 --> 00:14:25.480 to 1 Peter, 00:14:26.000 --> 00:14:28.080 one of two of his last letters 00:14:28.080 --> 00:14:28.740 to the church 00:14:28.740 --> 00:14:30.620 before his execution, 00:14:31.080 --> 00:14:31.940 we find there 00:14:31.940 --> 00:14:32.960 that the resurrection 00:14:32.960 --> 00:14:34.659 was part of the thematic flow 00:14:34.659 --> 00:14:36.000 of what he dealt with 00:14:36.000 --> 00:14:37.000 in his last letter. 00:14:37.919 --> 00:14:38.279 Paul, 00:14:38.580 --> 00:14:40.120 in addition to our text today, 00:14:40.740 --> 00:14:42.539 in which he gives 00:14:42.539 --> 00:14:44.240 an extended lesson 00:14:44.840 --> 00:14:45.779 on the importance 00:14:45.779 --> 00:14:46.620 of the resurrection, 00:14:47.220 --> 00:14:48.440 he dealt with the fact 00:14:48.440 --> 00:14:49.120 of the resurrection 00:14:49.120 --> 00:14:50.260 of the Lord Jesus Christ 00:14:50.260 --> 00:14:51.680 over and over again. 00:14:52.100 --> 00:14:52.800 It was part of, 00:14:52.820 --> 00:14:53.320 and we're going to see 00:14:53.320 --> 00:14:54.120 some of the illustrations 00:14:54.120 --> 00:14:54.820 of that later, 00:14:54.920 --> 00:14:56.680 but you couldn't dive 00:14:56.680 --> 00:14:58.680 into the apostles' teaching 00:14:58.680 --> 00:15:00.160 and not bump right 00:15:00.160 --> 00:15:00.760 into the fact 00:15:00.760 --> 00:15:01.800 that the resurrection 00:15:01.800 --> 00:15:02.480 for Paul 00:15:02.480 --> 00:15:03.620 was very, very important. 00:15:04.680 --> 00:15:06.360 If you were to ask me 00:15:06.360 --> 00:15:09.760 what are the very essentials 00:15:09.760 --> 00:15:10.980 of our faith, 00:15:11.580 --> 00:15:12.320 I would tell you 00:15:12.320 --> 00:15:13.220 that it's the resurrection. 00:15:13.960 --> 00:15:14.740 It's the fact 00:15:14.740 --> 00:15:15.820 that the Lord Jesus Christ 00:15:15.820 --> 00:15:16.920 died for my sins, 00:15:16.919 --> 00:15:17.699 that's important, 00:15:18.019 --> 00:15:19.039 but if the resurrection 00:15:19.039 --> 00:15:19.959 hadn't happened, 00:15:20.159 --> 00:15:21.399 I really wouldn't have 00:15:21.399 --> 00:15:23.679 any reason for faith. 00:15:25.139 --> 00:15:25.759 I remember a number 00:15:25.759 --> 00:15:26.419 of years ago, 00:15:26.899 --> 00:15:27.719 Pastor Saul and I 00:15:27.719 --> 00:15:28.919 were at the Basics Conference, 00:15:29.779 --> 00:15:31.919 and we heard Phil Johnson. 00:15:32.379 --> 00:15:33.479 Phil Johnson was a, 00:15:34.099 --> 00:15:35.459 he has two PhDs, 00:15:35.519 --> 00:15:36.179 one from Oxford 00:15:36.179 --> 00:15:36.919 and whatever else 00:15:36.919 --> 00:15:37.539 in mathematics, 00:15:37.699 --> 00:15:38.319 way beyond me, 00:15:38.740 --> 00:15:39.740 and he was actually, 00:15:40.000 --> 00:15:41.719 he was actually given 00:15:41.719 --> 00:15:42.319 the opportunity 00:15:42.319 --> 00:15:43.919 of debating Richard Dawkins. 00:15:43.919 --> 00:15:44.519 Richard Dawkins. 00:15:45.019 --> 00:15:45.439 How many of you 00:15:45.439 --> 00:15:46.120 heard the name 00:15:46.120 --> 00:15:47.299 Richard Dawkins? 00:15:48.360 --> 00:15:50.439 A phenomenally intelligent guy, 00:15:50.519 --> 00:15:51.079 and they were having 00:15:51.079 --> 00:15:51.979 this back and forth 00:15:51.979 --> 00:15:53.059 and really going at it, 00:15:53.659 --> 00:15:55.199 and Phil Johnson 00:15:55.199 --> 00:15:55.959 was actually doing 00:15:55.959 --> 00:15:57.019 quite well in that debate, 00:15:57.139 --> 00:15:58.899 and so Richard Dawkins 00:15:58.899 --> 00:16:00.860 kind of descended 00:16:00.860 --> 00:16:01.919 to sarcasm. 00:16:02.179 --> 00:16:02.879 How many of you know 00:16:02.879 --> 00:16:03.539 that when you're 00:16:03.539 --> 00:16:04.839 not winning an argument, 00:16:05.019 --> 00:16:06.199 sarcasm is a great tool? 00:16:07.299 --> 00:16:07.819 You're acting 00:16:07.819 --> 00:16:08.559 just like your mother. 00:16:08.980 --> 00:16:10.360 That really works well 00:16:10.360 --> 00:16:11.539 if you want to go home. 00:16:12.519 --> 00:16:14.240 So, at the end 00:16:14.240 --> 00:16:14.939 of the argument, 00:16:15.120 --> 00:16:15.919 Richard decided 00:16:15.919 --> 00:16:16.480 it was time 00:16:16.480 --> 00:16:17.559 to pull his trump out, 00:16:17.639 --> 00:16:18.599 and here's what he said. 00:16:19.759 --> 00:16:20.839 You just believe 00:16:20.839 --> 00:16:22.779 in the resurrection 00:16:22.779 --> 00:16:23.459 of Jesus, 00:16:23.599 --> 00:16:24.219 and that's all 00:16:24.219 --> 00:16:25.539 that your faith rests on. 00:16:26.079 --> 00:16:26.539 Yes? 00:16:26.799 --> 00:16:27.620 Yeah, it's okay. 00:16:27.980 --> 00:16:29.279 I'm not bothered by that. 00:16:30.139 --> 00:16:31.719 And we have Paul saying, 00:16:31.860 --> 00:16:32.599 man, the resurrection 00:16:32.599 --> 00:16:33.179 is critical. 00:16:34.159 --> 00:16:35.279 We find not only 00:16:35.279 --> 00:16:36.459 Peter and Paul, 00:16:36.519 --> 00:16:37.740 but we also find John 00:16:37.740 --> 00:16:38.879 speaking about Christ's 00:16:38.879 --> 00:16:40.259 victory over death, 00:16:40.299 --> 00:16:41.120 and a number of times 00:16:41.120 --> 00:16:42.340 it appears at various places 00:16:42.340 --> 00:16:45.620 in both the Gospel of John 00:16:45.620 --> 00:16:46.440 and 1 John, 00:16:46.500 --> 00:16:47.259 but also in the book 00:16:47.259 --> 00:16:47.820 of Revelation, 00:16:48.100 --> 00:16:49.159 and I want you to turn 00:16:49.159 --> 00:16:49.919 just for a moment 00:16:49.919 --> 00:16:50.940 to the way in which 00:16:50.940 --> 00:16:52.519 we find Jesus introduced 00:16:52.519 --> 00:16:54.039 in the book of Revelation. 00:16:55.419 --> 00:16:57.759 Revelation 1, verse 18. 00:16:58.820 --> 00:17:00.200 As you're turning there 00:17:00.200 --> 00:17:00.779 this morning, 00:17:00.919 --> 00:17:02.399 I wonder whether you were 00:17:02.399 --> 00:17:04.279 kind of cross-referencing 00:17:04.279 --> 00:17:06.720 the words of our last song 00:17:06.720 --> 00:17:09.039 with a passage in the book 00:17:09.039 --> 00:17:09.660 of Revelation 00:17:09.660 --> 00:17:12.980 where the songwriter 00:17:12.980 --> 00:17:14.380 kind of attaches 00:17:14.380 --> 00:17:16.059 some of the wording 00:17:16.059 --> 00:17:17.180 that we were singing 00:17:17.180 --> 00:17:18.079 with the fact 00:17:18.079 --> 00:17:19.519 that Jesus is the one 00:17:19.519 --> 00:17:20.600 who died and rose again. 00:17:20.779 --> 00:17:21.900 Look at verse 18. 00:17:22.400 --> 00:17:24.019 Revelation 1, verse 18. 00:17:25.940 --> 00:17:26.579 Fear not, 00:17:26.640 --> 00:17:27.559 actually in verse 17, 00:17:27.660 --> 00:17:28.000 fear not, 00:17:28.100 --> 00:17:29.240 I am the first and the last, 00:17:29.360 --> 00:17:29.799 the living, 00:17:30.180 --> 00:17:31.100 I died, 00:17:31.420 --> 00:17:31.920 and behold, 00:17:31.920 --> 00:17:32.680 I'm alive, 00:17:33.160 --> 00:17:34.380 and forevermore 00:17:34.380 --> 00:17:35.560 I have the keys 00:17:35.560 --> 00:17:36.700 of death and Hades. 00:17:36.779 --> 00:17:38.580 Here is Jesus explaining 00:17:38.580 --> 00:17:40.560 He is indeed 00:17:40.560 --> 00:17:41.680 the one who died 00:17:41.680 --> 00:17:42.340 for our sins 00:17:42.340 --> 00:17:43.160 and rose again. 00:17:43.960 --> 00:17:44.820 I want you to think 00:17:44.820 --> 00:17:45.380 with me now, 00:17:45.460 --> 00:17:46.160 not only the fact 00:17:46.160 --> 00:17:47.100 that the resurrection 00:17:47.100 --> 00:17:48.880 was woven into the fabric 00:17:48.880 --> 00:17:50.360 of apostolic preaching. 00:17:50.500 --> 00:17:52.100 You talk to the apostle, 00:17:52.620 --> 00:17:53.259 he's going to come 00:17:53.259 --> 00:17:53.960 to the resurrection. 00:17:54.100 --> 00:17:55.080 Go talk about it often. 00:17:57.060 --> 00:17:58.019 I want you to think 00:17:58.019 --> 00:17:59.100 why it would be that way. 00:17:59.220 --> 00:18:00.460 Why is the resurrection 00:18:00.460 --> 00:18:01.380 so important, 00:18:01.380 --> 00:18:03.660 particularly in our faith 00:18:03.660 --> 00:18:04.800 and our understanding 00:18:04.800 --> 00:18:05.400 of what Christ 00:18:05.400 --> 00:18:06.160 has done for us? 00:18:06.220 --> 00:18:06.820 For one thing, 00:18:07.220 --> 00:18:08.860 the resurrection affirms 00:18:08.860 --> 00:18:09.960 the deity 00:18:09.960 --> 00:18:11.600 and the judgment of Christ. 00:18:11.680 --> 00:18:12.800 It affirms the deity 00:18:12.800 --> 00:18:14.340 and the judgment of Christ. 00:18:14.420 --> 00:18:14.980 How do we know 00:18:14.980 --> 00:18:16.920 that Christ is indeed God 00:18:16.920 --> 00:18:18.160 and that He is going 00:18:18.160 --> 00:18:18.860 to be the judge 00:18:18.860 --> 00:18:19.620 of the whole earth? 00:18:21.380 --> 00:18:22.420 Turn in your Bibles 00:18:22.420 --> 00:18:25.560 to Acts chapter 17, 00:18:26.020 --> 00:18:27.040 verse 31. 00:18:28.620 --> 00:18:30.380 We find in Acts chapter 17 00:18:30.380 --> 00:18:33.800 that Paul is having a debate 00:18:33.800 --> 00:18:35.280 with Athenians. 00:18:36.360 --> 00:18:38.580 In the ancient world 00:18:38.580 --> 00:18:41.440 without electronic devices 00:18:41.440 --> 00:18:43.920 and without TV and a radio, 00:18:44.740 --> 00:18:46.980 the thing that you wanted to do 00:18:46.980 --> 00:18:49.300 in terms of entertaining yourself 00:18:49.300 --> 00:18:50.260 was go down and listen 00:18:50.260 --> 00:18:53.000 to the wandering philosopher 00:18:53.000 --> 00:18:53.840 who would show up 00:18:53.840 --> 00:18:54.340 at the market 00:18:54.339 --> 00:18:56.019 and He would try 00:18:56.019 --> 00:18:57.099 to foist off on you 00:18:57.099 --> 00:18:58.199 His current idea 00:18:58.199 --> 00:18:59.079 and you had 00:18:59.079 --> 00:19:01.179 very active debates 00:19:01.179 --> 00:19:02.559 and it was 00:19:02.559 --> 00:19:03.779 what they did. 00:19:04.459 --> 00:19:05.059 And here is Paul 00:19:05.059 --> 00:19:06.079 shows up in the Agora 00:19:06.079 --> 00:19:07.839 and he takes advantage 00:19:07.839 --> 00:19:08.619 of all these statues 00:19:09.199 --> 00:19:10.019 and various idols. 00:19:10.159 --> 00:19:10.419 He says, 00:19:10.500 --> 00:19:10.859 hey listen, 00:19:11.179 --> 00:19:11.839 let me talk to you 00:19:11.839 --> 00:19:12.899 about the unknown God 00:19:12.899 --> 00:19:13.959 that you've got a statue to. 00:19:14.720 --> 00:19:16.059 And at the end 00:19:16.059 --> 00:19:16.980 of his sermon, 00:19:17.099 --> 00:19:18.119 look there at verse 31, 00:19:19.000 --> 00:19:19.879 here's what he says. 00:19:20.780 --> 00:19:21.160 He says, 00:19:21.220 --> 00:19:22.420 because He has fixed the day 00:19:22.420 --> 00:19:23.600 on which He will judge 00:19:23.600 --> 00:19:25.000 the world in righteousness 00:19:25.000 --> 00:19:25.820 by a man 00:19:25.820 --> 00:19:27.260 whom He has appointed. 00:19:28.580 --> 00:19:29.780 The day is coming 00:19:29.780 --> 00:19:31.160 that sin 00:19:31.160 --> 00:19:31.940 is going 00:19:31.940 --> 00:19:32.880 to be judged. 00:19:33.440 --> 00:19:34.180 Do you believe that? 00:19:34.840 --> 00:19:35.860 Let me say it again slowly. 00:19:36.200 --> 00:19:37.080 The day is coming 00:19:37.080 --> 00:19:38.620 when sin 00:19:38.620 --> 00:19:39.260 is going 00:19:39.260 --> 00:19:40.060 to be judged. 00:19:42.380 --> 00:19:43.300 Tim Bauer and I 00:19:43.300 --> 00:19:43.580 were 00:19:43.580 --> 00:19:45.060 under the bridge, 00:19:45.400 --> 00:19:46.160 was that 70? 00:19:46.280 --> 00:19:47.080 I think that's 70, 00:19:47.180 --> 00:19:47.320 yeah. 00:19:47.319 --> 00:19:49.220 And we were 00:19:49.220 --> 00:19:50.339 bringing oatmeal 00:19:50.339 --> 00:19:51.139 and different things 00:19:51.139 --> 00:19:52.220 to a man 00:19:52.220 --> 00:19:53.079 who's under the bridge. 00:19:53.700 --> 00:19:54.480 He's been there 00:19:54.480 --> 00:19:56.259 for as long 00:19:56.259 --> 00:19:56.899 as I've been going. 00:19:58.000 --> 00:19:59.700 And I can remember 00:19:59.700 --> 00:20:00.500 the first time 00:20:00.500 --> 00:20:01.240 Tim and I went 00:20:01.240 --> 00:20:01.619 and said, 00:20:01.720 --> 00:20:01.839 hey, 00:20:01.939 --> 00:20:02.619 can we pray for you? 00:20:02.639 --> 00:20:03.059 That's one of the things 00:20:03.059 --> 00:20:03.659 we normally do. 00:20:04.139 --> 00:20:04.819 Nah, I'm good. 00:20:05.319 --> 00:20:05.899 He said, 00:20:06.000 --> 00:20:06.659 I'm good for about 00:20:06.659 --> 00:20:07.379 two, three months. 00:20:07.799 --> 00:20:08.740 I'm good, I'm good. 00:20:08.819 --> 00:20:09.679 Every time we'd go, 00:20:10.139 --> 00:20:10.960 we brought him food 00:20:10.960 --> 00:20:12.599 and started bringing him 00:20:12.599 --> 00:20:13.720 AAA batteries 00:20:13.720 --> 00:20:15.200 for his light. 00:20:16.240 --> 00:20:16.599 Today, 00:20:16.599 --> 00:20:17.779 or last yesterday 00:20:17.779 --> 00:20:18.359 when we said, 00:20:18.419 --> 00:20:18.500 hey, 00:20:18.559 --> 00:20:19.339 how can we pray for you? 00:20:19.419 --> 00:20:19.659 He says, 00:20:20.279 --> 00:20:20.459 yeah, 00:20:20.500 --> 00:20:21.119 I'd like God 00:20:21.119 --> 00:20:22.240 to smite those thieves 00:20:22.240 --> 00:20:23.539 that stole my stuff. 00:20:24.659 --> 00:20:25.019 He said, 00:20:25.059 --> 00:20:26.059 is God in the smiting 00:20:26.059 --> 00:20:27.000 business still? 00:20:31.299 --> 00:20:31.919 Where are you, 00:20:31.959 --> 00:20:32.099 Tim? 00:20:32.119 --> 00:20:32.879 You're out here somewhere. 00:20:33.019 --> 00:20:33.399 Thank you. 00:20:33.579 --> 00:20:34.079 Remember that? 00:20:34.639 --> 00:20:35.859 Is God in the smiting 00:20:35.859 --> 00:20:36.719 business still? 00:20:37.679 --> 00:20:38.899 And Tim and I 00:20:38.899 --> 00:20:39.699 usually take turns. 00:20:39.819 --> 00:20:39.919 You know, 00:20:39.959 --> 00:20:40.659 we go back and forth. 00:20:40.740 --> 00:20:41.559 Tim has a shot at him. 00:20:41.559 --> 00:20:42.379 I have a shot at him. 00:20:42.500 --> 00:20:43.199 We kind of, 00:20:43.679 --> 00:20:43.899 you know, 00:20:44.399 --> 00:20:44.839 good cop, 00:20:44.919 --> 00:20:45.279 bad cop, 00:20:45.279 --> 00:20:45.839 that kind of thing. 00:20:46.299 --> 00:20:46.660 So, 00:20:47.460 --> 00:20:48.420 it was my turn this time. 00:20:48.480 --> 00:20:48.660 I said, 00:20:49.180 --> 00:20:49.559 well, 00:20:49.619 --> 00:20:50.379 I got to tell you, 00:20:51.139 --> 00:20:51.420 you know, 00:20:51.579 --> 00:20:53.119 I hope God is as patient 00:20:53.119 --> 00:20:54.000 with them as he's been 00:20:54.000 --> 00:20:54.539 with me. 00:20:56.559 --> 00:20:57.440 And we got to talking 00:20:57.440 --> 00:20:58.019 about the fact 00:20:58.019 --> 00:20:59.259 God does judge sin. 00:21:00.440 --> 00:21:01.220 I'm really glad 00:21:01.220 --> 00:21:02.180 that he's very patient 00:21:02.180 --> 00:21:02.680 about that, 00:21:02.700 --> 00:21:03.039 aren't you? 00:21:04.700 --> 00:21:05.059 And, 00:21:05.099 --> 00:21:06.460 and here is Paul 00:21:06.460 --> 00:21:06.960 preaching 00:21:06.960 --> 00:21:07.539 and he says, 00:21:07.539 --> 00:21:08.299 let me tell you something. 00:21:08.440 --> 00:21:09.059 The day is coming 00:21:09.059 --> 00:21:11.179 when God is going 00:21:11.179 --> 00:21:11.899 to judge sin 00:21:11.899 --> 00:21:13.399 and he will judge 00:21:13.399 --> 00:21:14.599 the world in righteousness, 00:21:14.799 --> 00:21:15.460 verse 31, 00:21:16.019 --> 00:21:17.259 by a man whom 00:21:17.259 --> 00:21:18.299 he has appointed 00:21:18.299 --> 00:21:19.399 and of this 00:21:19.399 --> 00:21:20.460 he has given assurance 00:21:20.460 --> 00:21:21.059 to all 00:21:21.059 --> 00:21:23.240 by raising him 00:21:23.240 --> 00:21:25.119 from the dead. 00:21:26.220 --> 00:21:26.779 How do you know 00:21:26.779 --> 00:21:27.440 it's going to happen? 00:21:27.619 --> 00:21:28.359 Because Jesus 00:21:28.359 --> 00:21:30.039 came back from the dead. 00:21:30.279 --> 00:21:30.399 Oh, 00:21:31.119 --> 00:21:32.299 that's frightening 00:21:32.299 --> 00:21:33.460 to stop and think about that. 00:21:34.200 --> 00:21:35.039 The one 00:21:35.039 --> 00:21:35.960 who died 00:21:35.960 --> 00:21:37.159 to pay the penalty 00:21:37.160 --> 00:21:37.759 for sin 00:21:37.759 --> 00:21:38.940 is going to be 00:21:38.940 --> 00:21:39.440 the one 00:21:39.440 --> 00:21:40.120 who judges 00:21:40.120 --> 00:21:41.660 all who reject 00:21:41.660 --> 00:21:43.180 the offer of salvation 00:21:43.180 --> 00:21:44.600 that is freely given 00:21:44.600 --> 00:21:45.660 through the blood 00:21:45.660 --> 00:21:46.320 of Christ 00:21:46.320 --> 00:21:47.259 who has made 00:21:47.259 --> 00:21:49.000 sacrifice 00:21:49.000 --> 00:21:50.060 and satisfied 00:21:50.060 --> 00:21:50.980 the judgment of God. 00:21:51.060 --> 00:21:51.500 Some of you 00:21:51.500 --> 00:21:52.400 sitting here this morning 00:21:52.400 --> 00:21:53.519 thinking to yourself, 00:21:53.720 --> 00:21:55.220 I don't have any time 00:21:55.220 --> 00:21:56.019 for Jesus. 00:21:56.180 --> 00:21:57.080 I'm quite good 00:21:57.080 --> 00:21:58.060 myself. 00:21:58.300 --> 00:21:58.880 Thank you. 00:21:59.880 --> 00:22:00.580 You're wrong. 00:22:01.620 --> 00:22:02.160 You're wrong. 00:22:03.480 --> 00:22:04.580 Every now and then 00:22:04.580 --> 00:22:05.279 your conscience 00:22:05.279 --> 00:22:06.100 bears witness 00:22:06.100 --> 00:22:06.660 with you 00:22:06.660 --> 00:22:07.240 that there is 00:22:07.240 --> 00:22:07.779 a darkness 00:22:07.779 --> 00:22:08.640 and a blackness 00:22:08.640 --> 00:22:09.240 in your heart 00:22:09.240 --> 00:22:10.220 that you 00:22:10.220 --> 00:22:11.519 can't solve. 00:22:14.860 --> 00:22:15.779 And beloved, 00:22:16.259 --> 00:22:17.160 the day is coming 00:22:17.160 --> 00:22:18.400 that that heart 00:22:18.400 --> 00:22:19.400 will be judged 00:22:19.400 --> 00:22:20.040 and the one 00:22:20.040 --> 00:22:20.940 who judges it 00:22:20.940 --> 00:22:21.860 will be the one 00:22:21.860 --> 00:22:22.720 who died 00:22:22.720 --> 00:22:24.240 to make payment 00:22:24.240 --> 00:22:24.840 for sin. 00:22:25.700 --> 00:22:27.140 And he will judge 00:22:27.140 --> 00:22:28.480 your hard 00:22:28.480 --> 00:22:29.400 and bitter 00:22:29.400 --> 00:22:30.320 rebellion 00:22:30.320 --> 00:22:31.140 and rejection. 00:22:32.000 --> 00:22:32.640 And the fact 00:22:32.640 --> 00:22:33.160 that he rose 00:22:33.160 --> 00:22:33.840 from the dead 00:22:33.840 --> 00:22:34.940 is going to be 00:22:34.940 --> 00:22:35.800 a significant part 00:22:35.800 --> 00:22:36.420 of that judgment. 00:22:36.660 --> 00:22:38.440 Well, 00:22:38.480 --> 00:22:38.920 I want you to 00:22:38.920 --> 00:22:39.420 recognize 00:22:39.420 --> 00:22:40.060 that not only 00:22:40.060 --> 00:22:41.480 does the resurrection 00:22:41.480 --> 00:22:42.720 affirm the deity 00:22:42.720 --> 00:22:43.340 of Christ 00:22:43.340 --> 00:22:44.100 in his judgment, 00:22:44.820 --> 00:22:45.420 but our faith 00:22:45.420 --> 00:22:45.960 rests. 00:22:46.200 --> 00:22:47.200 It is solidly 00:22:47.200 --> 00:22:48.259 based on the 00:22:48.259 --> 00:22:48.759 resurrection 00:22:48.759 --> 00:22:49.259 of the Lord 00:22:49.259 --> 00:22:49.900 Jesus Christ. 00:22:50.040 --> 00:22:51.100 Look at 1 Corinthians. 00:22:51.360 --> 00:22:51.779 You're there 00:22:51.779 --> 00:22:52.560 in Acts 00:22:52.560 --> 00:22:52.960 for a moment, 00:22:53.080 --> 00:22:54.060 but go to 1 Corinthians 00:22:54.060 --> 00:22:55.080 chapter 14 00:22:55.080 --> 00:22:56.019 or 15, 00:22:56.460 --> 00:22:57.100 beginning there 00:22:57.100 --> 00:22:57.940 in verse 14. 00:22:58.240 --> 00:22:58.840 Here's Paul 00:22:58.840 --> 00:23:00.700 arguing extensively 00:23:00.700 --> 00:23:02.220 for the effect 00:23:02.220 --> 00:23:02.960 of the resurrection 00:23:02.960 --> 00:23:04.100 on gospel living. 00:23:04.559 --> 00:23:05.160 Everybody look up 00:23:05.160 --> 00:23:05.539 so you know 00:23:05.539 --> 00:23:06.319 I'm kind of 00:23:06.319 --> 00:23:06.860 talking at you 00:23:06.860 --> 00:23:07.340 here a little bit. 00:23:07.759 --> 00:23:07.920 Hey. 00:23:09.039 --> 00:23:10.100 There is a disconnect 00:23:10.100 --> 00:23:10.700 today 00:23:10.700 --> 00:23:13.319 between gospel 00:23:13.319 --> 00:23:13.900 profession 00:23:13.900 --> 00:23:14.880 and gospel living. 00:23:14.960 --> 00:23:15.120 Do you know 00:23:15.120 --> 00:23:15.799 what I mean by that? 00:23:15.799 --> 00:23:19.019 I mean, 00:23:19.099 --> 00:23:19.440 people, 00:23:20.180 --> 00:23:21.619 I think we're 00:23:21.619 --> 00:23:22.259 seeing kind of 00:23:22.259 --> 00:23:23.819 a decline 00:23:23.819 --> 00:23:24.899 of people 00:23:24.899 --> 00:23:25.899 who have 00:23:25.899 --> 00:23:26.700 anything to do 00:23:26.700 --> 00:23:28.200 with Christianity, 00:23:28.619 --> 00:23:29.819 but we still bump 00:23:29.819 --> 00:23:30.480 into a lot of people 00:23:30.480 --> 00:23:30.740 who say, 00:23:30.819 --> 00:23:30.919 well, 00:23:30.919 --> 00:23:31.419 I'm a Christian, 00:23:31.420 --> 00:23:32.860 but when it comes 00:23:32.860 --> 00:23:33.420 to it, 00:23:34.400 --> 00:23:35.100 their behavior, 00:23:35.220 --> 00:23:35.779 their lifestyle, 00:23:35.960 --> 00:23:36.480 the things that 00:23:36.480 --> 00:23:37.300 they engage in, 00:23:37.560 --> 00:23:38.420 the things they care 00:23:38.420 --> 00:23:39.680 about have nothing 00:23:39.680 --> 00:23:41.300 to do with eternity 00:23:41.300 --> 00:23:42.180 and the glory 00:23:42.180 --> 00:23:42.720 of Christ. 00:23:42.900 --> 00:23:44.100 They're profoundly 00:23:44.100 --> 00:23:45.420 self-focused 00:23:45.420 --> 00:23:46.519 and as carnal 00:23:46.519 --> 00:23:47.680 as the unbelieving 00:23:47.680 --> 00:23:48.140 world. 00:23:49.080 --> 00:23:49.480 Paul, 00:23:49.740 --> 00:23:50.920 in this passage, 00:23:51.440 --> 00:23:51.740 he says, 00:23:51.840 --> 00:23:52.560 if Christ is not 00:23:52.560 --> 00:23:52.980 raised, 00:23:53.060 --> 00:23:53.600 then our preaching 00:23:53.600 --> 00:23:54.200 is in vain 00:23:54.200 --> 00:23:54.779 and your faith 00:23:54.779 --> 00:23:55.420 is in vain. 00:23:56.400 --> 00:23:57.500 We are even found 00:23:57.500 --> 00:23:58.640 to be misrepresenting 00:23:58.640 --> 00:23:59.360 God because we 00:23:59.360 --> 00:24:00.320 testified about God 00:24:00.320 --> 00:24:00.779 that He raised 00:24:00.779 --> 00:24:01.140 Christ. 00:24:01.420 --> 00:24:01.800 whom He, 00:24:01.860 --> 00:24:02.460 if He did not 00:24:02.460 --> 00:24:02.800 raise, 00:24:02.940 --> 00:24:03.519 if it is not, 00:24:03.600 --> 00:24:03.900 if it is, 00:24:04.060 --> 00:24:04.360 sorry, 00:24:05.080 --> 00:24:05.740 that He raised 00:24:05.740 --> 00:24:06.100 Christ, 00:24:06.200 --> 00:24:07.100 whom He did not 00:24:07.100 --> 00:24:07.420 raise, 00:24:07.460 --> 00:24:08.259 if it is true 00:24:08.259 --> 00:24:08.900 that the dead 00:24:08.900 --> 00:24:09.860 are not raised. 00:24:11.000 --> 00:24:11.940 For if the dead 00:24:11.940 --> 00:24:12.960 are not raised, 00:24:13.180 --> 00:24:14.259 not even Christ 00:24:14.259 --> 00:24:15.240 has been raised. 00:24:15.779 --> 00:24:16.380 And if Christ 00:24:16.380 --> 00:24:17.440 has not been raised, 00:24:17.779 --> 00:24:19.279 your faith is futile 00:24:19.279 --> 00:24:20.539 and you are still 00:24:20.539 --> 00:24:21.580 in your sins. 00:24:21.640 --> 00:24:21.980 Now I want you 00:24:21.980 --> 00:24:22.440 to stop and think 00:24:22.440 --> 00:24:22.960 about that just 00:24:22.960 --> 00:24:23.380 for a moment. 00:24:27.039 --> 00:24:28.680 What Paul says 00:24:28.680 --> 00:24:29.460 is that Christ 00:24:29.460 --> 00:24:30.620 has not risen 00:24:30.620 --> 00:24:31.400 from the dead, 00:24:31.420 --> 00:24:32.700 I am still 00:24:32.700 --> 00:24:33.940 in my sins. 00:24:34.940 --> 00:24:35.180 You know 00:24:35.180 --> 00:24:35.740 what that means? 00:24:36.800 --> 00:24:37.740 I still stand 00:24:37.740 --> 00:24:38.480 condemned before 00:24:38.480 --> 00:24:39.259 a holy God 00:24:39.259 --> 00:24:40.220 and the wrath 00:24:40.220 --> 00:24:40.620 of God 00:24:40.620 --> 00:24:42.440 still is over me 00:24:42.440 --> 00:24:43.720 and ready to fall 00:24:43.720 --> 00:24:44.259 upon me 00:24:44.259 --> 00:24:44.920 at the appointed 00:24:44.920 --> 00:24:45.779 time of His judgment. 00:24:45.860 --> 00:24:46.259 That's a pretty 00:24:46.259 --> 00:24:47.039 sobering thought. 00:24:48.480 --> 00:24:49.019 Look there, 00:24:49.100 --> 00:24:49.420 if you will, 00:24:49.480 --> 00:24:50.200 as Paul works 00:24:50.200 --> 00:24:51.200 his way through 00:24:51.200 --> 00:24:51.940 the passage. 00:24:53.080 --> 00:24:53.980 He says this, 00:24:55.180 --> 00:24:56.160 then he's talking 00:24:56.160 --> 00:24:56.940 about the resurrection. 00:24:56.940 --> 00:24:57.320 He says, 00:24:57.400 --> 00:24:57.759 verse 20, 00:24:57.820 --> 00:24:58.259 but in fact, 00:24:58.340 --> 00:24:58.920 Christ has been 00:24:58.920 --> 00:24:59.799 raised from the dead, 00:24:59.880 --> 00:25:00.600 the first fruits 00:25:00.600 --> 00:25:01.240 of those who have 00:25:01.240 --> 00:25:02.039 fallen asleep. 00:25:02.960 --> 00:25:04.000 So when we think 00:25:04.000 --> 00:25:06.080 about Christian living, 00:25:06.220 --> 00:25:07.240 I want you to recognize 00:25:07.240 --> 00:25:08.779 that when you think 00:25:08.779 --> 00:25:09.620 about the resurrection, 00:25:09.860 --> 00:25:10.620 this is the day, 00:25:11.000 --> 00:25:11.799 this is the Sunday, 00:25:11.860 --> 00:25:12.620 we kind of put 00:25:12.620 --> 00:25:13.600 an extra emphasis 00:25:13.600 --> 00:25:14.039 and say, 00:25:14.259 --> 00:25:15.120 the resurrection 00:25:15.120 --> 00:25:16.820 is profoundly important 00:25:16.820 --> 00:25:17.279 to me. 00:25:17.279 --> 00:25:17.639 Well, 00:25:17.720 --> 00:25:18.420 if it is, 00:25:19.519 --> 00:25:20.680 practically speaking, 00:25:21.019 --> 00:25:21.740 are you living 00:25:21.740 --> 00:25:22.899 like a saint 00:25:22.899 --> 00:25:24.240 that shows the power 00:25:24.240 --> 00:25:25.000 of the resurrection 00:25:25.000 --> 00:25:26.359 in your holy living? 00:25:26.519 --> 00:25:27.279 Listen to the argument 00:25:27.279 --> 00:25:28.099 that Paul makes. 00:25:28.700 --> 00:25:28.899 Okay? 00:25:29.559 --> 00:25:30.740 He says this, 00:25:31.879 --> 00:25:32.660 verse 19, 00:25:33.259 --> 00:25:33.819 if in Christ 00:25:33.819 --> 00:25:34.519 we have hope 00:25:34.519 --> 00:25:35.579 in this life only, 00:25:35.720 --> 00:25:37.160 we are of all people 00:25:37.160 --> 00:25:38.920 most to be pitied. 00:25:41.019 --> 00:25:41.980 In essence, 00:25:42.119 --> 00:25:42.899 what he is saying 00:25:42.899 --> 00:25:43.460 is this, 00:25:43.799 --> 00:25:44.859 is if our hope 00:25:44.859 --> 00:25:45.339 in Christ 00:25:45.339 --> 00:25:46.839 is only now, 00:25:47.279 --> 00:25:50.059 then the restraint 00:25:50.059 --> 00:25:52.859 that godliness brings 00:25:52.859 --> 00:25:55.799 is worthless 00:25:55.799 --> 00:25:56.859 and irrelevant. 00:25:57.220 --> 00:25:58.680 Why do you not do 00:25:58.680 --> 00:25:59.480 some of the things 00:25:59.480 --> 00:26:00.099 you do? 00:26:01.500 --> 00:26:02.039 I'll give you 00:26:02.039 --> 00:26:02.519 an illustration. 00:26:04.619 --> 00:26:05.399 Many of you 00:26:05.399 --> 00:26:06.299 may not know this, 00:26:06.460 --> 00:26:08.660 but Wilson Road 00:26:08.660 --> 00:26:10.160 is a contributor 00:26:10.160 --> 00:26:11.000 to revenue 00:26:11.000 --> 00:26:13.259 of state police 00:26:13.259 --> 00:26:13.660 and the, 00:26:13.839 --> 00:26:14.660 you know how it works? 00:26:15.500 --> 00:26:16.460 There are actually 00:26:16.460 --> 00:26:17.180 parts of, 00:26:17.279 --> 00:26:18.720 of Wilson Road 00:26:18.720 --> 00:26:19.379 that are marked 00:26:19.379 --> 00:26:20.359 off as 35. 00:26:21.500 --> 00:26:23.299 I do not understand 00:26:23.299 --> 00:26:24.039 the city fathers 00:26:24.039 --> 00:26:24.879 because once you 00:26:24.879 --> 00:26:25.519 cross broad, 00:26:25.599 --> 00:26:26.119 there's a sign 00:26:26.119 --> 00:26:26.480 right there 00:26:26.480 --> 00:26:27.299 that says 55. 00:26:28.680 --> 00:26:29.539 And there has been 00:26:29.539 --> 00:26:30.619 a state police band 00:26:30.619 --> 00:26:31.240 that's been sitting 00:26:31.240 --> 00:26:33.339 there by the oil tanks 00:26:33.339 --> 00:26:34.519 for the last week. 00:26:35.660 --> 00:26:36.839 I saw him pull somebody 00:26:36.839 --> 00:26:37.420 over and I thought 00:26:37.420 --> 00:26:37.920 to myself, 00:26:38.059 --> 00:26:38.859 no to self. 00:26:38.859 --> 00:26:40.119 34. 00:26:40.119 --> 00:26:40.519 34. 00:26:40.519 --> 00:26:41.519 34. 00:26:41.519 --> 00:26:42.199 34. 00:26:47.199 --> 00:26:48.039 Okay. 00:26:49.000 --> 00:26:50.599 We do things 00:26:50.599 --> 00:26:51.539 because we know 00:26:51.539 --> 00:26:52.079 what the outcome, 00:26:52.139 --> 00:26:52.559 remember right? 00:26:52.619 --> 00:26:53.039 We do things 00:26:53.039 --> 00:26:54.519 because we anticipate 00:26:54.519 --> 00:26:55.259 an outcome. 00:26:56.259 --> 00:26:57.979 If Jesus did not 00:26:57.979 --> 00:26:59.019 rise from the dead, 00:27:01.199 --> 00:27:02.159 godly living 00:27:02.160 --> 00:27:05.560 has less motive 00:27:05.560 --> 00:27:08.000 and less blessing. 00:27:08.800 --> 00:27:09.140 Now, 00:27:09.200 --> 00:27:09.820 is there benefit 00:27:09.820 --> 00:27:11.060 to living a godly life? 00:27:11.100 --> 00:27:11.440 Yes. 00:27:12.240 --> 00:27:13.200 But the supreme 00:27:13.200 --> 00:27:14.360 blessing is this, 00:27:14.440 --> 00:27:15.400 is the fact 00:27:15.400 --> 00:27:16.700 of Christ's resurrection 00:27:16.700 --> 00:27:17.800 and the fact 00:27:17.800 --> 00:27:18.860 I'm going to see him again 00:27:18.860 --> 00:27:19.759 and I want to hear him 00:27:19.759 --> 00:27:20.220 say what? 00:27:20.440 --> 00:27:20.980 Well done, 00:27:21.060 --> 00:27:22.100 thou good and faithful servant. 00:27:24.100 --> 00:27:24.540 See, 00:27:24.620 --> 00:27:25.920 our faith rests 00:27:25.920 --> 00:27:26.820 in the reality 00:27:26.820 --> 00:27:27.420 of Christ. 00:27:27.420 --> 00:27:27.920 I'll tell you 00:27:27.920 --> 00:27:28.440 another thing. 00:27:28.980 --> 00:27:29.640 The resurrection 00:27:29.640 --> 00:27:31.120 encourages us 00:27:31.120 --> 00:27:31.600 to believe 00:27:31.600 --> 00:27:32.759 that we can change. 00:27:33.880 --> 00:27:34.740 Turn in your Bible 00:27:34.740 --> 00:27:36.120 to Ephesians chapter 1. 00:27:36.779 --> 00:27:37.440 One of the things 00:27:37.440 --> 00:27:38.240 I love 00:27:38.240 --> 00:27:39.380 about gospel preaching 00:27:39.380 --> 00:27:41.920 and when I say that, 00:27:42.060 --> 00:27:43.800 just gospel ministry, 00:27:44.160 --> 00:27:44.720 is being able 00:27:44.720 --> 00:27:45.340 to say to people, 00:27:45.440 --> 00:27:45.860 you don't have to 00:27:45.860 --> 00:27:46.560 stay the way you are. 00:27:46.759 --> 00:27:47.140 How many of you 00:27:47.140 --> 00:27:47.880 heard me say that before? 00:27:47.940 --> 00:27:48.460 You don't have to 00:27:48.460 --> 00:27:49.080 stay the way you are. 00:27:49.240 --> 00:27:50.060 You don't have to 00:27:50.060 --> 00:27:50.800 stay the way you are. 00:27:52.580 --> 00:27:53.480 The truth of the matter 00:27:53.480 --> 00:27:54.060 is that 00:27:54.060 --> 00:27:56.779 probably if we got past 00:27:56.779 --> 00:27:57.539 the makeup 00:27:57.539 --> 00:27:58.259 and the hairstyle 00:27:58.259 --> 00:27:58.940 or whatever else, 00:27:59.180 --> 00:27:59.980 most of us here 00:27:59.980 --> 00:28:01.240 are not overly impressed 00:28:01.240 --> 00:28:02.019 with who we are. 00:28:03.619 --> 00:28:05.019 There are things about us 00:28:05.019 --> 00:28:06.420 we know we don't like. 00:28:06.680 --> 00:28:07.240 Am I right? 00:28:08.339 --> 00:28:09.299 Even now. 00:28:11.359 --> 00:28:12.720 I remember when my dad 00:28:12.720 --> 00:28:13.639 and mom moved in 00:28:13.639 --> 00:28:14.440 next door 00:28:14.440 --> 00:28:16.960 and I'd been pastoring here 00:28:16.960 --> 00:28:18.759 for probably 25 years or so 00:28:18.759 --> 00:28:21.720 and I don't want to say 00:28:21.720 --> 00:28:22.460 that I was going around 00:28:22.460 --> 00:28:23.599 thinking I was pretty spiritual 00:28:23.599 --> 00:28:25.779 but I really didn't realize 00:28:25.779 --> 00:28:28.259 how much stubbornness 00:28:28.259 --> 00:28:29.119 was still in my heart 00:28:29.119 --> 00:28:30.799 at about 63 or 64 00:28:30.799 --> 00:28:32.379 and having my dad 00:28:32.379 --> 00:28:33.119 live next to me 00:28:33.119 --> 00:28:35.019 and serve him 24-7 00:28:35.019 --> 00:28:36.700 I began learning things 00:28:36.700 --> 00:28:37.759 about humility 00:28:37.759 --> 00:28:39.059 and servanthood 00:28:39.059 --> 00:28:40.480 that I needed to learn 00:28:40.480 --> 00:28:42.559 and I am very thankful 00:28:42.559 --> 00:28:44.879 that Christ's resurrection 00:28:44.879 --> 00:28:45.960 assures me 00:28:45.960 --> 00:28:47.920 I can change. 00:28:48.539 --> 00:28:49.740 Ephesians chapter 1 00:28:49.740 --> 00:28:50.539 verse 19 00:28:50.539 --> 00:28:53.559 here is Paul praying 00:28:53.559 --> 00:28:55.339 for the believers 00:28:55.339 --> 00:28:56.079 there in Ephesus 00:28:56.079 --> 00:28:57.440 and he says 00:28:57.440 --> 00:28:58.259 in what he wants them 00:28:58.259 --> 00:28:59.200 to know the immeasurable 00:28:59.200 --> 00:29:00.259 greatness of his power 00:29:00.259 --> 00:29:01.359 towards us who believe 00:29:01.359 --> 00:29:02.740 according to the working 00:29:02.740 --> 00:29:03.720 of his great might 00:29:03.720 --> 00:29:05.399 that he worked in Christ 00:29:05.399 --> 00:29:06.139 when he raised him 00:29:06.139 --> 00:29:06.700 from the dead 00:29:06.700 --> 00:29:07.740 and seated him 00:29:07.740 --> 00:29:08.740 at his right hand 00:29:08.740 --> 00:29:09.940 in the heavenly places. 00:29:11.139 --> 00:29:11.399 You see, 00:29:11.740 --> 00:29:13.180 Paul is praying here 00:29:13.180 --> 00:29:14.519 that these believers 00:29:14.519 --> 00:29:15.139 in Ephesus 00:29:15.139 --> 00:29:16.519 would understand 00:29:16.519 --> 00:29:17.200 the sweetness 00:29:17.200 --> 00:29:17.960 of the gospel 00:29:17.960 --> 00:29:19.099 and that it would have 00:29:19.099 --> 00:29:20.319 an effect on their life. 00:29:21.619 --> 00:29:22.879 I've got to tell you something. 00:29:24.019 --> 00:29:25.199 If you're sitting here 00:29:25.199 --> 00:29:25.740 this morning 00:29:25.740 --> 00:29:26.980 and you profess 00:29:26.980 --> 00:29:28.179 to know Christ 00:29:28.179 --> 00:29:30.480 but you cannot 00:29:30.480 --> 00:29:32.099 look in the rearview mirror 00:29:32.099 --> 00:29:33.759 and see the evidence 00:29:33.759 --> 00:29:35.059 of the power of God 00:29:35.059 --> 00:29:36.539 changing you 00:29:36.539 --> 00:29:37.759 from glory to glory 00:29:37.759 --> 00:29:38.719 which it says 00:29:38.719 --> 00:29:40.399 in 2 Corinthians chapter 3 00:29:40.399 --> 00:29:42.439 you have a good reason 00:29:42.439 --> 00:29:43.419 to kind of ask yourself 00:29:43.419 --> 00:29:45.240 well am I really saved? 00:29:45.319 --> 00:29:45.879 And I think that's 00:29:45.879 --> 00:29:46.839 an appropriate question. 00:29:46.839 --> 00:29:49.319 Here's the fact. 00:29:50.439 --> 00:29:51.199 Christ Jesus 00:29:51.199 --> 00:29:52.699 who raised from the dead 00:29:52.699 --> 00:29:54.299 serves as an illustration 00:29:54.299 --> 00:29:55.659 of the power of God 00:29:55.659 --> 00:29:57.419 in the life of the believer 00:29:57.419 --> 00:29:58.919 which is available 00:29:58.919 --> 00:29:59.980 to help us stop 00:29:59.980 --> 00:30:01.759 being who we used to be. 00:30:03.439 --> 00:30:04.799 Do we have to stay 00:30:04.799 --> 00:30:05.740 bitter and unforgiving? 00:30:05.859 --> 00:30:06.579 And the answer is 00:30:06.579 --> 00:30:07.519 no. 00:30:08.220 --> 00:30:09.299 Do we have to stay 00:30:09.299 --> 00:30:10.099 a person who is 00:30:10.099 --> 00:30:11.619 consumed by covetousness 00:30:11.619 --> 00:30:12.740 and greed? 00:30:12.959 --> 00:30:13.399 No. 00:30:13.759 --> 00:30:15.220 Do we have to stay 00:30:15.220 --> 00:30:16.240 a person who is 00:30:16.240 --> 00:30:17.180 absolutely under 00:30:17.180 --> 00:30:19.039 the affliction of immorality 00:30:19.039 --> 00:30:20.279 and the burden of sin? 00:30:20.500 --> 00:30:20.940 No. 00:30:21.079 --> 00:30:21.400 Why? 00:30:21.720 --> 00:30:23.120 Because we have been 00:30:23.120 --> 00:30:24.039 saved by the power 00:30:24.039 --> 00:30:24.500 of Christ 00:30:24.500 --> 00:30:25.400 and His power 00:30:25.400 --> 00:30:26.220 is at work 00:30:26.220 --> 00:30:27.500 changing us. 00:30:29.259 --> 00:30:30.400 I want you to understand 00:30:30.400 --> 00:30:31.140 one more thing. 00:30:32.620 --> 00:30:33.480 His resurrection 00:30:33.480 --> 00:30:34.220 guarantees 00:30:34.220 --> 00:30:35.640 our resurrection. 00:30:35.640 --> 00:30:39.700 last week I was out 00:30:39.700 --> 00:30:40.420 to the graveside 00:30:40.420 --> 00:30:41.160 of my mom and dad 00:30:41.160 --> 00:30:43.640 and 00:30:43.640 --> 00:30:46.000 there are a lot 00:30:46.000 --> 00:30:46.380 of friends 00:30:46.380 --> 00:30:47.020 that are 00:30:47.020 --> 00:30:48.960 momentarily resting 00:30:48.960 --> 00:30:50.240 out in Alton Cemetery. 00:30:50.240 --> 00:30:53.579 Judah and I 00:30:53.579 --> 00:30:54.400 got a plot out there 00:30:54.400 --> 00:30:54.880 but it's only 00:30:54.880 --> 00:30:55.779 a temporary parking 00:30:55.779 --> 00:30:56.079 place. 00:30:56.140 --> 00:30:56.620 I got to tell you 00:30:56.620 --> 00:30:56.880 something. 00:30:57.660 --> 00:30:58.339 Why is that? 00:30:59.200 --> 00:30:59.799 Listen to what it 00:30:59.799 --> 00:31:00.599 says in 1 Corinthians 00:31:00.599 --> 00:31:01.420 chapter 15 00:31:01.420 --> 00:31:02.019 verse 20. 00:31:04.519 --> 00:31:05.240 1 Corinthians 00:31:05.240 --> 00:31:06.259 chapter 15 00:31:06.259 --> 00:31:08.259 verse 20. 00:31:08.259 --> 00:31:14.059 But in fact 00:31:14.059 --> 00:31:16.700 Christ has been 00:31:16.700 --> 00:31:17.839 raised from the dead 00:31:17.839 --> 00:31:19.240 the first fruits 00:31:19.240 --> 00:31:20.079 of those 00:31:20.079 --> 00:31:20.859 who have fallen 00:31:20.859 --> 00:31:21.480 asleep. 00:31:22.759 --> 00:31:23.859 I like that. 00:31:24.879 --> 00:31:25.879 I like that. 00:31:26.759 --> 00:31:27.460 You know what it's saying? 00:31:28.740 --> 00:31:29.759 Christ is just 00:31:29.759 --> 00:31:30.839 kind of a 00:31:30.839 --> 00:31:31.240 token 00:31:31.240 --> 00:31:32.599 reminder 00:31:32.599 --> 00:31:33.299 of the fact 00:31:33.299 --> 00:31:33.779 that there are 00:31:33.779 --> 00:31:34.379 others who are 00:31:34.379 --> 00:31:34.960 going to be 00:31:34.960 --> 00:31:36.079 raised again. 00:31:36.079 --> 00:31:37.939 And in the book 00:31:37.939 --> 00:31:38.379 of Daniel 00:31:38.379 --> 00:31:39.319 it says this. 00:31:39.939 --> 00:31:40.439 There will be a 00:31:40.439 --> 00:31:41.299 resurrection to 00:31:41.299 --> 00:31:42.319 judgment and 00:31:42.319 --> 00:31:43.480 eternal condemnation 00:31:43.480 --> 00:31:44.480 and there will be 00:31:44.480 --> 00:31:45.439 a resurrection to 00:31:45.439 --> 00:31:46.679 life and joy and 00:31:46.679 --> 00:31:47.779 peace forever in 00:31:47.779 --> 00:31:48.359 the presence of 00:31:48.359 --> 00:31:48.720 Christ. 00:31:49.819 --> 00:31:50.500 So bring it down 00:31:50.500 --> 00:31:51.240 in practical terms. 00:31:51.439 --> 00:31:52.379 You are going to 00:31:52.379 --> 00:31:53.899 die unless Jesus 00:31:53.899 --> 00:31:54.599 comes back. 00:31:55.819 --> 00:31:57.159 And if you die 00:31:57.159 --> 00:31:59.159 you will either 00:31:59.159 --> 00:32:00.399 be resurrected to 00:32:00.399 --> 00:32:00.960 eternal 00:32:00.960 --> 00:32:03.079 judgment and 00:32:03.079 --> 00:32:04.019 consequences for 00:32:04.019 --> 00:32:04.579 your sin and 00:32:04.579 --> 00:32:05.779 rejection of the 00:32:05.779 --> 00:32:06.420 offer of the 00:32:06.420 --> 00:32:07.779 gospel or you 00:32:07.779 --> 00:32:08.319 are going to be 00:32:08.319 --> 00:32:09.660 resurrected to a 00:32:09.660 --> 00:32:11.399 joyful life in 00:32:11.399 --> 00:32:12.079 the presence of 00:32:12.079 --> 00:32:12.579 the Lord Jesus 00:32:12.579 --> 00:32:12.859 Christ. 00:32:12.940 --> 00:32:13.279 I'm wondering 00:32:13.279 --> 00:32:13.779 this morning 00:32:13.779 --> 00:32:15.240 whether or not 00:32:15.240 --> 00:32:16.180 that matter is 00:32:16.180 --> 00:32:16.680 settled in your 00:32:16.680 --> 00:32:16.899 heart. 00:32:17.119 --> 00:32:17.379 Does that make 00:32:17.379 --> 00:32:17.660 sense? 00:32:18.579 --> 00:32:19.079 I mean at the 00:32:19.079 --> 00:32:19.500 end of the day 00:32:19.500 --> 00:32:20.180 one of the things 00:32:20.180 --> 00:32:21.099 that should mark 00:32:21.099 --> 00:32:23.160 apostolic preaching 00:32:23.160 --> 00:32:24.660 which pastors are 00:32:24.660 --> 00:32:25.740 generally should be 00:32:25.740 --> 00:32:26.500 involved in doing. 00:32:26.579 --> 00:32:26.980 Wouldn't you agree 00:32:26.980 --> 00:32:27.339 with that? 00:32:31.339 --> 00:32:32.139 One of the things 00:32:32.139 --> 00:32:32.599 that marked 00:32:32.599 --> 00:32:33.559 apostolic preaching 00:32:33.559 --> 00:32:34.339 is helping people 00:32:34.339 --> 00:32:35.160 come to grips with 00:32:35.160 --> 00:32:35.880 where they were 00:32:35.880 --> 00:32:36.500 going to spend 00:32:36.500 --> 00:32:38.120 eternity and 00:32:38.120 --> 00:32:38.800 whether or not 00:32:38.800 --> 00:32:39.480 they had come to 00:32:39.480 --> 00:32:40.220 trust in the Lord 00:32:40.220 --> 00:32:41.019 Jesus Christ. 00:32:41.740 --> 00:32:42.740 So listen to me. 00:32:44.000 --> 00:32:44.860 One of the good 00:32:44.860 --> 00:32:45.700 things about Easter 00:32:45.700 --> 00:32:46.519 is a lot of people 00:32:46.519 --> 00:32:47.900 show up at a 00:32:47.900 --> 00:32:48.320 service. 00:32:48.720 --> 00:32:49.279 I like that. 00:32:50.040 --> 00:32:50.700 It's good. 00:32:51.820 --> 00:32:52.800 But there are some 00:32:52.800 --> 00:32:53.519 that I don't know. 00:32:55.259 --> 00:32:56.180 And there are some 00:32:56.180 --> 00:32:57.880 who come that I 00:32:57.880 --> 00:32:59.420 don't know to the 00:32:59.420 --> 00:33:00.880 point of if you are 00:33:00.880 --> 00:33:01.640 here and you don't 00:33:01.640 --> 00:33:02.440 know the Lord Jesus 00:33:02.440 --> 00:33:02.840 Christ. 00:33:02.940 --> 00:33:03.680 I would plead with 00:33:03.680 --> 00:33:04.360 you this morning 00:33:04.360 --> 00:33:06.259 be reconciled to 00:33:06.259 --> 00:33:06.559 God. 00:33:07.620 --> 00:33:09.160 Do not sit here 00:33:09.160 --> 00:33:10.220 thinking I am 00:33:10.220 --> 00:33:11.320 almost to the 00:33:11.320 --> 00:33:13.200 point of pastor's 00:33:13.200 --> 00:33:13.920 going to wrap this 00:33:13.920 --> 00:33:14.559 up and I've got 00:33:14.559 --> 00:33:15.580 another Easter under 00:33:15.580 --> 00:33:16.080 my belt. 00:33:16.299 --> 00:33:16.759 You got that? 00:33:18.019 --> 00:33:19.100 I want you to 00:33:19.100 --> 00:33:19.940 think to yourself 00:33:19.940 --> 00:33:23.120 I need to know 00:33:23.120 --> 00:33:24.960 where I will spend 00:33:24.960 --> 00:33:25.860 eternity. 00:33:25.859 --> 00:33:25.979 eternity. 00:33:27.740 --> 00:33:29.419 And I need to 00:33:29.419 --> 00:33:30.079 settle it in my 00:33:30.079 --> 00:33:30.439 heart. 00:33:31.679 --> 00:33:32.419 I believe in 00:33:32.419 --> 00:33:33.379 Jesus Christ who 00:33:33.379 --> 00:33:34.359 died for my sins 00:33:34.359 --> 00:33:35.659 and rose again and 00:33:35.659 --> 00:33:36.879 I am trusting in 00:33:36.879 --> 00:33:38.079 him alone for 00:33:38.079 --> 00:33:38.619 salvation. 00:33:39.019 --> 00:33:39.799 Or I'm sitting 00:33:39.799 --> 00:33:40.719 there with my arms 00:33:40.719 --> 00:33:41.740 crossed saying well 00:33:41.740 --> 00:33:44.159 yeah six minutes 00:33:44.159 --> 00:33:44.879 and we're done. 00:33:46.000 --> 00:33:47.759 If you refuse the 00:33:47.759 --> 00:33:48.919 offer of salvation 00:33:48.919 --> 00:33:50.219 you will face 00:33:50.219 --> 00:33:51.519 Christ as judge 00:33:51.519 --> 00:33:52.939 not as savior. 00:33:53.839 --> 00:33:54.599 And I would plead 00:33:54.599 --> 00:33:55.399 with you and Christ 00:33:55.399 --> 00:33:55.819 said. 00:33:55.859 --> 00:33:56.859 in Christ's 00:33:56.859 --> 00:33:57.099 dead. 00:33:57.839 --> 00:33:59.599 Be reconciled to 00:33:59.599 --> 00:34:00.000 God. 00:34:00.819 --> 00:34:01.319 Let's pray. 00:34:05.439 --> 00:34:06.199 Precious Father 00:34:06.199 --> 00:34:06.899 we are thankful 00:34:06.899 --> 00:34:07.779 for the blessing 00:34:07.779 --> 00:34:09.920 of the resurrection 00:34:09.920 --> 00:34:10.699 of the Lord Jesus 00:34:10.699 --> 00:34:11.480 Christ from the 00:34:11.480 --> 00:34:11.759 dead. 00:34:12.339 --> 00:34:13.079 And for all that 00:34:13.079 --> 00:34:13.920 that means to us 00:34:13.920 --> 00:34:14.460 as believers. 00:34:15.299 --> 00:34:16.319 I pray that this 00:34:16.319 --> 00:34:17.259 morning we who are 00:34:17.259 --> 00:34:17.960 believers would have 00:34:17.960 --> 00:34:19.099 our hearts lifted up 00:34:19.099 --> 00:34:19.900 to glory in the 00:34:19.900 --> 00:34:20.239 cross. 00:34:20.420 --> 00:34:21.559 To delight in the 00:34:21.559 --> 00:34:22.500 fact that we serve 00:34:22.500 --> 00:34:23.279 a risen savior. 00:34:24.139 --> 00:34:25.319 I pray Lord that the 00:34:25.320 --> 00:34:26.260 lives that we live 00:34:26.260 --> 00:34:27.059 the conversations 00:34:27.059 --> 00:34:27.820 that we have 00:34:27.820 --> 00:34:29.300 the attitudes of 00:34:29.300 --> 00:34:30.000 our hearts would 00:34:30.000 --> 00:34:32.200 reflect his victory. 00:34:33.400 --> 00:34:34.400 And I do pray for 00:34:34.400 --> 00:34:35.000 those that are here 00:34:35.000 --> 00:34:35.860 today that do not 00:34:35.860 --> 00:34:36.460 know Christ. 00:34:37.460 --> 00:34:38.500 That they would walk 00:34:38.500 --> 00:34:39.320 out of here either 00:34:39.320 --> 00:34:40.820 yielding to him or 00:34:40.820 --> 00:34:42.480 profoundly uncomfortable 00:34:42.480 --> 00:34:44.220 at the reality of the 00:34:44.220 --> 00:34:45.400 stubborn darkness of 00:34:45.400 --> 00:34:45.920 their heart. 00:34:46.280 --> 00:34:47.600 Bring them to 00:34:47.600 --> 00:34:49.440 conviction by whatever 00:34:49.440 --> 00:34:50.580 means you see fit. 00:34:50.579 --> 00:34:50.639 spirit. 00:34:51.139 --> 00:34:52.279 And we pray this in 00:34:52.279 --> 00:34:52.980 Jesus name. 00:34:53.440 --> 00:34:53.759 Amen. 00:34:55.259 --> 00:34:55.860 John Lee 00:34:55.860 --> 00:34:56.380 Disson singing. 00:34:56.719 --> 00:34:57.059 Thank you. 00:34:58.559 --> 00:35:01.739 Let me tell you 00:35:01.739 --> 00:35:02.019 something. 00:35:02.480 --> 00:35:03.019 There's no better 00:35:03.019 --> 00:35:03.679 time to come to 00:35:03.679 --> 00:35:04.360 Jesus than now. 00:35:04.420 --> 00:35:04.860 Do you understand 00:35:04.860 --> 00:35:05.159 that? 00:35:05.860 --> 00:35:07.139 You can ask him to 00:35:07.139 --> 00:35:07.819 save you where you 00:35:07.819 --> 00:35:08.139 sit. 00:35:08.779 --> 00:35:10.099 You can pray while 00:35:10.099 --> 00:35:11.259 you are singing. 00:35:11.880 --> 00:35:12.840 If you are here 00:35:12.840 --> 00:35:13.779 today and you need 00:35:13.779 --> 00:35:14.539 Christ as your 00:35:14.539 --> 00:35:15.360 savior I got to tell 00:35:15.360 --> 00:35:16.000 you there's no better 00:35:16.000 --> 00:35:16.819 day than this. 00:35:17.519 --> 00:35:18.299 One of the ladies in 00:35:18.299 --> 00:35:19.019 our church came up to 00:35:19.019 --> 00:35:19.539 me and said do you 00:35:19.539 --> 00:35:20.139 know that this is 00:35:20.139 --> 00:35:20.920 ten years from now 00:35:20.920 --> 00:35:22.159 that I ten years in 00:35:22.159 --> 00:35:23.179 the past I was saved 00:35:23.179 --> 00:35:24.000 on Easter Sunday. 00:35:24.559 --> 00:35:25.519 Not a bad idea. 00:35:26.000 --> 00:35:26.280 Okay. 00:35:26.579 --> 00:35:27.519 Don't let it pass.