The Resurrection of Jesus Changes Everything
He is Risen!...He is Risen, Indeed. He is Risen…He is Risen, Indeed.
What do we do with the message of Jesus’ Resurrection? You are familiar with the story, aren’t you? It’s the most circulated story in all of history…
•that Jesus lived a perfect life, the one we couldn’t live because none of us have it all-together and are perfect…
•that Jesus died an innocent death – didn’t deserve to die, but that his death was intentional as he was sent from God to suffer and die in our place.
•And then, the story of the Resurrection…that Jesus didn’t stay dead, but he rose from the dead, overcoming sin and death. That’s the message of Easter Sunday.
In John 11:25, we see these words.
John 11:25
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live…
In John’s gospel, we have seven “I am” statements, where Jesus is claiming something significant about himself.
In this account, Jesus will raise Lazurus from the dead. It is here that he says to Mary, Lazurus’ sister, “I am the Resurrection and the Life.”
Shortly after Lazurus is raised, Jesus himself is crucified on the cross and then we see these words in John’s gospel.
John 20:1-10
“Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” 3 So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. 4 Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went back to their homes.”
Now since that moment in history, the world has never been the same!
You see, the central claim of the Christian faith is that Jesus of Nazareth is not dead, but that He died, and came back to life, conquering the grave.
But every generation and every individual has to wrestle with what they believe about the empty tomb.
So, what do we do with this message? Is it a joke? Is it a farce? Or, is the tomb really empty? Is it folly, or is it for real?
In 1 Corinthians 1:18, the Apostle Paul is going to separate the message of the cross of Jesus and his empty tomb into these two categories…it’s either folly or it is for real. Take a look with me at 1 Corinthians 1:18.
1 Corinthians 1:18
For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
Paul is pointing out to this church that they have a decision to make regarding the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.
-The Word of the Cross is either folly or it is for real.
Which is it? Paul tells us that there are two options…it’s true or it isn’t. It’s folly or it has the power of God to change your life.
Some people think that the Word of the Cross is folly.
oTHE WORD OF THE CROSS is simply the message about Jesus that we read in John 20:1-10 a few minutes ago. That Jesus came, he lived perfectly, he died innocently in our place for our sin, and that he rose victoriously over all sin and conquered death.
oFOLLY MEANS ABSURD/RIDICULOUS.
So, put it together and Paul is saying that to some people, this message about Jesus and Salvation and Eternal life is absurd/ridiculous.
And that may be where you are today. It seems like a myth…like a neat story, but if I’m going to believe something that far-fetched, I’m going to have to have a sign…or, I’m going to have to engage in some philosophical arguments.
Do you need a sign? I would invite you to read the Gospels -- Matthew, Mark, Luke and John -- as there, you will find testimony upon testimony of miracle after miracle.
And there are many books available on the evidence of the resurrection and the like. Those considerations are very important.
But I think that the best way that we can spend our time together this morning is seeking to understand the “Why" of the resurrection. Why is it important? Why does it matter? What difference does it make?
If it’s for real…it should change our lives. Let’s consider the way Jesus’ resurrection changes our life.
I am the Resurrection and the Life
1.Changes the way I see death.
2.Changes the way I see God
3.Changes the way I see others.
Let’s unpack each of these for a moment…
I.First, it changes how I see death.
You see, Jesus came to die to secure our Resurrection from the Dead. Notice the promise of our Resurrection…
Romans 6:5
For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.
Romans 8:11 states…
Romans 8:11
If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
2 Timothy 2:11 states…
2 Timothy 2:11
The saying is trustworthy, for:
If we have died with him, we will also live with him;
In Revelation 1:18 notice these words of Jesus.
Revelation 1:18
I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.
PASTOR AND THEOLOGIAN JOHN PIPER STATES…
“In the grave, Jesus had the right and power to take the keys to death and open the door for all who come to him by faith.” Through his death, the great work of paying for our sin and providing for our righteousness and satisfying the just wrath of God was fully satisfied. Now, since Jesus holds the keys of death, since our sin is paid for, and righteousness is provided and justice is satisfied, “Nothing can keep Christ or his people in the grave.”
Belonging to Jesus means we will be resurrected, as He was resurrected…that’s the Power of God.
Psalm 116:15 takes it a step further. It doesn’t simply say that just because Jesus is resurrected, we will be resurrected, it actually calls death a “precious” moment.
Psalm 116:15
Precious in the sight of the LORD
is the death of his saints.
The word Precious means “Worth.”
Q: Why is there “worth” in the death of one who knows Christ?
A: Because death is not the end.
Now that isn’t what every worldview believes.
ISLAM
Islam says that there’s life after death, that death is a natural progression from one state to another. Islam believes in a Paradise, and also in a Hell, with each one having specific levels in it. The more good deeds you do, the higher level you achieve in Paradise. If your bad deeds outweigh your good deeds, then you’ll be relegated to Hell.
HINDUISM
Hinduism believes in a type of reincarnation after death. Depending on how well you lived your life, you will either reincarnate as a higher level being, or as a lower level being. This lower level of being could be an insect, or a rock, or something like that. A higher level of being would be a priest, or an enlightened one. We spend our entire existence going up and down these different levels, until we reach complete knowledge, at which point we transcend this world and become one with the universe.
FOR THE SECULARIST:
A secularist believes that since there is nothing more to life than the material that we can see and observe, there is no such thing as life after death. When we die, we cease to exist. There is nothing waiting for us after death.
TIM KELLER, in an interview on suffering, explains a secularist view of death, saying…
“…that secularists say that there is no reason to dread death. Keller thinks that it’s dishonest of them to say that. It doesn’t make sense for a secularist to not fear death. Death is the end of all things, where they lose everything they love.”
But the Christian worldview is distinct.
Why is their worth in a Christian’s death? Because to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. At a believer’s death, the soul goes into the presence of Christ. Do you remember the words of Jesus on the cross to the thief? “Today, you will be with me in paradise.”
And then there is a coming bodily resurrection.
Christ’s death and resurrection has secured our coming resurrection!
Romans 6:5
For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.
Why are we confident? Because Death has been put to Death! We don’t have to fear death, Because He Lives!
The old hymn says…
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He Lives, all fear is gone.
Because I know he holds the future,
My life is worth the living just because he lives!
Because of my relationship with Jesus, I am confident today. And because of my relationship with Jesus, I am confident about eternity.
Do you have this confidence? If you have never trusted Christ for your salvation, let today be the day you are saved.
You’ve got to decide whether its folly of if it’s for real, as it’s a matter of life and death.
If it’s for real, what difference does it make?
I am the Resurrection and the Life
1.Changes the way I see death.
2.Changes the way I see God
3.Changes the way I see others.
Jesus came to die, not just to give us heaven, resurrection from the dead, and everlasting life, but also to…
II.Changes the way I see God.
Jesus died and rose again that he might bring us to God.
Look at 1 Peter 3:18.
1 Peter 3:18a
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God…
Jesus died to bring us to God…that is the best part of the good news.
YOU SEE, YOU AND I WERE MADE, AS JOHN PIPER SAYS…
“…to experience full and lasting happiness from seeing and savoring the glory of God…He created us in such a way that his glory is displayed through our joy in it.”
You see, the Scriptures reveal God as the source of JOY and FULFILLMENT. It describes sin as “Fleeting pleasures.” Sin is that which misleads, disappoints, and over promises but always under delivers. But look at what it says of God as the source of FULL JOY…
Psalm 16:11
You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Where is joy found? In his presence. And it is full.
And let’s go back to see what we saw as we opened this section.
1 Peter 3:18a
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God…
The Bible is clear that Christ died to bring you to the presence of God where you can find lasting joy, peace, fulfillment and purpose.
Christ suffered that you might find life’s deepest fulfillment and pleasure in a relationship with the God of the universe.
You see, when you understand this, it changes the way you see God.
•He is not some man behind the curtain pulling the strings and manipulating things.
•He is not some far away removed force who doesn’t care about you.
•He is not a God who wants to punish you.
No, he longs for you. He loves you! He crafted and created you for himself and He longs for you to enjoy the joy of being in His presence.
The Bible urges us to “Taste and see that the Lord is good!”
What do you believe about God? The death, burial and resurrection of Christ shows you that Christ died for you to bring you to the Father…the source of greatest joy! In His presence is fullness of Joy!
It’s a story of Love. God is love. And in his love, he gave his son that we might have life and be brought into relationship with him.
But you have to respond in faith. When it’s real…when you believe the cross and resurrection are the very power of God…it changes things.
I am the Resurrection and the Life
1.Changes the way I see death.
2.Changes the way I see God
3.Changes the way I see others
If Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life, it…
III.Changes the way I see others:
Jesus came to die so that the dividing walls of hostility would be torn down.
If the gospel works…if the death of Christ and His resurrection from the dead is true, then we must understand fully its claims.
Look at the claims from the Apostle Paul about what Christ’s death and resurrection have accomplished.
Ephesians 2:14-16
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.
When Paul the Apostle writes about both here, he is talking about Jews and Gentiles and their significant hostility between them just as there is often hostility today between races, nations, and other ways to divide people groups.
We have witnessed this significantly for the past few years. There is political hostility and racial tension such that these environments are some of the most hostile in our land.
But what we in the church need to see is that the Gospel of Christ informs how we understand the world around us.
Now some of you have heard me say this before, but I think it’s worthy to say it again. We don’t have a skin problem, we have a sin problem.
When I go to the Dominican Republic, it isn’t a short time until I hear someone talking about their illegal immigration problem from Haitians coming from the other side of the island to take their jobs. Though there is hostility, they have the same skin color.
When I was traveling in Greece, I wasn’t there for 10 minutes before I started learning about the problems with the Greeks and the Turks. Though there is hostility, they have the same skin color.
Hostility amongst people is a sin problem. It’s a problem of the heart.
And what the gospel does is show us the inestimable worth of every single individual. If the God of the universe would step out of his glory in heaven and come and die for humanity, he must see each of his creation as those of untold value.
And when this gospel grips our hearts, it changes our hearts. It confronts our prejudice, our presuppositions and teaches us that all life is precious, honored by God and given from him.
The gospel tears down walls of hostility and deals with our sin problem so that we no longer look at each other as Jew or Gentile, black or white, Haitian or Dominican, Greek or Turk, but instead the Gospel shows us that because of Christ, we are transformed and changed.
Look at how they wrestled with this in the early church.
Galatians 2:11-14 states…
Galatians 2:11-14
11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. 13 And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”
Separation and Segregation are not in step with the truth of the gospel of Jesus. Jesus died to tear down these walls.
You see, the biblical account shows us Jews going to Gentiles and telling them about Jesus. It shows Gentiles and Jews worshipping Jesus together as part of his church. It shows Gentile believers giving their monies for Jewish believers well being and survival.
When the gospel changes your view of death, God and others, you no longer look at other people as Latino, or African American, Caucasian or Asian, but instead, it gets real simple. They are either in Christ as a brother or sister, or they aren’t yet in Christ. They are either saved or they are lost. They are either a Christian or they are not.
And if they are not, we are to love our neighbor, serve them as Christ would serve them and seek to introduce them to Jesus.
You see, the church that takes the gospel message seriously, the church that says that the empty tomb is for real, takes Christ’s Great Commission seriously.
Jesus said in Matthew 28:18-20…
Matthew 28:18-20
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
This commission is for you who have allowed the good news to change you. This commission is for you to see people of all nations as objects of God’s love and in need of his salvation.
And we must realize that Jesus’ ability to change our hearts is the only hope for our nation…and we need to make sure that he has changed us.
Jesus’ claim to being the Resurrection and the Life, is power-packed to change our hearts and give us an entirely new outlook on life.
1. He will change your view of death…because of his Resurrection, you too are promised Resurrection.
2. He will change your view of God…He is the source of the fullness of joy and your deepest longing being met.
3. He will change your view of others…Every person has been created by God with inestimable worth and we are to carry this good news message to them, that they too would be given this opportunity to know the Christ.
Do you believe this? Do you see the empty tomb as folly or is it for real?
In one of his lighter moments, Benjamin Franklin penned his own epitaph. He didn't profess to be a born-again Christian, but it seems he must have been influenced by Paul's teaching of the resurrection of the body.
HERE'S WHAT HE WROTE:
The Body of B. Franklin, Printer Like the Cover of an old Book its contents torn out, And stripped of its Lettering and Guilding, Lies here, Food for Worms, But the Work shall not be wholly lost: For it will, as he believ'd, Appear once more In a new & more perfect Edition, Corrected and amended by the Author.
Today, taste and see that the Lord is good. Come to Christ and let his death and resurrection…the Power of God, to change your life.
This blog is based on the message shared by Senior Pastor Dr. Roger Patterson on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025 from our CityRise Church West University Baptist campus. Check out the full message below!
What do we do with the message of Jesus’ Resurrection? You are familiar with the story, aren’t you? It’s the most circulated story in all of history…
•that Jesus lived a perfect life, the one we couldn’t live because none of us have it all-together and are perfect…
•that Jesus died an innocent death – didn’t deserve to die, but that his death was intentional as he was sent from God to suffer and die in our place.
•And then, the story of the Resurrection…that Jesus didn’t stay dead, but he rose from the dead, overcoming sin and death. That’s the message of Easter Sunday.
In John 11:25, we see these words.
John 11:25
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live…
In John’s gospel, we have seven “I am” statements, where Jesus is claiming something significant about himself.
In this account, Jesus will raise Lazurus from the dead. It is here that he says to Mary, Lazurus’ sister, “I am the Resurrection and the Life.”
Shortly after Lazurus is raised, Jesus himself is crucified on the cross and then we see these words in John’s gospel.
John 20:1-10
“Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” 3 So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. 4 Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went back to their homes.”
Now since that moment in history, the world has never been the same!
You see, the central claim of the Christian faith is that Jesus of Nazareth is not dead, but that He died, and came back to life, conquering the grave.
But every generation and every individual has to wrestle with what they believe about the empty tomb.
So, what do we do with this message? Is it a joke? Is it a farce? Or, is the tomb really empty? Is it folly, or is it for real?
In 1 Corinthians 1:18, the Apostle Paul is going to separate the message of the cross of Jesus and his empty tomb into these two categories…it’s either folly or it is for real. Take a look with me at 1 Corinthians 1:18.
1 Corinthians 1:18
For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
Paul is pointing out to this church that they have a decision to make regarding the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.
-The Word of the Cross is either folly or it is for real.
Which is it? Paul tells us that there are two options…it’s true or it isn’t. It’s folly or it has the power of God to change your life.
Some people think that the Word of the Cross is folly.
oTHE WORD OF THE CROSS is simply the message about Jesus that we read in John 20:1-10 a few minutes ago. That Jesus came, he lived perfectly, he died innocently in our place for our sin, and that he rose victoriously over all sin and conquered death.
oFOLLY MEANS ABSURD/RIDICULOUS.
So, put it together and Paul is saying that to some people, this message about Jesus and Salvation and Eternal life is absurd/ridiculous.
And that may be where you are today. It seems like a myth…like a neat story, but if I’m going to believe something that far-fetched, I’m going to have to have a sign…or, I’m going to have to engage in some philosophical arguments.
Do you need a sign? I would invite you to read the Gospels -- Matthew, Mark, Luke and John -- as there, you will find testimony upon testimony of miracle after miracle.
And there are many books available on the evidence of the resurrection and the like. Those considerations are very important.
But I think that the best way that we can spend our time together this morning is seeking to understand the “Why" of the resurrection. Why is it important? Why does it matter? What difference does it make?
If it’s for real…it should change our lives. Let’s consider the way Jesus’ resurrection changes our life.
I am the Resurrection and the Life
1.Changes the way I see death.
2.Changes the way I see God
3.Changes the way I see others.
Let’s unpack each of these for a moment…
I.First, it changes how I see death.
You see, Jesus came to die to secure our Resurrection from the Dead. Notice the promise of our Resurrection…
Romans 6:5
For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.
Romans 8:11 states…
Romans 8:11
If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
2 Timothy 2:11 states…
2 Timothy 2:11
The saying is trustworthy, for:
If we have died with him, we will also live with him;
In Revelation 1:18 notice these words of Jesus.
Revelation 1:18
I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.
PASTOR AND THEOLOGIAN JOHN PIPER STATES…
“In the grave, Jesus had the right and power to take the keys to death and open the door for all who come to him by faith.” Through his death, the great work of paying for our sin and providing for our righteousness and satisfying the just wrath of God was fully satisfied. Now, since Jesus holds the keys of death, since our sin is paid for, and righteousness is provided and justice is satisfied, “Nothing can keep Christ or his people in the grave.”
Belonging to Jesus means we will be resurrected, as He was resurrected…that’s the Power of God.
Psalm 116:15 takes it a step further. It doesn’t simply say that just because Jesus is resurrected, we will be resurrected, it actually calls death a “precious” moment.
Psalm 116:15
Precious in the sight of the LORD
is the death of his saints.
The word Precious means “Worth.”
Q: Why is there “worth” in the death of one who knows Christ?
A: Because death is not the end.
Now that isn’t what every worldview believes.
ISLAM
Islam says that there’s life after death, that death is a natural progression from one state to another. Islam believes in a Paradise, and also in a Hell, with each one having specific levels in it. The more good deeds you do, the higher level you achieve in Paradise. If your bad deeds outweigh your good deeds, then you’ll be relegated to Hell.
HINDUISM
Hinduism believes in a type of reincarnation after death. Depending on how well you lived your life, you will either reincarnate as a higher level being, or as a lower level being. This lower level of being could be an insect, or a rock, or something like that. A higher level of being would be a priest, or an enlightened one. We spend our entire existence going up and down these different levels, until we reach complete knowledge, at which point we transcend this world and become one with the universe.
FOR THE SECULARIST:
A secularist believes that since there is nothing more to life than the material that we can see and observe, there is no such thing as life after death. When we die, we cease to exist. There is nothing waiting for us after death.
TIM KELLER, in an interview on suffering, explains a secularist view of death, saying…
“…that secularists say that there is no reason to dread death. Keller thinks that it’s dishonest of them to say that. It doesn’t make sense for a secularist to not fear death. Death is the end of all things, where they lose everything they love.”
But the Christian worldview is distinct.
Why is their worth in a Christian’s death? Because to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. At a believer’s death, the soul goes into the presence of Christ. Do you remember the words of Jesus on the cross to the thief? “Today, you will be with me in paradise.”
And then there is a coming bodily resurrection.
Christ’s death and resurrection has secured our coming resurrection!
Romans 6:5
For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.
Why are we confident? Because Death has been put to Death! We don’t have to fear death, Because He Lives!
The old hymn says…
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He Lives, all fear is gone.
Because I know he holds the future,
My life is worth the living just because he lives!
Because of my relationship with Jesus, I am confident today. And because of my relationship with Jesus, I am confident about eternity.
Do you have this confidence? If you have never trusted Christ for your salvation, let today be the day you are saved.
You’ve got to decide whether its folly of if it’s for real, as it’s a matter of life and death.
If it’s for real, what difference does it make?
I am the Resurrection and the Life
1.Changes the way I see death.
2.Changes the way I see God
3.Changes the way I see others.
Jesus came to die, not just to give us heaven, resurrection from the dead, and everlasting life, but also to…
II.Changes the way I see God.
Jesus died and rose again that he might bring us to God.
Look at 1 Peter 3:18.
1 Peter 3:18a
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God…
Jesus died to bring us to God…that is the best part of the good news.
YOU SEE, YOU AND I WERE MADE, AS JOHN PIPER SAYS…
“…to experience full and lasting happiness from seeing and savoring the glory of God…He created us in such a way that his glory is displayed through our joy in it.”
You see, the Scriptures reveal God as the source of JOY and FULFILLMENT. It describes sin as “Fleeting pleasures.” Sin is that which misleads, disappoints, and over promises but always under delivers. But look at what it says of God as the source of FULL JOY…
Psalm 16:11
You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Where is joy found? In his presence. And it is full.
And let’s go back to see what we saw as we opened this section.
1 Peter 3:18a
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God…
The Bible is clear that Christ died to bring you to the presence of God where you can find lasting joy, peace, fulfillment and purpose.
Christ suffered that you might find life’s deepest fulfillment and pleasure in a relationship with the God of the universe.
You see, when you understand this, it changes the way you see God.
•He is not some man behind the curtain pulling the strings and manipulating things.
•He is not some far away removed force who doesn’t care about you.
•He is not a God who wants to punish you.
No, he longs for you. He loves you! He crafted and created you for himself and He longs for you to enjoy the joy of being in His presence.
The Bible urges us to “Taste and see that the Lord is good!”
What do you believe about God? The death, burial and resurrection of Christ shows you that Christ died for you to bring you to the Father…the source of greatest joy! In His presence is fullness of Joy!
It’s a story of Love. God is love. And in his love, he gave his son that we might have life and be brought into relationship with him.
But you have to respond in faith. When it’s real…when you believe the cross and resurrection are the very power of God…it changes things.
I am the Resurrection and the Life
1.Changes the way I see death.
2.Changes the way I see God
3.Changes the way I see others
If Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life, it…
III.Changes the way I see others:
Jesus came to die so that the dividing walls of hostility would be torn down.
If the gospel works…if the death of Christ and His resurrection from the dead is true, then we must understand fully its claims.
Look at the claims from the Apostle Paul about what Christ’s death and resurrection have accomplished.
Ephesians 2:14-16
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.
When Paul the Apostle writes about both here, he is talking about Jews and Gentiles and their significant hostility between them just as there is often hostility today between races, nations, and other ways to divide people groups.
We have witnessed this significantly for the past few years. There is political hostility and racial tension such that these environments are some of the most hostile in our land.
But what we in the church need to see is that the Gospel of Christ informs how we understand the world around us.
Now some of you have heard me say this before, but I think it’s worthy to say it again. We don’t have a skin problem, we have a sin problem.
When I go to the Dominican Republic, it isn’t a short time until I hear someone talking about their illegal immigration problem from Haitians coming from the other side of the island to take their jobs. Though there is hostility, they have the same skin color.
When I was traveling in Greece, I wasn’t there for 10 minutes before I started learning about the problems with the Greeks and the Turks. Though there is hostility, they have the same skin color.
Hostility amongst people is a sin problem. It’s a problem of the heart.
And what the gospel does is show us the inestimable worth of every single individual. If the God of the universe would step out of his glory in heaven and come and die for humanity, he must see each of his creation as those of untold value.
And when this gospel grips our hearts, it changes our hearts. It confronts our prejudice, our presuppositions and teaches us that all life is precious, honored by God and given from him.
The gospel tears down walls of hostility and deals with our sin problem so that we no longer look at each other as Jew or Gentile, black or white, Haitian or Dominican, Greek or Turk, but instead the Gospel shows us that because of Christ, we are transformed and changed.
Look at how they wrestled with this in the early church.
Galatians 2:11-14 states…
Galatians 2:11-14
11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. 13 And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”
Separation and Segregation are not in step with the truth of the gospel of Jesus. Jesus died to tear down these walls.
You see, the biblical account shows us Jews going to Gentiles and telling them about Jesus. It shows Gentiles and Jews worshipping Jesus together as part of his church. It shows Gentile believers giving their monies for Jewish believers well being and survival.
When the gospel changes your view of death, God and others, you no longer look at other people as Latino, or African American, Caucasian or Asian, but instead, it gets real simple. They are either in Christ as a brother or sister, or they aren’t yet in Christ. They are either saved or they are lost. They are either a Christian or they are not.
And if they are not, we are to love our neighbor, serve them as Christ would serve them and seek to introduce them to Jesus.
You see, the church that takes the gospel message seriously, the church that says that the empty tomb is for real, takes Christ’s Great Commission seriously.
Jesus said in Matthew 28:18-20…
Matthew 28:18-20
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
This commission is for you who have allowed the good news to change you. This commission is for you to see people of all nations as objects of God’s love and in need of his salvation.
And we must realize that Jesus’ ability to change our hearts is the only hope for our nation…and we need to make sure that he has changed us.
Jesus’ claim to being the Resurrection and the Life, is power-packed to change our hearts and give us an entirely new outlook on life.
1. He will change your view of death…because of his Resurrection, you too are promised Resurrection.
2. He will change your view of God…He is the source of the fullness of joy and your deepest longing being met.
3. He will change your view of others…Every person has been created by God with inestimable worth and we are to carry this good news message to them, that they too would be given this opportunity to know the Christ.
Do you believe this? Do you see the empty tomb as folly or is it for real?
In one of his lighter moments, Benjamin Franklin penned his own epitaph. He didn't profess to be a born-again Christian, but it seems he must have been influenced by Paul's teaching of the resurrection of the body.
HERE'S WHAT HE WROTE:
The Body of B. Franklin, Printer Like the Cover of an old Book its contents torn out, And stripped of its Lettering and Guilding, Lies here, Food for Worms, But the Work shall not be wholly lost: For it will, as he believ'd, Appear once more In a new & more perfect Edition, Corrected and amended by the Author.
Today, taste and see that the Lord is good. Come to Christ and let his death and resurrection…the Power of God, to change your life.
This blog is based on the message shared by Senior Pastor Dr. Roger Patterson on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025 from our CityRise Church West University Baptist campus. Check out the full message below!
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