|
The Significance of the Resurrection Sunday School Lesson (041104)
For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. (1 Corinthians 15:3, 4)
And declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. (Romans 1:4)
For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming. (1 Corinthians 15:21-23, see also Acts 2:23, 24)
But has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. (2 Timothy 1:10)
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. (John 11:25)
And therefore “it was accounted to him [Abraham] for righteousness.” Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, but also for us. It shall be imputed [credited to our account] to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification. (Romans 4:22-25)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Peter 1:3-5)
Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” (1 Corinthians 15:51-54, see also 2 Corinthians 5:1-4)
Nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. (Luke 20:36)
And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. (1 Corinthians 15:17-20)
. . . the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places . . . (Ephesians 1:18-20).
. . . far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to [for] the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. (Ephesians 1:21-23)
. . . who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high . . . (Hebrews 1:3)
But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:24, 25)
Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. (Romans 8:34) [The Holy Spirit also prays for us—Romans 8:26, 27]
Christians serve a living Savior, one who conquered sin and the grave. This is quite unlike so many religions that proliferate throughout the world. They give homage to dead prophets and leaders, who offer no assurance for eternal life.
The Way to Salvation (eternal life) for anyone is as follows:
It is when a person, who understands that Jesus Christ through His sacrifice on Calvary’s cross purchased his redemption by paying the full penalty-price for his sins; then, by a genuine act of his will, makes the decision to place his total confidence (trust) in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for his personal salvation instead of any other confidence (religious observances, good works, rituals, etc.). This is “biblical repentance,” the turning to Christ from all else for salvation. Salvation may be stated concisely by the phrase, “faith alone in Christ alone.”
Upon this genuine decision and at the very instance of it, the person is transformed from a “lost state” of being without God to a “saved state” spiritually united with Jesus Christ for all eternity—a state of being that can never be reversed, undone or revoked by God or man.
Salvation References:
John 3:14-18, 36; 5:24; 6:40, 47; 10:27-30; 14:6; 20:31; Acts 16:30, 31; Ephesians 2:8, 9; Romans 8:38, 39; 1 Peter 1:3-5. |