The Resurrection of Jesus- Cindy Brackin

The Resurrection-

Lesson Three-April 16, 2017–Cindy Brackin Scripture:

Luke 18:31-33, Luke 24:1-12

Lesson Goal: To help the true follower of Jesus Christ recognize the significance and the empowerment of the resurrection in their daily walk and help those who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus understand the significance of the resurrection, the judgment, and the separation that will be theirs because Jesus is Alive and therefore there is a heaven and a hell.

Introduction: The resurrection of Jesus is recognized by some through the celebration of the Easter season only. Easter has become commercialized as a holiday like Valentine, Halloween, Christmas, etc. But to the true believer, the resurrection signifies that Jesus has conquered sin, death, and the grave and through His victory we too shall conquer death, not in a physical way necessarily, but in the believer’s spiritual life. As a believer through the victory of the resurrection we pass from this life into a new life, into an eternal (forevermore life) that words alone cannot explain. For the unbeliever (that individual who has never invited Jesus into their life) the resurrection poses another significance; one of eternal separation from Jesus. Think of the words of the rich man’s request found in Luke 16: 19-31, especially verse 26, “there is a great gulf fixed, so that those

who want to pass from here to there cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.” The rich man only wanted Father Abraham to allow Lazarus to dip his finger in the cool water and allow him to enjoy the coolness. But even this simple task could not be allowed because of the great gulf/divide between those in heaven and those in hell.

The word resurrection per Meriam-Webster means:

  •  In Christianity-the event told about in the Bible in which Jesus Christ returned to life after His death.
  •  The event told about in the Bible in which dead people will be brought back to life before the day of final judgment.
  •  The act of causing something that had ended or been forgotten or lost to exist again, to be used again.Question: Of these three definitions, which defines your belief? Is Jesus Alive? Do you live like Jesus is alive?

    Question: If the resurrection truly “Changes Everything” as preached by Brother Mickey and as stated in the movie Risen by a roman soldier, what are the things the resurrection changes for those in Christ, those who have a personal relationship with Jesus?

Let us explore some of those “this changes everything” events:

  •   Taken from Daniel Brackin’s post on a family app:“Last night Sofia and I were up late watching a movie called “Risen”. It is basically the change of heart of a roman soldier after his encounter with the risen Christ. But, I want to share what one of the disciples said when questioned by the romans on where the body of Jesus was. He said it doesn’t matter what you do to me, this changes everything! Sofia said last night that she was so excited that Jesus is alive and that Brice and Granny were with Him. Let’s live in the truth of that today! Christ has Risen”! So, for a four-year-old little girl who is trying to understand the loss of a Uncle and a Granny, because Jesus is alive and has risen, Brice and Granny are in heaven with Him. Heaven is real! (Romans 15:50-55)
  •  For every sinner (to which we all are, Romans 3:23) who has asked Jesus into their heart their sins are forgiven and forgotten (Psalms 103:12).  For every believer struggling with health issues, loss of a job, divorce, depression, loneliness, etc. Jesus has OVERCOME! His resurrection changes everything (John 16:31-33).
  •  For every believer, we have been given a great High Priest who intercedes on our behalf. Ultimately, we have a Savior

who prays for us, who pleads for us. Who is FOR US! (John 17:20-23, Hebrews 4:14-16, Hebrews 7:25, Romans 8:26-26, and Hebrews 10:11-14).

  •  For every believer, we have a LIVING HOPE. This CHANGES EVERYTHING! (1 Peter 1:3-5) This living hope:a. An inheritance-members of God’s own family b. Does not fade away-change or decay
    c. Kept by God-reserved
  • For every believer, we have received resurrection power; the power it took to raise Jesus from the dead. This power was not a onetime type of power but is given to each believer to live their daily life (Philippians 3:10-11).Question: What does this change for you?

    For the unbeliever, the person that has never had a time in their life when they invited Jesus into their heart, what does the resurrection mean to them?

For the unbeliever, there is no explanation of death except that this physical life is ended and there will be eternal separation (Romans 6:23).

  • For the unbeliever, there is no forgiveness of sins, therefore, the judgment awaits (Romans 3:23, John 3:18).  For the unbeliever, there is no helper to come along side in times of struggles (1 Corinthians 1:3-4).
  •  For the unbeliever, there is no great High Priest to intercede on your behalf.
  •  For the unbeliever, there is no living hope (1 Peter 1:3-5).  For the unbeliever, there is no resurrection power becausethey depend on their own power (Acts 4:13, Acts 5:15). Question: How does an unbeliever ask Jesus into their heart?

    It is very simple, even the scripture instructs us to come to Jesus with the faith of a little child:

    A: Admit that you are a sinner (Romans 3:23)
    B: Believe in the Lord Jesus (Romans 9:9-13)
    C: Confess the Lord Jesus (Romans 9:9-13, 1 John 1:9).

God has made a way for each of us to inherit eternal life. Jesus does not want any to perish but all to come to know Him in a very intimate and personal way. Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection CHANGES EVERYTHING and can change everything for the one who but asks, believes, and confesses.

The resurrection was not just a historical event, as some may say, but His resurrection separates each of us that call ourselves a follower from the sting of death, “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory? The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Let us remember that Jesus is For Us! His death, burial, and resurrection is ours for the claiming.

Jesus Loves Me
I was lost in chains the world had a hold of me

My heart was a stone I was covered in shame When He came for me
I couldn’t run, couldn’t run from His presence I couldn’t run, couldn’t run from His arms Jesus, He loves, me, He loves, He is for me Jesus how can it be, He loves me, He is for me And it was a fire Deep in my soul

I’ll never be the same I stepped out of the dark And into the light When He called my name He holds the stars and He holds my heart With healing hands that bear the scars

The rugged cross where He died for me My only hope, my everything