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"Significance of the Resurrection"
Dr. Jack Klem, CBTS
from a Selah Moment at Colonial Baptist Church, March 23, 2008
How significant is the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ for Christianity?
I have no doubt we would strongly confess that the resurrection of Christ is the critical event in the history of Christianity that defines and shapes it.
The key NT resurrection text, 1 Corinthians 15 supports this with a series of responses to the statement, “If there is no resurrection of the dead, then . . . .”
So, since there was a resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, consider with me its faith assuring significance.
The resurrection is a promise fulfilled. Everything that the incarnate Christ declared about His death and resurrection was fulfilled (Luke 24:6).
The resurrection brings a new understanding of Christ and His Word. According to Luke 24, the eyes of the disciples were opened so that they were able to understand like never before the Word that anticipated Christ.
The resurrection creates a new joy. When the resurrected Christ appeared to His disciples in Matthew 28:10, he commanded them, Do not be afraid.
The resurrection enlivens worship. When the disciples saw the resurrected Christ (Luke 24:51-52; Matt 28:17) they worshipped Him and with great joy they praised and blessed God.
The resurrection defines ministry (Matt 28:19-10). The resurrected Christ issued the command, go and make disciples of all nations in the name of the Father. Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation (Mark 16:15).
The resurrection of Christ clarified the Gospel in a simple and succinct manner. The gospel is the death, burial and resurrection of Christ (1 Cor 15:1-4).
The resurrection of Christ confronted the darkness of sin and death and conquered it.
The resurrection of Christ empowers the believer to live a Holy Spirit enabled gospel-centered life.
The resurrection of Christ inspires the believer with an unshakable hope (1 Cor 15:57).
So, the sobering resurrection question for all of us is, how significant is the resurrection of Christ in our lives? Is it significant enough that we are confessing the resurrected Christ in our daily routines?
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