| As He Said...I Believe In Easter |
Precepts That Preach
The Preaching Ministry of Dr. David Smith
AS HE SAID…
Matthew 28:1-7
As I begin the message this morning, I want to make a statement. I want to make this statement with clarity…with conviction…with contentment…with cheerfulness…
I BELIEVE IN EASTER!
It is important to remember this morning that the Christian faith rests upon certain great historical facts! Christianity is distinguishably different from all other religions which are concerned with moral systems, philosophies, and religious observances. THE GOSPEL IS THE GOOD NEWS OF WHAT GOD HAS DONE IN THE PERSON OF HIS SON AND FOR THE SALVATION OF MEN! The Christian faith rests upon the foundation of…
- His Incarnation
- His Crucifixion
- His Resurrection
- His Ascension
- His Return
These are
announced in the scriptures by Angelic Messengers…
(1) His Redemption Plan…Matthew 1:20-21
Incarnation / Crucifixion
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord
appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear
not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in
her is of the Holy Ghost. [21] And she shall bring forth a son,
and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from
their sins.
(2) His Returning Promise…Acts 1:9-11
Ascension / Return
And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken
up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. [10] And while they
looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood
by them in white apparel; [11] Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why
stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from
you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go
into heaven.
(3) His Resurrection Power…Matthew 28:5-6
Resurrection
And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know
that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. [6] He is not here: for he
is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
I BELIEVE IN EASTER!
I. I BELIEVE IN EASTER BECAUSE OF THE PROMISE THAT WAS EXECUTED!
…Earlier in His ministry the Lord Jesus promised His resurrection. The angel said that He was risen…AS HE SAID!
*John 2:19
Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
A. The Declaration of the Promise
B. The Distinction of the Promise
- At His trial before Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin they brought two false witnesses…
*Matthew 26:61
And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.
- At the cross those that passed by wagged their heads and reviled Him…
*Matthew 27:40
And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three
days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.
…I BELIEVE IN EASTER
BECAUSE THE PROMISE WAS EXECUTED!
II. I BELIEVE IN EASTER BECAUSE OF THE POWER THAT WAS EXHIBITED!
…During His earthly ministry the Lord Jesus exhibited great power.
A. Power over Disease…John 5
…There was a man that had an infirmity for 38 years. He was lying by the pool of Bethesda waiting for the angel to arrive and trouble the waters so he could get in and be made whole. Jesus came by and asked him…WILT THOU BE MADE WHOLE?
*John 5:7-9
The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. [8] Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. [9] And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.
B. Power over Darkness…John 9
…Jesus encounters a man who had been blind from birth. The disciples asked Jesus who had sinned that he was born blind. Was it him or his parents? Jesus answered neither. He was born blind that the works of God might be made manifest in him.
*John 9:4-7
I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. [5] As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. [6] When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, [7] And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.
C. Power of Depression…Mark 5
…Jesus was on his way to the house of Jairus and there was a woman in the crowd that had an issue of blood for 12 years. She had been to Doctor after Doctor, spent all her money, and was not any better, actually she was worse. She heard that Jesus was coming by and said, "If I can just touch the hem of His garment I will be made whole.
*Mark 5:29-30
And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. [30] And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?
D. Power over Death
…At the tomb of Lazarus…John 11
Lazarus had been dead for 4 days. Mary and Martha had got discouraged because Jesus delayed. Only the journey to Lazarus tomb Jesus told His disciples…Our friend, Lazarus only sleepeth. But I go that I may wake him out of sleep. When Jesus got to the tomb…HE WEPT…HE COMMANDED THAT THE STONE BE REMOVED…
*John 11:41-44
Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. [42] And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. [43] And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. [44] And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
…The Widow of Nain's Son…Luke 7
And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. [15] And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.
…Jairus Daughter…Mark 5
*Mark 5:35-43
While
he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain
which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any
further? [36] As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith
unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. [37] And
he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the
brother of James. [38] And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the
synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.
[39] And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado,
and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. [40] And they laughed
him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father
and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth
in where the damsel was lying. [41] And he took the damsel by the hand,
and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel,
I say unto thee, arise. [42] And straightway the damsel arose, and
walked;
for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with
a great astonishment. [43] And he charged them straitly that no man
should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to
eat.
…I BELIEVE IN EASTER
BECAUSE THE SAME POWER THAT JESUS EXHIBITED IN HIS EARTHLY MINISTER
WAS EXERCISED AT THE TOMB!
III. I BELIEVE IN EASTER BECAUSE OF THE PARDON THAT IS EXPERIENCED!
- Everyone in this building this morning that is saved is a direct result of Easter!
- I BELIEVE IN EASTER THIS MORNING because of the life changing pardon that has been experienced in the life of the saved.
*Romans 4:25
Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
…Justification is the basis whereby sinful men are made right with a Holy God. Justification is more than forgiveness it is to be cleared of all blame and to be free from every charge.
In an earthly court, a judge cannot both forgive a man and justify him at the same time. For if the judge forgives him then he must be guilty and cannot be justified. If he justifies him, he does not need forgiveness. GOD THROUGH THE CROSS AND RESURRECTION OF HIS SON DOES BOTH…FORGIVES THE SINNER AND JUSTIFIES THE SINNER. HE FORGIVES THE GUILTY AND CONDEMNED SINNER AND PLACES HIM IN A NEW POSITION WHERE THERE IS NO CHARGE AGAINST HIM AT ALL.
A. The Resurrection is the Guarantee of Justification
…The resurrection of the Lord Jesus was the visible proof that God was satisfied with HIS finished work. That justification is available to all men.
B. The Shed Blood is the Ground of Justification
*Romans 5:9
Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
C. Grace is the Principle of Justification
*Romans 3:24
Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
D. Faith is the Condition of Justification
*Romans 5:1
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our
Lord Jesus Christ:
…I BELIEVE IN EASTER BECAUSE OF THE PARDON THAT IS EXPERIENCED IN THE HEART OF A BELEIVER!