THE IMPACT OF THE RESURRECTION
Luke 24:1-12

Introduction:     This is a record of the resurrection of our Savior the Lord Jesus Christ. The resurrection is the cornerstone of the Christian faith and set Christianity apart from all other world religions. Other religions can tell you of their founder (they know his identity) they can tell you how he died (it’s in the history and traditions of their documents) they can take to what they believe is their founders tomb. But, none of those religions can give you this message – that their god became man and died in their place to save their sin sick souls and then on the third day rose bodily from the dead and is alive forevermore! Only Christianity has that distinctive. One the day that Christ rose from the dead, death died! Notice the impact of this truth:

I.           ON THE INSTITUTIONAL CHURCH (VV.1-5)

We live in a day when the world says that the church is obsolete, but I won’t to remind you that the church was not man’s idea – it was God’s! It is right to be affiliated with the church and faithful to that church and if the spiritual body of Christ is to be effective we must embrace and live this truth – that Jesus Christ is alive! The resurrection of Jesus has so many implications to the local church.

            A.        The Day Of Worship (v.1)

·        Creation rest

·        Christian rest – New Covenant; new day – Lord’s Day (Rev.1:10) (expound). Acts 20:7ff (They even met at night expound). Also 1 Cor.16.

            B.         The Determination In Service (vv.2-3)

·        Overcoming Obstacles (Mk.16:3). Who will remove this obstacle?

·        In Christ we lack nothing.

            C.        The Dynamic Of Life (vv.4-5)

·        Perplexed and afraid.

·        How can we be dead when we have the power of the resurrected Lord living in us?

·        When a church has life several things mark it:

o       Love (Listening – Overlooking – Valuing – Expressing love in a practical way).

o       Laughter (where there is life there is laughter).

II.         ON THE INDIVIDUAL BELIEVER (VV.6-8)

The problems of life can cause us to forget what He says in His Word. When we forget what God says in His Word that is when we get defeated! You’ve forgotten something! It’s not about how hard you try, it’s not up to you it’s about Him in you He’s your strength, He’s your victory! Stop trying and start trusting!  That is the message of the resurrection; you need to remember some things like these ladies:

            A.        New Life In Jesus

(Rom 6:8) "Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:"

·        That same Holy Spirit that entered that tomb entered my body and raised me from the dead!

·        That same Christ that walked of the grave is living in my heart – I’ve got new life! I’m not what I used to be!

            B.         New Power In Jesus

(Phil 3:10) "That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;"

·        I’m not looking for the power to overcome (Illus: I don’t understand electricity, but I’m not going to sit around in the dark until I do).

·        The power is already in me, I need to plug in! Jesus is the power to overcome anything!

The key to remember is that He is your LIFE and He is your POWER!

III.       ON THE INTELLECTUAL SKEPTIC (VV.9-12)

There is much skepticism today about the things of God.

            A.        The Message Of The Empty Tomb (v.11)

·        Attempts to explain the resurrection.

·        Even the disciples were skeptical.

            B.         The Message Left Inside The Tomb (v.12)

·        He left a message for His followers inside the tomb - John 20:5-8.

(Illus: The oriental custom of the napkin. When a man with servants was eating a meal, he would use his napkin to signal them during the course of the meal. If he left the table and wadded his napkin up, it meant that he was finished and would not be back. If, however, he neatly folded the napkin, it told his servants that he was stepping away for a moment, but he would be back!

·        Jesus was telling His disciples, "I may be out of your sight right now, but I'll be right back!")

Conclusion:       What makes the Christian faith unique? The Uniqueness of Christianity is the resurrection of Jesus Christ! We’re here today to celebrate the fact that death is dead! Because He lives…you can live also! Come to Jesus for Eternal Life Today!