1997-07-01 - The Resurrection

"He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come see the place where He was lying." Matthew 28:6

"And he said to them, Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; behold, the place where they laid him." Mark  16:6

"He is not here, but He has risen …" Luke  24:6

"And God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death …" Acts  2:24

We are returning once again to the survey conducted by the Barna Research Group that was done because of the success of the television show, "Touched by an Angel". The attempt of this survey was to measure the spirituality and understanding both of the nation and of those who consider themselves born-again Christians. Regarding the resurrection of Christ from the grave the survey found that, "39 percent of Americans and 35 percent of born-again Christians say that Jesus Christ was crucified, but never had a physical resurrection." What shall we say to this? What has the church said in the past?

Apparently 1/3 of American born-again Christians have evolved beyond the understanding of the reformer John Calvin who said, "The resurrection of Christ is the most important article of our faith."

Apparently 1/3 of American born-again Christians have deviated from the understand of the late 19th century Baptist preacher Charles Haddon Spurgeon who said, "The resurrection is a fact better attested than any event recorded in any history, whether ancient or modern."

If the Lord Jesus Christ is not a risen Christ, then He is no Lord and He is no Christ. The Scriptures assert Him as a risen Saviour, we must also.

"And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain, your faith also is vain. Moreover we are even found false witnesses of God, because we witnessed against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen sleep, we are of all men most to be pitied." 1 Corinthians 15:14-19