EASTER: NEW LIFE IN CHRIST Penge Baptist Church Easter Sunday 20th April 2014

Christ’s resurrection What happened? What happened? Why should we believe it? Why should we believe it? What does it mean for us? What does it mean for us?

What happened? The women were witnesses The women were witnesses Death, burial and resurrection Death, burial and resurrection The stone rolled away, the empty tomb The stone rolled away, the empty tomb The appearance and words of the angel The appearance and words of the angel “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’ ” “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’ ” The response of fear… The response of fear… Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid. Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.

The resurrection appearances The resurrection appearances When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country. Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country. Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, (1 Corinthians 15:5-7) he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, (1 Corinthians 15:5-7) The response of disbelief The response of disbelief he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen

Why should we believe it? Faith based on reason Faith based on reason Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1) Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1) The empty tomb The empty tomb The appearances to the disciples The appearances to the disciples

The immediate effect The immediate effect Christian experience Christian experience The nature of the testimonies The nature of the testimonies The women The women The different witnesses The different witnesses “Seeking to resolve a puzzle” - Underlying Jewish belief in resurrection – but only on the last day for all humanity “Seeking to resolve a puzzle” - Underlying Jewish belief in resurrection – but only on the last day for all humanity

What does it mean to us? Romans 6:1-11 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. Romans 6:1-11 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.

For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

The problem of sin and the fall of humanity The problem of sin and the fall of humanity The first day of the new creation The first day of the new creation just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life Our guilt at sin removed (Justified) Our guilt at sin removed (Justified) The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Our tendency to sin restrained (Sanctified) Our tendency to sin restrained (Sanctified) For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin

The promise of eternity The promise of eternity We know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him We know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. (Romans 8:11) And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. (Romans 8:11)

Symbolised in baptism! Symbolised in baptism! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

It couldn’t be more important! “…if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith…. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins…. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men…. “…if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith…. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins…. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men…. …But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.” (1 Corinthians 15:13,17-22) …But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.” (1 Corinthians 15:13,17-22)

The risen Christ is Lord of all! Who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 1:3-4) Who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 1:3-4)