Resurrection Benefits

Tod Kennedy

Easter, April 8, and April 15, 2007

1.     The resurrection guarantees that what Jesus said is true (Acts 2:22-24; 1 Corinthians 15:12-20).

2.     The resurrection is a sign for unbelievers (Matthew 12:38-40).

3.     The resurrection verifies of the gospel (Romans 4:24-25; 10:9; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

4.     The resurrection is the answer for a believer’s doubt (Luke 24:38-43; John 20:24-29).

5.     The resurrection is a strong motivation for the believer to serve God and so bear spiritual fruit or God’s good works (Romans 7:4; 1 Corinthians 15:57-58).

6.     The resurrection is the demonstration of the believer’s power to live the Christian way of life (Romans 6:4-14; 8:9-11; Philippians 3:10).

7.     The resurrection is a strong motivation for evangelism (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 4:2; Acts 10:39-43).

8.     The resurrection is the reason believers do not need to fear death (John 11:25;
1 Corinthians 15:54-58; Hebrews 2:14-15).

9.     The resurrection happened by the same power that will raise the believer
(1 Corinthians 6:14; Philippians 3:21; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). 

10. The resurrection gives a preview of what the believer’s future in heaven will be (Philippians 3:20-21; 1 Peter 1:3-5).

11. The resurrection makes Christ’ return to earth possible (Acts 1:11; Revelation 1:7).

12. What the resurrection is not. The following is taken from Chapter 8, The Resurrection, in Handbook of Christian Apologetics by Peter Kreeft and Ronald K. Tacelli, Intervarsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois.

12.1.      The resurrected Jesus is not a ghost.

12.2.      The resurrection is not resuscitation.

12.3.      The resurrection is not reincarnation.

12.4.      The resurrection is not a freeing of the soul from the body such as a Gnostic would expect.

12.5.      The resurrection is not Nirvana or Enlightenment—a loss of individuality and absorption back into the One or All—as a Hindu or Buddhist hopes for.

12.6.      The resurrection is not a translation into heaven like Enoch or Elijah experienced.

12.7.      The resurrection is not a vision in one’s mind.

12.8.      The resurrection is not a legend. A legend is a fiction which man makes up.

12.9.      The resurrection is not a myth. People have various myths. One myth is about vegetation gods. This myth says that vegetation gods rise from the dead every spring. The gods are not real and do not rise from the dead. Each spring vegetation grows, and myths then develop around what people observe happening in the spring.

12.10. The resurrection story is not simply a resurrection of Easter faith—a renewal of faith in faith—in the lives of the disciples. Easter faith without a real resurrection is self-deception.

13. Believer, So what?

13.1.      Does knowing Bible doctrine about the benefits of Jesus’ physical resurrection give you confidence that you possess eternal life through your faith in Jesus Christ?

13.2.      Does it help you live day by day depending on that same miraculous power?

13.3.      Does it motivate you to tell others about Jesus Christ?

14. Unbeliever, So what?

14.1.      Since Jesus arose from the dead, should you not consider who Jesus is and what he said about sin and forgiveness and eternal life?

14.2.      He offers you forgiveness, right standing before God, and eternal life as a free gift because he was judged in your place for your sins and then arose.