Text: Romans 1:1-6
In this series, we are looking at some big words in the Bible. All of them are “big” in terms of importance; but for some of them, we may be unsure of what they mean. In this fifth and final lesson, we will be looking at the word resurrection. Without this, none of the rest of the words we have studied in this series would matter.
The Meaning of the Word
- Greek word – anastasis
- Means a raising from the dead; raised to new life
- Jesus died on the cross and was raised from the dead – this gives us hope beyond this life
Understanding the Concept
- Many will ridicule the concept of the resurrection (Matthew 22:23-28; Acts 17:32) – but why is this incredible? (Acts 26:8); if God can create life, He can restore it; to deny the concept of the resurrection is to deny God; this is foolish (Psalm 14:1; Romans 1:20)
- Jesus was raised from the dead (Matthew 28:5-6) – the apostles were witnesses (Acts 2:32); there were hundreds of other witnesses (1 Corinthians 15:6); they provided undeniable eye-witness testimony
- This is the foundation of the gospel message (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) – without this, we would have no hope (1 Corinthians 15:16-19); Jesus claimed to be “the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25); this gives us hope (1 Peter 1:3)
- Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we are to live for Him (2 Corinthians 5:15) – walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4); keep seeking the things above (Colossians 3:1)
Understanding This in Context
- This is the message of the gospel (Romans 1:1) – it is what the apostles were called to preach (Mark 16:15); it was of primary importance; they could not teach any other message
- This is what the Old Testament was pointing to (Romans 1:2-3) – it led them to Christ (Galatians 3:24); there were several Old Testament references in Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:25-28, 30, 34-35; cf. Psalm 16:8-11; 132:11; 110:1)
- Jesus’ resurrection proved He was the Son of God (Romans 1:4) – it also proved His ability to save us (1 Corinthians 15:20); this is why the gospel is the power of God for salvation (Romans 1:16)
- The proper response to this is the obedience of faith (Romans 1:5) – it demands a change in us; we are justified by faith (Romans 5:1), but not faith alone (James 2:24); we must obey (Romans 6:17)
Conclusion
- As we have studied in this series…
- Jesus offered His life as a propitiation for us – an act of mercy that delayed the wrath of God
- He died on the cross so that we could be reconciled to God
- We can be sanctified – have a new life; forgiven of sins and set apart for God’s purpose
- Through His blood we can be justified – God will declare us to be right before Him
- Yet without the resurrection, none of this would matter – we all face death, and that would be the end; but because Jesus was raised from the dead, we have hope
- Therefore, let us display the “obedience of faith” – be born again and then walk in newness of life
