Sermons on Resurrection
Matthew 16:21-23
In Matthew 16:21-23, immediately after Peter’s confession of faith, Christ predicts His own death. This is all the more shocking as it comes right after the confession that He is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Though contrary to thinking according to the flesh, this death and resurrection is necessary. Christ rebukes Peter for not recognizing this and thereby affirms that His death and resurrection is the plan of God.
Acts 2:1-41
As a prophet Christ reveals to us by his Word and Spirit the will of God for our salvation. This he does today, as the greatest of all prophets, by pouring out the Spirit upon his people and by calling men to preach the Word.
Matthew 12:38-42
In Matthew 12:38-42 the Pharisees and scribes continue to challenge Christ. This time they challenge Him by requesting a sign from Him. This request comes after Christ has already given innumerable signs to prove who He is. Rather than perform a sign on demand, which He refuses to do, Christ says the only sign that will be given is the sign of Jonah, His resurrection from the dead.
John 20:19-23
In John 20:19-23 Christ breathes the Spirit on His disciples. John describes this action in ways similar to Genesis 2:7 where God breathed the breath of life into Adam’s nostrils. Christ, the author of the new creation, who became a life-giving Spirit through His resurrection, sovereignly brings dead sinners to life through the giving of the Spirit. Thus, anyone in Christ is a new creation.
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
In 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 Paul emphasizes that the death and resurrection of Christ happened historically according to the Scriptures. This resurrection is absolutely foundational to salvation such that without the resurrection of Christ no one can be saved. Pastor Grasso here explains the historical witness to the resurrection and the way in which it was attested in Scripture before the coming of Christ.
Ephesians 2:1-10
How is Christ’s resurrection related to your salvation? In Ephesians 2:1-10 Paul explains that you are dead in your sins but God made you alive together with Christ. Salvation is resurrection and not just any resurrection but it is union with Christ such that His resurrection becomes yours. For the believer the spiritual life you have is the life of the resurrected life of Christ. “He is not here, for he has risen, as he said.” – Matthew 28:6