The Things Of First Importance: Ps. Tony Cameneti

It’s interesting that Caleb’s first major project is centred around Easter: 

• Here is what scripture says about this 

1 Cor. 15:3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,

1 Cor. 15:4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, (ESV)

Paul delivered as of “First Importance” 

• Christ died – He was buried – He was raised 
• The death, burial, and resurrection are of FIRST IMPORTANCE 
• Caleb spent more time on the death and burial 
• So now we’ll spend some time on the resurrection 

Everything about Jesus was unique:
• His birth
• His life
• His nature (totally God, totally man)
• His death and burial
• and ESPECIALLY His resurrection

Definition of Resurrection from Merriam Websters: 

• the rising of Christ from the dead
• the rising again to life of all the human dead before the final judgment
• the state of one risen from the dead

The Resurrection is the World’s Main Event

“Two thousand years ago, in the Middle East, an event occurred that permanently changed the world. Because of that event, history was split. Every time you write a date, you’re using the Resurrection of Jesus Christ as the focal point.” – (Rick Warren)

World History Could be Divided Up As:

• Before the resurrection of Jesus and after the resurrection 
• Instead of before and after: 
  • A particular war 
  • A particular iconic leader coming and going 
  • A particular pandemic 
• None of those things are on the epic level of the resurrection 

“The resurrection completes the inauguration of God’s kingdom…It is the decisive event demonstrating that God’s kingdom really has been launched on earth as it is in heaven. The message of Easter is that God’s new world has been unveiled in Jesus Christ and that you’re now invited to belong to it.” – (N.T. Wright)

1 Cor. 15:14 And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless.

1 Cor. 15:15 And we apostles would all be lying about God—for we have said that God raised Christ from the grave. But that can’t be true if there is no resurrection of the dead.

1 Cor. 15:16 And if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised.

1 Cor. 15:17 And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins.

1 Cor. 15:18 In that case, all who have died believing in Christ are lost!

1 Cor. 15:19 And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world. (NLT)

The Resurrection places Jesus Christ in a class by Himself:

• It makes Him matchless – without any peers 

Without the Resurrection: 

• Our preaching is useless
• Our faith is useless
• We are false witnesses
• No dead will ever be raised
• Our faith is futile
• We are still in our sins
• All who have trusted in Christ are lost
• Our hope is only in this life
• We are to be pitied more than all men

Why is the opposite of those true?

• Because of the power of the resurrection – there is no life changing power without it 
• Jesus (by the glory of God) had to defeat death – (spiritual death) 
• In order to give spiritual life to us 
• It’s not possible to give something to someone that you don’t have 

A Living Faith with A Dead Saviour Isn’t Attainable

The Power of the Resurrection: 

Rom. 1:4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, (ESV)

Rom. 6:4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. (ESV)

Rom. 8:11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus⁴ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. (ESV)

What the Resurrection Assures: 

• The penalty of our sin was placed on Jesus 
• Our sins are washed away
• We become new creatures in Christ 
• We become the righteousness of God in Christ 
• We are given a heavenly seat in Christ 
• Death no longer has dominion over us 
• We will live forever in heaven 
• We can rule and reign in Christ 

John 11:25 Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life.Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.

John 11:26 Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?” (NLT)

STORY: when I was being drawn to Christ 

• I didn’t question Jesus’ existence – or His resurrection 
• I did wonder if there was really life after death 

It was a little statement made – God used it:

• What if you get in a car accident and are killed?
• Without Jesus you’ll spend eternity in hell 
• I couldn’t escape that thought 
• God was drawing me to Himself – and He knew what would work with me 

TO MY SURPRISE: I received Jesus as Lord

• I really just thought I would do it as an insurance policy – make sure I make heaven 
• AND GO ON with my life
• BUT – OH – Once He got in the INSIDE of me 
• I CAME ALIVE – RESURRECTION LIFE came INSIDE me 
• NO ONE can tell me the resurrection didn’t happen 
• He CHANGED me 
• I haven’t been the same 
• I can’t live without Him – I live to SERVE Him 

Eph. 2:5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—(ESV)

What happens in us after a supernatural birth?

• Our spirits are made alive 
• God’s life comes on the inside of us 
• God’s nature is imparted on the inside  
• His Word is implanted in us 

(Church Membership Can’t Do This)

What are the subsequent changes after a supernatural birth?

• Our desires change 
  • Me – I no longer wanted to do wrong 
  • Doesn’t mean I succeeded every time– but my want to changed 
• Our beliefs and thoughts change  
  • I began to change what I believed 
  • I was doing a variety of things for employment
  • One thing was a machinist – We had a Union – they made it possible for us to be lazy at work and be protected – almost couldn’t be fired 
  • I no longer wanted to be lazy – I wanted to be a productive hard worker 
  • When God becomes your source – you don’t care if you have a union to protect you 

“In short, I didn’t become a Christian because God promised I would have an even happier life than I had as an atheist. He never promised any such thing. Indeed, following him would inevitably bring divine demotions in the eyes of the world. Rather, I became a Christian because the evidence was so compelling that Jesus really is the one-and-only Son of God who proved his divinity by rising from the dead. That meant following him was the most rational and logical step I could possibly take.” – (Lee Strobel)

These simple steps and truths: 

• All men and woman have sinned and need a saviour 
• Church membership doesn’t save you 
• Being a good person doesn’t save you
• Doing good things for others doesn’t save you
• Salvation is personal – it is one on one with God – it isn’t passed down from parents or friends 
• It is a personal belief and confession 

Rom. 10:9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (NLT)

Let’s pray: