LifePoint Church of Elizabethtown
LP04/05/2026

      • Matthew 28:5-6NIV2011

      • 1 Peter 1:3–5ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 15:54–57NRSVUE

  • Christ the Lord is Risen Today
  • Name Above All Names
  • Jerusalem
  • Because He Lives (Amen)
  • John 20:1–18 NKJV
    1 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.” 3 Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. 4 So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. 5 And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed. 9 For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went away again to their own homes. 11 But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13 Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” 14 Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’ ” 18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her.
    Introduction: Today we gather to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Friday we had a wonderful, moving, Good Friday service where we solemnly focused on the death and burial of Jesus, but today we look to the empty tomb.
    As we began our series on “The Resurrection and New Life,” I mentioned that the resurrection is the hinge that the Gospel swings upon. If Jesus did not resurrect from the grave, quite literally every claim that He made is dead.
    Many have set out to disprove the resurrection, but none have, and most find themselves being convinced that it must be true.
    Dr. William Lane Craig states in his book “Reasonable Faith” that “So complete has been the turn-about during the second half of the century concerning the resurrection of Jesus that I think it is no exaggeration to speak of a reversal of scholarship on this issue, such that those who deny the historicity of Jesus’ resurrection now seem to be the ones on the defensive.”
    The overwhelming accuracy and transparency of scripture concerning the resurrection has been key in this reversal. The forensic evidence is just too strong to argue against.
    So, how does the scriptures present the resurrection of Jesus Christ? I need to give you five ways, in rapid succession, the scriptures present the resurrection.

    The Facts of the Resurrection

    The Gospel narratives give us the historical details of the resurrection from four perspectives. All of the Gospels lay out the facts of the resurrection.
    Matthew in particular builds a case:
    Connected to a historical event (earthquake).
    Witnessed by women
    Empty tomb corroborated by angels.
    Soldiers’ testimony to the religious leaders
    Appearances by Jesus
    Witness by disciples
    Luke includes the ascension up to heaven.
    Outside of the Gospels Paul writes the Corinthians and lays out the facts with a challenge to investigate with the many witnesses that are still alive, 1 Corinthians 15:4–8
    1 Corinthians 15:4–8 NKJV
    4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. 6 After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. 7 After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. 8 Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.
    The scriptures presents the facts of the resurrection. But also the theology of the resurrection.

    The Theology of the Resurrection

    I don’t have time to explore this in great detail, but I want to look at a couple passages.
    Romans 1:1–6 NKJV
    1 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God 2 which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 4 and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. 5 Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, 6 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;
    Quickly let’s notice what Paul is saying in his introduction.
    The Gospel was prophesied in scripture.
    The Gospel is about Jesus Christ our Lord.
    He was fully human and of the line of David.
    He was declared to be the Son of God by the resurrection of the dead. It vindicated every claim.
    He was sinless in his life (Spirit of holiness)
    Through Him we are granted grace, called to obedience to the faith.
    Through Him all nation can be obedient to the faith.
    Hebrews 7:14-16 states that Jesus’ indestructible life is the beginning of an unchangeable priesthood where He saves to the uttermost those who come to God by Him. Hebrews 7:23-25
    Hebrews 7:14–16 NKJV
    14 For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood. 15 And it is yet far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest 16 who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life.
    Hebrews 7:23–25 NKJV
    23 Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. 24 But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
    Last, and I’m sure there is more. Galatians 2:20 is the theology of our union with His death and resurrection and the New Life that results from it.
    Galatians 2:20 NKJV
    20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
    Scripture gives us the facts and the theology of the resurrection, but also the type of resurrection.

    The Type and Order of Resurrection

    When I say type, I mean to indicate that the resurrection of Jesus was bodily not just spiritual. It was bodily and transformational. Jesus’ body was raised and glorified. 1 Corinthians 15:20-24 introduces the theology and the Gospels illustrate it.
    1 Corinthians 15:20–24 NKJV
    20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. 24 Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power.
    First fruit is the idea of the first of His kind. His body is the prototype of a new humanity.
    Jesus has clearly been raised from the dead differently than He died. He is the first, then those of us who are His at His coming.
    The Gospels describe Jesus after the resurrection as visibly, bodily. He could be touched, felt, and embraced. He ate and drank, but changed his appearance, walked through walls and traveled on clouds or by simple conscious thought.
    The order is clear in 1 Corinthians 15:23
    1 Corinthians 15:23 NKJV
    23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming.
    Jesus now, and us at His coming. John echoes this in 1 John 3:2
    1 John 3:2 NKJV
    2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
    We shall be like Him, transformed in a moment. There is more to be said about this in 1 Corinthians 15 and 1 Thessalonians 4, but let’s move on to the application.

    What is the Application of the Resurrection?

    One, our salvation is secure. The Gospel is complete. Jesus accomplished everything that He said. He was who He said He was.
    We have an eternal high priest who can save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him. He saves and makes intercession for us.
    We don’t have to fear death which means we can live in obedience and confidence. We don’t have to feel inferior or less than. We are free to live.
    We are new creatures, given new life, created to live in a new world where God is the Lord and He dwells among His people.
    Today is an exciting day, but we have an exciting future anticipating the coming of Jesus and our change.
    Here, is another application. If you are not in Christ, you miss this.

      • John 20:1–18NKJV

      • 1 Corinthians 15:4–8NKJV

      • Romans 1:1–6NKJV

      • Hebrews 7:14–16NKJV

      • Hebrews 7:23–25NKJV

      • Galatians 2:20NKJV

      • 1 Corinthians 15:20–24NKJV

      • 1 Corinthians 15:23NKJV

      • 1 John 3:2NKJV

  • Because He Lives
LifePoint Church of Elizabethtown
louie@lifepointchurchetown.com
1-270-317-7861
http://lifepointchurchetown.com
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