Risen

Bible Book: 2 Timothy 2 : 8

Subject: Resurrection; Easter

Introduction

Risen. Eric Metaxas writes, “Christian audiences have felt a little burned lately by bad movies on biblical subjects. But one really good movie can change all that.” Metaxas explains, “The empty tomb is the most startling fact of history—something two millennia of skeptics have tried to explain away. But the evidence is just too strong. And ‘Risen,’ like a good detective novel, follows that evidence where it leads.” Metaxas concludes, “I think ‘Risen’ has the potential to spark a renaissance of solidly biblical movies. But more importantly, I think it will challenge audiences to confront, with Clavius, the question that defies doubters to this day: If Jesus is dead, then where is the body?”1 As they say, “If you like the movie, you’ll love the book!” Of course, the book in this case is the Bible! Matthew 28:1-8 reads, “Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men. But the angel answered and said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.’ So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.” (Emphasis mine)

I am indebted to Dr. David A. MacLennan (1903-1978)2 for inspiring me through his message based on 2 Timothy 2:8 titled, “The Easter Key”.3 2 Timothy 2:8 reads, “Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel.” This verse could be rendered, “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel.”

Since Jesus is risen, remember three things.

I. Remember the risen Christ and His purpose.

Jesus demystifies the enigma of human life. 2 Timothy 1:9-10 reads, “who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”

Romans 8:28 reads, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

Only “in Christ” can we find completely fulfilling answers to these questions:

What is the meaning of life?

Solomon recounts in the Book of Ecclesiastes how he sought for satisfaction and significance under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:12-2:26). He confessed the emptiness and meaninglessness of such experiences.

What is the mission of life?

1 John 2:15-17 reads, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”

Human lives matter.

II. Remember the risen Lord and His power.

Jesus defeats the enemies against holy life. 2 Timothy 2:8-11 reads, “Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained. Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him. If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.” Jesus conquered the militant powers of evil.

His power over our loathsome enemy. Jesus vanquished the devil and the demons. Hebrews 2:14-15 reads, “Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.”

His power over our last enemy. Jesus has vanquished our last enemy, death. 1 Corinthians 15:20-28 reads, “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. 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. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. For ‘He has put all things under His feet.’ But when He says ‘all things are put under Him,’ it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.”

Acts 10:34-43 reads, “Then Peter opened his mouth and said: ‘In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all— that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree. Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.’” 1 Peter 1:13-16 reads, “Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.’”

III. Remember the risen Master and His permission.

Jesus determines the entrance to heavenly life. Matthew 7:21-23 reads, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”

Luke 23:39-43 reads, “Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, ‘If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.’ But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.’”

John 5:22-30 reads, “For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.” John 10:1-10 reads, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.’ Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them. Then Jesus said to them again, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 14:6 reads, “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’”

Revelation 1:17-18 reads, “And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, ‘Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.”

William Ernest Henley (1849-1903) concludes his poem titled “Invictus” as follows:

I am the master of my fate:

I am the captain of my soul.4

Our eternal destination will be determined by our reception or rejection of Jesus Christ. For those who receive Him Paul writes, “This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him. If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself” (2 Timothy 2:11-13).

Remember your eternal redemption through Jesus. Hebrews 9:11-12 reads, “But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.”

Remember your eternal reward from Jesus. Matthew 5:11-12 reads, “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Revelation 22:12-17 reads, “‘And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.’ Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. ‘I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.’ And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.”

Conclusion

Remember the risen Christ and His purpose.

Jesus demystifies the enigma of human life. Remember the risen Lord and His power.

Jesus defeats the enemies against holy life. Remember the risen Master and His permission.

Jesus determines the entrance to heavenly life.

Charles Wesley (1707-1788) writes, “Christ the Lord is risen today, hallelujah. . .” (1739).5

The traditional Easter greeting is the exclamation, “He is risen!” followed by the enthusiastic response, “He is risen, indeed!” This response harkens back to the words of Cleopas and his companion on the road to Emmaus to the eleven and others in Luke 24:34, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!”

2 Timothy 2:8 reads, “Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel.” 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 reads, “Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. 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. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.”

Jesus Christ is risen!

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1Eric Metaxas, “The ‘Risen’ Movie: An Unbeliever Confronts the Empty Tomb” BreakPoint Commentary, 02/19/16, Accessed: 02/19/16 http://www.breakpoint.org/bpcommentaries/entry/13/28896?webSyncID=45801259-8921-5459-d7a4-05d9a6ca568a&sessionGUID=6e238156-e3c4-8e2a-7584-0b863eeddc73 .

2David A. MacLennan (1903-1978): Missouri Baptist Univ Jung-Kellogg LP:LIB USE ONLY ; Two sermons by David A. MacLennan [sound recording]. http://bridges.searchmobius.org:2082/search~S10?/aMacLennan%2C+David+A.%2C+1903-1978./amaclennan+david+a+1903+1978/-3,-1,0,B/browse / http://www.ancientfaces.com/person/david-maclennan/7490242 .

3David A. MacLennan, Resources For Sermon Preparation “The Easter Key” (2 Tim.2:8) (Philadelphia, PA: Westminster Press, 1957), 137-139.

4William Ernest Henley, “Invictus” Accessed: 03/25/16 http://bartleby.com/103/7.html .

5Charles Wesley, “Christ the Lord is Risen Today” (1739) Accessed: 03/25/16 http://www.hymnary.org/text/christ_the_lord_is_risen_today_wesley .

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Dr. Franklin L. Kirksey, pastor First Baptist Church of Spanish Fort 30775 Jay Drive Spanish Fort, Alabama 36527

Author of Don’t Miss the Revival! Messages for Revival and Spiritual Awakening from Isaiah and

Sound Biblical Preaching: Giving the Bible a Voice [Both available on Amazon.com in hardcover, paperback and eBook]