Resurrected for What Purpose? Resurrection 2025 Sermon

Resurrected for What Purpose?

The Kingdom Announced, the Resurrection Promised

Jesus began His public ministry proclaiming the arrival of God's kingdom (Mark 1:14–15). This kingdom could be entered through repentance and faith, and that same gospel message has been entrusted to the church. The promise is not merely spiritual renewal, but bodily resurrection—eternal life with God on a restored earth.

Many have heard the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection, but few live as if it determines their future. The resurrection is not just a chapter in Christian history; it is the decisive truth about where the world is headed and who will dwell in it. If we believe it, it must shape everything about how we live today.

Mark 1:14–15
"Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, 'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.'"

1. Hope That Rests on Resurrection

1 Corinthians 15:3–4
"Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures."
1 Corinthians 15:12–19
"If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins... If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied."

Without resurrection, sin remains, death reigns, and hope is lost. But because Christ was raised, we live with confidence. Resurrection makes obedience worthwhile, suffering meaningful, and future reward sure.

Ask yourself: Are you willing to give up sin? Are you willing to suffer loss for righteousness’ sake? Do you live as if gossip, greed, or violence are harmless pleasures—or as if the world to come is what matters most?

2. The Wisdom That Seems Foolish

Matthew 22:29
"Jesus answered them, 'You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God.'"

Jesus corrected those who denied resurrection by pointing to their ignorance of God's Word and power. Likewise, today’s world mocks the resurrection because it is unseen, illogical, and unnatural. But faith clings to what God has promised.

Resurrection seems foolish because we don't see it happen now—but it is coming. To deny it is to live as if unrighteousness has no consequence. But the Scriptures—and the risen Christ—say otherwise.

3. Resurrection: God’s Plan from the Start

Genesis 3:22–24
"Then the LORD God said, 'Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil... Therefore the LORD God sent him out from the garden...'"

Barring humanity from the tree of life was not punishment—it was mercy. God protected us from eternal death until He could redeem us through resurrection.

Genesis 15:6
"And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness."

Abraham believed, and God credited righteousness to him. Long before the cross, God had already planned to save by faith and to raise the faithful to life.

4. The King and His Kingdom on Earth

Isaiah 11:1–10
"There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse... the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea."
Isaiah 51:3
"He makes her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the garden of the LORD."
Ezekiel 36:35
"This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden."

Jesus will reign—not in a distant heaven, but on a restored earth. Eden is not a metaphor; it’s a future reality. God is not discarding the world, but redeeming it. Resurrection is not about escape—it’s about return.

5. How Will We Enter the Kingdom?

Ezekiel 37:12–14
"'Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people... and I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live.'"

Resurrection is our entry point. Death has no power to hold the believer, for Christ will command it to release us. We will be raised with bodies like His, to inhabit the land of promise.

6. What Keeps Us There?

Revelation 22:14
"Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates."

We remain in the kingdom because of Christ’s righteousness. His obedience is ours. His robes cover us. We are welcomed not because we were good, but because we are clean—washed in His blood.

Conclusion: The Resurrection Demands a Response

We are not raised simply to live forever—we are raised to dwell with God in the world He has always intended. Let us not treat resurrection as a seasonal idea but as a daily reality. Every person will live eternally—either in the kingdom of God or under His wrath.

Today is the day of salvation. Nothing stands in your way but unbelief. Do you believe that God is able to raise the dead? Do you believe He is merciful enough to welcome you? Do you believe He loves you enough to have already done it through Jesus?

The risen Christ is calling—come to Him and live.

Scripture References

  • Mark 1:14–15 – Jesus proclaims the kingdom and calls for repentance and faith.
  • 1 Corinthians 15:3–19 – Paul defends the resurrection as essential to the gospel.
  • Matthew 22:23–33 – Jesus affirms the resurrection against the Sadducees.
  • Genesis 3:22–24 – Humanity is barred from the tree of life after the fall.
  • Genesis 15:1–6 – Righteousness comes by faith, as seen in Abraham.
  • Isaiah 11:1–10 – The righteous King will rule over a restored creation.
  • Isaiah 51:1–3 – God will make the wilderness like Eden again.
  • Ezekiel 36:33–35 – God promises to renew the land like Eden.
  • Ezekiel 37:11–14 – Resurrection from the grave foretold.
  • Romans 8:19–22 – Creation waits for resurrection and restoration.
  • Revelation 22:12–17 – The return of Christ and access to the tree of life.

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