THE MYSTERY OF THE RESURRECTION

TEXT- 1 CORINTHIANS 15:50-58

INTRODUCTION

I WOULD LIKE TO WISH ALL OF YOU A HAPPY EASTER AND HOPE YOU WILL ENJOY THIS DAY WITH YOUR FAMILY.

EASTER IS A DAY THAT IS FILLED WITH FAMILY TRADITIONS- COLORED EASTER EGGS, CHOCOLATE BUNNIES, JELLY BEANS, EASTER EGG HUNTS, AND EASTER DRESSES.

I HOPE THAT ABOVE ALL WE WILL REMEMBER TODAY AS A TIME FOR CELEBRATING THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS.

AND NOT JUST TODAY, BUT EVERY DAY.

THE TOPIC OF THE RESURRECTION IS A GREAT MYSTERY TO EVERYONE.

WE DON'T REALLY UNDERSTAND IT, YET WE BELIEVE IN IT AS CHRISTIANS.

THROUGH THE RESURRECTION, WE HAVE HOPE AFTER DEATH.

THOSE WHO DO NOT BELIEVE IN THE RESURRECTION, DO NOT HAVE ANY HOPE AFTER DEATH.

THOMAS GRAY SAID, "THE PATHS OF GLORY LEAD BUT TO THE GRAVE."

SIGMUND FREUD SAID, "AND FINALLY THERE IS THE PAINFUL RIDDLE OF DEATH, FOR WHICH NO REMEDY AT ALL HAS YET BEEN FOUND, NOR PROBABLY WILL BE."

MANY TODAY BELIEVE THAT THE ULTIMATE END FOR MAN IS SIMPLY DEATH.

MANY TODAY DO NOT HAVE ANY HOPE IN LIFE AFTER DEATH.

YET, CONTRARY TO WHAT THOMAS GRAY OR SIGMUND FREUD THOUGHT, THERE IS A REMEDY FOR DEATH- IT IS THE RESURRECTION.

THE HOPE THAT WE AS CHILDREN OF GOD HAVE IN THE RESURRECTION IS BEAUTIFULLY EXPRESSED IN THE EPITAPH OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, WHICH HE WROTE FOR HIMSELF.

ENGRAVED ON HIS TOMBSTONE IN A CEMETERY IN PHILADELPHIA IT SAYS: "THE BODY OF FRANKLIN, PRINTER, LIKE THE COVER OF AN OLD BOOK, ITS CONTENTS TORN OUT AND STRIPPED OF ITS LETTERING AND GILDING, LIES HERE FOOD FOR WORMS.  BUT THE WORK WILL NOT BE LOST, FOR IT WILL APPEAR ONCE MORE IN A NEW AND MORE ELEGANT EDITION, REVISED AND CORRECTED BY THE AUTHOR."

THIS MORNING OUR TEXT IS FOUND IN 1 CORINTHIANS 15:50-58 AND THE TITLE OF MY MESSAGE IS ,"THE MYSTERY OF THE RESURRECTION."

AS WE LOOK AT THIS PASSAGE I WOULD LIKE US TO NOTICE THREE REASONS WHY THE RESURRECTION IS SO IMPORTANT.