The Resurrection: The Greatest Event In History : Pastor Tony Samuels

Let us remember that there were events authored by our Lord Jesus that occurred in history to bring us to this place of amazing celebration. The Resurrection of our Lord and Savior was the Grand Finale of the redemptive plan of God, to bring man back into relationship with his Creator. It truly was the greatest event in history. History means: a continuous, systematic narrative of past events as relating to a particular people, country, period, or person; acts, ideas, or events that will or can shape the course of the future; immediate but significant happenings. Never has there been an event that has affected the human race like the Resurrection.

Look at 1 Corinthians 15:17 (AMPC):  And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is mere delusion [futile, fruitless], and you are still in your sins [under the control and penalty of sin]. The Resurrection is the only event in history that has had a continual ripple effect since it happened. It is the event that continues to repeat itself within the human race, in those who accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. 1 Corinthians 15:20-21 (TPT) says, But the truth is, Christ is risen from dead, as the first fruit of a great resurrection harvest of those who have died. For since death came through a man, Adam, it is fitting that the resurrection of the dead has also come through a man, Christ. Even as all who are in Adam die, so also all who are in Christ will be made alive. The Resurrection was the antidote for Adam’s action that infected humanity with death. The Resurrection destroys that death sentence and brings man into new life with Jesus.

Never has there been an event that has been responsible for transforming the lives of men. His history takes the human race out of a nightmare and brings us into a dream come true. When Christ rose from the dead, one of the things that also rose was hope… a hope that cannot die. Without hope, problems become the conclusion to your story. When there is no hope, it blocks you from seeing a way out. That’s why  that stone had to roll away; why Christ had to come out. Because when He came out, we came out with Him.

 Hebrews 6:19-20 (AMP) shows us the power of this hope: This hope [this confident assurance] we have as an anchor of the soul [it cannot slip and it cannot break down under whatever pressure bears upon it—a safe and steadfast hope that enters within the veil of the heavenly temple, that most Holy Place in which the very presence of God dwells], where Jesus has entered [in advance] as a forerunner for us, having become a High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. Jesus is the forerunner that rose from the dead with this hope. This hope is not of Earth, but is a hope that is anchored in Heaven in the very Presence of God. When He rose, He defeated every earthly problem we could face, so we are never without hope; we are never without a way out. This hope keeps us moving through life; this hope keeps us praising the Lord. 1 Peter 1:3 (TPT) says, Celebrate with praises the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has shown us his extravagant mercy. For his fountain of mercy has given us a new life—we are reborn to experience a living, energetic hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

One of the awesome things that was accomplished through the Resurrection was the defeat of death. This was the enemy’s final weapon against man. Through the Resurrection, Jesus completely defeated death. 1 Corinthians 15:54-55 (TPT) says, …Death is swallowed up by a triumphant victory! So death, tell me, where is your victory? Tell me death, where is your sting? Outside of Christ, death is an end. In Christ, death is merely a passageway into Glory.

Phillipians 1:21 (AMPC) says, For me to live is Christ [His life in me], and to die is gain [the gain of the glory of eternity]. When Jesus shows up, Resurrection power shows up. Death has no power over His power. John 11:25-26 (AMP) says, Jesus said to her, “I am the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes in (adheres to, trusts in, relies on) Me [as Savior] will live even if he dies; and everyone who lives and believes in Me [as Savior] will never die. Do you believe this?” Yes, Lord… we believe!!! The Resurrection is the event that, if we believe in it and confess it, brings Salvation into our lives. Look at Romans 10:9 (AMP): …because if you acknowledge and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord [recognizing His power, authority, and majesty as God], and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. The Resurrection completed the salvation package for mankind. So, my brothers and sisters, today we celebrate the Greatest Event In History. We celebrate because it has personally affected our personal history… and even greater, our future!