22 Glorious Effects of the Resurrection of Jesus

Article by: Nathan Brooks

Pastor, Glorieta Baptist Church

“Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain."
-1 Corinthians 15:1-2

Two Ever-Present Dangers

When it comes to the resurrection of Jesus, there are at least two ever-present dangers.

First, there is an ever-present danger that we hear the gospel of the cross and the resurrection of Jesus "in vain" (v2); to no effect in our minds or hearts or lives or decisions. So, while we worship in light of the resurrection every Sunday, Easter Sunday does provide us an opportunity for a dedicated reminder of resurrection of Jesus; unless we have believed in vain. Why? Because the resurrection is not just an important doctrine for becoming a Christian, it is Christianity. It isn't just a doctrine we hold to, it is a doctrine we stand in (v.1). It should be brought to bear on every other belief and practice of the Christian life.

At the same time, there is an ever-present danger of engaging with the resurrection of Jesus in ways that are primarily inspirational or allegorical (i.e. “The resurrection shows us what to do in difficult “Fridays” while we wait for our “Sundays”.) In this way of thinking, the resurrection is meant to show us how to handle bad or difficult seasons.

​Some may say, “Well, what’s wrong with that? It seems harmless.” That kind of engaging with the resurrection shows a poor theology of the resurrection, and, really, the cross! It downplays the real accomplishment of Christ’s resurrection and turns it into merely a good example to follow in the middle of something difficult. And that kind of engaging with the resurrection may show that someone has believed it in vain; to no effect (or to the wrong effect) in their life.

"I Would Remind You Brothers"

To combat these ever-present dangers, we need ever-present reminders. The resurrection of Jesus is not simply an event in Scripture. It is the event in scripture by which we read the rest of scripture. If Christ is not raised, it's ALL (scripture, prophecy, promises, redemption itself) null and void. 

So, let us be reminded of the resurrection of Jesus again, but in particular, not just to see that Jesus is risen, but why. The resurrection of Jesus is not laced throughout scripture simply to give us inspiration for trials in this life, but to give us salvation from death and life forevermore! Consider the effects of the resurrection of Jesus.

22 Glorious Effects of the Resurrection of Jesus

1. The resurrection of Jesus proves he is the better Adam.

​“For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.” (1 Corinthians 15:21-22) 

2. The resurrection of Jesus proves that he is the better David.

“Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses." (Acts 2:29-32)

3. The resurrection of Jesus fulfills the scriptures.

​“Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.” (Luke 24:46-48) 

4. The resurrection of Jesus demonstrates that death could not hold him.

“God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it” (Acts 2:24)

5. The resurrection of Jesus means that He will never die again.

“We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.” (Romans 6:9)

6. The resurrection of Jesus proves that he has dominion over Death and Hades. 

“I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.” (Revelation 1:18)

7. The resurrection of Jesus proves Him as God’s Son and vindicates him as Lord.

Jesus “was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 1:4)

8. The resurrection of Jesus shows the authority His Father had given Him.

“No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father” (John 10:18)

9. The resurrection of Jesus displays the great might of God.

(Paul prays that the Ephesian church would know) “what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 1:19-20)

10. The resurrection of Jesus to display the great mercy of God.

“According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3)

11. The resurrection of Jesus brings repentance.

“The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. 31God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.” (Acts 5:30-31)
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12. The resurrection of Jesus reveals the grace of God in the gospel.

(Speaking of the power of God,) “who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Timothy 1:9-10)

13. The resurrection of Jesus is the grounds of our new birth.

“According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3)

14. The resurrection of Jesus means the forgiveness of sin. 

“If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins” (1 Corinthians 15:17)

15. The resurrection of Jesus is how we are justified before God.

"[Jesus] was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.” (Romans 4:25)

16. The resurrection of Jesus leads to the sending of the Holy Spirit.

“This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing” (Acts 2:32-33)

17. The resurrection of Jesus results in his interceding for his people.

“Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.” (Romans 8:34)

18. The resurrection of Jesus gives proof of judgement coming on the world.

 “[God] has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead” (Acts 17:31)

19. The resurrection of Jesus guarantees our salvation from the wrath God.

[The Thessalonians] “wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.” (1 Thessalonians 1:10)

20. The resurrection of Jesus carries the promises of resurrection for his people.

“For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.” (Romans 6:5)

21. The resurrection of Jesus is the first fruits of the resurrection of all who have died.

“If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20)

"[We know] that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence" (2 Corinthians 4:14)

​22. The resurrection of Jesus is the grounds for our hope that he is coming again.

“He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20)

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Transcribed from Easter Sunrise Devotional given for Glorieta Baptist Church on April 9, 2023.

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