DCLM YOUTH STS LESSON 73 RESURRECTION OF CHRIST AND THE GREAT COMMISSION
Memory Verse: “And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:46, 47).
TEXT: Matthew 28:1-20; Mark 16:1-20; Luke 24:1-53
Christ, our sacrificial Lamb, was killed and buried to fulfill Scriptural prophecy. He rose from the dead on the third day and gave us victory over sin and death.
Question 1: Why is Christ’s resurrection important to the Christian faith?
The teaching on Christ’s resurrection is pivotal in the gospel message. Any gospel message that undermines the resurrection of Christ is vain (1 Corinthians 15:12-14). It is also the seal and the theme of the gospel message of Christ. Immediately after His resurrection, Jesus charged His disciples with the great commission of preaching the gospel of salvation from sin through His redemptive work. To day, all saved youths who believe in Jesus and the power of His resurrection have the man date to share the gospel of salvation from sin with their friends and un saved family members.
1. THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST
Matthew 28:1-15;Mark 16:1-10; Luke 24:1-10;Psalm 16:10; Acts 13:34,35; Philippians 3:10; 1 Corinthians 6:14;Romans 8:11
“And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it” (Matthew 28:2). The physical manifestation of the power of God through the earthquake and the rolling of the great stone from the entrance of the grave of Jesus by the “angel of the Lord” was a clear indication that God was involved in the resurrection of His Son. The resurrection of Christ from the dead was made possible by the power of God. The women in our text came to the sepulchre very early on the first day of the week to discover the wonder of Christ’s resurrection. They had prepared sweet spices to anoint the body of Jesus, only to find the tomb empty. Christ’s resurrection is very central to God’s plan of salvation for mankind. God, therefore, ensured that Christ rose from the dead without experiencing decay in the grave. The Roman soldiers could not stop His resurrection. “And for fear of him the keepers did shake and became as dead men”(Matthew 28:4). Christian youths can rest assured that if they live righteously, they too will partake in the future resurrection of the saints.
Question 2: How can Christian youths partake in the future resurrection of the saints?
“But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you” (Romans 8:11). Today, the power. Of resurrection can quicken our mortal body to live victoriously over sin and the flesh.
2. THE DISPLAY OF DOUBT BY CHRIST’S DISCIPLES
Matthew 28:16,17; Mark 16:11-14;Luke 24:11-46;Mark 9:31,32
Christ, before His death, had on many occasions His disciples of how the Jews would kill Him and how He would resurrect on the third day (Matthew 26:1,2,32;Mark 8:31;9:9,31;10:33,34;Luke 9:22,44). Apart from this, prophecies in the Old Testament attested to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and His eventual resurrection (Genesis 3:15; Psalm 22; Isaiah 53). With this prior knowledge, one would have thought that the disciples were better informed of Christ’s crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection, but they received the news as “…idle tales, and they believed them not“(Luke 24:11). This display of doubt attracted the displeasure of Christ who pronounced them as “…fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken” (Luke 24:25). The Scriptures recorded that the disciples did not understand Christ’s teachings about His death and resurrection and were afraid to ask Him (Mark 9:31,32; Luke 9:44,45). However, the story changed when Jesus berated them and showed them His hands and feet. Christian youths are therefore called to note that their attitude and response to the word of God is central to benefiting from it.
Question 3: What should believing youths do to profit from the word of God?
To benefit from the word of God, Christian youths should do the following:
- Read and study the Bible
- Meditate on the Scriptures
- Obey instructions from the Bible
- Attend Bible study or Search the Scriptures classes and (5) Believe scriptural promises and apply them to their lives.
The soldiers who guarded the sepulchre were eye witnesses of Christ’s resurrection. They, however, took counsel with the chief priests and elders to lie that Jesus’ disciples came to steal Him away in the night while they slept, having collected “large money” from them. The Scripture declares “But the fearful, and the unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8). Children of God are to reject any form of enticement to pervert the truth. Sadly, some Christian youths are rejecting the truth because of mundane and fleshly gratifications which will lead them to eternal regret unless they repent. Repentance from sin and acceptance of Jesus as Lord and Saviour remains the only way out of spending eternity in hell-fire. They should be resolute like Daniel not to defile themselves (Daniel 1:8); and declare their stand like Joseph: “There is none greater in house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”(Genesis 39:9).
3. THE PROCLAMATION OF THE GREAT COMMISSION
Matthew 28:18-20;Mark 16:15-20; Luke 24:47 53,John 15:16;Romans 10:13-15; 2 Timothy 4:1,2; 1
Corinthians 9:16
Question 4:What is the Great Commission?
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:15,16). The Great Commission is the mandate given by Christ to His disciples to preach the gospel of salvation from sin through His sacrifice on the cross at Calvary to every creature. Jesus charged the disciples that “repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name“. The preaching of the gospel must emphasize repentance from sin. The gospel is the heartbeat of God who is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). It is total turning away from sin and Satan to serve the living God. Repentance should also be proclaimed in “His name” signifying that Jesus should be the central focus in the preaching of the gospel. Preachers of the Great Commission must avoid projecting their denomination, pastors and even contemporary world events more than Jesus who gave His life as an atonement for our sins. Jesus also commanded that those who believe in the gospel message be baptized. Partaking in water baptism makes new believers in Christ to openly identify with Christ in His death, burial resurrection (Romans 6:4). New believers are also to be taught the word. “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, lam with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matthew 28:20). This underscores the place of follow-up in the Great Commission. Converts should be systematically exposed to all the requirements of their new found faith and be established in a Bible believing Church. “And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). To effectively carry out this mandate, the disciples need to be endued with the power of the Holy Ghost. This power came upon the be livers on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4).
Question 5: Why is the baptism in the Holy Ghost essential in preaching the gospel?
The promise of the Holy Ghost baptism is for all believer s to be effective in evangelism. “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover” (Mark 16:17,18). In obedience to the great commission,“… they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen” (Mark 16:20). Just as the disciples promptly obeyed Jesus’ command to preach the gospel, Christian youths today should also demonstrate practical commitment and unalloyed obedience to this duty. Apostle Paul said, “For though I preach the gospel, l have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if l preach not the gospel!“(1 Corinthians 9:16). Like Paul the apostle, we must see the preaching of the gospel as a necessity if truly we are true disciples of Christ.