Raised - God's Declaration
A Sermon on Acts 5:29-32
Originally preached April 3, 1966
Scripture
29¶ Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. 30The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. 31Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and …
Sermon Description
First, the resurrection is what fueled the disciples with courage and boldness to go out into the world and proclaim the gospel. It was what made them realize the importance of Jesus’s message and gave them a desire for everyone to be transformed by the gospel as they were. Second, the resurrection establishes the fact that God sent His Son to save. Jesus’s act of rising from the dead was proof that God was satisfied in His Son, and that salvation can be found in the work of Jesus Christ. It also shows that Jesus has delivered His people from the law. Before Jesus’ work on the cross, all were under the law. However, the resurrection is proof that Christians are no longer held in bondage to the law. Lastly, the resurrection gives assurance of salvation and the knowledge that power and strength come through Christ. It is the resurrection that shows that Jesus defeated death and the devil and hope is found knowing that His resurrection points forward to a day when He will come again, and those who believe in Him will live forever in His presence.
Sermon Breakdown
- The apostles were witnesses to Jesus' resurrection. They had seen him alive after his death and burial.
- The resurrection proves Jesus is the Son of God. No one else has risen from the dead.
- The resurrection shows God accepted Jesus' work. God raised Jesus to show he approved of his sacrifice for sins.
- The resurrection proves Jesus defeated our enemies: sin, death, and the devil. Jesus overcame them through his death and resurrection.
- The resurrection shows Jesus fulfilled the law. He obeyed the law perfectly in life and took its punishment in death. The law has no more demands on those who believe in Jesus.
- The resurrection proves Jesus is the judge of all. God will judge the world through Jesus, who died and rose again.
- The resurrection shows Jesus is the only Savior. Only he can reconcile us to God, give repentance and forgiveness of sins.
- The resurrection gives power through the Holy Spirit. The Spirit gives believers understanding, holiness, boldness, and assurance.
- Jesus is a merciful and faithful high priest. Though he is in heaven, Jesus understands our struggles since he lived as a man. He gives us grace and help in our times of need.
- Jesus has all authority in heaven and earth. As the risen and ascended Lord, he rules over all.
- Jesus will return to judge the world. God raised Jesus from the dead to show he appointed him as the judge of all people.
- There is no salvation apart from faith in Jesus. He alone can save us from sin and judgment. We must believe in him to have eternal life.
The Book of Acts
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.