(Cross of Christ) 7. VOICES OF THE RESURRECTION
A.B. Simpson emphasizes that the resurrection of Christ is the ultimate divine proof of His Sonship and the foundation of Christian faith.
In this sermon, A.B. Simpson explores the powerful message of Christ’s resurrection as the definitive proof of His divine Sonship and the cornerstone of Christian faith. He presents historical and spiritual evidence that validates the resurrection, transforming skeptics and strengthening believers. Simpson’s exposition invites listeners to embrace the resurrection as the foundation of their faith and the assurance of Christianity’s divine origin.
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"According to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead" (Eph. 1:19-20).
The first message of the resurrection is that Christ is the Son of God and Christianity is Divine. He was "Declared to be the Son of God with power ... by the resurrection from the dead." The one test which He always offered in proof of His lofty claims was that He should die and rise again. His sign was the sign of the prophet Jonah, or as He put it at another time in another figure, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." So well did His enemies understand this challenge that they took every precaution to guard His tomb and prevent any possible stratagem on the part of His disciples to steal Him away. There was an ample guard, a great stone at the mouth of the tomb with the seal of Rome upon it, which it was treason for any man to break. But in spite of all, that Easter morning saw the sepulcher empty, the stone rolled away and the Lord of life again among His disciples. And "after his passion by many infallible proofs, (he was) seen of them." For forty days He repeated the evidence of His resurrection on various occasions and to different witnesses, until even Thomas, the most incredulous of all, was compelled to confess, "My Lord and my God." Still later Saul of Tarsus, the bitter enemy of Christianity, beheld in a vision the actual form of the risen Christ, and added his testimony and the testimony of his life of sacrifice and suffer to the witnesses of the resurrection. So complete is the proof of this transcendent event that we have seen a gifted lawyer completely convinced after a life of skepticism by simply following the line of evidence which Horace Bushnell has laid out in his volume, Nature and the Supernatural. And this gentleman has afterwards frankly admitted that the proof of Christ\
Sermon Outline
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I. The Divine Power Demonstrated in the Resurrection
- Christ raised by the mighty power of God
- Resurrection as proof of Christ’s divine nature
- The significance of the resurrection in Christian faith
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II. The Historical Evidence of the Resurrection
- The guarded tomb and the rolled-away stone
- Multiple eyewitnesses over forty days
- Transformation of skeptics like Thomas and Saul
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III. The Resurrection as the Foundation of Christianity
- Christ’s resurrection validates His claims
- Christianity’s divine origin confirmed
- Faith grounded in historical and spiritual reality
Key Quotes
“The one test which He always offered in proof of His lofty claims was that He should die and rise again.” — A.B. Simpson
“That Easter morning saw the sepulcher empty, the stone rolled away and the Lord of life again among His disciples.” — A.B. Simpson
“So complete is the proof of this transcendent event that we have seen a gifted lawyer completely convinced after a life of skepticism.” — A.B. Simpson
Application Points
- Trust in the resurrection as the foundation of your Christian faith.
- Reflect on the historical evidence of Christ’s resurrection to strengthen your belief.
- Share the transformative power of the resurrection with skeptics and seekers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the resurrection important to Christianity?
The resurrection is the ultimate proof of Christ’s divinity and the foundation of Christian faith.
How does the resurrection prove Jesus is the Son of God?
Jesus’ rising from the dead confirms His claims and fulfills the sign He gave, validating His divine nature.
Who witnessed the resurrection of Christ?
Many witnesses saw the risen Christ over forty days, including skeptical disciples and Saul of Tarsus.
What evidence supports the resurrection historically?
The guarded tomb, the empty sepulcher, and multiple eyewitness testimonies provide strong historical evidence.
Can skepticism be overcome by the resurrection evidence?
Yes, as shown by individuals like Thomas and a skeptical lawyer convinced by the evidence presented.