Not on a Coffin Lid
E.A. Johnston emphasizes that Christianity's foundation is the living, resurrected Jesus Christ, setting it apart from other religions whose founders remain dead.
In this sermon, E.A. Johnston highlights the unique foundation of Christianity—the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Contrasting Christianity with other world religions, Johnston explains how believers can have a living fellowship with Jesus because He rose from the dead and ascended to heaven. The message encourages listeners to embrace the reality of a living Savior who reigns eternally.
Full Transcript
Listen to me, friend. Muhammad lived, died, and was buried. Buddha lived, died, and was buried.
Confucius lived, died, and was buried. Jesus lived, died, and was buried. But he rose again.
We serve a resurrected Lord. Why? Because Christianity was never built on a coffin lid. We serve a living Lord, and we can have fellowship with Him.
In the first epistle of John, we read that we have seen and heard. Declare we unto you that ye also may have fellowship with us. And truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son, Jesus Christ.
The Mohammedans can't have fellowship with Muhammad. He is dead and buried at Mecca. The Buddhist cannot have fellowship with Buddha.
He is dead. He was cremated in China. No one can have fellowship with any human founder of a religion.
But the Christian can have fellowship with Jesus because he's very much alive. What separates Christianity from other world religions is the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. We read in Mark's Gospel, So then, after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven and sat down on the right hand of God.
So we see, friend, that Christianity was never built on a coffin lid, for our God lives. Jesus now sits on a throne in heaven at the right hand of the Father, and he earned that right by way of a bloody cross.
Sermon Outline
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I. The Universality of Death
- Muhammad, Buddha, and Confucius all died and were buried
- Their followers cannot have fellowship with them today
- Death limits connection with religious founders
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II. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ
- Jesus lived, died, and rose again
- Christianity is built on a living Lord, not a coffin lid
- The resurrection enables ongoing fellowship
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III. Fellowship with the Living God
- Believers have fellowship with the Father and the Son
- This fellowship is unique to Christianity
- Jesus ascended and sits at the right hand of God
Key Quotes
“Christianity was never built on a coffin lid.” — E.A. Johnston
“We serve a resurrected Lord.” — E.A. Johnston
“Jesus now sits on a throne in heaven at the right hand of the Father, and he earned that right by way of a bloody cross.” — E.A. Johnston
Application Points
- Trust in the living Jesus for a personal and ongoing relationship.
- Recognize the resurrection as the foundation of Christian hope.
- Share the uniqueness of Christianity's living Savior with others.