38 One day some teachers of religious law and Pharisees came to Jesus and said, "Teacher, we want you to show us a miraculous sign to prove that you are from God."

39 But Jesus replied, "Only an evil, faithless generation would ask for a miraculous sign; but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, so I, the Son of Man, will be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights. 41 The people of Nineveh will rise up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah. And now someone greater than Jonah is here--and you refuse to repent. 42 The queen of Sheba will also rise up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, because she came from a distant land to hear the wisdom of Solomon. And now someone greater than Solomon is here--and you refuse to listen to him. NLT

This message was preached April 20, 2003, at FBC Toulon, by Albert Harmon. See it at ToulonBaptist.com  

 The resurrection of Jesus Christ is one of the most documented facts of antiquity. It stands as undeniable proof of the claims of Jesus Christ.

But how does that translate down through time?

How does that relate to You?

What does that really mean to us?

What is the real significance of the resurrection of Jesus?

The people of Jesus day loved to talk about the wisdom of Solomon but a greater than Solomon was there.

The people marveled at the preaching of Jonah to convert such a great city as Nineveh but a greater that Jonah was with them.

1. What does the resurrection of Jesus mean to God.
   1. The plan is finished
      1. Jesus said it is finished.
      2. In eternity God set in motion a plan to save us from our sins.
      3. When Jesus died the payment was made, satisfaction was done.
      4. But when Jesus raised from the tomb it signified that all was acceptable to God.
      5. He was raised for our justification.
   2. That God's love for us has been fully displayed.
   3. That God has defeated sin and death and the devil.
2. What does the resurrection of Jesus mean to us.
   1. Our salvation has been accomplished.
      1. Not by works of our own righteousness.
      2. But by the sacrifice of the Son of God.
      3. Our debt is paid.
      4. Our sins are wiped away.
   2. We are no longer slaves to sin.
   3. There is no more fear of death.
   4. We are more than conquers.
   5. Our victory is sure.
3. What does the resurrection of Jesus mean to others.
   1. Others too may come to Him.
   2. Others too may enjoy the blessings of God through Christ Jesus.
   3. We have been sent to call them to listen to His voice.
4. What does the resurrection of Jesus mean to the community of faith.
   1. It is our common them.
      1. About 1930, the Communist leader Bukharin journeyed from Moscow to Kiev. His mission was to address a huge assembly. His subject, atheism. For a solid hour he aimed his heavy artillery at Christianity, hurling argument and ridicule. At last he was finished and viewed what seemed to be the smoldering ashes of men's faith. "Are there any questions?" Bukharin demanded. A solitary man arose and asked permission to speak. He mounted the platform and moved close to the Communist. The audience was breathlessly silent as the man surveyed them first to the right, then to the left. At last he shouted the ancient Orthodox greeting, "CHRIST IS RISEN!" The vast assembly arose as one man and the response came crashing like the sound of an avalanche, "HE IS RISEN INDEED!" --James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1988) p. 167.
      2. There are two things that those anti-christian forces cannot explain.
         1. First is the fact of the resurrection.
         2. Second the effect it has had on His followers.
   2. It is our common claim to heaven.
   3. It is our common message to a lost and dying world.