The Impact of the Resurrection

By Pastor Chad

In the very first Christian sermon ever preached, Peter makes the death and resurrection of Jesus the main focus of the message (Acts 2:22-32). 

We cannot overstate the impact of the resurrection. It is the culmination of all human history. And it is the greatest miracle to ever take place since creation came into existence. The resurrection changes everything about why we exist and how we live. If you believe in the resurrection – I mean truly believe – then your life will be different. 

Of course, not everyone truly believes in the resurrection. There are two different types of people that reject the resurrection. First, there are those that completely disagree that Jesus ever rose from the dead. These are the skeptics and doubters who are not yet intellectually convinced a dead man came back to life. I personally think there are really good reasons to believe God raised Jesus from the dead, but not everyone agrees. The first type of nonbeliever claims that the resurrection is a fairytale – something that may sound nice, but isn’t true.  

Second, there are those who claim to believe in the resurrection, but their lives do not demonstrate its magnitude and beauty.. A true biblical faith is more than a simple acknowledgement of the historical reality of the resurrection. A biblical faith is one that allows the truth of the resurrection to shape one’s worldview and life. 

Honestly, this second type of nonbelief gives me more concern than the first. You see, those who claim to believe in the resurrection but do not yield to the Lord who was raised from the dead, they can cause far more harm to the name of Christ than the skeptics. It is the second type of unbelief that subtly undermines the impact of the resurrection. They claim the great miracle has taken place, but live like it never did. The damage to the witness of the resurrection reverberates beyond the individual, giving a false perception as to what a Christian is. Even more distressing, however, is this second type of disbelief waters down the impact of the resurrection. 

The resurrection was not simply a historical event. It is a history shaping milestone. A spiritual linchpin. A reset for creation. A life altering occasion that upended human normalcy. The resurrection wasn’t just a man coming back to life. It was a victory over sin and death. A triumph over the powers of darkness. A reshaping of how sinful, fallen humanity can interact with God.

That is why, in the first Christian sermon (at least, the first one ever recorded), Peter makes a beeline for the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Peter knew the power of Jesus being raised from the dead. He knew that it transformed all of human history so that any who believe in Christ will be saved.