Date: SUN 7:00 PM 20th April 2025
Preacher: Rev. David McLaughlin
Bible Reference: Acts 24:15
And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
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Sermon Summary
The sermon, delivered on the evening of Easter Sunday, 20 April 2025, is based on Acts 24:15, where the Apostle Paul speaks of a resurrection of both the just and the unjust. Titled “Rejoicing in the Resurrection,” it is part of Paul’s defence before the Roman governor Felix against false accusations of sedition, leading a heretical sect, and desecrating the Jewish temple. Paul refutes these charges, asserting his belief in the God of his fathers, the authority of Scripture, and the hope of the resurrection. The sermon explores this hope through four key aspects:
- Credibility of the Resurrection: The doctrine of bodily resurrection is central to biblical Christianity, distinguishing it from false religions like Hinduism, which promote reincarnation, and from apostate elements within the established church that deny Christ’s bodily resurrection. This rejection leads to a lack of accountability and moral relativism.
- Certainty of the Resurrection: Scriptural revelation, from Job 19:25-27 to John 5:28-29, confirms the certainty of a bodily resurrection for all. Unlike the fleeting hope of an atheist like Robert Ingersoll, Paul’s hope is grounded in God’s Word, offering joy and strength to face life’s sorrows.
- Root and Reach of the Resurrection: The resurrection is rooted in divine justice, satisfied by Christ’s death on the cross (Hebrews 13:20). The “just” are those justified through Him, guaranteed a resurrection to eternal life. The “unjust,” who die in sin, face a resurrection to eternal punishment, with no remedy like purgatory (Matthew 10:28).
- Clarity of the Resurrection: The resurrection pertains to the body, not the immortal soul, which departs at death. Sins committed in the body will face reward or retribution (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Matthew 5:29). Christ’s warnings of hell’s fire are real, not metaphorical, underscoring the urgency of salvation.
The sermon urges listeners to live in the victory of Christ’s resurrection, applying its truth to transform their lives, and to seek Him to ensure they partake in the resurrection of the just.
Challenge to Be Saved: If you are weighed down by sin or fear the resurrection of the unjust, Jesus, the risen Saviour, offers you salvation today. Just as He justified Mary Magdalene and countless others, He can forgive and redeem you. Confess your sins, repent, and trust in His atoning death and resurrection. Will you come to Him now, while it is still the day of grace, to be saved and secure your place in the resurrection of the just?
