In the sermon "Comforts of a Risen Redeemer," Clay Curtis explores the significance of Jesus Christ's resurrection and ascension, as described in Acts 1:9-11. He emphasizes that Christ's physical ascension assures believers of His divine nature and His promise to return. Key arguments include the need for repeated gospel truths, the providential rule of Christ over all creation, and the assurance of justification through His resurrection. Scripture citations, such as Romans 1:4 and Hebrews 9:26, underscore the doctrine of justification, highlighting that Christ’s resurrection ensures believers are saved and their sins are truly forgiven. This teaching provides vital comfort to Christians as it substantiates their faith, instills hope of future glory, and reaffirms their relationship with God through Christ as their intercessor.
Key Quotes
“Every aspect of salvation is impossible for you and me to accomplish... Christ accomplished that.”
“His resurrection and his ascension is comforting to us because he declares he has the sovereign rule over all.”
“The reason he didn’t destroy us in Adam... is because he had an elect in Christ our surety.”
“Wherefore, comfort one another with these words. This is the comfort of our risen Redeemer.”
The resurrection of Christ declares He is who He said He is and is central to our salvation.
The Bible teaches that Christ's resurrection is not only a historical event but also a theological cornerstone of our faith. As stated in Romans 1:4, He was declared to be the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead. This victory over death confirms His divine nature and authority, assuring believers that He is who He claimed to be. Without the resurrection, our preaching is in vain, and our faith holds no truth (1 Corinthians 15:14). It is through His victorious resurrection that we find comfort and hope—they signify that all is accomplished for our justification and salvation.
Romans 1:4, 1 Corinthians 15:14
Scripture assures us that Jesus, who ascended into heaven, will return in the same manner.
We find assurance in the promise of Christ's return as stated in Acts 1:11, where angels proclaim that the same Jesus who was taken up shall return in like manner. This promise is rooted in the character of Christ—He who laid down His life for us will not neglect to fulfill His promises. Additionally, His return is not speculative but expected, where we, as His people, are encouraged to watch for His coming. As He has revealed His purpose in the past, we trust He will fulfill the promise of His return, gathering His elect from the ends of the earth. Our hope rests on this certainty, providing comfort as we anticipate His second coming.
Acts 1:11
Christ's ascension confirms His sovereignty and establishes His ministry as our intercessor.
The ascension of Christ is a critical event that affirms His role as sovereign Lord. As noted in Ephesians 4:10, He ascended on high to fill all things. This act not only signals His return to divine authority but also establishes Him as the head of the Church, ruling with absolute power. Moreover, His ascension means that He is now our advocate with the Father (1 John 2:1), interceding for us continually. This provides believers with reassurance that our security lies in Christ's active mediation, as He presents our case before God. Thus, the ascension is integral to understanding our relationship with God and the ongoing work of Christ in our lives.
Ephesians 4:10, 1 John 2:1
Christ's resurrection assures us of our justification and victory over sin.
The resurrection of Christ plays a pivotal role in the doctrine of justification. Romans 4:25 illustrates that He was delivered for our offenses and raised again for our justification. This underscores the reality that our salvation is secured through His completed work on the cross and confirmed by His triumph over death. The empty tomb is a witness that believers have been made righteous through faith in Him. Furthermore, the resurrection signifies that we too share in His victory as we are united to Him in death and resurrection, assuring us that our eternal inheritance is secure (1 Peter 1:3-4). Thus, we rejoice that His resurrection is both a transformative event and a foundation for our salvation.
Romans 4:25, 1 Peter 1:3-4
Through His resurrection, we are given a living hope and are assured of our eternal inheritance.
The resurrection of Christ instills in believers a hope that transcends the trials of life. 1 Peter 1:3-4 states that we are begotten to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, which signifies a dynamic and ongoing assurance of eternal life. This hope is not a vague desire but a confident expectation rooted in the reality of His triumph over sin and death. Furthermore, it assures us of an inheritance that is imperishable, kept in heaven for us. Thus, the resurrection not only secures our future but also empowers us to live victoriously in the present, knowing that we are preserved by God's power through faith.
1 Peter 1:3-4
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