The message was brought by Rev. Tim Powers on April 5, 2026.
I Corinthians 15:1-9; 12-19 is the background scripture. The whole gospel: death, burial, resurrection of Jesus Christ. There is no gospel. There is no salvation. There is no hope without the gospel. Paul explains it as “the power of the gospel.” The Jews looked for their Messiah to overtake Rome. Jesus had told them plainly what would happen, but they thought of it somewhat like a parable. On Palm Sunday they expected Jesus to drive Rome out. He didn’t. He was going to the cross, and they didn’t realize what was happening.
In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus prayed; although fully God, he was fully man. He had been awake all night praying in agony. He was worn out. The guards came with Judas, who betrayed him with a kiss. He was arrested and pronounced guilty of blasphemy. They said the Son of God was guilty of blasphemy! They couldn’t exact death as punishment, so they sent him to Pilate who sent him to Herod; he sent him back to Pilate. He was scourged. Ripped open for us. The Bible says, “by his stripes we are healed.” And again, “without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin.” They offered the crowd Barabbas or Jesus. Pilate thought surely they’d not choose the wicked man Barabbas, but they did. Jesus was sentenced to die. He was forced to carry a heavy cross to the execution site. After the treatment he’d received physically, Simon was forced to help Jesus. When they got to the place, Jesus willingly laid down his life for us. This constitutes the death portion of the gospel.
Paul says we can believe in vain. He spoke of knowing Jesus in our mind. You can believe who he is and what he did but not accept him into your heart. Roman soldiers knew how to kill. A cross was designed for people to hang for days on public display, gasping for breath, dying slowly. Because the Jewish feast was near, death had to happen quickly for the three men on the crosses that day. The legs of the thieves on either side of Jesus were broken to cause them to die. They found Jesus had already died, so they pierced his side, shoved it in. They knew where to put it. Into his heart and out came blood and water, the last of it. They made sure he was dead. He had already declared “it is finished” and given up the ghost. He committed his spirit to the Father. The large veil of the temple separated people from the Holy of Holies. When Jesus died, it was torn from top to bottom signifying access to the Father for anyone. The nails were removed and he was taken from the cross and carried to Joseph’s borrowed tomb. Pilate commanded the stone to be rolled in place and sealed. A band of 16 guards, four in each direction watched over the place where the Lord lay. This is the burial portion of the gospel.
Before the women went to the tomb that Easter Sunday morning an earthquake happened. These brave women were taking spices to properly anoint the body of their Master. They wondered how they would get the stone rolled back so they could get in. They found soldiers on the ground like dead men–afraid. The stone was rolled back. Angels were there. Luke records in 24:5-8 that the angel said “Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. And they remembered his words.” And they believed. The first instance of salvation is these women. They believed before they saw. They became the first evangelist because they told the others. Unbelieving what they had been told, Peter and John ran to the tomb. They saw where the resurrection took place, the final part of the gospel. This gospel is the only thing that will help people; the only thing that will save.
They all saw the risen Christ. He was seen by over 500, some of which Paul said were still alive. Jesus didn’t hide out. We’re now the vessels to show Jesus to the world. He left us with the “great commission” to carry the gospel to the ends of the earth. So, I say, go out and proclaim!
How do we know this is true? A person will not die for a lie. All the apostles except John died violent deaths because of the gospel they preached. You wouldn’t endure that if you didn’t know what you believed in to be true. Our faith in Jesus shows us it’s true. If not for the risen Savior, our faith would be in vain. History provides evidence of Jesus, including his crucifixion, burial and resurrection. This gives us hope. How do I know? Faith. Not head knowledge. By faith I believe; I accepted Jesus as Savior. Without this we would be on our way to hell. The first Adam sinned in the garden and sin was brought to the entire human race. The second Adam–Jesus– the God-Man changed that. The first Adam messed it all up. The second Adam fixed it! With his own blood.
Forty days later Jesus ascended back to the Father. Many saw it. The angels declared that the same Jesus they saw go away would come again in like manner. Because of the gospel we know the rapture will happen. Jesus will come for us who are ready to meet him. We’ll go up with him ALL BECAUSE OF THE DEATH, BURIAL, AND RESURRECTION! The gospel is that powerful.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 