Once a year the greatest golf tournament in the world comes around: The Masters at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. Since 1934, the Masters has been held on the first full week of April. The Masters features beautiful blooming azaleas and dogwoods, towering pine trees, immaculate fairways, and crisp greens that are as slick as ice. For fore days (see what I did there?) the drama unfolds as the best golfers in the world battle for the coveted green jacket. Some say that the Masters doesn’t even really begin until the back nine on Sunday is being played. But just like that, the final golfer knocks in his last putt, the victor is robed in the green jacket, and everybody goes home. Then, we wait for another year for this amazing event to come back around.

American Christianity has treated Easter and the resurrection of Jesus like golf fans treat The Masters. They anticipate it as it gets closer, enjoy it when it arrives, but when the day is done, it’s done. But I want to submit to you today that unlike The Masters that is enjoyed and celebrated only once a year, the resurrection of our Lord Jesus is something that should be enjoyed and celebrated everyday. In this article I want to give you six reasons why you should enjoy and celebrate the gospel, not just once a year, but every Sunday, and every day.

The Resurrection of Jesus ensures us of His identity

Romans 1:3-4 tells us, “Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.”

We can be certain everyday of our lives that Jesus is who he said he is because he did what he said he would do, namely, conquer death. How did God declare to us that Jesus is the promised seed of David, and his very own Son? By resurrecting him from the dead!

The Resurrection of Jesus ensures his authority in our world and in our lives

At the end of Matthew’s gospel, after Christ had risen from the dead, he spoke these words to his disciples, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” (Matthew 28:18)

There is non-stop disorder and chaos in our world. We see it everywhere. How can we have confidence that Jesus is really in control of everything in our world from wars going on across the ocean to the war that might be going on in our own spheres of life such as our workplaces and homes? Because God granted him this authority after his resurrection from the dead.

The Resurrection of Jesus empowers us to spread his news to all people

Right after he told his disciples that he had all authority in heaven and on earth he told them, based on that authority, to go to all nations and make disciples. Matthew 28:19-20 says, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

We can share the gospel with our neighbors and with those across the world, baptize them, and teach them how to live a faithful life in obedience to Jesus because of his authority that he received upon his resurrection. That means day in and day out we can share the gospel with our family, friends, co-workers, and others in community without fear because the risen Christ tells us we are doing it under his authority.

The Resurrection of Jesus assures us that all of our labor for him is not in vain

Do you ever wonder if all these things that you do in service to Christ is worth it? The prayers you pray for the salvation of others? The times you spend telling others about Jesus? The hours of ministry you put in at the church? The disputes with others that arise out of your commitment to following this risen King? If you believe in the resurrection of Jesus, you can know that, yes, it is all worth it. Because of the resurrection of Jesus all that we do in his name and for his glory is not in vain because he didn’t stay dead!

This promise is found in 1 Corinthians 15:58 after a lengthy treatise on the validity, reality, and ramifications of the resurrection of Christ. Here’s the promise: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”

Our labor for the Lord is not in vain because he didn’t stay dead! But this isn’t the only promise the resurrection gives us according to this chapter.

The Resurrection of Jesus promises us our own resurrection

1 Corinthians 15:20-21 states it plainly: “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.”

Since Jesus arose from the dead we who are in him will arise from the dead as well. Our lives are not leading to an eternity of darkness and nothingness. Those who are in Christ are headed to a future resurrection where they will receive glorified bodies (1 John 3:2) just like Jesus’ glorified body and will spend forever with him in that glorified state. Therefore, no matter what happens on any given day we can get through that day by enjoying and rejoicing in the reality of the resurrection.

Enjoy the resurrection every day

This short list doesn’t even come close to all of the realities that are ours to enjoy everyday because of the resurrection of Christ, but they are a good place to start. Let the resurrection of Jesus keep his true identity before your eyes, ensure you of his authority, empower you to tell others about him, convince you that your labor for him is not in vain, and encourage you with the promise of your own resurrection, not just once a year, but everyday of the year.

I am looking forward to watching The Masters this year, but in four days it will be over and we will have to wait another year to see those beautiful azaleas and dogwoods in bloom. However, we don’t have to wait a whole year to enjoy the beauties of the resurrection of Jesus. We can enjoy and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus every Sunday and every day in between.