The Power of the Resurrection - Past, Present and Future

The resurrection is a powerful event…there is not an event in history that could surpass the greatness of the resurrection. But we must be careful to not just see the resurrection as an historical event. Yes, it did happen and when it did, the atoning work of Christ was complete for you and for me. And the centrality of the atonement must be taught and preached in the church, or we cannot call ourselves Christian. The resurrection has tremendous implications…

The Resurrection Saves You FROM…

• Saves us from the wrath to come – 1 Thess. 1: 10
• Saves us from the slavery to sin – Romans 7
• Saves us from the devil - John 8: 44
• Saves us from the power of darkness – Colossians 1: 13
• Saves us from the law – (law weakened by the flesh). He did what we could not do - Romans 7:1
• Saves us from the law of sin and death – Romans 8:2

However, an event like the resurrection should not just be views in history, but in the present and future as well. In the present, we must realize the power in the resurrection. Our lives are different as a result of the living Christ. The implications of the resurrection continue, but into our lives today…

The Resurrection Saves of TO…

• Saves us to union with Christ – John 6: 5
• Saves us to eternal life – John 3: 16
• Save us unto participation in the triune life of God – John 17
• Saved us for knowing God – John 17: 3
• Saves us for freedom - Galatians 5: 1
• Saved into community – 1 Corn. 12
• Saved into the Commission and Mission of God – Matthew 28: 18-20
• Saved into the Kingdom of God – made agents for reconciliation

Lastly, the resurrection gives us tremendous hope in the future. As a Christian, I know that my life on this earth will end some day, but I am also confident in the hope of eternal life found only in Jesus Christ. Peter wrote, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Peter 1: 3-5, ESV).

In the resurrection, Jesus overcame death and the grave…and He is still conquering the grave today. We have a living hope in Jesus Christ…so we can face death with a sense of loss and joy, knowing that we will be living eternal with Jesus Christ.

My heart is full today. I am awe filled with the wonder and love of my God. The resurrection makes all the difference to me…I pray that I will be able to continue to serve in the name of Jesus Christ…for His glory and for His honor. Have a Blessed Easter!

Good Friday is Not So Bad!

Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. (Luke 23:46, ESV)

Today is a wonderful day for Christians around the world. It is the day that we remember the death of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I remember as a kid wondering way we called this "Good" Friday if it was the day that Jesus died. My reasoning...death is not good...it is sad and we lose a relationship. But through the years, I have grown to a greater understanding of Jesus death and the "good" that is brings.

It is good because we needed a blood sacrifice for our sins. The writer of Hebrews records:

"He (Jesus) entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. (Hebrews 9:12-14, ESV)

It is good because through Jesus' death our sins have been removed and our life is fixed in Christ. Paul says in Galatians 2: 20:

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live,

but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

It is good because ultimately, Jesus conquered death and in so doing offers to us eternal life.

Jesus said:

I give them eternal life, and they will never perish,

and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

(John 10:28, ESV)

So on this day of remembering the death and burial of Jesus Christ, I am overwhelmed with the goodness of my God. He loved me more than life itself and continues to love me. I am so grateful for the life that is mine because of the death of Jesus. It is a "good" Friday. Thanks be to God!