|
Resurrection Life
Today we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
EVERYTHING CHANGED when Jesus rose from the dead
I want to look at this event and the influence it has on our lives. How it gives us a new PERSPECTIVE on life and a new ATTITUDE to life
Whatever your beliefs are today, the resurrection affects you. Some of you have already embraced the benefits arising from it, for others these blessings are waiting to come on you!
John 20:1-20
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead was a turning point in the history
An irrefutable historical fact
The prophets foretold this event. In great detail, like how soldiers would cast lots for his clothing.
They prophesied under the inspiration of God about the coming of a Saviour for mankind.
Then Jesus came, God in the body of a man, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a Virgin named Mary
Jesus himself spoke to his disciples about his imminent death and resurrection. At the last supper, holding the bread and wine, He spoke of his broken body and His blood poured out for the forgiveness of sins, and that HE WOULD RISE AGAIN and meet them in Galilee.
History was divided into BC and AD
Men have set out to disprove it, ended up believing with a passion to tell others
Everything changed when Jesus rose from the dead – and it impacts you and me today
The resurrection compels us to consider death, and the prospect of eternity and life after death. Perhaps you need to consider this today
It also compels us to consider a spiritual world, not just this natural one in which we live
Why did Jesus die? The answer is found in the word of God. Romans 3:23 declares that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
No matter how good we try to be, we will never attain God’s standard of righteousness. Because He is a just God, sin has to be punished. Jesus paid the price.
Isaiah, written 600 years before the event, spoke about this. Ch 52:13.14 Ch 53:3-7, v10
1 Peter 3:18 tells us that Christ died for sins, once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God
Jesus life was not taken from him, He gave it up willingly
John 10:17,18 He said I lay down my life – only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again.
It was all part of God’s plan.
The bible speaks of God’ secret wisdom – and how if the dark forces that conspired against Jesus to have Him crucified would never have done it, had they known it would lead to their downfall. Jesus conquered death itself, so that death has no sting, it is not and end for us as believers but the beginning of a life in heaven with God for eternity. Two robbers crucified with Jesus – one went to Paradise with Jesus.
In Adam all die in Christ all will be made alive.
Acknowledge – that you have sinned and need forgiveness
Believe – that Jesus is the Son of God, died and rose from the dead
Confess – that He is Lord of your life
This brings us to a place of acceptance with God. Darkness to light, Death to life
Believing in what Jesus has done for us through His death and resurrection is only the beginning.
Jesus said that He came to give us abundant life (John 10:10) – literally Super Abundance.
Are there areas in your life today where you could honestly experience greater abundance? Perhaps you are seeking a greater Spiritual depth in your life, more mental and emotional stability, or greater health physically or more freedom financially?
2 Corinthians 5:17 If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
So we can expect change in our lives. Not just a one time event, but ongoing. Proverbs 4:18 the path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
The Resurrection brings us phenomenal life changing influences both initially when we ask Jesus into our lives but ongoing – a new PERSPECTIVE and a new ATTITUDE.
A NEW PERSPECTIVE ON LIFE
Back to our foundation passage in John 20 continuing on to v24-28. Thomas suddenly had a new perspective on life.
Here was Jesus, a man, who had died a horrific death, put into a tomb, now had walked through a locked door and allowed him to put his fingers into his wounded side and hands. This was no ghost. A new dimension of reality. Life as he knew it would forever be changed.
Hebrews 11:3 tells us that what we see around us was not made from what is visible. God is a spirit and that is where we came from. I came through my mother’s womb, but God says in Jeremiah 1 that before I was even formed in the womb he knew me.
Psalm 121:1,2 says I will lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from. My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Look up!
What a revelation – to know that heaven is open to me. And no matter what situation you are facing today, help is at hand. Not just any help, but from the One who made the stars. If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)
2 Corinthians 4:18 So we fix our eyes, not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. So I don’t focus on my problems, but on the solution. I choose to look up, not down, ahead not behind.
With this new perspective, comes a new AGENDA
Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I life by faith in the Son of God, who love me and gave Himself for me
Our life has radically changed. It is now the character of Jesus becoming foremost in my life, His values, His love, His view on things, His thoughts guiding me, His Spirit leading me.
When I declare “Jesus is Lord”, I am no longer on the throne of my life – He is
It is a life of faith, trusting God with everything
I serve God. Like the Bob Dylan song says “You’ve gotta serve somebody”. Who are you serving today?
It is as though you put up a sail and the wind of the Holy Spirit blows giving you direction –that is Christ living in us.
We don’t give up our day jobs! But we allow God into our day jobs. I advise clients on money issues, and when they meet me they are meeting Jesus as well!
Matt 6:33 seek first the kingdom of God
A NEW ATTITUDE TO LIFE
Prov 10:28 The prospect of the righteous is joy. Every day, we can have a positive attitude. Lam 3:22 tells us that God’s mercies are new every morning. He is the God of the second chance. Nothing we can do is so bad that it is beyond the reach of the cleansing blood of Jesus.
God is for you. You are not alone in this world. And you also have a family of believers cheering you on – look around you.
One of the major areas that change is how we SPEAK
God spoke and the earth was created. Hebrews tells us that the earth was formed at God’s command. He still speaks and creates and so do you and I whether we realise it or not. Proverbs 18:21 The tongue has the power of life and death.
Think about it. Saying “I love you” affects the person to whom you are speaking. Works in the positive and negative. Want to change your life? – change your words, and especially start speaking God’s word over your life.
Proverbs 10:11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.
Joel 3:10 Let the weak SAY “I am strong!” As we speak resurrected words of life, we start a process of change. Jesus “Peace! Be Still!”
The future is not Orange as the advert says – it is full of joy. Not without challenges, but with power to face them head on with Jesus at our side.
“Success is not based on where you start but where you finish”.
Isaiah 43:18,19 Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
The wake behind a boat may look menacing but it has no power. It is the boat’s engine that is moving me forward. My past cannot dictate my future unless I allow it. Learn from the past but do not live there. Trust God and move forward.
Ephesians 1:18,19
The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to us who believe. Power to overcome life’s challenges, to love with His love, to forgive with the forgiveness we have received, to look up, to put our confidence in the Risen Lord. |
Paul Addison, 08/04/2007 |
|
| |
