This week is a special week for Christians, as we prepare for Easter, the day we celebrate the fact the Jesus rose from the dead.
Jesus resurrection is a crucial element of our faith. The actual, historical resurrection of Jesus is an objective fact. We know that Jesus died for our sins, taking the penalty of death that we deserved, and making the payment of the debt we owed. And, we know, that on the third day, God raised Him from the grave. His resurrection is the second part of the step for our salvation.
The resurrection also has subjective impact on our lives.
The first impact of the resurrection is power.
In the resurrection of Jesus Christ we see the clear demonstration of the power of the true God. The power for our Christian life in the present is the power of his resurrection.
Ephesians 1:19-20 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,
The immeasurable greatness of God’s power is seen when he raised Christ from the dead.
With modern telescopes and the means of apparently probing farther into space than ever before, David's words in Psalm 19 take on deeper meaning: "The heavens declare the glory of God...." Creation is the greatest visible expression of power, and we bow in awe and worship when we think of the infinite God behind all that we can see. But Paul says that is nothing in comparison to the power displayed in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and this is the great power that Paul desired for the Ephesians to experience in their daily lives.
The weight of all the sin, rebellion, treason of every person was put on Christ when He went to the cross, and was on Him in the grave. The weight of that sin was on Him in the grave, would have held Him. God’s greatest demonstration of power was when he empowered throw the load of sin off, and Jesus to raise up from the grip of death, the penalty of that sin.
Ephesians 1:19-20 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,
The immeasurable greatness of God’s power is seen when he raised Christ from the dead.
With modern telescopes and the means of apparently probing farther into space than ever before, David's words in Psalm 19 take on deeper meaning: "The heavens declare the glory of God...." Creation is the greatest visible expression of power, and we bow in awe and worship when we think of the infinite God behind all that we can see. But Paul says that is nothing in comparison to the power displayed in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and this is the great power that Paul desired for the Ephesians to experience in their daily lives.
The weight of all the sin, rebellion, treason of every person was put on Christ when He went to the cross, and was on Him in the grave. The weight of that sin was on Him in the grave, would have held Him. God’s greatest demonstration of power was when he empowered throw the load of sin off, and Jesus to raise up from the grip of death, the penalty of that sin.
THAT is the power that is ours today. We can live our lives today in victory, with peace and joy because of that power.
Paul spoke of knowing this power in a very subjective way in Philippians 3:7-11
7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
Paul said that he was striving to know, to experience everything of Christ, including the power of his resurrection.
So, getting practical, how do we experience this great power of God?
1.Make relationship your priority. Doing good things, holding to correct doctrines, performing religious rituals, living up to church expectations cannot give you power. They are good things, needful things, but not empowering. Place your hope in a dynamic relationship with Jesus. As you live for Him, relying on His resurrection power at work in your life, you’ll experience the fulfillment of all God’s good purposes for you. Instead of focusing on what you can do for God, focus on what God can do through you.
2. Line up your priorities. Ask God to help you see your life from His perspective. Look beyond the world’s values (which are only temporary) to what has eternal value. Base your decisions – for all aspects of your life – on what matters most in eternity. Make the most of your time here on earth, keeping in mind that it will soon be over and you’ll be accountable to God for how you used your time here.
3. Die to self. WHAT??? Remember that death must always precede resurrection. We want to have the resurrection power, but often do not want to experience the death of the old self. Be willing to sacrifice whatever selfish desires and agendas you have that conflict with God’s purposes for your life. Decide to crucify your selfish attitudes and behaviors, so God will raise you to new life by transforming your attitudes and behaviors into healthy ones that will help you grow to be more like Jesus.
4. Expect the impossible. Just as the resurrection itself was impossible for anyone but God, the power behind the resurrection will take you into situations that are impossible for you to deal successfully with on your own. Expect God to challenge your faith when you ask for His resurrection power in your life, but know that if you trust Him, you’ll experience greater adventures than you can imagine.
5. Lay hold of the power by faith. Ephesians 1:19-20... the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead. This power is to those who believe. We believe that Jesus died for our sins. We believe that he rose from the dead. We believe that He is now living in us. We believe that He is empowering us to follow Him, to choose His way, to obey His voice. 1 John 5:4 And this is the victory that has overcome the world— our faith.
Paul spoke of knowing this power in a very subjective way in Philippians 3:7-11
7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
Paul said that he was striving to know, to experience everything of Christ, including the power of his resurrection.
So, getting practical, how do we experience this great power of God?
1.Make relationship your priority. Doing good things, holding to correct doctrines, performing religious rituals, living up to church expectations cannot give you power. They are good things, needful things, but not empowering. Place your hope in a dynamic relationship with Jesus. As you live for Him, relying on His resurrection power at work in your life, you’ll experience the fulfillment of all God’s good purposes for you. Instead of focusing on what you can do for God, focus on what God can do through you.
2. Line up your priorities. Ask God to help you see your life from His perspective. Look beyond the world’s values (which are only temporary) to what has eternal value. Base your decisions – for all aspects of your life – on what matters most in eternity. Make the most of your time here on earth, keeping in mind that it will soon be over and you’ll be accountable to God for how you used your time here.
3. Die to self. WHAT??? Remember that death must always precede resurrection. We want to have the resurrection power, but often do not want to experience the death of the old self. Be willing to sacrifice whatever selfish desires and agendas you have that conflict with God’s purposes for your life. Decide to crucify your selfish attitudes and behaviors, so God will raise you to new life by transforming your attitudes and behaviors into healthy ones that will help you grow to be more like Jesus.
4. Expect the impossible. Just as the resurrection itself was impossible for anyone but God, the power behind the resurrection will take you into situations that are impossible for you to deal successfully with on your own. Expect God to challenge your faith when you ask for His resurrection power in your life, but know that if you trust Him, you’ll experience greater adventures than you can imagine.
5. Lay hold of the power by faith. Ephesians 1:19-20... the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead. This power is to those who believe. We believe that Jesus died for our sins. We believe that he rose from the dead. We believe that He is now living in us. We believe that He is empowering us to follow Him, to choose His way, to obey His voice. 1 John 5:4 And this is the victory that has overcome the world— our faith.
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