What Christ's Resurrection Guarantees Us

Song:

 i. My soul magnifies the Lord
My spirit give him praise
For death could not hold him captive
Even in the grave Jesus is Lord
For death could not hold him captive
Even in the grave Jesus is Lord

ii. The rock that never fails Let me hide in you (2x) In you there is life (power)

The power of Christ's resurrection! Paul, a biblical writer wrote: "I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death” (Philippians 3:10).

May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. (Hebrews 13:20, 21)

Did you see it? The same divine, creative energy that resurrected Christ from the dead is available for you and me, here and now, to help us please Him. The writer is praying for the church, that the same power God used to take Jesus from the grave might operate on a similar scale in their lives, that it might make them strong and pure -- to make them resurrected personalities, throbbing with new life!

This is what the gospel offers: the power that shattered death for Jesus and that helps us live now. That explains the excitement of the early Christians. These followers of Jesus went to men and women who had been morally defeated many times and said to them, "This is the victory. God has raised the Lord Jesus from the dead. That is the power at work. That power can help you to be victorious.”

It worked! And that power is abroad in the world today. Why not for me? Why not for you?

The resurrection of Christ guaranteed that we shall be resurrected as well. Christ taught this while He was with His followers, but His resurrection clinched it. The certainty of a future resurrection was brought out of speculation and hope into the plain light of day. Christ arose! Therefore, we shall arise. On the night He was betrayed, Christ told His followers that He would go prepare a place for them, that they might dwell with Him forever. That saying took on new meaning when they saw Him alive again. They could now understand it.

We too have hope beyond the grave. We too look forward to that day when this mortal shall put on immortality, when this corruptible shall put on incorruption. Then we shall be like Him! We too shall arise!

Many are feeling strained and depressed, inadequate for the daily toils of life, worried by their failures. But the Resurrection means that a living, radiant Christ is waiting by their side, even on the weariest Emmaus road. We should, therefore, rejoice that Christ is risen!

Many are afraid of what we all face: death. It is a troubling prospect, an event we cannot see beyond. Is it the end of all life? Is there nothing beyond? Shall I ever again be able to see and hold my loved ones? The Resurrection assures me of a glory yonder, for Christ is risen!

Here is a gospel to scatter every darkness. Here is an evangel (any of the four gospels) to exhilarate (lift) every broken spirit with strength and courage. Here is a message to take us to and through what terminates this earthly life. Jesus Christ is risen!

God Bless You

Evang. Oseh John B