We are on the journey to gain a greater understanding of the resurrection.
More specifically, we are focused on its reality, its wonder, and its power in our everyday life.
6 I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault. [7] I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. [8] Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ [9] and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. [10] I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, [11] so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead! – Philippians 3:6-11 (NLT)
Hopefully, what we have come to realize is that our “everyday life” can be lived more fully through the same power that raised Jesus from the dead.
19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. – Ephesians 1:19–20 NLT
[12] Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. [13] Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, [14] I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 3:12-14 NKJV
“And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.” – Luke
This power is through the Holy Spirit that also dwells in us.
“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He (God) who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” – Romans 8:11 NKJV
5 But now I am going away to the one who sent me, and not one of you is asking where I am going. 6 Instead, you grieve because of what I’ve told you.
7 But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you.
8 And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.
9 The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me.
10 Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more. 11 Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged.
12 “There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now.
13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. 14 He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.’ – John 16:5-15 (NLT)
Resurrected life is:
-
- Transformational
- Intentional
- Relational
Resurrected life is transformational.
When we make Jesus, our Savior, the LORD OF OR LIFE, our life begins to change.
We move from a “self-directed life” to a “Christ-directed life”.
9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. – 2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. – Galations 2:20 KJV
Resurrected life is intentional.
Part of the dying to self includes ending our “preoccupation” and “attraction” to the things of this world.
15 Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.
16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions.
These are not from the Father, but are from this world.
17 And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever. – 1 John 2:15-17 NLT
Paul explains this intentional behavior to the church at Colosse.
1 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits at God’s right hand in the place of honor and power. Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth. For you died when Christ died, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your real life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual sin, impurity, lust, and shameful desires. Don’t be greedy for the good things of this life, for that is idolatry. – Colossians 3:1-5 NLT
Resurrected life is relational.
The Disciples’ success would depend on their ability to stay in relationship with or abide in Him.
This “abiding” would be accomplished through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
This relationship is like that which Jesus experienced with the Father (John 10:30; 14:31; 15:10).
The Disciple’s power would come through developing a similar relationship with the Holy Spirit.
Our success in living the resurrected life is dependent on our abiding relationship with Jesus (vv.1-11) and our demonstration of love for our fellowman (vv. 12-17).
For believers, resurrected life is a time for transformation as we experience a new relationship with God the Father, Jesus our Lord, and the Holy Spirit.
Our LIFE is to DEMONSTRATE the RESURRECTION of JESUS.
EVERY TIME you Share the Gospel… the GOOD NEWS… you USHER in the GOODNESS and LIFE OF GOD into SOMEONE ELSE’S LIFE!!
CONVERSION is the GREATEST DEMONSTRATION of the RESURRECTION.