Living Hope

Today we have a special episode, looking at Resurrection Sunday through the lens of the Song, “Living Hope” by Christian music artist, Phil Wickham.

We will explore the themes in the song of the Resurrection of Jesus, and His Atoning Sacrifice, with emphasis on how these topics all come together to give all Christians a “Living Hope”.

At the same time offering the unbeliever or doubter a glimpse of what the transforming power of the selfless act of Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection can do for their lives

It is my prayer that this study will help us all find strength and hope in light of the struggles and challenges of life.

All the while, reinforcing and encouraging our own personal faith and trust in God’s plan,

Through Christ’s resurrection, Those that believe receive both forgiveness for their sins, but also a hope that reaches beyond the troubles of this life, and assures all Christ followers the promise of Eternal Life in Christ and a Relationship with God that is alive and never ending.

In the larger scope of Biblical Scripture, Jesus is the sacrificial lamb, that defeats the grip of sin and death that has held humanity in bondage since Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden.

Thus fulfilling the OT prophecies of the coming Atonement- While Profoundly creating the path for believers to find and live daily in this new life.

So let’s begin with the first verse of, “Living Hope”

“How great the chasm that lay between us How high the mountain I could not climb In desperation, I turned to heaven And spoke Your name into the night

Then through the darkness, Your loving-kindness Tore through the shadows of my soul The work is finished, the end is written Jesus Christ, my living hope”

THE LIVING HOPE

1 Peter 1:3–5 ESV

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.

All Christians can echo Peters declaration of, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ.”

It is through Gods great mercy that, in Christ the Son of God, we have a new hope, a living hope that culminates in the Life, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Messiah of the world.

We can all experience that moment when, “In desperation, I turned to Heaven, and spoke Your Name...”

We are not created by a Deity that formed us and then turned aside to occupy His time with other things.

No, our God has always had His ear turned to and tuned in to the cries of the lost souls of humanity.

At the moment of our confession of faith in Christ, we have the Power of Salvation impacting our souls.

And we can hold firm in the knowledge and security of that promised eternal life the will never fade away or perish.

I pray that we all gain a new appreciation for the magnitude and depth of that Divine mercy and grace that gives us the strength to face the difficulties of our temporal life here, while resting in the blessed assurance of the eternal promise.

The Apostle Paul gives us a hint of what that promise is...

THE PROMISE OF LIFE RENEWED

Romans 8:10–11 ESV

But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

Verse two:

Who could imagine so great a mercy? What heart could fathom such boundless grace? The God of ages stepped down from glory To wear my sin and bear my shame

The cross has spoken, I am forgiven The King of kings calls me His own Beautiful Saviour, I'm Yours forever Jesus Christ, my living hope

The ability to live in today’s world but not by today’s rules comes from the Holy Spirit- The Comforter promised by Jesus prior to His returning to Heaven.

We are not only forgiven of our sins, but have the promise of the Holy Spirit dwelling in our souls. To lead us in the way that God would have us walk in our lifes journey to eternity.

As Paul recounts- If that same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead, is alive in us, and He is for all believers, then that same Spirit will also bring life to our mortal bodies, through the Holy Spirit.

We can live, not just as survivors, but as Over-comers of all that this world and its evil intentions may bring our way.

By the power of the Holy Spirit, we are dead to the influences of our past lives and now are truly alive in the Spiritual connection we now enjoy- In Christ.

DECLARED VICTORY AND NEW PRIORITIES

To understand the full impact of the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ, we must come to a simple understanding:

God is the One and Only God of the Universe, existing before time began, existing outside of time

God exists as the Triune Deity of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

As the Athanasian Creed puts it:

But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, is all one; the Glory equal, the Majesty coeternal.

Such as the Father is; such is the Son; and such is the Holy Spirit.

The Father uncreated; the Son uncreated; and the Holy Ghost uncreated. The Father infinite; the Son infinite; and the Holy Spirit infinite.

The Father eternal; the Son eternal; and the Holy Spirit eternal.

And yet they are not three eternals; but one eternal.

As also there are not three uncreated; nor three infinites, but one uncreated; and one infinite.

So likewise the Father is Almighty; the Son Almighty; and the Holy Spirit Almighty. And yet they are not three Almighties; but one Almighty.

So the Father is God; the Son is God; and the Holy Ghost is God. And yet they are not three Gods; but one God

1 Corinthians 15:54–57 ESV

When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O grave, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Verse Three

Then came the morning that sealed the promise Your buried body began to breathe Out of the silence, the Roaring Lion Declared the grave has no claim on me

Jesus, Yours is the victory

Only by the Glory and Power of an eternal God, could the bonds of Death and the Grave be overcome by humanity.

God could have created us all and then tossed us all to the whims of the universe- BUT HE DIDNT.

God always had a plan of salvation for His creation.

Our sins did not catch God by surprise. God has always had a plan.

The Cross provides us with a Historical marker as well as a living present essence that guides and directs us in living in Victory, daily

And the comfort and Peace that we live knowing that, although the physical may die, our eternal souls will never die, but pass from this life to the eternal presence of God, resting in eternal peace.

And finally:

Colossians 3:1–4 ESV

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

The Apostle Paul challenges us all to consider the dynamics of Christ’s Resurrection and how it should influence our lives.

Paul encourages his audience to seek after the eternal things- Setting their minds and hearts on what awaits us eternally in Heaven,

“If you have been raised with Christ...” is not just an allegory of Christs actual Resurrection, but a practical reminder to all of us, that Since Jesus paid the ultimate price for the Salvation of our souls- Should that not be the least that we can do for Him.

We should be encouraged daily to align our lifestyles to the eternal hope that we all have in Christ.

And to close:

The Chorus-

Hallelujah, praise the One who set me free Hallelujah, death has lost its grip on me

You have broken every chain There's salvation in Your name Jesus Christ, my living hope Oh God, You are my living hope

In conclusion, the message of Resurrection Sunday is one of triumph, transformation, and eternal hope.

It reminds us that through Christ's sacrifice and resurrection, we have been set free from the bondage of sin and death. We are offered a new life, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and promised an eternal inheritance.

As we reflect on these profound truths, may we be filled with gratitude for the boundless mercy and grace of God. Let us live each day in the light of this living hope, allowing it to transform our perspectives, strengthen our faith, and guide our actions.

In doing so, we bear witness to the power of the resurrection in our own lives, becoming beacons of hope in a world that desperately needs it.

Thanks for Listening and may God richly Bless your Resurrection Sunday.