Living Life in the Resurrection
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Introduction
Introduction
The biggest source of happiness centers on our relationship with others.
The biggest source of stress and discouragement centers on our relationship with others.
Relationship are important to our emotional and mental health—and they are the cause of significant problems in our life.
Today I begin a brand new teaching series on relationships entitled: “Live Life...”
Marriage, family, workplace—all have to do with relationships.
But, the most important, most essential relationship is our relationship with God.
Thesis
Today, we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus. And, I want to show you today why the resurrection of Jesus has a powerful meaning to our relationship with God—and how the resurrection of Jesus impacts every relationship we have with others.
Transition
When Christianity began after the resurrection of Jesus, there were those the viewed Christianity as a threat.
One of the leaders opposed to those who believed in Jesus was a man by the name of Saul. He was very religious—and he wanted the Christian movement to die.
One day, he was on his was to arrest Christians and throw them into prison, when something supernatural happened. The resurrected Jesus supernaturally confronted Saul.
Saul’s life changed. Even his name changed (from Saul to Paul)
His live miraculously changed. From hater of Jesus to servant of Jesus. And, he spent the rest of his life telling others about Jesus—what Jesus taught, how he died on the cross, and the power and meaning of the resurrection.
In a letter that he wrote to a church in the city of Philippi, he told the people how God changed his life—and Jesus saved him from his life of sin.
God took a “religious” person and transformed him. Paul no longer sought religion—he sought a relationship—a relationship with God.
10 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,
11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
What did Paul mean by these words and how do these words impact our lives?
The reality of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ draws you to consider the claims of Christ.
The reality of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ draws you to consider the claims of Christ.
Let’s face it. Just like Paul (Saul), we have a tendency of relying on religion and rituals—rather than really thinking about who Jesus Christ is and what His life, death, and resurrection truly means.
Consider this thought carefully: If the resurrection happened, and Jesus came back to life, after being dead for three days, how would that effect what you believe about Jesus?
In other words, if someone who was confirmed dead, came back to life (three days later after decay), would that catch your attention?
An atheist by the name of Lee Strobel and a journalist for the Chicago Tribune, faced the most significant challenge to his life and beliefs—his wife became a Christian.
Lee Strobel became motivated to investigate the claims of Jesus Christ. The defining moment that changed is life was the undeniable truth that Jesus did indeed rise from the dead.
The reality of the resurrection of Jesus rocked his world.
Authentically considering the claims of Christ leads toward believing that Jesus is Lord and Savior.
Authentically considering the claims of Christ leads toward believing that Jesus is Lord and Savior.
If you seriously consider the claims of Jesus Christ—what he taught, how he lived, his death, and his resurrection—the result is a defining question: Do I accept or reject Jesus as Lord and Savior.
Will I submit to the authority of Jesus and the salvation Jesus Christ offers?
This is the fork in the road. God has given us a choice. We can choose Him or we can reject Him. He does not force it—or make the decision for us. It is ours to make.
What happens when we make the decision to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior?
We want to know Him! Not just know facts about Jesus—we want fellowship with Jesus—to know Him personally.
Knowing Jesus fuels a desire to know Him in a life-shaping way.
Knowing Jesus fuels a desire to know Him in a life-shaping way.
The Paul, He was no longer interested in religion. He wanted Jesus to change him from the inside out.
Paul wanted everything to change:
From selfishness to servanthood.
From pride to humility.
From taking to giving.
From wanting fame and recognition to giving God all the glory.
Because of the resurrection of Jesus, Paul’s deep desire was for God to change him so his life would be all about honoring God.
Do you have a deep desire to know Christ in a life-shaping way?
A life shaped by Christ yearns to experience His resurrection power.
A life shaped by Christ yearns to experience His resurrection power.
As Paul’s life changed, Paul wanted all that Christ’s resurrection power would afford to his life.
Even the fear of death would no longer have a hold on him.
What has a hold on you? Is it fear, lack of forgiveness, anger, discouragement? The resurrection power of Christ wants to lift you up out of the dark places—and give your new life—a new purpose—a new hope!
This new life impacts not only our relationship with God, but our relationships with others.
For Paul, his enemies became his friends! He loved people! He was willing to do whatever it took to help people see the truth of Christ.
But, there something more that the resurrection power of Christ affords:
Resurrection power gives the ability to share in Christ’s suffering.
Resurrection power gives the ability to share in Christ’s suffering.
Jesus demonstrated a life completely dead to self—to be a sacrifice for others.
This was the greatest demonstration of commitment tot the will of God (to save people from their sins).
The power of Christ’s resurrection empowers the believer to engage in the disciplines of godliness (a life that give glory to God).
12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.
13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,
14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Paul’s life is not about how he can get things, or get applause—but his life was all about the will of God.
He prayed.
He lived a life to please God rather than people.
He communicated the truth about Jesus, even when it was unpopular.
His life was not about impressing others or pleasing himself—it was about displaying the grace of mercy to God for others (even his enemies).
He forgave and he gave.
Suffering for Christ brought peace, joy, love, hope. Why? Because he loved His Lord and Savior! Do you?
A life lived in Christ’s suffering is filled with hope in light of Christ’s Resurrection.
A life lived in Christ’s suffering is filled with hope in light of Christ’s Resurrection.
Paul comes full circle. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the central even of human history.
It is more than just BC or AD (or BCE and CE as measured the life of Jesus).
The reality of Jesus Christ, who died on the Cross, was placed in the tomb, who rose from the dead three days later—that changes everything!!!
The same God who rose Jesus from the dead is the same God who can change your life.
Altar Call
Are you tired of buying into the cultural lie that says that this world can give you can give you all that you want—and you don’t need God?
Are you tired of living life from one struggle to another without experiencing any peace or joy?
Today is the day in which you can come to terms that God loves you—that God wants you to experience fellowship with Him—that God wants you to experience the POWER of Christ’s Resurrection!!!
It is as simple as ABC.
A - Admit. Admit you need God. Admit that you need God’s forgiveness. Admit that you need to change direction.
B - Believe. Believe that sin brings about spiritual death. Believe that Jesus took the penalty of your sin and died for you (in your place). Believe that Jesus rose again to life—a life that He wants you to experience.
C-Confess. Confess that Jesus is Savior and Lord.
It is as simple as ABC.
Questions for Discussion or Reflection
Why do you think it is hard for some people to believe that Jesus rose from the dead?
If the resurrection of Jesus is true, how do you think that should shape our thinking about what He taught?
How should a person respond to the undeniable truth of Christ’s resurrection?
How do you think the resurrection of Jesus impact our relationships with others (spouse, children, parents, friends, co-workers)?