Easter 3 The Resurrected Life # 2
Today I’m going to be sharing an Easter message about the Lord Jesus Christ, I want to talk about the victory that we have in Jesus. All of our victory and the promises that belong to us from the Word of God hinge on the fact that Jesus is alive.
I) Easter is the day that our Lord Jesus Christ was raised from the dead, and it’s the fulfillment of God’s plan, which provided salvation for us.
A) There were many prophecies from the Word of God that had to be fulfilled before salvation could be provided and there were many conditions that had to be met.
1) And that’s why Jesus cried out on the cross, “It is finished.”
a) All of His work that He had to do was finished. Every prophecy fulfilled and every condition met.
(i) The resurrection and ascension would come, by the hand of God, providing salvation for all that place their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.
2) Look at ACTS 2:22-24
a) Verse 24 in the NIV says, “But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.”
b) The grave could not stop Him down.
c) Death could not hold him.
d) Hell could not keep Him.
e) Satan and the demonic host could not be victorious over him.
(i) (Colossians 2:15) says that Jesus spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them. KJV
(ii) And in (JOHN 11:25) Jesus said, “I am the resurrection, and the life.”
II) On that 1st Easter morning some of the woman that loved Jesus came to the tomb.
A) Acts 12:4 Easter egg
B) They saw that Jesus was gone, the tomb was empty and they began to weep, thinking that someone had taken Jesus’ body.
1) Thank God the tomb was empty, thank God that He was not there.
(i) The angel at the tomb said “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said.” “He is risen from the dead.” (KJV)
III) What does this all mean to us?
A) EPH 2:1-6 Paul was talking to those that have made Jesus their Lord and Savior.
1) When Jesus was raised from the dead, we were also raised or, made alive.
a) Not made alive in the natural sense, but we were made alive in the spiritual sense.
(i) You are alive unto God.
b) Because He lives we have eternal life.
c) Because He lives we can face tomorrow.
(i) No longer do we have to fear death or hell. Jesus has already paid the price for our sin.
(ii) Jesus paid the price so that we don’t have to.
2) (2COR 5:21) Says, “For He hath made Him {to be} sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
a) Paul said it so clear in (Romans 3:22 NIV) “This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference.” (NIV)
(i) We have been given God’s righteousness.
B) But Jesus’ work on that cross didn’t stop there.
1) In (John 10:10) Jesus said, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have [it] more abundantly.” (KJV)
a) When Jesus said “that He came to give us life,” the word “Life” in the Greek means, “absolute fullness of life, life real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed, in the portion even in this world of those who put their trust in Christ.”
b) In the Greek this verse is in the present tense meaning that the abundant life can begin, for you, right now and continue throughout eternity.
(i) It’s available for all those that place their faith and trust in Him.
2) Turn with me to JOHN 3:17
a) The word “saved” is the Greek word “Sozo” which means, “Salivation, Safety, Soundness of mind, Healing, and to rescue.”
C) God wants us to be an overcomer in this life, to have victory, and to triumphant.
1) (Romans 8:37) Says, “In all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” (KJV)
a) Look at 1COR 15:57
(i) You don’t have to be satisfied with just partial victory.
b) (2 Corinthians 2:14) Says, “Now thanks [be] unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ.” (KJV)
2) God did not plan for you to be a failure.
a) His plan for you is to be victorious.
(i) We don’t have to fail. Our failures can be turned into a success.
(ii) Our misery and disappointment can be turned into joy, weakness into strength.
IV) COL 2:10
A) This V says that you are complete in Him (In Christ).
1) When are you complete in Him? When we get to heaven?
a) No, right now in this life.
B) This is an area where people miss it.
1) They look at themselves from the natural standpoint with their natural mind and natural eyes.
2) So often we look at our own mistakes and shortcomings, and think that this V couldn’t be talking about us.
a) But the Bible doesn’t say that we are complete in ourselves.
b) It says that we are complete IN HIM.
3) When you received Jesus as Lord and Savior, you became complete in Him.
a) I’m not saying that we don’t have to grow any more. We always need to grow, but we are still complete in Him.
C) Once you begin to see yourself in Christ, you’re going to see another truth about yourself.
1) You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.
2) (Philippians 4:13) Says, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (KJV)
a) Again when? (In heaven or now)
V) When Jesus was raised from the dead, He took from the Devil the keys of Hell and death. Jesus had the victory.
A) When Jesus was raised from the dead, we too were raised from the dead, and the victory is ours. Right now!
SUN AM Easter 4/16/95 1st service in the new building on Cabrini. And WOLCC 4/12/98 & 4/20/03