Easter is the greatest day of them all! Jesus’ resurrection has literally changed everything.
God’s work in Jesus of Nazareth to break the power of sin and death (Romans 8:1-2), to overturn the trumped-up charges of blasphemy (Matthew 26:65) and insurrection (John 19:12), and to usher God’s new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17) into the world is absolutely breath taking.
The enemy that has usurped has been laid low with a devastating blow. The author of Hebrews explains it this way: “Since the children have flesh and blood, he (Jesus) too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death” (Hebrews 2:14-15).
You see, our fear of death turns into a compelling desire called sin. Sin drives our thoughts and our actions. It is like an island we are stuck on. Sin is a prison cell we are exiled to. We can’t break free of it ourselves. And sin takes us right back to death (James 1:15). We are so stuck!
But God has set us free in Jesus! Once forgiven and filled with the Holy Spirit, Christians are now part of this new creation breaking out into the world. Resurrection power in Jesus’ name is powerful stuff. Christians understand that to die in Christ means we will be raised in Christ. That means we can afford to live for God and please Him. Let me explain.
It can be hard a hard sell to think of giving up your favorite sins or to simply let God reprioritize your desires (even healthy ones). The world says, “Why let these things go? You only live once! Don’t be the one that misses out!” This struggle can be compounded when God calls you to share Jesus with a coworker, or to be one who leaves this part of the world to go and share Jesus with someone in another culture who has never heard of the Good News. It might even be in a place that is dangerous to preach Jesus.
But we can afford it! Resurrection reminds us that death doesn’t get the last word. It has been defeated. We will be raised up when Jesus returns. So, whether it is putting to death the works of the flesh (that we deceptively think tastes so good) or giving up our time to serve God by serving our neighbor (or even our enemy) we can do that in Jesus’ name, because He has given us new life. Everlasting life.
May the resurrection of Jesus take your imagination captive this month! May God open your eyes to the way His new creation is breaking out in the world. May you come to understand your role in His kingdom and be reminded that you can afford to serve Him based on His gift to you!
Blessings,
Pastor David
God’s work in Jesus of Nazareth to break the power of sin and death (Romans 8:1-2), to overturn the trumped-up charges of blasphemy (Matthew 26:65) and insurrection (John 19:12), and to usher God’s new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17) into the world is absolutely breath taking.
The enemy that has usurped has been laid low with a devastating blow. The author of Hebrews explains it this way: “Since the children have flesh and blood, he (Jesus) too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death” (Hebrews 2:14-15).
You see, our fear of death turns into a compelling desire called sin. Sin drives our thoughts and our actions. It is like an island we are stuck on. Sin is a prison cell we are exiled to. We can’t break free of it ourselves. And sin takes us right back to death (James 1:15). We are so stuck!
But God has set us free in Jesus! Once forgiven and filled with the Holy Spirit, Christians are now part of this new creation breaking out into the world. Resurrection power in Jesus’ name is powerful stuff. Christians understand that to die in Christ means we will be raised in Christ. That means we can afford to live for God and please Him. Let me explain.
It can be hard a hard sell to think of giving up your favorite sins or to simply let God reprioritize your desires (even healthy ones). The world says, “Why let these things go? You only live once! Don’t be the one that misses out!” This struggle can be compounded when God calls you to share Jesus with a coworker, or to be one who leaves this part of the world to go and share Jesus with someone in another culture who has never heard of the Good News. It might even be in a place that is dangerous to preach Jesus.
But we can afford it! Resurrection reminds us that death doesn’t get the last word. It has been defeated. We will be raised up when Jesus returns. So, whether it is putting to death the works of the flesh (that we deceptively think tastes so good) or giving up our time to serve God by serving our neighbor (or even our enemy) we can do that in Jesus’ name, because He has given us new life. Everlasting life.
May the resurrection of Jesus take your imagination captive this month! May God open your eyes to the way His new creation is breaking out in the world. May you come to understand your role in His kingdom and be reminded that you can afford to serve Him based on His gift to you!
Blessings,
Pastor David
Recent
Archive
2024
2023
January
February
March
April
August
September
December
2022
January
February
September
No Comments