Come Alive! A Celebration of Easter!
“Knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him” (Romans 6:9).
Jesus demonstrated His power over death by raising the dead back to life during the course of His ministry. On at least three occasions Jesus challenged the finality of death by bring individuals back from the other side. In each of these occasions the recipient of this miracle eventually died again.
One of the most phenomenal signs after Christ’s resurrection was the appearance of previously dead saints walking the streets of Jerusalem (Matthew 27:50-53). How incredible that must have been to witness. There must have been a huge buzz in the city to see the formerly deceased walking down the street. For those who denied the possibility of a bodily resurrection this would have been very difficult to explain!
In every occasion of those brought back to life, they again died and were once again interred. Though they enjoyed a span of extended life, the claim of death was again exercised and they returned to the grave to await the final resurrection.
Jesus was the only one who has ever been raised from the dead and escaped the power of death, “Death no longer has dominion over Him!” Rather than return to the grave He ascended on high and is alive forevermore! Jesus said, “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death” (Revelation 1:18).
When Jesus defeated death He made a promise to destroy death. Though we suffer the pain of death and dying in this world there is a promise of a time to come when there will be no more death. In the second resurrection there will be a glorious reunion with Jesus Christ who has all power in His hand. A part of the eternal package He has promised is that “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4).
Those who came alive at Christ’s resurrection died again! Lazarus died again! The young girl and the widow’s son died again! But, we shall have a resurrection that is forever; because He lives there will be no more death!
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Alive in Christ! – Because He Lives, We Can!
Come Alive! A Celebration of Easter!
“For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection …. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him” (Romans 6:5, 8).
The “good news” of the Gospel is not the death of Christ, but rather the empty tomb! If our last knowledge of Jesus was on the cross or in a sealed sepulcher we would have no joy in this memorial. Our memories would be placed in the past with no continuing chronicle of redemption. Our tears would be for the tragedy of His terminated life, mourning the loss of a young teacher of righteousness, a prophet of promise, a rabbi who died before his time.
Concerning the impact of a dead Messiah, Paul said, “And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty…. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!” (1 Corinthians 15:14, 17). If Jesus had not risen from the dead we would have no message, no Easter, no hope! There would have been no reason to rejoice and no occasion for celebration. We would still be mourning the loss and living in despair.
Because of an empty tomb and the discarded cross, today we rejoice. The cross was not the end of the road, but the bridge to life. Crucifixion was not the tragedy of termination, but the sacrifice of atonement. Jesus did not suffer humiliation and death with no purpose but for the redemption of mankind and the salvation of all who believe. He died for our sins so that He could rise victorious over, death, hell, and the grave! He lives so that we also may live again!
When we are identified with Him in baptism we symbolize His burial. Paul said, “We were buried with Him through baptism into death” (Romans 6:4). When we rise from the water we are to receive His life and power through the Holy Spirit. “For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection” (Romans 6:5).
Come Alive! Celebrate His life through your new life! Why go through life experiencing death when Jesus gives a promise of life! “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). This Easter season, Come Alive!
“For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection …. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him” (Romans 6:5, 8).
The “good news” of the Gospel is not the death of Christ, but rather the empty tomb! If our last knowledge of Jesus was on the cross or in a sealed sepulcher we would have no joy in this memorial. Our memories would be placed in the past with no continuing chronicle of redemption. Our tears would be for the tragedy of His terminated life, mourning the loss of a young teacher of righteousness, a prophet of promise, a rabbi who died before his time.
Concerning the impact of a dead Messiah, Paul said, “And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty…. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!” (1 Corinthians 15:14, 17). If Jesus had not risen from the dead we would have no message, no Easter, no hope! There would have been no reason to rejoice and no occasion for celebration. We would still be mourning the loss and living in despair.
Because of an empty tomb and the discarded cross, today we rejoice. The cross was not the end of the road, but the bridge to life. Crucifixion was not the tragedy of termination, but the sacrifice of atonement. Jesus did not suffer humiliation and death with no purpose but for the redemption of mankind and the salvation of all who believe. He died for our sins so that He could rise victorious over, death, hell, and the grave! He lives so that we also may live again!
When we are identified with Him in baptism we symbolize His burial. Paul said, “We were buried with Him through baptism into death” (Romans 6:4). When we rise from the water we are to receive His life and power through the Holy Spirit. “For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection” (Romans 6:5).
Come Alive! Celebrate His life through your new life! Why go through life experiencing death when Jesus gives a promise of life! “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). This Easter season, Come Alive!
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Alive in Christ! – From Death to Life
Come Alive! A Celebration of Easter!
“Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:3-4).
Just as darkness precedes the dawn, death is the precursor to resurrection. Christ experienced the agony of an unjust trial, brutal scourging, humiliation, and the excruciating pain of the crucifixion. There’s no way to grasp the extent of the cruelty He experienced. Even nature blushed with humiliation as the sun darkened and the earth shook with shame on that afternoon of sacrifice. There was nothing pretty about Calvary and no pleasure in His pain.
In our celebration of the resurrection there is no attempt to minimize the pain of the passion of Jesus. The beauty and glory of the cross is found in the result of the sacrifice. Even Christ endured the cross and despised the shame “for the joy set before Him” (Hebrews 12:2). When we rejoice in His suffering it is with thanksgiving for His sacrifice. We know the story did not end on Golgotha or in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathaea. The intensity of His dying and death was but a triumphant herald to the glory of His victory to come. The empty tomb proclaims the power of life and His triumph over the tyranny of death.
The Gospel of Christ was made effective through His death, burial, and resurrection. When we approach God in faith and according to His word we can experience the Gospel. Our death is accomplished through repentance. We are buried in baptism and are raised by the power of the Spirit. We can rejoice in the resurrection because we have experienced it through His Holy Spirit!
Every resurrection is preceded by a death. If there is no dying, there will be no celebration of living. The glory of salvation requires a death to sin, but the fulfillment of the Gospel is that we can rise up to walk in a new life!
May the message of the Gospel bring us to the scene of death. Let our old nature die. Crawl into the watery grave, and get ready to really live!
“Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:3-4).
Just as darkness precedes the dawn, death is the precursor to resurrection. Christ experienced the agony of an unjust trial, brutal scourging, humiliation, and the excruciating pain of the crucifixion. There’s no way to grasp the extent of the cruelty He experienced. Even nature blushed with humiliation as the sun darkened and the earth shook with shame on that afternoon of sacrifice. There was nothing pretty about Calvary and no pleasure in His pain.
In our celebration of the resurrection there is no attempt to minimize the pain of the passion of Jesus. The beauty and glory of the cross is found in the result of the sacrifice. Even Christ endured the cross and despised the shame “for the joy set before Him” (Hebrews 12:2). When we rejoice in His suffering it is with thanksgiving for His sacrifice. We know the story did not end on Golgotha or in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathaea. The intensity of His dying and death was but a triumphant herald to the glory of His victory to come. The empty tomb proclaims the power of life and His triumph over the tyranny of death.
The Gospel of Christ was made effective through His death, burial, and resurrection. When we approach God in faith and according to His word we can experience the Gospel. Our death is accomplished through repentance. We are buried in baptism and are raised by the power of the Spirit. We can rejoice in the resurrection because we have experienced it through His Holy Spirit!
Every resurrection is preceded by a death. If there is no dying, there will be no celebration of living. The glory of salvation requires a death to sin, but the fulfillment of the Gospel is that we can rise up to walk in a new life!
May the message of the Gospel bring us to the scene of death. Let our old nature die. Crawl into the watery grave, and get ready to really live!
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Alive in Christ! – The Gift of Life
Come Alive! A Celebration of Easter!
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
The choice should seem obvious but it is often clouded. Who wouldn’t choose life over death? Yet, some continue to choose death. Perhaps it is the wording of the choice, the situation surrounding the condition, the confusion of the issue. Most would not intentionally select death, but by refusing the option that leads to life the alternative is the same.
When Christ came it was with an offer of life, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). He has not just offered that we may live but that we may have “more abundant” living. The NLT interprets it, “My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life,” and The Message says, “I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.”
The greatest gift Jesus could ever give was life. In a fallen world where sin has brought its curse on all mankind, the Savior came to declare an end to death. He came to die for us that “through death He might destroy him who had the power of death” (Hebrews 2:14). The power of the Gospel is found in Jesus giving His life for us, and that He rose from the dead, victorious forevermore. Jesus said, “Because I live, you will live also” (John 14:19). The offer of life is magnanimous; it is universal. All may come and drink of the water of life freely (Revelation 21:6). There is no limit to its supply, no rationing of its provision.
Christ is forever the gentleman. He doesn’t force His way into any life. He is the polite visitor who gently knocks at the door and awaits a welcoming invitation. He graciously calls, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).
Everyone has the choice. The opportunity to experience life is available to all. The same offer is made to you today as was made to the people of Israel in Moses’ day, “I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19). Choose the gift of life!
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
The choice should seem obvious but it is often clouded. Who wouldn’t choose life over death? Yet, some continue to choose death. Perhaps it is the wording of the choice, the situation surrounding the condition, the confusion of the issue. Most would not intentionally select death, but by refusing the option that leads to life the alternative is the same.
When Christ came it was with an offer of life, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). He has not just offered that we may live but that we may have “more abundant” living. The NLT interprets it, “My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life,” and The Message says, “I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.”
The greatest gift Jesus could ever give was life. In a fallen world where sin has brought its curse on all mankind, the Savior came to declare an end to death. He came to die for us that “through death He might destroy him who had the power of death” (Hebrews 2:14). The power of the Gospel is found in Jesus giving His life for us, and that He rose from the dead, victorious forevermore. Jesus said, “Because I live, you will live also” (John 14:19). The offer of life is magnanimous; it is universal. All may come and drink of the water of life freely (Revelation 21:6). There is no limit to its supply, no rationing of its provision.
Christ is forever the gentleman. He doesn’t force His way into any life. He is the polite visitor who gently knocks at the door and awaits a welcoming invitation. He graciously calls, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).
Everyone has the choice. The opportunity to experience life is available to all. The same offer is made to you today as was made to the people of Israel in Moses’ day, “I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19). Choose the gift of life!
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Alive in Christ! - Dead to Sin
Come Alive! A Celebration of Easter!
“Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:11).
Sin rules like a powerful tyrant, an angry dictator. His realm covers the earth and reaches the most remote isle of the sea. None have escaped the sphere of his influence. But he is a dying sovereign. His demise was predicted and prophesied from the beginning of his reign.
God revealed the tyrant’s character as the serpent he is in the Garden crisis when sin contaminated the creation. “God told the serpent: “Because you've done this, you're cursed, cursed beyond all cattle and wild animals, Cursed to slink on your belly and eat dirt all your life. I'm declaring war between you and the Woman, between your offspring and hers. He'll wound your head, you'll wound his heel” (Genesis 3:14-15 The Message).
At Calvary, the death knell was sounded for the death dealing snake and sin’s power became subject to Christ’s authority. The Blood of Christ provided the perfect antidote to the poisonous power of sin. Those who come to Jesus for atonement will find release from the death grip of Satan’s grasp. The fangs of sins lose their sting. The sentence of death is dismissed by the executive pardon of an all-sufficient Savior.
From the moment of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, there was no longer hopeless despair awaiting death and destruction, but there was mercy and hope, and “grace to help in time of need” (Hebrew 4:16). Our death is no longer the imposition of mortality on the body but the granted privilege of professing “death to sin.” Our promise is the opportunity to be “alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord” and to have the future hope of everlasting life! “Whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
The life of conquered death provides the most abundant life possible. Jesus’ promise was “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). We must never give in to the old tyrant of death when we can now live under the reign of the Prince of Peace!
“…Where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 5:20-21).
“Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:11).
Sin rules like a powerful tyrant, an angry dictator. His realm covers the earth and reaches the most remote isle of the sea. None have escaped the sphere of his influence. But he is a dying sovereign. His demise was predicted and prophesied from the beginning of his reign.
God revealed the tyrant’s character as the serpent he is in the Garden crisis when sin contaminated the creation. “God told the serpent: “Because you've done this, you're cursed, cursed beyond all cattle and wild animals, Cursed to slink on your belly and eat dirt all your life. I'm declaring war between you and the Woman, between your offspring and hers. He'll wound your head, you'll wound his heel” (Genesis 3:14-15 The Message).
At Calvary, the death knell was sounded for the death dealing snake and sin’s power became subject to Christ’s authority. The Blood of Christ provided the perfect antidote to the poisonous power of sin. Those who come to Jesus for atonement will find release from the death grip of Satan’s grasp. The fangs of sins lose their sting. The sentence of death is dismissed by the executive pardon of an all-sufficient Savior.
From the moment of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, there was no longer hopeless despair awaiting death and destruction, but there was mercy and hope, and “grace to help in time of need” (Hebrew 4:16). Our death is no longer the imposition of mortality on the body but the granted privilege of professing “death to sin.” Our promise is the opportunity to be “alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord” and to have the future hope of everlasting life! “Whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
The life of conquered death provides the most abundant life possible. Jesus’ promise was “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). We must never give in to the old tyrant of death when we can now live under the reign of the Prince of Peace!
“…Where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 5:20-21).
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