What The Resurrection Guarantees

Without the resurrection of Jesus, we would be of all men, most miserable!  Those were the words of Paul as he emphasized the importance of the resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ.   The resurrection is the foundational principle of the New Birth.  As crucial as Jesus' death was to the plan of salvation, the cross of Calvary didn't signal the beginning of new life for you and me as believers.  Our new life in Christ began with the resurrection.  I want to share with you five truths that the resurrection guarantees.

1. That the devil is defeated.  When Jesus was resurrected, He in affect, destroyed the only
   
   power the devil had which is death. Hebrews 2:14-15 says "Since the children have flesh and blood, he (Jesus) too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy 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."  Praise God, the devil is defeated by Jesus' resurrection!
2. Given us spiritual life.  Prior to Jesus' resurrection humanity was spiritually dead but because of His resurrection we are now spiritually alive.  1 Peter 1:3 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."
3. Given us a place and position of authority.  Because Jesus was resurrected and given a place at the right hand of God in the heavenly realms, he is also above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.  And because God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, then we too have a place and position of authority. (Ephesians 1:20-23).
4. Life after death. Because Jesus lives, we live.  Jesus himself said "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life." (John 5:24).
5. Hope of a resurrection.  Paul told the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 15:51-57 "Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed -- in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.  For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.  For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.  When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: 'Death has been swallowed up in victory.' 'Where , O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?'  The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."  Praise God there is the hope of a resurrection for us!

The resurrection of Jesus guarantees us so much.  Let's make use of everything God has provided.

-- Pastor Temple