Where do you find hope to go on in life when circumstances are bad?
The doors were locked; but suddenly the resurrected Jesus was standing among the disciples and hugging them. Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger into my hands. Put your hand into my side. Do not doubt any longer. Just Believe!”
Thomas said, “My Lord and my God!”
Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. But blessed are those who have not seen me and believe anyway.” (John 20:26-29).
I know My Redeemer lives. He lives inside me.
THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST MEANS HOPE FOR YOU AND ME TODAY regardless of how dark, difficult, or despairing the present circumstances.
The resurrection of the crucified Jesus is an historical fact based on eyewitness testimony. The event is full of spiritual realities and practical implications for our lives.
Jesus Christ the Son of God, stepped out of the shadows onto center stage in human history not to be served, but to serve and to give His life a ransom for many.
The gospels record four specific times (while implying numerous times) that Jesus told His disciples in no uncertain terms that it was a necessity of God’s will for Him to be arrested in Jerusalem, beaten, murdered by crucifixion, and then resurrected in three days.
But even His closest disciples did not understand what Jesus meant when they heard Jesus say, “I will rise again three days later.” They not only did not understand it, they also did not believe it; they could not even remember it. So, when it actually happened that Jesus was betrayed, arrested, and then murdered on a cross, their hearts and minds went into fear, shock, and grief.
Here are the facts:
- Jesus died on the cross and his body was buried in a sealed tomb and guarded by Roman soldiers.
His death was confirmed by the Roman centurion in charge of the execution, as well as numerous eyewitnesses, both friendly and foe.
2. ABSOLUTELY NO ONE EXPECTED TO SEE OR HEAR THAT JESUS WAS ALIVE. No one.
3. THERE WERE HUMAN AND HEAVENLY EYEWITNESSES that the tomb was empty, and the body of Jesus was gone.
An angel was present to announce that Jesus’ body was not there because He had risen from the dead just as He had said.
The women saw Him. The disciples saw Him. Luke interviewed multiple eyewitnesses with credible testimony who saw the resurrected Jesus.
First Corinthians tells us that, “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures. He was buried. He was raised. And on the third day, according to the Scripture, He appeared to Peter and then to the Twelve, and after that, He appeared to more than five hundred at one time, most of whom are still alive…He appeared to James, Jesus’ earthly brother. He appeared to all the apostles. And last of all, He appeared to me, Paul.”
4. The resurrection of Jesus affirms JESUS is who He claimed to be; He is the Son of God. He did what He came to do. He came to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many. He died as our Substitute Savior. He rose from the dead as our Living Lord.
Jesus said, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he who believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. (John 11:25)
5. The resurrection means there is STILL HOPE for you.
That makes a difference in your life and in your death.
Maybe you are paralyzed or confined by fear, anxiety, depression. By physical limitations or uncontrollable circumstances. Maybe your days are filled with suffering and sorrow or sickness and separation. Maybe your nights are dark, and the mornings are darker. Maybe you are seeking to hide from your problems behind locked doors in your house and in your heart. The resurrection means there is STILL HOPE.
Darkness and Death cannot stop Jesus from being with you and for you.
Death is not some distant reality. It could be near to any of us. But death is not to be feared. It marks freedom from everything bad and worthless. It marks the gain of every good God promised.
Your Living Lord has conquered sin and death. That gives us hope in the struggle against sin and the difficulties in life. Following Jesus is not about perfection but direction.
6. The resurrection power of Jesus is at work in your life to make you like Christ:
- limitless love
- inexhaustible joy
- undying hope.
You are now united with Jesus.
What does Jesus want us to do? Love one another first and most the way He loves us just as He said.
The Lord always empowers His instructions. Grace is the life of God living inside of you giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases God (Phil. 2:13).
Where does faith come from? Faith comes from hearing the words of Christ. Saturate your mind with Scripture and practice preaching to yourself the promises of God.
The Lord of limitless love is alive. He has promised to give us help and hope.
YOU CAN FACE THE WORST THINGS, THE HARDEST THINGS, THE MOST DIFFICULT THINGS IN THE WORLD, AND YOU CAN FACE THEM WITH HOPE AND WITH TRUST BECAUSE OUR GOD IS ALIVE. OUR GOD IS WITH US, OUR GOD IS FOR US, OUR GOD IS LIVING IN US, OUR GOD IS LOVING THROUGH US.
Our Lord is alive. He is unchangeable, He is unshakeable, He is unstoppable. Death can never hold him. Enemies can never limit Him. Circumstances never control Him. The culture can never silence Him.
The Word of God reminds us that things turn around. The darkest days and the most difficult nights will change some morning.
Everything has changed.
The crucified one is now the Living Lord of all. Death, hell, sin and the grave are defeated.
On the Day of the Lord—when God makes everything right, you will find that the worst things that ever happened to you will in the end only increase your goodness and enhance your joy.
7. CHRIST LIVES INSIDE OF YOU TO LEAD YOU TO OTHERS HE INTENDS TO LOVE THROUGH YOU.
Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength; love others as you would love yourself.
It is fairly simple but sometimes difficult to grasp. Just do as He said.
The resurrection power of Jesus is at work in our lives to make us like Christ. Spiritual deadness is changed into life.
- Hate is turned into kindness.
- Intolerance is turned into compassion.
- Anger is turned into forgiveness.
- Selfishness is turned into generosity.
- Self-centeredness is turned into sacrificial love.
- Fear is turned into hope.
- Sorrow is turned into inexhaustible joy.
The resurrection of Jesus is both the source and the object of our JOY and HOPE.
PERHAPS THE GREATEST HUMAN DESIRE IS THE NEED TO BE LOVED. YOU ARE LOVED WITH AN EVERLASTING LOVE.
THE RESURRECTION POWER OF JESUS IN YOU TRANSFORMS YOUR NEED INTO YOUR DESIRE TO LOVE SOMEONE ELSE FIRST AND MOST.
JESUS IS ALIVE. LIVE LIKE IT.
EYES UP! LOVE YOU!
LOVE FIRST...LOVE MOST 