Romans 8:10-11
But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.
I understand that to many folk, this morning is merely considered a happy spring celebration called Easter. It’s a time of rejoicing about the arrival of spring. It’s a time to dress up and parade our hats and new garments. It’s a time of marshmallow chickens, chocolate bunnies, jelly beans, and Easter eggs. And with that they might throw in the story of a man named Jesus that some say rose from the grave and went to heaven. Simply stated, Easter has simply become part of our annual rite of spring.
But to a few of us, today is tremendously more than that. To us, Easter is nothing more than a great distraction. For us, today is forever remembered as Resurrection Sunday. A day of eternal blessing where our Lord, Savior and King defeated death, hell, and the grave, and rose from his tomb with all power and authority. And we gather this morning not simply to celebrate the season, or commemorate a personality. We come this morning to participate in the life changing power and saving grace given to us from God through Jesus Christ. We come to celebrate the experience of Resurrection Power.
Please allow me to share it with you.
The Resurrection Story beings with the Good News of Jesus Christ. The abridged version of the story can be found at the Gospel of John 3:16, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. This speaks to the purpose and power of the sacrifice of Jesus on our behalf. It was for our salvation that Jesus went to Calvary’s cross. He paid the price that we may be reconciled to the Father and have a right to the tree of life…eternal life.
The story continues with even Better News. Not only did Jesus die for our sins. Not only was he wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities, and by his stripes we are healed, but he is coming back again, just like he said he would. Yes, Jesus is returning to complete his destiny. He will return as Sovereign, King, Potentate and Lord of lords.
But there’s more. I have the Best News Ever. Not only did Jesus die for us. Not only is he coming back to us. But he has placed his Spirit within us. The same power that raised Jesus from the grave resides in his followers today. The same Spirit, the same authority and same anointing is available to each and everyone of us. We have Resurrection Power living in our mortal bodies right this very moment. What news could be better than that?
I can only imagine some of us questioning this position. I can hear you now; ‘If I have so much power why am I suffering the way I’m suffering? And if I’m endowed with this dynamic ability how is it I fail so often?’ Trust me, you are not alone. We’ve all pondered these same thoughts countless times. But it only takes a quick glance at the methods, mannerism, and motives of Christ, and how he dealt with his disciples to uncover his Devine strategies and purpose for your life.
Jesus had a multiplicity of fans that accompanied him from place to place. He had thousands waiting to be feed fish and loaves. He had tons of people hoping to be healed, set free, and delivered. He even had a celebration last Sunday (Palm Sunday) with folk cheering him on and blessing his name. But he only had a few true followers. And as we study the word, we find that he only empowered his true followers…his disciples. He healed a women with an issue of blood, but didn’t empower her. He opened the blind eyes of a man, but didn’t empower him. Because neither of them were followers. You don’t need Resurrection Power to be a fan. You need Resurrection Power when you finally decide to be a follower.
Dearest people of God, there’s a reason for your struggle. There is purpose for your pain. There is a blessed assurance in the trials you go through when you’re following Jesus. Though you find yourself cast down, buried under the weight of the world, forsaken and seemingly forgotten, you have the one thing that no one can ever take from you. You have the Resurrection Power of Christ. And that’s why you can continue to proclaim, STILL I RISE!
God bless
