Posts Tagged ‘ Resurrection ’
And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it.
Matthew 28:2, ESV
Our God is not dead!
As He sent a messenger to reveal that truth, may we carry the truth to all the world.
“or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).
Romans 10:7, ESV
Our God came to us as one of us, died and He was buried in the ground. Despair could have held us, but He alone could defeat death.
And He did.
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
John 11:25-26, ESV
Only in Christ do we have hope of eternal life, even if we die before His return, because He is Life and hope for resurrection.
Do you believe this?
For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus
1 Timothy 2:5, ESV
We only need to pray to the Father through the Son of God by the Holy Spirit.
We only are saved from God’s wrath through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection.
We only attain eternal life by believing in Jesus.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead
1 Peter 1:3, ESV
Our God has given us hope for eternity through Jesus rising back to life.
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:1, ESV
Because of Christ’s death on the cross and resurrection from the dead, all of our got and Shane is washed away. Each and every part of our sin is removed. We are free from eternal consequences of our sin.
He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.
Matthew 28:6, ESV
Christianity is the only religion with a founder who died but came back to life forever.
Take comfort in the Truth.
as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:18, ESV
It is clear that things in this life (and universe) don’t last forever, but we have a hope for eternity because of Christ’s death and resurrection.
As born again Christians, we understand the foundational truth about Jesus’ sacrificial, atoning death and resurrection that brings us freedom and life, but I want to focus on the post-salvation implications of Jesus’ awesome work. Keep in mind, this will only apply if you have already committed to the side of Jesus.
After salvation, what does freedom and life look like for a Christian? Many might think “well, if a Christian is addicted to alcohol, etc. then Jesus can set them free from that” and that is true. But beyond that, what does freedom and life look like? It looks like this:
1. Freedom from false guilt.
2. Freedom from fear about what others may think.
3. Freedom from people who try to control and manipulate.
4. Freedom from the idea that you need anyone else’s approval other than God’s.
5. Freedom from circular or destructive thought processes.
6. Freedom…to grow, which is life-giving.
Pastors are supposed to promote freedom in Christians lives so that they can grow, but sadly many pastors do just the opposite.
Friends are suppose to be life-giving and help us grow, or at the very least, not hinder us from getting closer to Jesus, but sadly, many friends do just the opposite.
Assuming they already have a sincere faith in Christ, here are some things to ask yourself about a pastor or a friend:
1. Are they someone in whom I can see consistent growth?
2. Do they listen well?
3. Am I afraid to talk around them? Why?
4. When I come away from them do I feel burdened, or more free?
5. Does what they say ring true and bring clarity?
6. Can I see any ways that they attempt to manipulate?
There are many forms of manipulation, some are quite subtle and can even be seen as pious. Some of the more subtle ways of manipulation include:
* False guilt – does this person make me feel guilty if I don’t do what they want?
* Tone – are they talking down to me as though I don’t know anything? (Pay great attention to this one!)
* Leading Questions – do they appear to have all the answers? This is accomplished through the use of leading questions, that is, a question that is asked, with a very specific answer in mind. Therefore, unless you answer with the specificity that the manipulator is fishing for, you appear inferior while the manipulator appears to have all the answers.
* Positioning – there are many types of positioning, but one example is, is the person using tactical empathy? That is, do they claim to know and empathize with what you’ve been through, in order to earn your trust?
* Redirection: there are many types of redirection, but one of the most cunning is exploiting your emotional wounds to shift the attention off of something they don’t want to talk about.
Ask yourself, “who helps me walk in freedom?” It may surprise you who you DON’T list.
Jesus came to bring us freedom and life, and I believe the Lord wants the church to walk in Freedom and Life in 2020!
Wishing you freedom and life as you celebrate Resurrection day!
In His Love,
Jesse ישי
a simple man of God 