Christ is Risen!

Because of Resurrection Sunday, we can declare that Jesus is alive! Jesus rose from the dead on the third day, as He said (Matthew 16:21; Luke 24:7). Jesus proved who He said He was by His resurrection, confirming His identity as the Son of God and His atoning work on the cross.

In his sermon on April 21, 1889, at the Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, Charles Spurgeon explains that what Apostle Paul is talking about in our Scripture verse (Philippians 3:10) is not so much of the power displayed in the resurrection as the power which comes out of it.

As believers, we have the same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead residing in us (Romans 8:11). The resurrection power of God is His dunamis or explosive power. Resurrection life brings the life of God to us when we receive Jesus as our Savior (1 John 5:12). The Holy Spirit comes in when we are born again (1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 1:13).

The word life in Greek is Zoe. It is the God kind of life that is eternal. We are changed and have the same life in us as He has, the Zoe life of God (2 Corinthians 5:17)! We must decide daily to walk in the newness of life in Christ and the Zoe life of God through the power of His resurrection (Galatians 5:16-18).

By conforming to Jesus’s death, we put off the old man and put on the new (Ephesians 4:22). As a result, we are dead to sin (our sin nature) and alive to God (Romans 6:11). We no longer let Satan and sin control our lives but choose to walk in the Spirit (Romans 8:1–17; Galatians 5:16).

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. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. Romans 6:4–6

Whatever is dead or buried, resurrection life is working in us, i.e., our bodies, finances, relationships, etc. Resurrection life is continually energizing our spirit, soul, and body. Resurrection life drives out the curse (Galatians 3:13-14)!

Our goal as believers should be to know Jesus and to be like Him. Jesus said this when He was praying for us that we may know the Father, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom He sent (John 17:3). Our relationship will grow in intimacy with Him as we spend time with Him in worship, prayer, and the Word of God.

As we behold Jesus, we become more like Him, and people will see Jesus through us (2 Corinthians 3:18). Jesus tells us to surrender our lives to Him by denying ourselves, taking up our cross, and following Him (Matthew 16:24).

In the ministry of Jesus, He healed the sick, cast out demons, and raised the dead, declaring that God’s Kingdom has come (Luke 11:20). The Kingdom of God and the resurrection are connected! We are to bring the Kingdom of God and the power of His resurrection wherever we go (Matthew 28:19–20; Mark 16:15–18). We do this through the power of the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8).

We are to share the gospel with the power of God through signs and wonders, confirming the Word to show them Jesus is alive (Mark 16:20; 1 Corinthians 4:20).

But as we share the gospel of Jesus Christ with others, we may experience suffering and persecution, even as Jesus and His disciples did. Jesus said, If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you” (John 15:20). We are also told throughout the epistles in the New Testament to expect tribulation and persecution not just because of the evil days we live in but because we are living for Christ (Matthew 24:9–10; Acts 14:22; Philippians 1:27–29; 1 Peter 4:12).

Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 2 Timothy 3:12

Therefore, we should prepare ourselves. Our lives will not be without trials and difficulties (Psalm 34:19; John 16:33; James 1:2–4). Nevertheless, the Holy Spirit gives us power and strength during these times. Jesus has already won the victory!

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, but we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:17–18

If you have not received the life of God through His Son, Jesus Christ, you can do that right now. You can experience God’s love, peace, and reconciliation through the blood of Jesus, His resurrection’s power, and a personal relationship with Him. Pray this suggested prayer out loud right now. You can also pray in your own words. Remember, it is not words or prayer alone that will save you. Prayer is a way to reach out to the Lord and must be done in faith (completely trusting in Him to save you). Christ will save you if you pray these or similar words in faith.

Heavenly Father,

Your Word says that whoever calls on the Name of the Lord shall be saved. I ask You to forgive me for my sins. I repent and want to turn from them and turn to You. I am calling on You and asking Jesus to come into my heart and be Lord over my life. I believe Jesus died on the cross and shed His blood for me. I believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead, and He is alive today. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me the Holy Spirit to live inside me. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and Your healing power in my life. I now belong to You. Help me to live for You and obey You every day of my life.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

If you prayed for salvation in faith, you are now a child of God and are in His family (John 1:12). Go to my website and check out some steps to grow in your relationship with Him! https://alexiscarucci.com/welcome-to-gods-family/

May the Lord’s resurrection power be demonstrated in every area of your life.

Resurrection Sunday. Blessings!

My prayer for you:

That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places. Ephesians 1:17–20