Resurrection Power -- 4/8/07

Sunday, April 8, 2007 Resurrection Sunday, 10:50 Service

RESURRECTION POWER

Brothers and sisters, it’s one of those days. God can speak to us through sermons, but He can speak to us in other ways too. How does He want to speak to us today? I had a sermon, but the Lord made it clear that it wasn’t for today. The theme for today is Resurrection Power.

Think of the power that was required to raise Jesus from the dead. What amazing power? There is tremendous power in the splitting of the atom, but it has not raised one person from the dead. What power in modern laser technology, but while laser power may strike a person dead, it can’t bring anyone to life. We acknowledge that great power was required to raise up Jesus’ lifeless body from the grave.
Too often, that is where we tend to stop, but that is only the beginning. Lets’ read from Heb. 1:1-4…
God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2. Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3. Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; 4. Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

Jesus sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. Yes, he sat down at the right hand of God, the place of honor and glory and power. That is where resurrection power began, but that is not where it ended.

Now let’s read the passage we so often read in connection with Jesus’ resurrection. Eph. 1:15-20…
Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, 16. Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17. That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18. The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19. And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20. Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places...

Paul prayed that we might know (among other things) the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe. And how great is that power? It is the same power which raised Christ from the dead and set Him at the Father’s right hand. Yes, the power that raised Jesus from the dead is the same power that is available to every person who is trusting Jesus.

You may have noticed that I used the present tense, when I said it is the same power that is available to every person who is trusting Jesus. That was intentional, because that is what Paul says here. The influence of our religious society would likely cause us to write it like this in verse 19, "And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us who believed…" In other words, to us who were saved, to us who are Christians. That is not what he says. He says this power is to us who believe, to us who are trusting Christ in the present. If I am not willing to trust Jesus today, it doesn’t matter if I have been a Christian for 50 years, I cannot claim this resurrection power.

Do we believe what Paul said? Do we believe that the power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to us, as we trust Him? I want to press this question upon us. Do we believe that the power of God who raised Jesus form the dead is working in those who believe? Do we have any evidence? Think about it. How have you seen that power working in you, in us? I’m not talking about years ago when you first met Christ; I’m talking about in these days. Is this power still at work in those who believe? What if you were the test case for answering that question?
It is great to talk about resurrection power, but if we can’t testify to it’s reality in our lives, then of what value is it? Is it a reality in the people of God?

While you are thinking, let me share a bit of how I have witnessed that resurrection power. What I want to share isn’t about what I have seen the Lord do in me, but rather in the body of Christ. Now bear in mind Proverbs 27:6. Do you recognize that reference? It is one of our memory verses. It says: "Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy." Nice concept, but God gave me the privilege of seeing the reality of it. I heard a man say, "The one who loves you the most is the one who tells you the most truth." There is a lot of truth in that statement.

Recently I did something I considered to be right. I was convinced it was an act of service. A brother called me up and asked if he could come talk to me. He isn’t a part of this local assembly, but he is a brother in Christ. He sat down and looked me in the eye and asked me hard questions. He showed me where I was wrong. He concluded by telling me – gently, but firmly – that what I did was more hurtful than helpful. I had been blind, but now I saw. My brother could see what I could not see. He didn’t gossip about me; he came and told me to my face. Faithful are the wounds of a friend. This brother came alongside me and exhorted me. No, he didn’t pat me on the back. On this occasion, he provided what was needed, a firm rebuke. I praise God for a man of integrity who listened to the Lord and obeyed. I was able to ask his forgiveness and we prayed together. Yes, it was painful, but I know what the result is going to be. That confrontation is not going to drive a wedge between us; it is going to give us a basis for a stronger fellowship in Christ. Brothers and sisters, that is resurrection power.

Let me share another little incident with you. Yesterday morning a bunch of us men met together for prayer. A brother attending the meeting said the Lord had put a scripture on his heart and asked us to turn to Heb. 3:12-13. Some of us started chuckling. You see, that brother hadn’t been here the Sunday before, when we had spent a good bit of time looking at that very passage. This brother poured out his heart and told us the Lord had shown him that he needs to be accountable to brothers in Christ. Wow! That is resurrection power.

Let me share one more. We have a new family that has been coming. They were here this morning at the sunrise service. Do you know Rob and Ingred Cuatt? Good. Ingred is from Bolivia, as are her children. Paola and Andy are still learning English. This morning at breakfast a dear sister from Gethsemane told me she was saving these seats for them. She had found out that Spanish was their native tongue and she was excited about visiting with them. And they did visit. She was eager to reach out to people. That is the love of Christ. That is the body of Christ. You may think these things are small, but I’m telling you they are not. This is the resurrection power of God at work, as He gives us grace to exhort one another. Praise God for what He is doing.

I’m through. Is there anyone else that would like to share what you see God doing in your life and/or the lives of brothers and sisters around you? … Let’s pray.
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* After we prayed for a while, three different brothers shared from their hearts. Please get the audio tape of the service.
Ask for "Resurrection Power" (4/8/07).