By Your Love, The Same Jesus, What He’s Done, Nothing but the Blood, Lamb of God

What is the greatest real-life rescue story you’ve ever been told, heard or seen that turned a hopeless situation into something full of hope?

3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve… 12 Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; 14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. 15 Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; 17 and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied.

Everything begins, ends, and goes on forever with Jesus Christ. We began our series, LOVE REDISCOVERED with the Author of love, Jesus and we end the series today with Jesus on Resurrection Sunday. Today we are reminded that Jesus died on the cross, but He did not stay dead! Love brings hope, but how and why does the Resurrection bring us hope? We need to learn what “hope” is, because oftentimes, just like love, it is often misunderstood. Biblical hope is very different from how we commonly understand the word to mean (a wish); in the Bible, “hope is the expectation of what God has promised and its strength is in His faithfulness”. Hope is directly related to the resurrection of Jesus (1 Peter 1:3-4).

OUR FOUNDATION IS FIRM – JESUS IS GOD

Our foundation is not a “what”, but a “who”; our foundation is Jesus! There are many who do not believe, or could care less, that Jesus is God. But for those who know and believe, “Life with Christ is an endless hope; without Him a hopeless end”. Christ’s death and resurrection is something pointed to and promised in the Old Testament (1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Isaiah 53:10). Today, God continues to draw people from all walks of life all over the world to Himself, this is made possible because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus is God; He could not have risen from the dead if it were not so (Psalm 16:10, Acts 13:35-37). Jesus constantly reminded His disciples about how He will fulfill prophesy about His death and resurrection (Matthew 16:21). Some people may say that yes, God did raise Jesus from the dead, but Jesus himself was just a man with no power over death. However, Jesus predicted His own death and resurrection, saying He had the power and authority to raise Himself from the grave (John 2:19-21, John 10:17-18). The resurrection is the one definitive event that tells the whole world that Jesus is God (Romans 1:4).

We may agree intellectually that Jesus is divine, but it doesn’t really mean anything until it means something to you, personally. Rather than just saying, “Jesus is God”, it is saying, “Jesus is my God”; that’s when it makes a difference (John 20:26-28)! We need to accept Him, worship Him, and give our lives to Him as our God.

OUR FAITH IS CERTAIN

The apostle Paul talks about the futility of preaching about the resurrection of believers if the resurrection of Jesus did not happen (1 Corinthians 15:12-19). The good news is, Jesus did rise again! The entire Bible talks about and points to Jesus. He is the Living Word of God; if we want to know Jesus, we need to know the Word of God (the Bible) so that we will know the God of the Word.

Our eternal destiny is completely dependent of the resurrection of Jesus (Romans 10:9-10). Are you absolutely certain that you will go to heaven because of Jesus? What do you believe about salvation? Our salvation is by God’s grace through faith in Jesus alone, and nothing from our own good works (Ephesians 2:8-10). Good works is not to help us get saved; they are only the fruit, or overflow of a life that has already been saved by Jesus!

OUR FORGIVENESS IS COMPLETE

How does the resurrection bring us hope that our forgiveness is complete? When Jesus said “it is finished” while on the cross, this phrase is only one Greek word, “tetelestai” which means “to bring to an end, complete, fulfill” and it’s in the perfect tense (i.e., a past completed act with ongoing, present effect) (John 19:30). It’s what a servant would say to his master when he has completed a task given to him (Jesus declaring to God that Jesus has accomplished the task given to Him). When the Jewish priests would inspect a sacrificial animal brought by the people for offering at the temple, they will declare “tetelestai” if the animal was found perfect, with no defect and approved for sacrifice (as Jesus was the Perfect Lamb of God, offered as the sacrifice for our sins). In business transaction, after goods or debts have been paid, the document is signed, “tetelestai”—paid in full. We owe a debt of sins to God that we have no way of paying, and Jesus was the One who paid it all. The connection between our forgiveness to Christ’s resurrection is very clear and His death and resurrection are inseparable (Romans 4:25). Our justification ( the act of pronouncing righteous acquittal, a process of absolution), us being declared “not guilty” before God is based on Jesus’ death and resurrection. “It has been well said that Christ’s resurrection is the Father’s “AMEN” to His Son’s declaration “IT IS FINISHED”. Looking at the Cross we see the work of redemption completed. Looking at the open tomb we see Jesus’ finished work fully accepted by the Father” (Precept Austin). Jesus paid for ALL our sins – past, present and future!

OUR FUTURE IS SECURE 

Those who have a relationship with Jesus (believers in Christ) have been promised imperishable bodies when Jesus takes us up to be with Him forever “at the last trumpet” (1 Corinthians 15:50-55). The victory belongs to Jesus, and that’s why we know that our future is secure! God assures us, “there is more” in our future with Him; if you’re going through something difficult, be comforted by His promise for our future with Him (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18). The resurrection is a message of love that brings genuine hope!

2,000 years ago, the sun rose in the east, just like any other morning. But it wasn’t just an ordinary morning—Jesus’ followers discovered that the stone sealing His tomb has been rolled away, revealing an empty grave (Luke 24:1-6). Jesus wasn’t there—He has risen! Do you have the genuine hope of the resurrection of Jesus? If you do not have that hope yet, give your life to the Resurrected Christ, today!

What is the most important aspect/implication of the resurrection to you, and why?

Are you absolutely sure about going to heaven? Why or why not?

Who among your family or friends need to put their hope in Jesus? How will you help them?

Pray that family and friends around you will experience God’s love that brings hope through the resurrection of Jesus. Be a living witness to them of the Living Word, Jesus as you demonstrate God’s love and care for them daily. Share the gospel message this Resurrection Sunday and the days to come!

• Worship God for who He is, what He has done, and what He will do in our lives.

• Upright and moral governance of public servants; repentance and salvation for government leaders and citizens for a Christ-centered Philippines.

• God’s help and comfort, salvation for Israel, wisdom for their leaders in government, military and their soldiers as they defend themselves against terrorists’ attacks. PRAISE GOD for the release of hostages so far! Continue to pray for the release of the remaining ones.

• War in Ukraine to end, loss of lives prevented, violence and lawlessness in Haiti to stop.

• That CCF Members would honor and love God and make disciples.

• Elders, pastors, dleaders, and families (holy, humble, harmonious, happy, heart-working).

• Ministries and churches expansion worldwide.

• Worship and Training Center

• Prayer Mountain

• Deeper intimate relationship with God.

• Righteous living.

• Salvation of family and friends.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you.