Dying to Live - Part 3: The Resurrected Life

     I am thrilled that because of Jesus, I have been granted eternal life. I don’t understand all that Heaven will be, but I know that I will enjoy it. However, I also hope to have many more years of this life and I would rather them not be horrible. I don’t much care for a Christianity that tells me that my only hope of joy is to die and go to Heaven. I need some help here and now. I am not so much looking for happiness as it is based upon circumstances. What I am desiring is a deep seating joy that can carry me in and through trials. For this, I need the work of Jesus to mean something to my life and how I will spend what years I have remaining.

     I think that most of you would agree with me. In fact, I think that you are particularly interested in the life that you are currently living. I think that you are so interested that the majority of your prayers have to do with life now. The thought of our future being secure in Heaven is great and also changes how we wish to live now. Therefore, I want to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus with you this morning by speaking on how the resurrection of Jesus begins a new life.

     With this major thought in mind, many aspects of the work of Christ and be addressed. In this post, I will focus on only two beginning with the provision of a new life of liberty. A life of liberty is what is meant by the idea that by His death and resurrection Jesus redeemed us from a life of slavery to sin, setting at liberty to live a life of holiness. Paul the Apostle makes this point in Ephesians 1:3-14

“3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. 11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” (English Standard Version)

     Through Paul’s words, we come to understand that the state of the redemption makes the Christian life possible. Looking a bit further into this text we discover that our salvation was God’s pre-appointed plan (v. 3-6). The amazing aspect of this is that God had a plan to deal with our rebellion before we rebelled. The plan was to redeem us through Jesus, and not our own efforts or abilities (v. 7-10). Having our rebellion dealt with, we are then in line for an inheritance through      Christ (v. 11-12) and the reception of God’s seal by the Holy Spirit (V.13-14).  

     The new life begins through the Jesus also includes the restoration of harmony between man and God. Consider Paul’s word recorded in Colossians 1:15-23.

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. 21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

The word Paul uses here that forms the major intent of the passage is “reconciliation” which means to “bring back a former state of harmony”. This reconciling work of Jesus based upon His nature is described in v. 15-20. Paul described this life of harmony in v.21-23. Do these words find meaning in your life? If so, then our task as a church becomes to bring new life to others by joining Jesus in His work. This work involves restoring what has been broken. Again, we turn to Paul the Apostle for understanding and instruction by reading Galatians 6:1-2

1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Dying to Live - Part 2: A Life-Giving Solution

           

As last week’s post discussed the fact that we all have a killer problem, this week we will look at the life-giving solution. The problem is sin and the reality that it has separated us from our creator and has caused much harm to lives. However, there is a life-giving solution to this killer problem. The solution is not behaviorism and some form of salvation through works. It is also not a solution based upon a combination of world philosophies and religious perspectives. This life-giving solution originated in the mind of God prior to the rebellion that caused the problem in the first place. The life-giving solution is the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

     His life and work are historic realities described in the Bible and colluded by other first-century historians of the Greek and Romans world. His life is not legend or myth, but history more surely known than the life of all other historic figures. More is said about Jesus than any other person in History. He and He alone has done what is necessary for humanity to reunited with its Creator and healed from the problem of sin.

     The main thought of this post is the life-giving solution provided by Jesus bringing victory over our sin. First, Jesus won our victory by drying. Pause for a moment a read John chapter 12, where the Apostle John described what we now know as Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Seriously, don’t read the rest of this post before you read John 12. Did you read it? Ok, now move forward in the post.

     After reading John 12, look specifically at verse 23. This verse tells us that Jesus won the victory over our sin by dying. Instead of trying to gain, He came to give. The majority of His day were literally looking to kill. They wanted a leader (Messiah) who would lead a revolt against Rome and once again establish Israel as the world leader. Jesus as He would soon say to Pilate, His kingdom was not of this world but was a spiritual kingdom instituted through His sacrificial death and victorious resurrection

     Secondly, Jesus won by judging the world and casting out its ruler (John 12:31). Who is the ruler of this world being cast out by Jesus? Bible defines Satan as an angelic being who fell from his position in heaven due to sin and is now completely opposed to God, doing all in his power to thwart God's purposes. - His very name means “adversary” or “one who opposes.” Another of his titles, the devil, means “slanderer” (gotanswers.com). Take a quick look at the following list that describes who Jesus is defeating on the cross. Satan was created as a holy angel. Isaiah 14:12 Ezekiel 28:12-14. He became arrogant wanted to sit on a throne above that of God (Isaiah 14:13-14; Ezekiel 28:15; 1 Timothy 3:6). Satan became the ruler of this world and the prince of the power of the air (John 12:31; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 2:2). He is an accuser (Revelation 12:10), a tempter (Matthew 4:3; 1 Thessalonians 3:5), and a deceiver (Genesis 3; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 20:3). Even though he was cast out of heaven, he still seeks to elevate his throne above God. He counterfeits all that God does, hoping to gain the worship of the world and encourage opposition to God's kingdom. Satan is the ultimate source behind every false cult and world religion. Satan will do anything and everything in his power to oppose God and those who follow God. However, Satan’s destiny as defeated is sealed (Revelation 20:10).

     Being that Jesus has provided a life-giving solution to our killer problem, the challenge now becomes to stop giving away your victory. This necessitates a final question if Satan has been conquered by Jesus, why is he still effective? I suggest the following answers. Because like Adam and Eve, we believe his lies (Genesis 3) and because in our pride we want to be in charge of our own life. To live in the victory provided by Jesus’ death and resurrection consider the following passage of Scripture. Keep in mind that these refer to those who have placed their trust in Jesus, not those who are trying to achieve salvation through works. No one can be good enough to earn it, but after it is received, we are to live in victory. Go read 1 John 3:4-10 and 1 John 2:1-6. Just for fun, you may wish to simply read the whole epistle.

Dying to Live Part 1 - "A Killer Problem"

Living a life of freedom and peace requires me to rightly identify present barriers. These are not always clear and I personally need the help of loved ones to understand the leading of the Holy Spirit. One thing for sure, sin is always a barrier to the life of freedom that I long for. Dealing with this barrier calls for understanding how the death of Christ has dealt with my sin and makes peace and freedom a possibility. I cannot be afraid to directly confront my own sin.  

We all desire lives of freedom and peace, but our efforts often bring the opposite. The opposite occurs because with the goal of living, we are often dying. By this, I mean that our self-efforts in gaining freedom and peace only lead to bondage and dependency. For example, to receive love, many enter relationships that end up breaking our heart in the end. In your efforts to live, are you destroying yourself? We all have the propensity to do this, so it is imperative to properly identify the problem.  

To start with, we must understand that sin is the basic problem of humanity. Much is said concerning the exact nature of sin and what is exactly sinful. For centuries, Christians have attempted understand sin and have made mistakes in applying what is truly taught in Scripture. To sum up much of the Bible and historical theology it is safe to say that sin is essentially a state of being separated from God. A heart that recognizes this separation seeks mercy in the light of God’s holy nature.

Psalm 51:1-9

1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. 5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. 6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice.

9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.

Isaiah 6:5

5 And I said: "Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes, have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!"

The second aspect of sin that we must grasp is that sin is universal. By this this we mean that it has and does affect everyone and everything. There is not one single person who on their own has properly dealt with their own personal sin. Both King David and Paul the Apostle make this abundantly clear in their own lives and writings.

Proverbs 20:9 - Who can say, "I have made my heart pure; I am clean from my sin"?

Romans 3:21-24

21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

Being that sin is separation from God and keeps us from living the life that we are dying to live, each one of us must priorities our personal sin. Jesus makes this point in the Gospel of Luke 6:42 “How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your           eye,' when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first            take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye. You will never live a life of freedom and peace until you deal with what is causing the problem. You will also be unable to help others deal with the barriers in their own life. This passage teaches us that as we deal with our personal sin, we will be able to see clearly into the lives of those we love. For many reasons Christians, have believed that they are not to speak of the sin of other because it is “judging”. This lie has left us all personally blind and useless. This is a key reason why many Christians fail to lead anyone to a relationship with Jesus.

Finally, we as a church must take sin more serious. We cannot attempt to minimalize or ignore the sin present within us. As you finish reading this post, please take a moment to reflect upon these very powerful passages of Scripture that help us understand the seriousness of sin. May the Lord call you to repentance out of His tremendous mercy, grace, and love. And my you discover the peace and freedom that Jesus died to give you.  

Genesis 4:7

7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it."

Matthew 5:29-30

29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.

30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.