The Resurrection is THE message!

Rom 10:9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

The doctrine of a Risen Christ is so essential to Christianity that a denial of it is a proof of a false faith. It is intimately tied in with salvation itself.

As we saw yesterday, not even justification was complete without the resurrection of Jesus. He is Risen!

Acts 1:21-22Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from John's baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection."

When the disciples were to choose a successor to Judas. They gave his job description . He was to give testimony of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Notice how the Resurrection of Jesus was shorthand for the gospel itself in this passage.

You see, so often we are guilty of preaching half a gospel. We talk about a Jesus who died on the cross for sins, so that we can be forgiven. That's amazing, but the story doesn't end there. Praise God, Jesus is not on the cross anymore. He is risen. He is not in the tomb. He is at the Right hand of the Father, and all things have been put under His feet. What an awesome Christ we have! the ohter half of the message is that we can have a new life in Him because he lives.

Jesus didn't just come to make it possible for you to be forgiven by dying on the cross. No, he cam to give you LIFE! He can do so because He lives! This is the neglected half of the gospel. Christianity is not just following the example of some dead prophet, it is walking with a risen KING! Glory to God!

THE RESURRECTION AND ASCENSION CHANGES BELIEVERS!


IT DEFEATED THE DEMONIC AND GAVE US AUTHORITY OVER THEM.

Eph 1:20-23 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Now we are moving not into just Jesus' Resurrection, but His Ascension. The Bible says that Jesus has physically ascended to sit at the right hand of the Father. Every principality and power was put under His feet. That means that when Jesus was resurrected and ascended all the power of the enemy was put under him.

Back in the desert, the Devil was able to tempt Jesus three times. The devil can't mess with Jesus anymore. The power of death has been broken. Satan can't offer any kingdoms to Jesus now, because Jesus is Lord of all the universe now. It says that ALL things are under his feet!

Now watch it, here comes the really amazing part:

Eph 2:6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

Christ is seated. What does that mean? That means he is on a throne. It is finished. He has won the victory. By virtue of our faith, we are seated with Him--meaning that we have delegated authority over the enemy.

Jesus says, "I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you."

Not only that but Jesus is head of the church

Eph 1:22-23
22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

So Jesus is Lord over all authorities of the world. They may not all be willing subjects but when it comes to the church, Jesus promises to be with us even to the end of the age. He says that where two or three come together, there he is in the midst. That means we have a living Christ who reigns over a living church. We don't just have a textbook , but we have a living Christ himself.

Buddha, Mohammed, and Moses are all in the grave. My Jesus lives! He lives! For the benefit of the church.

He is making intercession for them.

Heb 7:23-25 Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; 24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

He gives gifts to equip it.
Eph 4:8
"When he ascended on high,
he led captives in his train
and gave gifts to men."

11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up

Jesus has not left us alone but is still giving gifts to bless his church. Isn't it awesome that we have a living Christ tht is currently baptizing people with the Holy spirit, making intercession for the church, and leading the church as King?