Benefits Appropriated From Resurrection Perspective (Matt. 28)
Helen Roseveare, a missionary physician to Zaire from 1953-1973, exhibited what Paul described in Phil. 3:10, "That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings being conformed to Him even to His death."
Helen was imprisoned, raped and had her teeth kicked from her mouth during the Simba rebellion in 1964 in the old Belgian Congo. Nevertheless, her life and ministry is evidence of the power of His resurrection. She went on to build hospitals, medical colleges and churches in a war torn country despite severe shortages of most material goods. How did she do it? She believed God to supply her with the grace that is always sufficient in the worst situations by the power of the resurrected Christ living within her. She chronicles the greatest of God's overcoming power in her two books, "He gave us the Valley." He Gave us this Mountain." In a real life video documentary called, Mama Luka, a British reporter takes the viewers on a walk back in time to show the miracles God worked through one who was willing to let God do whatever He chose through this diminutive but power servant.
Here are some of the most outstanding benefits of the power of His resurrection that many are yet to appropriate in their lives and ministries:
1. Born again to a living hope - There is hope for the hopeless and rest for the weary and love for the broken heart. There is grace and forgiveness, healing and mercy. He always meets us wherever we are as we cry out to Jesus.
2. Overcoming power - Paul wrote, "Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good." We are more than conquerors through Him who loves us so we need to live as overcomers, just as Helen did and does even till today. Recently, she spoke five times at the Prairie Bible Institute in Alberta, Canada on this subject.
3. Living Stones or Security - We, like Helen, can live free from the besetting sins of anger, fear, frustration, anxiety, unbelief, complaining, disputing and bickering with colleagues as we claim Isa. 26:3, "You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Him because he trusts in God."
4. Authority to Accomplish His will - Jesus said after His resurrection, "All authority has been given to me in heaven and earth, Go therefore and make disciples of all nations..." There is no higher authority than the Lord's. He gives us the empowering, enabling and competency to adequately address each opposing force with a greater rule over any objections or hesitations or encumbrances.
5. Help of the Holy Spirit - The Savior equips us, as He did Helen, to do supernatural works, far beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works mightily within us." (Eph. 3:20) At one point Helen called hundreds of students to come to the medical college. When they arrived they said, "Where are the buildings?" She said, "You are called by God to build them. See them there in the valley as she envisioned what great things God would do through them." The Spirit of God gives us the eyes to see the things God wants to do through the eyes of faith." Faith is the evidence of things not seen, the assurance of things hoped for." (Heb. 11:1)
6. Shield - Helen believed in Psalm 28:7, "The Lord is my strength and shield, my heart trusts in Him and I am helped. Therefore, we will leap for joy and give thanks to Him in song." Despite, rape, rebellion by staff and students, strikes, and a gnawing sense of loneliness, Helen believed that God would be her closest companion, protector and friend. He never leaves us or forsakes us so that can confidently say, the Lord is my helper, what can man do to me." (Heb. 13:5)
7. Victory - Helen believed God for I Cor. 15:57,58, "But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, be steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing your labor is not in vain in the Lord." Oh, the blessed joy when we know we are not defeated, downcast or depressed when we live in the light of the victory of Christ working in and through us.
8. Inheritance that fades not away - I Pet. 1:3-10 speaks of our inheritance that never fades away. Helen continues to minister to thousands of people across the world assuring them that they are not working for the good that perishes but for the food that endures to eternal life. Paul said, "I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed to Him against that day." (2 Tim. 1:12). Let us ask God to help us focus more on the things that are above rather than our problems here below. When we are working for eternal outcomes instead of temporary bumps in the road, we will see our trials as nothing but stepping stones along the road that is winding always upward. "Until then our hearts can go on singing. Until then with joy we will carry on. Until the day our eyes behold the city. Until the day, God calls us home."
9. Eternal Life Witnessing Opportunities. Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me though he die he shall live again." (John 11:25) The greatest ministry and occupation involves being a witness to a lost, dying and sin suffering world that desperately needs a Savior. Jesus said, "The thief comes only to steal, slaughter, kill and destroy but I have come that you might have life and have it abundantly." (John 10:10)
