INTRODUCTION
* Series, “A Savior’s Most-Shocking Actions” / previous actions: reaches out to sinners; offers forgiveness to sinners; dies for sinners
* A dead Savior doesn’t do anyone any good; for Christ’s death to be powerful today, he must do something that overcomes that death
* The most-shocking of all of Jesus’ actions: the resurrection
- resurrection in and of itself is a rare occurrence (9 people in Scripture)
- even more rare: 8 of the 9 were raised from the dead by someone other than self
* Jesus’ resurrection was different in that he rose from the dead by himself (John 10:17-18)
* Jesus was the only person to ever be raised from the dead to never die again (Romans 6:9)
* The resurrection of Christ changed death and the grave; set a new pattern (1 Cor. 15:20-23)
* Another layer of this socking moment: the difference the resurrection makes in a person’s life (the change it causes)
* The shocking action of Jesus rising from the dead can cause some shocking changes to take place in my life...
1. Jesus’ resurrection can change who I am = read Ephesians 2:1-10
* The resurrection causes an internal change in my life...the very essence of who I am
* How Paul explained the changes I can experience internally...
A. I was dead, but not I’m alive (2:1)
- physically alive, but spiritually dead
- spiritual death = separation from God
- note Eph. 2:4-5 = God changes our position from death to life
B. I followed the world, but now I follow Christ (2:2)
- a life patterned after culture vs. a life patterned after Christ
- why this is important: where each one (culture vs. Christ) leads us to is different
C. I served self, but now I serve Christ (2:3)
- before Christ, I was consumed with self; after Christ, I am consumed with him
- why this is so: Christ is now in me and my desire follows his example
- one of the reasons God put us on earth is to serve him and others
D. I produced nothing but sin, but now I produce righteousness (v. 10): before Christ, Satan used me for his purpose; now Christ can use me to bring honor and glory to him
2. Jesus’ resurrection can change what I do = read Galatians 5:16-23
* The resurrection does more than change me internally: it also changes me externally
* The resurrection allows me to have a personal relationship with a risen, living Savior, whose presence in my life affects what I do, where I go, what I say, etc.
* The difference between PROFESSION and POSSESSION: when we possess Jesus Christ, he also possesses us...that makes an external change
* Those who met Christ and whose profession of him led to their possession of him changed how they lives (i.e., Nicodemus, Zacchaeus, the disciples)
* Notice Paul’s words to the Galatians...
- he explained what the “sinful nature” would do - what you would do before Christ (5:19-21)
- he explained what the Spirit-driven life would do - what you would do after Christ (5:222-23)
* Life before Christ and life after Christ are very different in what you do (5:16-18)
* Only a living Savior could help us change the life we live and what we do; the resurrection makes such a change possible
3. Jesus’ resurrection can change where I’m going = read Revelation 20:11-15
* The resurrection impacts me internally and externally, but also eternally
* Note Rev. 20:15 = two options of where every person will spend eternity...
* The resurrection allows me to know where I’m going
* “Because He Lives” lyrics
* If Christ is not alive, then I have no hope; if this life is all there is, I have no hope (see 1 Cor. 15:19)
