The Risen Christ Meets Our Need

The Risen Christ Meets Our Need

Easter 2011

Thomas A Gaskill

He is risen – He is risen indeed.

Our great need is to be loved. God has met this most important need. John 3:16 and Romans 5:8

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Romans 5:8 God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

1 Peter 1:3-6 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (4) and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, (5) who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. (6) In this you greatly rejoice ….

I.The Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is a result of John 3:16 and Romans 5:8 – God's love

A.It is love that sent Jesus Christ into this world

B.It is love that drove Jesus to calvary to die on our behalf

C.It is love that resurrected Jesus from the dead

D.It is love that has resulted in mercy

E.It is love that has given us a new birth

i.new birth into a living hope

ii.new birth into an inheritance

a)that can never perish, spoil, or fade

F.It is love that has a place in heaven kept for us

G.It is love that gives us faith

i.It is love that shields by God's power through this faith.

H.It is love that saved us

I.We greatly rejoice in this love of God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead!! Love, extravagant love!

J.WE ARE RAISED WITH CHRIST!!!

II.What if Christ had not been raised from the dead?

A.Love would have failed

B.No new birth

C.No hope

D.No inheritance

E.No salvation

F.We would still be dead in our sins destined for eternal misery in the abyss of hell.

III.Christ was raised from the dead resulting in a more applicable question – “What now?”

Colossians 3:1,2 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. (2) Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

A.Raised with Christ

i.New focus of the heart

a)What does it mean by “heart”?

“heart” is the center of your affections

“heart” is the core of your being

“heart” is the drive behind what you do and avoid doing

“heart” controls what comes out of your mouths

Luke 6:45 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.

b)Commanded to set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

the victory of Christ

the authority/power of Christ

the permanency of Christ

c)Christ should be at the center of your heart!

Who is in control? You or Him?

Ask God to give you a new heart that is set on Him. Surrender yourself to Jesus Christ. Ask Him to fill you with the Holy Spirit. Ask Him to sanctify you through and through. Believe God. Trust God. Obey God.

ii.New focus of the mind

a)What does it mean by “mind”?

Intellect:

questioning, researching, studying, meditating, contemplating, reflecting, reasoning, thinking, understanding, comprehending, discerning, judging, estimating, acquiring knowledge, ...

Will:

determining, pursuing, wishing, desiring, choosing, asserting, initiating, purposing, deciding, ...

Emotions: (fruit of the Spirit)

love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, self-control, ...

b)commanded to set your minds on things above – not on earthly things

2 Peter 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

c)Some questions we should be asking ourselves:

Is this God's will?

How can I glorify God in this situation?

Does this please God?

Am I believing God?

Am I trusting God? How can I trust Him more?

Am I obeying God? How can I obey Him more?

Is this loving?

What does the Bible say?

What did Jesus do? What would Jesus do?

Have I sought God first?

Have I asked God for wisdom?

Would God have me read, watch, or listen to this? Does it build my faith in Him?

Who are some godly people I can be hanging around with?

How can I serve God in my home, work, church, and in every area of my life?