March 2010

The Power Of The Resurrection

The Easter Bunny, Milk Chocolate Eggs, Holidays, Family Fun, suddenly everyone wants to celebrate this Christian holiday called Easter. Just after we have gotten over the excesses of Christmas now is the opportunity for a lively celebration, sprinkled around two Bank Holidays and time off school for the children. I must admit I like chocolate, time off from work to spend with the family and I love the joy of celebrations.

For the Christian however there is something more special to celebrate this time for. Jesus Christ, who this holiday was originally put into the calendar for, gave His life on a cross just outside of Jerusalem, to fulfil God's plan that man would never have to die eternally, but could share in the joy of fellowship with God forevermore. Of course the belief of Christians is that Jesus did not just die on that cross but on the third day was raised to life so that we could, if we wanted too share in this resurrection, by believing on Him and accepting Him into our hearts.

But what went on, on that lonely hill outside Jerusalem 2000 years ago was not just about life when we die, but knowing true life now, through God's love and experiencing the benefits which Christ made for us through what was done that eventful time, all those years ago.
Once reading the Bible, knowing what God had done for mankind, experiencing real love were things I never thought I needed. I am a nice person, I live a good life, do not do any harm to anyone. Why did I need God? The truth is that I was rejected deep inside, spurned by my own family because of the lusts of this world. This wasn't seen as negative by myself, because it spurred me on to be a better person to my family, and to those around me who I had daily contact with. But deep, deep down inside was a large crater, filled with all the despair, misery, bitterness , anger and hatred I had pushed down so no-one knew it was there, but in reality I did, and it was killing me from the inside out.

I can almost hear you thinking, here he is, poor fool, using a belief in God to shore up his damaged heart.
Not a bit of it, I did not even know who Jesus was, I never went to Church or Sunday School, we never discussed religion in my home and I certainly was not looking for an experience with God or with anyone else for that matter. In 1984 after having my children Christened in church, [my wife wanted that], and during the three weeks prior to that, God, [I know it was Him now], started to fill my heart with peace. It was a peace I had never known before, a peace that got hold of the deep turmoil inside of me [which I also never knew I had] and started to release it. Over the next two years my wife and I would go along to the Church [it met in a community centre like this one here in Swaffham] and when we went [not every week] we would feel like our lives for the next few days were more peaceful. It was not until some two years later, the week before Easter 1986 that God revealed to me something I did not know about, or had ever even thought about,
'THE POWER OF THE RESURRECTION'.
Because I had been going to the church, I started to attend a little group to read the Bible. I struggled with the old style format of the book, and the words, and overheard someone say that God Himself could help me understand. I asked for help and someone prayed for me to be filled with the 'HOLY SPIRIT'. It was as if heaven itself had come down into my heart, my body tingled with power as the Holy Spirit revealed Jesus to me, and in that moment I realised Jesus was not just a story a thing we talk about in Church or Sunday School but He is Alive. I discovered what millions of people all round the world are discovering. God does not want us to die in pain, to suffer needlessly, to suffer sickness. It is His desire to revive us through the Power of the Resurrection that raised Jesus from the grave 2000 years ago and can raise us with Him today, if only we would ask.

The Bible says in Romans 10: 9-13 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, "WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED." For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for
"WHOEVER WILL CALL ONHE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED."

So what did Jesus accomplish for us on and through the cross that we should really Celebrate Easter for?:

The way has been made through one event in history not many. John 14:6

What man really needs is forgiveness of sins. We have been bound by guilt and it has enslaved us. Was Jesus the answer?
- Matthew 9:1-8, 1 John 1:5 - 1 John 2:2
Indeed we need to know that the punishment we deserve is not going to be meted out to us who will pay the price?
-Isaiah 53:4-5, 1 Peter 2:24, 2 Corinthians 5:21.

What man needs is assurance of life after death. Was Jesus the answer? - Hebrews 2:14-15, Hebrews 2:9.

What man needs is restoration with the Father. Was Jesus the answer ? - Ephesians 1: 3-6, Romans 8:15-17.

What man needs is release from poverty. Was Jesus the answer?
2 Corinthians 8:9, 2 Corinthians 9:8, Deuteronomy 28:11.

What man needs is release from shame. Was Jesus the answer? -
Hebrews 12:2, Hebrews 13:12-13. [Therefore Jesus also suffered and died outside the [city*s] gate, in order that He might purify and consecrate the people through [the shedding of] His own blood, and set them apart as holy - for God. Let us then go forth [from all that would prevent us] to Him outside the camp, [at Calvary] bearing the contempt and abuse and shame [with] Him.

What man needs is release from curse. Was Jesus the answer?
-Galatians 3:13-14.

What man needs is acceptance not rejection. Was Jesus the answer? -Ephesians 1:6 NKJV: *To the praise and the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved*

What man needs is release from sickness. Was Jesus the answer?
- Exodus 15:26, Isaiah 53:4-5, 1 Peter 2:24.

Is God still prepared to have mercy today?
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever

Easter is a time when Christians look again at the horrors of the Cross and the wonders of the resurrection.
1 Peter 2 :24 : and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.

Jesus suffered a cruel death so we would not have to, but death could not hold Jesus in the grave. He is risen and we can all benefit from what He has achieved for us.
Jesus says in John 14:6 'I am the way and the truth and the life, No-one comes to the Father except through Me'

Peter said of Jesus
'You have the words of eternal life' John 6:68

The Lord Jesus is ready to help you as soon as you ask to know Him as Lord. Jesus Christ has paid for your sin, my sin and every ones sin by living a life free from sin and dying in our place so that we might know forgiveness of sin, and freedom eternally from the power of death and fear.

The bible says in Romans 10:9-10 '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. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.'

Remember you can only deal with your own sin. Everyone has to answer to God for what they have done, but God is merciful and will forgive them too, when they are ready to come to Him. He will always accept you, and makes you the offer now of real, genuine love and resurrection life.

You need to say sorry to God for having offended Him by your sinful actions, and choose to walk in His ways instead. Ask Him to forgive you for your sins, repent of your sins and tell God you need His help to stop living in a way that pleases you, and tell him you want to live to please Him.

Invite Jesus Christ to come and be Lord of your life. Thank Him that He has bought you back from the road of darkness and destruction by giving His life for you, and releasing you from the burdens of rejection, guilt and shame. Bringing you fully into His wonderful light. Thank Jesus for this, and acknowledge His death and resurrection and ask His Holy Spirit to come into you right now and give you the power to change and you will find real acceptance in Him and He himself will show you the way forward.

Next step is to tell someone you have received Jesus as your Lord and Saviour and find a church that really loves Jesus and lives for Him.

It will not be easy but will be the greatest and most joyful decision you have ever made.

If you have made this decision today E.Mail us and we will send you a Gospel of John and some helps to get you started in your new and exciting walk with Jesus.