Paul noted that he desired to know the power of the resurrection of Jesus.
Philippians 3:10
What is the significance of this event? What is it's power?
3 things that happened as a result of the resurrection:
1) He was raised for our justification – Romans 4:23-25
Hebrews 9:24-28
From the Alter to the Holy of Holies – from the cross to the throne room of Heaven. Jesus presenting his finished work on our behalf before the Just God - meeting the requirements of the law for us to be in right standing with God.
Revelation 5 (some commentators indicate that this could have been a glimpse of Jesus ‘return’ into heaven after the resurrection).
2) In His resurrection captivity itself was taken captive - Acts 2:23-24
He loosed the pains of death.
Colossians 2:15 – Triumphed over principalities and powers
Ephesians 4:8 – Jesus got hold of the things that keep us bound and took them captive
By His life we are saved – Romans 5:10
3) Inaugurated a new covenant – Acts 2:32-33
Jesus is the mediator of a new covenant.
In Jesus death the old deal bewteen God and His people was fufilled, in that humanities inability to live up to his side of the covenant was resolved, and in Jesus death he released us from the Old Covenant and in his resurrection He established a new deal that would fulfil the old, but was founded on GRACE and not mans capability (or non capabilities) to meet God's laws! The New Covenant is better in that it includes the good of the old but in Christ delivers so much more!
Romans 7:1-6
Galatians 3:19-25
Hebrews 9:14-15
Hebrews 10:11-23
Jeremiah 31:33,34
Sending of the Holy Spirit.
So what does this mean in our every day lives?
Paul’s expectation that we live in the likeness of the resurrection. Romans 6:4-8. Here are 7 ways we can live in the good of the resurrection:
1) ‘Rejoice!’
- Matthew 28:9 – admittedly the point is a little speculative, but the heart beat that comes through for us today is, in the same way Jesus exhorted these women to react by 'rejoicing' we should as well - and begs the question...why rejoice? Because after a battle is won there is peace, freedom, rejoicing, laughter. (Lord of the Rings ending) After the Passover there was a day of release and freedom for the Israelites leaving Egypt. Draw parallels.
2) Consider and reckon ourselves alive to God – Romans 6:11
3) Take the ‘I’ now out of sin – Romans 6:11-13
4) Makes us a Son – John 20:17 – come into relationship
5) New confidence in our relationship with God – Accepted (Hebrews 10:19-23. Therefore there is now no condemnation in Christ.
6) Now Reigning with Christ in heavenly places – Ephesians 2:6
What does it mean to be now ruling and reigning with Christ?
7) Now in-filled with the Spirit – Acts 2:32-33 | 