The resurrection of Jesus is the grand finale of his life and sufferings. From this one event blessings upon blessings flow into our lives. Peter tells us of 7 blessings that come through the resurrection:

I New Birth

i) Without resurrection no new birth: If Christ had died for our sins but had not resurrected, we would have forgiveness of sin but no new birth. It would be like having a baby in the womb but no birth,

forgiveness without justification,

cancelling of sin without the power to live a new life,

Passover without coming into the Promised Land.

The resurrection is the cornerstone of our faith. 1Co 15:14 if Christ wasn’t raised to life, our message is worthless, and so is your faith.

ii) New birth means: 2Co 5:17 Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new.  Unless you are born again you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.

II Living Hope

i) Because He lives, I too will live: Our hope is not in a dead Saviour but a living one. Hence our hope is alive. It is not pretension, speculation or sentiment – not like Ihope it doesn’t rain tomorrow – Hebrews 11:1 Faith makes us sure of what we hope for and gives us proof of what we cannot see.

ii) Hope of seeing Jesus: A hope that we will see Him, be like Him and receive all our inheritance in Him.  Romans 8:25 However, we hope for something we have not yet seen, and we patiently wait for it.

III Sure Inheritance

1. We have an inheritance in heaven: Jesus is the guarantor of this inheritance. Joh 14:2-3 2 There are many rooms in my Father’s house. I wouldn’t tell you this, unless it was true. I am going there to prepare a place for each of you. 3 After I have done this, I will come back and take you with me. Then we will be together.
2. He has given us the deposit of His Holy Spirit assuring us of the full inheritance that we have in Him.  Ephesians 1:13 When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession

ii) Inheritance does not perish spoil or fade: We need to store up our treasures there where moth/rust/thieves cannot get to it Mat 16:20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

IV Divine Power

Shielded by God’s Power: The Greek word here is Phoroureo which means kept with a garrison – 2 Corinthians 13:4 For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God’s power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God’s power we will live with him

Hebrews 1:3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

ii) Faith is the means of this protection: All God’s blessings including his preservation flows into our lives through the connection of faith. – not feelings!

V Inexpressible joy

i) Because they know Jesus they are able to rejoice through suffering: One blessing leads to another.  Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

2 Corinthians 8:1-2 we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.

ii) A little while: 2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

VI Genuine Faith

i) Trials in the face of the resurrection have a purpose: 1 Pet 1:7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed. They prove our faith and show it to be genuine. Gold perishes but faith is imperishable as it is based on the bedrock of the resurrection.

VII Second Coming

i) Jesus Christ is revealed: The resurrection leads to the sure hope of the Second Coming. “This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11)

Conclusion:

The resurrection is the foundation of our faith and from which we draw on every blessing that we have in Christ. This Resurrection Sunday be encouraged that we have: New Birth/  A Living Hope/ A Sure Inheritance/ Divine Protection/ Joy in Suffering/ A Genuine Faith/ Second Coming.

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