1 Peter 1:3-9
The resurrection is the cornerstone of the Christian faith because it proves what the Bible said about Jesus, who He was, and is, and would be. The resurrection is based on the gospel: that Jesus died, was buried and on the third day, rose again from the dead. That is what we’re celebrating today, the resurrection of Jesus. Some call it, Easter Sunday, but we prefer to call it Resurrection Sunday because that’s what it is, Jesus resurrected on this Sunday. Dear friends, the resurrection of Jesus guarantees our resurrection, too. “5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.” Romans 6:5. But even today, we can experience the effects of Christ’s resurrection.
Because of Christ’s resurrection…
1. A new way of living.
“3 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. This inheritance is 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.” 1 Peter 1:3-5
· We now have a living hope that is eternal life.
· The promise of eternal life gave us a new way of living.
· True believers live in confident optimism in the promises of God.
· True believers don’t give up believing God, they persevere amidst trials.
· We no longer speak of death as the end of life but a moment of stepping into the fullness of eternal life.
Because of Christ’s resurrection…
2. We can now live a purposeful life.
“6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 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 honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” 1 Peter 1:6-7.
· God purposed that our response to life’s challenges, would be one that would give praise, glory and honor to His Son.
· God’s purpose in our lives changes the trajectory of our life.
· It redirects us, and places us on the right path, at the right time, that we can best respond to challenges that would result to praise, glory and honor to Jesus.
Because of Christ’s resurrection…
3. We can now live a meaningful life.
8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:8-9.
· No longer will our lives be dry and ordinary.
· No longer will we be living as if there is no eternity.
· Our sense of purpose brings meaning to our life.
· What you think, how you feel, and what you do today, is the direct result of your inability or ability to act on God’s purpose.
· To live a meaningful life, you must know, what’s really important to you, and to make it central in all you do.
· A life that is lived in faith is a life lived in eternity.
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