His Resurrection isn’t just about getting us to heaven; it’s about us living victoriously now; praise God.  When I say victoriously, I don’t just mean that it’s smooth sailing.  I’m talking about the fact that we can stand, and still have joy in the midst of adversity, disaster, and trials; amen?  Knowing, as we’ve shared so much here frequently, I think it’s because of the hour that we’re in, but to call it all joy when we fall into different temptations, tests, and trials.  I’ll tell you one thing we need to practice, and that’s praying for our enemies, because our enemies are increasing constantly.  How are we going to respond when we start losing our jobs because of the name of Jesus?  That’s not that far around the corner.  Do you want to know why the name of Jesus affects people more than any other name, and makes people uncomfortable?  It’s because they innately know in themselves—the knowledge of God is in every one of them—and they know that because Jesus is alive, He reigns as judge, and they will have to look into His face one of these days, and be held accountable.  Here’s what He said, “Because of My Resurrection, because they defy and hate My lordship, they will hate you.”  Amen?  So, on Resurrection Sunday, His Resurrection makes life uncomfortable for us.  His Resurrection demands that we make a determination whether we’re going to preach this gospel or not.

We see that this message that was preached so clearly in Acts, Chapter 2, the first message after the baptism in the Holy Spirit, the day of Pentecost; he reminds them that Jesus, “…being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain.”  “But I want you to understand why I’m here this morning,” Peter is saying.  “That one that you crucified, that one that you slew on the cross, …God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it” (Acts 2:23-24).  Praise God.  Yes, He’s ascended, and He will be your judge, you who crucified Him.  They go on in Chapter 3 of the book of Acts, verse 14, after the great miracle of the healing of the lame man.  “But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; and killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses” (Acts 3:14-15).  “But we want you to know something, it’s because of the resurrected Jesus that this man stands before you whole.”  “And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all” (Acts 4:33).

What a great opportunity; amen?  He’s risen, and we need to get out and share with folks that because He lives, we have hope of that Resurrection.  The requirement is humbling ourselves, and understanding and confessing that He is the way, the truth, and the life.  As He spoke in John, Chapter 11, bringing comfort to Mary and to Martha, He said, “Remember this.  I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live” (John 11:25); praise God.  What a great promise we have.  If we go the way of the grave, and we’ve believed in Him, though we be dead, yet shall we live.

Father, we thank You for Your Word, and the great promises that this body will one day take on immortality.  Corruption will cease.  You said in John, Chapter 6, verse 40, “And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.”  It’s Your will, Father.  Help us to share this great message with a lost and dying generation.  For that, we give You all the praise and all of the honor.  In Jesus’ name; amen.