Rewards of Christ’s Resurrection

Easter Sunday 2007

"Jesus told her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die like everyone else, will live again. They are given eternal life for believing in me and will never perish.'" (John 11:25, 26)

Christ’s Resurrection Gives Us:

1. Confirmation of Who He Is

You can believe he is who he said he is!

"'Tell us who you are,' they demanded. Jesus replied, 'I am the one I have always claimed to be … when you have killed the Messiah, then you will realize that I am he.'" (John 8:25, 27 The Living Bible)

"I am the Way—yes, and the Truth and the Life. No one can get to God the Father except by means of me." (John 14:6 LB)

"I am the Son of God. Don’t believe me unless I do miracles of God." (John 10:36, 37 LB)

"They will mock...and flog…and kill me; but after three days I will come back to life again." (Mark 10:34 LB)

2. Confidence in the Scriptures

You can put your complete trust in the word of God!

"I assure you, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved." (Matthew 5:18 New Living Translation)

"I have sworn by myself and I will never go back on my word, for it is true." (Isaiah 45:23 LB)

"The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us." (2 Tim. 3:16 LB)

"Above all, you must understand that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet's own understanding....It was the Holy Spirit who moved the prophets to speak from God.” (2 Peter 1:20, 21)

3. Connection with the Living God

You can rely on God’s companionship with you!

"Jesus said, 'Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart,

and you will find rest for your souls.'" (Matt. 11:28 NLT)

"God has said, 'I will never fail you. I will never forsake you.' That is why we can say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper, so I will not be afraid.'" (Hebrews 13:5 NLT)

4. Changes in Personality

You can become who God created you to be!

"Those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun!" (2 Corinthians 5:1, NLT)

"Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think." (Romans 12:2 NLT)

5. Chances to Start Over

You can have a fresh start! Failure is not final unless you let it be.

"Those who feel tired and worn out will find new life and energy." (Jeremiah 31:25)

"With love and tenderness I will embrace you again." (Isaiah 54:7 Contemporary English Version)

"I can’t consider myself a winner yet. This is what I do: I don’t look back, I lengthen my stride and, I run straight toward the goal to win the prize that God’s heavenly call offers in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13, 14 God’s Word Translation)

6. Conviction of a New Work Ethic

What you believe determines your salvation, what you do determines your reward.

“He who comes to God must believe that....he is a rewarder...." (Hebrews 11:6 New American Standard Version)

"We must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in our bodies." (2 Corinthians 5:10 NLT)

"'When you put on a luncheon or a banquet,' he said, 'don’t invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will invite you back.... Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. Then at the resurrection of the godly, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you.'" (Luke 14:12-14 NLT)

"Men and women who have lived wisely and well will shine brilliantly. …And those who put others on the right path to life will glow like stars forever." (Daniel 12:3, 4 TM)

7. Certainty of Eternal Life

You can be released from the fear of death!

"You don’t have to wait for the End. I am, right now, Resurrection and Life. The one who believes in me, even though he or she dies, will live. And everyone who lives believing in me does not ultimately die at all." (John 11:25, 26 TM)

"God is so good, and by raising Jesus from death, he has given us new life and a hope that lives on." (1 Peter 1:3 CEV)

"Death swallowed up by triumphant life!....Oh, Death, who’s afraid of you now?" (1 Corinthians 15:54, 55 TM)