Enjoy The Benefits of Christ's Death and Resurrection

Church Family: God has had a plan before the beginning of time for us to fully enjoy the benefits of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The cross of Jesus Christ and His empty tomb cannot be separated. They are both dependent upon each other. Together they display that Christ’s payment for sin has been accepted and His victory is our victory. Do you enjoy the benefits that Christ has won for you through His death, burial and resurrection? The benefits are endless and eternal, let's look at just three of these benefits.

First, enjoy the righteousness that Christ has won for you through His resurrection. He has overcome death so that we can share in the righteousness that He won for us by His death. Not only was it necessary for Jesus to die for our sins but it was necessary for Jesus to be raised from the dead for us to be forgiven of our sins (Rom. 4:25; 1 Cor. 15:16-20; 1 Peter 1:3-5). Jesus conquered sin, death and the devil through His resurrection. The resurrection declares to the world that Jesus’ perfect life was an acceptable sacrifice to God. Our sin debt has been paid in full. In Christ we are reconciled to God. We are presented by Christ as holy and righteous before God because of His acceptable sacrifice and resurrection. Death has been swallowed up in victory, it has been defeated (1 Cor. 15:54). Enjoy this amazing promise.

Second, enjoy the guarantee that because of Christ's resurrection we are already resurrected to new life. We once were in Adam and now by faith we have already been resurrected to new life in Christ. New life is not just something we look forward to in the future but we possess it now in Christ (Rom. 6:5-11, Eph. 2:4-6; Col. 3:1-4). We have been spiritually resurrected from spiritual death to enjoy a relationship with God and to walk in righteous obedience to Him. Throw away all of your self-imposed guilt and condemnation. You are a new creation in Christ. You are already spiritually seated with Christ in heaven as an adopted child of God and an heir of His kingdom. Yes, we have much more to look forward to when Jesus returns but we are to enjoy our already resurrected life now.

Third, enjoy the guarantee that because of Christ's resurrection we too will be physically resurrected to a glorified body in the future. Not only shall your soul immediately be taken up to Christ at your physical death but also at Jesus' return He will unite your soul with your resurrected, perfect, glorified body. Christ’s resurrection was the first fruit of the resurrection of all His children when He returns (Rom. 8:11; 1 Cor. 15:12-23; Phil. 3:20-21). We have a guarantee that we have new glorified bodies coming to replace these old worn out ones. Christ's physical resurrection is the first fruit of our physical resurrection. Your physical bodily resurrection is a promise.

Enjoy the promises of Christ's death and resurrection today and everyday. The more you enjoy His benefits the more He is glorified in you.

See you on Resurrection morning, enjoying Christ, Steve