5 Benefits of the Resurrection

The most significant event in history took place on the Sunday after Passover, 30 AD. This was the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Resurrection made possible the church and New Testament. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ changed everything. Here are just five of many benefits:

1. Jesus rose TO FORGIVE US. (Acts 13:37, 38; I Corinthians 15:17)

We all sin. In our guilt, we need forgiveness.

Through the cross, God forgives us from the penalty of sin.

On the cross, Jesus paid our debt in full and satisfied the demands of a holy and just God. God’s offer of forgiveness is humanity’s best news.

In one of my crusades, a 62-year-old woman in Chandigarh, India said, "I have always heard of a God who punishes sin, but tonight for the first time I heard, there is a God who can forgive my sins."

Forgiveness comes only through repentance and confession of sin (1 John 1:9). "No forgiveness without confession.”

2. Jesus rose TO HEAL US. (Acts 4:10)

Peter healed a 40-year-old man who was lame from birth. Immediately, his ankles and feet became strong. He walked, jumped and praised God, healed in body and in spirit.

Peter seized the opportunity to preach Christ and says this happened because of the power of the risen Christ. Christians will experience complete healing when God “restores all things”.

Healing has already begun and we will realize it fully in heaven. Heaven is a prepared place for prepared people.

3. Jesus rose to give us ETERNAL LIFE. (John 11:25-27)

Jesus demonstrated He is the Resurrection and Life by raising Lazarus from the dead. He spoke, and Lazarus came forth from the grave, and his grave clothes were removed. Jesus can bring life and raise our every dead, hopeless situation. He does the impossible.

4. Jesus rose TO INTERCEDE FOR US. (Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:23-25)

Jesus is seated at the right hand of God. Jesus has authority to judge all mankind.

Jesus prayed for Peter who vainly boasted that he would not deny, betray or leave Jesus (Luke 22:31-32). Jesus said, "I have prayed for you that your faith fail not." We all need prayer to avoid greed, lust, temptation, to gain strength to live a Christian life.

Once, Billy Graham appeared in court with a speeding ticket. The judge fined him, but then the judge got up from his seat, paid the fine and took him to lunch.

Jesus our judge becomes our defense attorney.

5. Jesus rose TO GIVE US IMPERISHABLE & IMMORTAL BODIES. (1 Corinthians 15:42-48, 53)

A seed is-planted and dies, but it comes to life in a different form. Resurrected bodies are created for the realm of the spirit. They do not decay or have weakness. They are not limited by physical barriers. They live forever.

Adapted from the sermon “5 Benefits of the Resurrection” by Pastor Valson Abraham (April 1, 2018).

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