I don’t know if you have ever heard of, read or studied the Heidelberg Catechism. It was written in 1563 to help the church teach the body of Christ the Bible and what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. There are questions that are asked and answered so that we stop long enough to reflect on Christ’s crucifixion and how his death was voluntary and at the sametime a substitutionary death for us. Then question forty five asks the question: How does Christ’s resurrection benefit us? The answer to this question has three parts: “First, by his resurrection he has overcome death, so that he might make us share in the righteousness he obtained for us by his death. Second, by his power we too are already raised to a new life. Third, Christ’s resurrection is a sure pledge to us of our blessed resurrection.” God the Father gave God the Son (Jesus Christ) the authority to lay down his life and the authority to pick up his life. When Jesus Christ arose from the dead on the third day he not only proved that he was God’s Son but that he was God himself in the flesh and that death couldn’t hold him. God the Father raised Jesus Christ the Son for our justification. Justification is where sinful human beings who place their faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation are restored to a state of righteousness before God that they in their own works could never attain. Listen to what the Scripture says, “He who was delivered over because of our transgression, and was raised for our justification. Only God can declare someone righteous before him. So when a sinner responds to the work of the Holy Spirit quickening that they repent of their sins and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and call upon him for salvation he saves them. We can praise and bless the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. (1 Peter 1:3-5) This inheritance that we have obtained (the salvation of our souls) is kept in heaven. So if you have been born again from above by the Spirit you can never lose your salvation because this salvation is kept by God’s power not your. Secondly by his (Jesus Christ) power we too are already raised to a new life. It is God who made us alive in Christ Jesus having mercy on us and giving us such grace. (Ephesians 2:4-6) So if you have been born again in Christ Jesus you have a new focus. This new focus is Christ Jesus and his kingdom. We are to set our minds on those things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. (Colossians 3:1-4) The Scripture teaches us to keep seeking the kingdom of God and his righteousness and what we will need will be provided to us by our heavenly Father. Finally Christ’s resurrection is a sure pledge to us of our blessed resurrection. The Scripture says,” But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. (Romans 8:11) There are a couple of other passages you may want to ponder, think on, meditate on concerning the transformation of your body when Christ Jesus raises the dead when he comes back. 1 Corinthians 15, and Philippians 3:20-21. There is another benefit that I haven’t written about that you don’t have to die and Christ Jesus comes back to recieve. It’s one we often overlook. David Williams the guest speaker mentioned how he had received forgiveness of his sin but he hadn’t let Christ Jesus heal his heart. Will you let Christ Jesus heal your heart today as you grow in your walk with him?
Categories: Weekly Sermon