Put on Power (Easter)

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Introduction

Prayer: No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father."

Putting on Power

Before I became a Father someone sent me an ABC News article about the crucial importance of dad’s roughhousing with their children.

It’s true! Roughhousing with dad is actually proven to be a huge deal to the development of the child.

And as a Father of 4, I have taken this responsibility to heart! And man, I don’t know about your kids but my kids need it. They want it. Like crave it! And it never seems to be enough.

To prove my point take a look at this video my wife sent me last week while I was working.

20 Sec Video!

Now listen, it drives my wife crazy sometimes, but I look forward to the moment I pull into my neighborhood, park the car, and come in as the latest monster or bad guy.

And most the time when I come in with that energy, my kids with respond 50/50.

50% sheer fear of the surprise of my energy, and 50% overjoyed elation and usually they immediately run away and it turns to a game of chase, always through the kitchen where Annie is trying to prep dinner.

But sometimes, I come in and something is different.

I don’t catch them by surprise. Instead they’re waiting on me. Ready to ambush . And instead of fear, they’re full of confidence and agression, and on those days I actually have to try, because they fight hard. And they fight dirty.

What’s different you ask? What changes between the fear and the ferocity? Well, they’ve put on power.

Let me show you what I mean.

PUT ON POWER. I mean look at little buddy there. In this ensemble:

He has put on the power of Superman (the mask), the agression of a Tiger (although it could be tigger), and the combat skills of a ninja turtle.

How many of you have young kids!? You know what I’m talking about right!

When a child puts on a superhero costume, its not just their appearance that changes.

But their personality has totally morphed to take on the character of the costume they put on!

They’ve PUT ON POWER.

Power of the Resurrection

As we gather today on Easter Sunday, I wonder how many of us are aware of the concept of the Resurrection, yet have failed to PUT ON its POWER.

In the Bible we read scriptures like:

Philippians 3:7-10 “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. — that I may know him and the power of his resurrection”

Ephesians, Paul is praying for the church in Ephesus and prays that they would know...

Ephesians 1:19-20 “ what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of that same power he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead.

The Bible teaches that the Resurrection of Jesus isn’t simply a cognitive fact to be studied, but a true and present power to be experienced!

My wife is a baker, and makes these homemade cinammon rolls that have quite the reputation.

Now what if I had her list all the ingredients, the steps to take, and the time to bake, and print that out to give to you?

Or, I could ask her to bake a pan, and give you that center one. You know the one that’s still warm and gooey…

Which would you prefer? Which would better help you understand the power of her baking!?

You’d want to taste it! Of course! To experience it!

Yet for some reason, when it comes to the spiritual realities of the resurrection we are content accepting some cognitive facts all the while passing on the experience of its power!

And as we see here in Paul’s writings… God wants you to PUT ON the POWER of the Resurrection.

So this morning I want to simply share what the POWER of the Resurrection is, and how we can put it on!

And I’m going to do that by looking at the Power in the PAST, PRESENT, and FUTURE.

Now a quick disclaimer: As a church we preach “expositionally” which means we walk through books of the Bible and take our time, and usually we have one primary text and we spend our entire time dissecting that text. Today, being Topical, I’m going to be bounce around a good bit and probably not give you a lot of time to follow, so be prepared to write down the references and look them up later.

Power in the Past

The first thing we need to note, is that Resurrection Power, is power in the past. It’s a past event. It happened… (past tense) it is a Historical Fact.

A Historical Fact

Mark 16:1-6 “When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him.”

He has risen.. past tense. It happened. And really quickly,

Does anybody want to know where we get the word Easter?

Right here in verse 2: the Latin word for “sunrise” here in verse 2 is inalbis. It means “Dawn” but translated to Old German the word = Eosterum and then tranlated to English we get “Easter”.

Easter = a dawning. A new day. A sun rise, after a long night of bleak darkness.

On the first day of the week, when a new dawn had come, Mary Magdelene and Mary, and Salome found an empty tomb. The Resurrection happened. It’s a Historical Fact.

And there’s plent of proof for this:

First, there’s the fact that there’s no BODY.

Although Matthew 27:62-66 “The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’ Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last fraud will be worse than the first.” Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.”

Even after all the precautions… when the stone was rolled away there was no body!

So what did the Jews do, they spread a rumor: Matthew 28:12-14 “And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers and said, “Tell people, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.””

They could spread misinformation all they wanted, but at the end of the day… there was no body! Proof that IT HAPPENED.

Secondly, the reality of the resurrection is proved by the transformation of his followers.

Acts 1:3 “He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.”

During those 40 days he ate, and walked, and talked. And even appeared to over 500 at one time according to 1 Corinthians 15:6

Now before the resurrection these men were cowards. Fearful. They had abandoned Jesus on the night he was betrayed, denied him on the night of his trial, and were in literal hiding when all of a sudden Jesus appeared to them after the resurrection.

And after this 40 day period of experiencing the Resurrection they were different men. Bold. Fearless. Powerfully proclaiming the reality of what they had SEEN to whoever would hear, even unto death.

The Bible is clear and contains abundant testimony to the resurrection of Jesus. The entire NT depends entirely on the assumption that Jesus is alive, and can be trusted, worshipped and adored and who will some day return in power as the great glorious King over all the earth.

Regarding the PAST : It is a historical fact.

But regarding the PAST : it is also a Heroic Feat

Heroic Feat

Through the Resurrection of Jesus, the payment of sins was PAID in FULL.

The Bible teaches that through His death, Jesus sacrificed himself to pay the penalty of sins we all deserved.

The Bible teaches that we have all sinned and fallen short of God’s standards and expectations.

And in my home, when my kids disobey my clear expectations, we have consequences.

It’s no different for God, and his children.

Because of his love, and holiness, and justice he delivers consequences for sins.

And the ultimate consequence is death.

We all deserve to die. To die physically yes, but also to die spiritually.

Because of sin, you spend your life with a keen awareness that there is something missing to your life.

That no matter how much you accumulate, or earn, or have, or get, or take, you feel like there is an aching emptiness.

Most people don’t like acknowledging that, because it’s uncomfortable, so instead of humbly admitting a level of brokeness or emptiness we numb.

We numb with any number of vices. From busyness to pleasures, we are pretend to be alive, when in reality we are dead spiritually.

Seperated and disconnected from the life God created you for.

And ultimately, without that emptiness being filled by faith in Christ, we die.

Die spiritually, physically, and eternally!

That’s bad news!

But God so loved the world, that He sent Jesus...

That although sinless, and deserving of life HE took on your sin, and took your death.

That he died a death he didn’t deserve, so that you could have life that you don’t deserve.

This is why Jesus was in such agony in Gethsemane, he knew that the cup he was willing himself to drink was the cup of God’s wrath, the consequence reserved for all mankind.

This is why right before he breathed his last he cried out, “It is Finished.” He drank it to the bottom. The payment of Sins was PAID in FULL.

Past Tense. Paid.

But… how do we know his death was sufficient? That it worked? That it was enough? That God’s wrath was satisfied?

The answer is the Resurrection!

Paul says that Jesus, Romans 4:25 “ was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.”

Theologian Wayne Grudem writes,

“When Christ was raised from the dead, it was God’s declaration of approval of Christ’s work of redemption. By raising Jesus, God the Father was in effect saying He approved of Jesus’s sacrifice, that his work was completed, and that Christ no longer had any need to remain dead.

There was no more penalty left to pay. No more wrath to bear— all had been completely paid for.

He had mastered (past tense) death, even when it seemed death had mastered him.

He entered (past tense) a captive, but left (past tense) a conqueror.

He was laid (past tense) to rest, but had risen (past tense) to Reign.

It was a Heroic Feat.

The Power of the Resurrection is Power in the Past.

It is a Historical Fact, and it was a Heroic Feat

All of that is past tense:

But His Resurrection is also Power for the Present

Power for the Present

Power over Sin

Not only did Jesus’ resurrection pay the penalty of sin in the past, but the it also gives you POWER to break the POWER of sin in the present.

Romans 6:4 “We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”

Christ died and was raised (past), in order that you might walk in the newness of life (present).

The resurrection makes way for you to have new life, and in this new life you now have the power to gain more and more victory over the power of sin!

This is one of those things though where I see people take the recipe of the truth found here, without ever tasting the reality of it.

I meet so many Christians, who believe Jesus died for them and rose for them so that they can gain victory over sin in their lives, yet have never PUT ON its POWER, and instead of living free from sin they live enslaved, feeling stuck, and accompanied with shame and guilt.

Is this you?

Listen to what the Apostle Paul says in Romans 7:15 “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.”

Romans 7:18 “I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.”

Romans 7:19 “For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.”

Romans 7:24 “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?”

How many of you would say this is true of you!? You try to follow Jesus. You try and live in newness of life, but instead you do not do the things you ought, and the very things you shouldn’t do you keep on doing!

So you’ve thrown up your hands, and say WRETCHED MAN/WOMAN!

You haven’t put on the power… Because Paul finishes this monologue answering his own question.. Who will deliver me!

Romans 7:25 “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Romans 8:11 “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.”

And this life, that comes when you PUT ON the Power of the Resurrection gives you power over sin today!

But it also gives us power for service.

Power for Service

I already noted this with the life of the Apostles, but once you come to not only realize that Jesus is alive but also put on its present power, you will be energized to no longer live for yourself, but for HIM.

You’ll start serving. You’ll start sharing. You’ll start living for something more than your own Kingdom. Why!? Listen to what Paul says…

After a long discourse about the Resurrection, Paul says 1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”

Because of the Resurrection, we can be confident that this life is not the end. There is eternal life. This means that what you do today, the way you live your life, the deeds you perform are not in vain.

The Bible says, If the Resurrection didn’t happen, you might as well just eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”

Without eternal life, what’s the point? Nothing lasts, so most in believing this simply live for themselves!

But the Resurrection did happen. Its a historical fact of a heroic feat, and because of that it gives you power over sin and for service today, knowing that the investments you make today will pay off tomorrow.

but now let’s turn ourselves to the Future.

Power in the Future

Power in Suffering

Because of the promising Future that resurrection provides, we can have power even in the midst of suffering!

In a world where so much divides, distingushes and differentiates us from one another, suffering is an experience we all share.

Whether its a

Difficult diagnosis.

A devestating loss.

Chronic pain.

A severed relationship.

A financial setback.

All suffering, whether physical, mental, emotional or spiritual can be compared to an extended darkness. That’s how it feels doesn’t it.

A night that seemingly has no end. And what began as difficulty, over time when that darkness lingers it leads to despair…

And without the resurrection, there is no purpose in it. Its just pain to be avoided and escaped, or to be numbed.

But not if you put on the power of the Resurrection.

With the Resurrection, the pains of this present world must now be addressed with the news that healing, justice, and love and life have won.

Because of the resurrection, we can look at suffering and know

Romans 8:18 “that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” in the future.

2 Corinthians 4:17 “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,” in the future.

Because of the Resurrection there is a glory…

That word Glory means = a weight, a magnificence, an excellent condition of dignity awaiting us in the future. This pain isn’t the end.

And for those who have put on the power, the future is full of glory.

Power in Death

2 Corinthians 4:14 “knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence.”

Because Jesus rose from the dead, all those are in Christ will be too.

Before the resurrection, death was to be feared above all else, because its final.

Listen to what preacher Voddie Baucham said, “

The last time I checked, the death rate was one per person. I didn’t check today, but I’m sure it didn’t change. It is appointed to man to die once, then face the judgment (Heb. 9:27). So everyone everywhere is asking or will ask the same question: How can I avoid being defeated by that last enemy? You can’t beat him. You can’t buy him off. You can’t appease him. You can’t outrun him. You can’t exercise enough or eat well enough. There is nothing you can do to avoid being overtaken by this enemy.

But the resurrection says you can overcome this enemy: “O death, where is your sting?” You see, because of a believer’s union with Christ, we will rise just as Christ rose from the dead. There is a resurrection coming. So this sting is gone; death’s victory is gone.

When you put on the power of the resurrection, death isn’t final. The Bible compares it to taking a nap. And when you wake, you will live forever.

There is a lady in our church who was feared to be passing away.

I went to visit with her, to pray, and read and offer some comfort… but when I got there I quickly realized none of that was needed.

As soon as I walked in the room, I asked, “How are you doing? Are you okay?” And with deep authenticity and joy she replied, “Oh yes, I’m just ready to see Jesus.”

There was excitement! That’s someone who has put on the power of the resurrection!

Conclusion

The Power of the Resurrection is power for the past, present, and future… but you have to PUT IT ON. Have you?

Let me give you a few diagnostic questions?

Do you live as if the penalty for you sin has been paid, or are you still carrying the weight of your consequences?

Is your life characterized by joy and freedom, or shame, regret, and condemnation?

Do you live trapped and stuck doing the things you don’t want to do, and unable to perform the things you should be doing?

Is your life controlled by the impulses of your desires? Are you a slave to sin, or do you have victory over the vices in your life?

Do you endure your suffering with hope?

Are you walking through them with despair or delight, anxiously awaiting a new dawn?

And here’s a biggie: Do you fear death?

The power of the Resurrection is mean to be PUT ON, and once worn ya’ll it changes everything. So as we close, let me quickly but clearly tell you how you can put it on.

First the Power of the Past: I mentioned that the Power of the Past is that your sins have been paid in full.

That’s true. He died to pay the full penalty of sins. But there’s a condition.

Romans 4:24-25 “It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.”

Belief is the condition. Biblical belief is 2 fold:

Belief is to be persuaded of

Belief is to place confidence in.

To be persuaded that Jesus died for your traspasses and his heroic feat is a hisorical fact.

To place confidence that he did that for you…

Believe.

Second the Power for the Present: I mentioned that the power of the present is victory over sin and power for service.

That’s true. He died to set you free from the power of sin. But there’s a condition.

Romans 6:6-7 “We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin.”

Romans 6:10-11 “For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.”

You first believe, persuaded of and confident in the fact that he died for you and you have been crucified with him, so then.

Consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God.

Consider is the second condition.

That word is a greek word used in accounting.

It describes what a bookkeeper does when she adds up a column of numbers, calculates the sum, and confidently enters the sum in the correct place.

It is a firm condition of the facts.

To consider means to live as if it is really true. That the power of sin is broken. Believe it and Consider it. Live out the conviction of your belief.

I often hear, “But I just don’t feel free.” Who said anything about feelings.

If what you believe doesn’t conform to the Truth of God’s Word, than what you feel does not conform to reality.

We so often let feelings dictate our realities, when the most real thing present is God’s Word. Truth changes your feelings. Feelings will never change your truth.

So consider it done.

Finally, the power in the future. I mentioned that the power in the future is power in suffering, and power in the face of death.

That’s true. You don’t have to fear death… but you guessed it, there’s a condition.

1 Thess 4:16 “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.”

Putting on the Power of the Resurrection is as simple as understanding those 2 little words… IN CHRIST

This is the primary way the Bible refers to people who are Christians. They are in Christ.

Being “In Christ” means that by faith we are joined to Jesus.

It means that if God the Father asks, on whose merit do you enter the Resurrection.... you say, oh Lord, not my own, I am here in Christ.

it means that when God the Father looks at us he doesn’t see our sin he sees the perfection of Jesus.

Only "in Christ" is our sin debt cancelled, our relationship with God restored, and our eternity secured (John 3:16-18, 20:31).

This is why Easter is a big deal, its a new dawning. A celebration. A time to bust out the seer sucker, and bright colors, and feast with family and friends becuase we have PUT ON the Power of the Resurrection.

Today, on Easter, we remember and celebrate that because of His Heroic Feat my penalty is paid, the power of sin is broken, and the sting of death is gone.

And I pray that this morning you aren’t satisfied reading the recipe… but that you’ve tasted it. You’ve Put it On.