April 15, 2020
Resurrection reflection Day 3

Good Morning brothers and sisters,

What does the resurrection mean to me?

Without the resurrection, humanity will live in the constant state of materialism: but the resurrection lifts humanity above matter and elevates them to a state of peace on earth, and eternal life after death.

For the Christian believer in Jesus Christ, the greatest event in human life is the resurrection of Jesus Christ which led to our great salvation. The resurrection of Jesus Christ gives credence, authenticity and reality to the Christian faith.

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” John 20:19 (NIV)

Before the disciples could experience this peace, however, they needed the power of the Holy Spirit. And Jesus gave them this power by breathing into them the Holy Spirit. The same is true of the true believer. At the moment of our conversion the Holy Spirit begins to dwell in us.

What does the resurrection mean to me?
Believers are blessed with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. Acts 2:32-33 (NIV)

The gift of the Holy Spirit brings other gifts.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Gal 5:22-23 (NIV)

Did you note that happiness was not found in the list of fruit of the Spirit? True happiness is only found in the joy of the Lord. The world has a woeful shortage of joy, and a surplus of fear, worry, discouragement, and depression. Even the “pursuit of happiness” and obsessive pleasure seeking do not bring deep and lasting joy. Biblical joy comes from filling the spiritual void with an intimate relationship with the One who is pure joy. Jesus put it this way: “I am the vine; you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit” (John 15:5). That fruit includes much joy!

Think of joy as a strong foundation that supports a variety of healthy emotions, including happiness, gratitude, contentment, optimism, a sense of freedom and other positive attitudes. To grow in joy, we must resist the temptation of Satan, self-pity, being self-centered and self-absorbed. For joy to flourish, we must focus on loving others and especially on loving God.

You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 1 Thess 1:6 (NIV)

But let the righteous be glad; Let them rejoice before God; Yes, let them rejoice exceedingly. Sing to God, sing praises to His name; Extol Him who rides on the clouds, By His name Yah, and rejoice before Him. Psalms 68:3-4 (NKJV)

Please, next time that Satan temps you to fall into discouragement, unhappiness, and self-pity, read Psalm 68:3-4 and enter into worship. And our God through that worship and the Holy spirit will lead you into pure joy.

God bless you brothers and sisters,

Pastor Dennis