Is this life all there is? For the Christian, absolutely not! Because Jesus Christ arose from the dead, death is not the end. Our confidence comes from the Bible. Numerous passages allude to this truth. One such Scripture can be found in 1 Corinthians Chapter 15.

“But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept” (1Cor 15:20).

Did you notice the word “firstfruits”? What does it mean? It is the word “ἀπαρχή. In the context of this resurrection chapter it refers to the only One who would literally die but come back to life again. And by the way, this means He would never die again. He would be the first of many who “slept”.

The word “slept” is κοιμάομαι (koy-mah’-o), which means the sleep of death.

These verses along with others reveal that not only does a person go to heaven at the moment of death, but he or she will also be raised bodily from the grave at the coming of Jesus Christ in the rapture.

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1Thess 4:16, 17).

Introduction: Do you have eternal life in Christ? Do you have that BLESSED ASSURANCE? How can we know for certain?

Several ways can be listed:

1. Job said! (Job 19:25) – “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.”

“Thru it all”…..Job learned to trust in Jesus! Have we?

2. John wrote! (John 11:25,26) – “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.”

Mary, Martha and Lazarus witnessed and believed the words of Jesus. Will we?

3. Jesus affirmed! (Rev 1:18) – “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”

Jesus Christ is the One and Only! The devil is the only one who doesn’t have the keys to his own house!!

4. Thomas revealed! (John 20:28) – “Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.”

He went from “doubting to shouting”! We have more to shout about than pout about!

5. Paul explain! (1Cor 15:3,4) – “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures. And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”

Jesus is alive!

Conclusion: The resurrection of the past shows Jesus died but arose from the grave conquering death, hell, sin, and the grave. But Jesus’ resurrection life in the present enables every believer to be empowered to flesh out the Christian life. And yet, Jesus Christ’s promise to return gives all who put their faith and trust in Him to have HOPE & ASSURANCE!

Introduction: Do you know your ABC’s? How about making good relationships? Fixing failures with family and friends can be challenging.

Check out the following:

1. A- Affirmation! (Eph 4:1) – “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.”

* The word “beseech” is παρακαλέω, which can mean to summon, to invite, or to entreat. It can mean to beg, or to admonish, and actually can mean to comfort, encourage, or to console.

*The word “worthy” is ἀξίως: (ax-ee’-oce), which means in a manner worthy of. Also the word used in this context can mean “equal weight”.

In other words, Paul was inspired to encourage the believers in Ephesus – and today – to walk worthy of their calling to salvation but also in their process of sanctification with other believers in the Church. 

2. B- Behavior Modification! (Eph 4:2) – “With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love.”

Humility is the opposite of pride. A “Know it all” attitude of pride can create disunity instead of unity.  

Do you feel prideful in your relationships?

3. C- Communication! (Eph 4:2,15) – “With all lowliness and meekness, with longs uffering, forbearing one another in love……But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.”

Here is the key – not compromising, but speaking the truth in love.

4. D- Dedication! (Eph 4:3) – “Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

The word “endeavoring” is σπουδάζω: (spoo-dad’-zo), which means to give diligence, or to hasten. It can mean to be eager, or zealous.

Do you make every effort to be diligent in keeping unity?

5. E- Examination! (Eph 4:2) – “With all lowliness and meekness, with longs uffering, forbearing one another in love.”

The word “forbearing” is ἀνέχομαι (an-ekh’-om-ahee). It means to hold up, or to bear with. Interesting. Huh? This word has to do with having patience. 

Needless to say, this is a great word that can only be accomplished thru the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Conclusion: How are you doing to keep the unity with your family and friends? How about your Church family?

1. Where do we get this resurrection power?
2. How can we activate it?
3. Who needs it?

First, we get this power thru the Holy Spirit.

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

Of course, this was written to those early believers who were needing extraordinary enablement since Jesus had ascended. However, it is applicable to every believer today. Jesus promised to send His Spirit (John 14,15,16).

Conclusion: Who needs this resurrection power? The answer is every Christian. Otherwise, we operate in the flesh and do not produce any lasting fruit. But when appropriated, this “New Life” in Christ takes on a whole new meaning and fulfillment.

So enjoy His Resurrection Power!

Introduction: Does strength come from the outside or the inside? Your answer may be both. However, this devotion will explore the latter instead of the former. Where does real strength come from?

Decide for yourself. 

Paul wrote,“That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man” (Eph 3:16).

Several observations can be gleaned:

1. The word “riches” is πλοῦτος: (ploo’-tos), which can mean both materially or spiritually. Whereas, it seems obvious that in this context it is used spiritually.

“…the riches of his glory…”

2. The word “strengthened” is κραταιόω,(krat-ah-yo’-o), which can mean to confirm, or to pass. It can even be used to mean grow, or become strong. In other words, Paul’s prayer for the Ephesian believers was that they would grow and become strong on the inside, spiritually.

3. The word “might” is δύναμις,(doo’-nam – is), which can mean physical power, or force. It has to do with ability, efficacy, and even energy. The end result is powerful deeds, which can show (physical) power, or marvelous works.

Obviously, this is God’s supernatural power and not our own. 

4. The words “by His Spirit” in “the inner man” refers to the empowerment of the Holy Spirit inside of CHRISTians. While men and women work on fixing up the outside, God the Holy Spirit releases power on the inside.

Conclusion: This new inner strength derived thru a personal relationship with Jesus Christ should result in an unleashing of resurrection power that results in enablement for every task. 

Where do you need this strength?

Lord, we need Strength!

Introduction: We move from Mary’s WOMB to the TRIUMPHANT ZOOM, next to the UPPER ROOM, the GARDEN GLOOM, and now the ARREST BUFFOON, as the CROSS LOOMS & the soldiers PLATOON. After leaving the UPPER ROOM with the disciples, our Lord Jesus makes His way to a GARDEN called GETHSEMANE. Next, Jesus was arrested and a false (mock) trial proceeded. But ultimately, His earthly destination was to die on a cross for the sins of all mankind.

1. Roman soldiers gambled for Jesus’ garments. All but one seemed to be oblivious of who was being crucified. (Matt 27:35,36) – “And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. And sitting down they watched him there.”

2. One of the Centurion soldiers had a change of heart! (Mark 15:39) – “And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.”

Have you ever wondered what it was that made him confess that Jesus was the Son of God? Was it the supernatural miracles that day? Was it the words that were spoken from the cross? What was it that caused you to believe?

Introduction: We move from Mary’s WOMB to the TRIUMPHANT ZOOM, next to the UPPER ROOM, and now to the GARDEN GLOOM.

After leaving the UPPER ROOM with the disciples, our Lord Jesus made His way to a GARDEN called GETHSEMANE. It was there that He instructed Peter, James, and John to “watch and pray”. However, due to the weakness of the flesh they nodded off. 

Meanwhile, Jesus agonized over His never before experience; namely becoming sin for us that we might be the righteousness of God in Him. “Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder” (Matt 26:36).

Notice:

1. He prayed before the biggest event in human history.

2. He included others to pray even though they went to sleep.

3. He resolved to be obedient to His Father’s Will.

4. He drank the cup of our sins.

5. He overcame all the distractions. 

6. He won the battle

7. He set the example for all of His followers. 

Conclusion: While Jesus Christ agonized in prayer in the Garden, God’s plan was being fulfilled for the purpose of conquering death, sin, hell, and the grave.

What a Savior!

Introduction: Jesus said, when you pray not if you pray. Here are two thoughts about “when we pray”.

1. Conditions of Prayer! (Psa 66:18) – “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.”

The word “iniquity” means wickedness. 

2. Petitions in Prayer! (1Tim 2:1-7) – ” I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”

The words “supplication” and “intercession” can mean approaching the king, or making a petition, a prayer, or intercession.

Did you get that?

Jesus came the first time as the King of the Jews. But when He comes again in the clouds of heaven in His second coming He will come as the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords!

Are you getting ready to approach the King?

Conclusion: These are just two conditions or ways to approach our Lord in prayer.

Something to think about.

Introduction: Jesus has enrolled believers into His school of prayer. By the way, it is a life-long lesson without graduation. Until, we reach heaven of course. In the epistle to the Ephesians, the apostle Paul was led by the Holy Spirit to lists several prayers. Here is one, just two verses of the prayer.

“For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named” (Eph 3:14,15).

Did you notice several principles about prayer?

1. The Position of Prayer! (Eph 3:14) – “For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.”

Speaking of kneeling, Daniel knelt in prayer before facing the lions den.

“Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime” (Dan 6:10).

Did you notice Daniel did not wait until he was thrown into the lions den to pray? Instead, this was his daily routine. No wonder he was not afraid; plus, God honored his faith. He went from being despised to the decree, and then his devotion which led to his deliverance. Next, those enemies were devoured. But the king declared all were to worship Daniel’s God!

2. The Propelling Motive in Prayer! (Eph 3:14) – “For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.”

This last verse means those who have been born into God’s family. While everyone is God’s creation, only those who have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ thru His sacrificial death and vicarious resurrection are included in His family.

Conclusion: Not only do we have the Position and Motivation in prayer but we also must consider the following:
Conditions, Petitions, and Supplications in Prayer, which will be discussed later. But for these first two verses, these are the elements that need to be practiced while praying.