Five Astounding Outcomes of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ Easter Basic Truths God wants His People to Know, Part 8 By Pastor Dan Kennedy © April 1, 2018 www.pastorkennedy.com Easter Reminds Us that the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is Very Astounding and Very Personal for all those who Receive It – and it is for Everyone to Hear! God has some very real profound truths that are available to all those who are believers in Jesus Christ. Stunningly though, because of potential complacently and/or lack of comprehension, these may not seem as profoundly astounding as they really are! The Astounding Elements in the first chapter of First Peter 1 Peter 1:3–9 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. Five Astounding Outcomes of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ Compassion: Great Mercy (v. 3) 3 …In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead… Has there been some time during your life that you have been compassionately given Great Mercy? There are many examples in the Scripture evidencing the same: Romans 5:8 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Mary Magdalene, who had been delivered of seven demons, by Jesus. (Mk. 16:9) The Samaritan Woman – at the well. (John 4) Paul, who had destroyed many Christians before his conversion. (Acts 8-9) Multiple parables given by Jesus. o The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) o The man (and the woman) who owed little and much…and were forgiven (Luke 7:36-47) Luke 7:36–47 36 Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, 38 and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. 39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.” 40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said. 41 “Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled.” “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said. 44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.” God has revealed His Great Mercy toward us in giving us His Son as a Sacrifice for our sins and Raising Him from the Dead. Transformation: New Birth (v. 3)  3 …In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead… Spiritual birth (John 3) is a necessity for New Life. John 3:1–8 3 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.” 3 In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” 4 “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!” 5 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” John 3:13–18 13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. 16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. Spiritual New Birth is Essential to have an Authentic Relationship with God. A Prayer for Salvation “Dear Heavenly Father, I have sinned against You. Jesus Christ, Your Son, died on the Cross for my sins. I believe that Jesus died, was buried and rose again on the third day, to become my Savior, all-powerful over sin and death. I now, by faith, repent of my sins and invite Jesus Christ to come into my life to cleanse me from my sin and guilt through His precious blood, before God’s Holy Presence. I confess Jesus Christ as my Savior and my Lord. By faith, I receive your free gift of eternal life, because of Your Grace, and ask that Your Holy Spirit transform me into Your Child and fill me with His Presence. Thank You, Heavenly Father, for Your Mercy and Salvation, giving me such an opportunity to be born again into Your Heavenly Family. In Jesus’ Name, AMEN!” Assurance: Living Hope (v. 3)  3 …In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead… If hope is taken from us we have no will to live – that is why suicide is so prevalent in the world today…from youth to seniors. Our hope in Christ rises from… 1 Timothy 4:7–10 7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 9 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance 10 (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe. Cleansing from Guilt, Forgiveness and Redemption from Sin, Spiritual Reality, Creation’s Profoundness all around us, and Eternity in Our Hearts, Ecclesiastes 3:11 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. The Blessed Hope of Christ’s Return! Titus 2:11–14 11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. Romans 11:33 33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! Birthright: Imperishable Inheritance (v. 4-5)  4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. When we consider inheritances, much has to do with what one is inheriting: Poverty enflames poverty. o Inheriting a tumbling down and rotting house, ready to burn down, with liens on the property, is an inheritance one might be wise to avoid. o Spiritual poverty in worldly abundance can even be worse. We must realize that in actuality even the most fantastic house will crumble and be burnt in the end…this is not something in which to put the hope of our inheritance. Bounty invokes potential blessing. o Inheriting a glorious eternal inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, is an inheritance worth giving our lives for. Redemption: The Salvation of Our Souls (vs. 6-9)  Suffering and Trials refine us (vs. 6-7) Proving our faith Genuine (v. 7b) Resulting in praise, glory and honor (v. 7c) Inexpressible and glorious joy (v. 8) The goal of our faith – our Soul’s Salvation (v. 8-9) What greater goal of our faith could we have than the eternal salvation of our own soul? 1 Peter 1:5–9 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. Five Astounding Outcomes of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ Compassion: Great Mercy (v. 3)  Transformation: New Birth (v. 3)  Assurance: Living Hope (v. 3)  Birthright: Imperishable Inheritance (v. 4-5)  Redemption: The Salvation of Our Souls (vs. 6-9)  What a blessing from God, for Him to give us His Son as our Savior…as our Sacrifice for sin, and authenticate our hope of Eternal Life, through His Resurrection from the Dead! Jesus said… “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die….” John 11:25

Five Astounding Outcomes of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ

Easter

Basic Truths God wants His People to Know, Part 8

By Pastor Dan Kennedy

www.pastorkennedy.com

Easter Reminds Us that the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is Very Astounding and Very Personal for all those who Receive It – and it is for Everyone to Hear!

God has some very real profound truths that are available to all those who are believers in Jesus Christ. Stunningly though, because of potential complacently and/or lack of comprehension, these may not seem as profoundly astounding as they really are!

The Astounding Elements in the first chapter of First Peter

1 Peter 1:3–9

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Five Astounding Outcomes of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ

•Compassion: Great Mercy (v. 3)

3 …In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…

Has there been some time during your life that you have been compassionately given Great Mercy?

There are many examples in the Scripture evidencing the same:

Romans 5:8

8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

• Mary Magdalene, who had been delivered of seven demons, by Jesus. (Mk. 16:9)
• The Samaritan Woman – at the well. (John 4)
• Paul, who had destroyed many Christians before his conversion. (Acts 8-9)

• Multiple parables given by Jesus.

oThe Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)

oThe man (and the woman) who owed little and much…and were forgiven (Luke 7:36-47)

Luke 7:36–47

36 Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, 38 and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”

40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”

“Tell me, teacher,” he said.

41 “Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”

43 Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled.”

“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.

44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.”

God has revealed His Great Mercy toward us in giving us His Son as a Sacrifice for our sins and Raising Him from the Dead.

•Transformation: New Birth (v. 3)

3 …In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…

Spiritual birth (John 3) is a necessity for New Life.

John 3:1–8

3 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.”

3 In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”

4 “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!”

5 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

John 3:13–18

13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.

16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

Spiritual New Birth is Essential to have an Authentic Relationship with God.

A Prayer for Salvation

“Dear Heavenly Father, I have sinned against You. Jesus Christ, Your Son, died on the Cross for my sins. I believe that Jesus died, was buried and rose again on the third day, to become my Savior, all-powerful over sin and death. I now, by faith, repent of my sins and invite Jesus Christ to come into my life to cleanse me from my sin and guilt through His precious blood, before God’s Holy Presence. I confess Jesus Christ as my Savior and my Lord. By faith, I receive your free gift of eternal life, because of Your Grace, and ask that Your Holy Spirit transform me into Your Child and fill me with His Presence. Thank You, Heavenly Father, for Your Mercy and Salvation, giving me such an opportunity to be born again into Your Heavenly Family. In Jesus’ Name, AMEN!”

•Assurance: Living Hope (v. 3)

3 …In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…

If hope is taken from us we have no will to live – that is why suicide is so prevalent in the world today…from youth to seniors.

Our hope in Christ rises from…

1 Timothy 4:7–10

7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

9 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance 10 (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.

• Cleansing from Guilt,
• Forgiveness and Redemption from Sin,
• Spiritual Reality,
• Creation’s Profoundness all around us, and
• Eternity in Our Hearts,

Ecclesiastes 3:11

11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

• The Blessed Hope of Christ’s Return!

Titus 2:11–14

11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

Romans 11:33

33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!

How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!

•Birthright: Imperishable Inheritance (v. 4-5)

4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

When we consider inheritances, much has to do with what one is inheriting:

• Poverty enflames poverty.

oInheriting a tumbling down and rotting house, ready to burn down, with liens on the property, is an inheritance one might be wise to avoid.

oSpiritual poverty in worldly abundance can even be worse.

We must realize that in actuality even the most fantastic house will crumble and be burnt in the end…this is not something in which to put the hope of our inheritance.

• Bounty invokes potential blessing.

oInheriting a glorious eternal inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, is an inheritance worth giving our lives for.

•Redemption: The Salvation of Our Souls (vs. 6-9)
• Suffering and Trials refine us (vs. 6-7)
• Proving our faith Genuine (v. 7b)
• Resulting in praise, glory and honor (v. 7c)
• Inexpressible and glorious joy (v. 8)
• The goal of our faith – our Soul’s Salvation (v. 8-9)

What greater goal of our faith could we have than the eternal salvation of our own soul?

1 Peter 1:5–9

5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Five Astounding Outcomes of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ

•Compassion: Great Mercy (v. 3)
•Transformation: New Birth (v. 3)
•Assurance: Living Hope (v. 3)
•Birthright: Imperishable Inheritance (v. 4-5)
•Redemption: The Salvation of Our Souls (vs. 6-9)

What a blessing from God, for Him to give us His Son as our Savior…as our Sacrifice for sin, and authenticate our hope of Eternal Life, through His Resurrection from the Dead!

Jesus said…

“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live,

even though he dies;

and whoever lives and believes in me will never die….”

John 11:25–26