I usually don't minister a sermon based on a holiday or on what may be popular at the time. I teach whatever God instructs me to teach. He will at times instruct me to teach a "holiday message," not just because it's a holiday. Instead, He'll instruct me to give understanding on a subject so that others can discover God's heart in the matter.
Take Easter, for example. It has nothing to do with bunny rabbits, colored eggs or fancy dresses and suits. Once the egg hunts and plays are over, then what? Many people return to their old ways, unaffected by God's Word.
They aren't impacted to the point of committing their lives to Him. Some won't return to church until the next holiday comes along. The days of coming to church once or twice a year to hear a "make-me-feel-good" sermon should be behind us!
Resurrected for Our Righteousness
Most of us believe that Easter is a time to commemorate Jesus' resurrection from the dead. However, it is vital to realize that the purpose for His life, death and resurrection dates back to the Fall of Man. When Adam disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden, he fell from his rightful place in God.
Consequently, sin and death were introduced into the world (Romans 5:12). Adam's disobedience caused sin to infect every generation after him. He took on the devil's nature by sinning. Therefore, he no longer possessed God's nature.
However, God had a backup plan. That plan was to restore man to his rightful place of sonship with God. Adam was the god of the earth. He possessed everything he could have ever wanted. He was given authority to rule and reign over all of God's handiwork-animals, planets, stars, you name it (Psalm 8:4-9).
Unfortunately, things changed when sin entered the picture.
That's where Jesus comes in. The Bible says, "He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil" (1 John 3:8).
Jesus was born to destroy the devil's work, which includes sin, sickness, poverty and spiritual death.
Jesus shed His blood so that you and I could live free from the works of the devil (Luke 4:18). Because of His death and resurrection, a poor man doesn't have to be poor anymore! A sick man doesn't have to be sick anymore! A blind man doesn't have to be blind anymore!
Jesus died for those who are not saved so they could have an opportunity to get born again and live the good life that God predestined them to live (Eph. 2:10, AMP).
Jesus' resurrection guarantees us the right to be made righteous and be restored to our rightful place as sons of God, in right-standing with Him (John 1:12; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 John 3:1-2).
And because those who are saved have been declared righteous, they have a right to repent and to be forgiven and cleansed of unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). God completely wipes the slate clean when it comes to our sins.
Acts 13:39 says, "...through [Jesus] everyone who believes [acknowledges Jesus as his Savior and devotes himself to Him] is absolved (cleared and freed) from every charge..." (AMP). As far as heaven is concerned, we're not guilty of sinning against the Father.
The bottom line is that Jesus was resurrected for our righteousness and total life prosperity-spirit, soul and body. Now that's worth celebrating!
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