Recap
Title: How You Can Enjoy A New Life This Easter
Series: Discovering The Real Jesus
Key Text: John 11:25-26
Key Message:
The message of Easter is all about life, the most precious gift anyone can receive.
As we remember the events of the crucifixion and resurrection, that we can find great hope in times of terrible despair.
We can learn how the darkness of Good Friday gave way to the bright dawn of Easter Sunday. Great sadness was replaced by great joy. Above all, life overcame death.
The words of Jesus are all about life and they show how anyone and everyone can live the best life, both now and always.
Jesus Is The Source Of Life (John 11:25; John 14:6; John 1:2; John 4:14; John 6:35; John 10:10)
Jesus gives new life (John 11:25; Matthew 28:6; Acts 1:3; Psalm 30:3; Ezekiel 18:31; 2 Corinthians 5:17)
Jesus promises eternal life (John 11:25-26; John 14:19; Revelation 1:17-18)
Apply
John presents a picture of Jesus as the one who can bring the greatest satisfaction in life.
If you want to have real life, you have to understand that it is not about possessions, power, pleasure, partying but about knowing Jesus.
The bible teaches that there is an evil ruler called Satan with his dark kingdom who wants to get you to believe that real life is to be found by being in rebellion against God and doing your own thing. But that’s all a big lie aimed at wrecking your life, family and relationships.
Real life is only to be found in Jesus. For as he said in John 10:10 Jesus says: 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.
And that’s what God wants for you. He wants you to really enjoy life.
Do you know the Jesus is the source of life? Are you enjoying life with Jesus, or struggling in your own strength?
Jesus said in John 11:25: ‘I am the resurrection….’
The message of Easter is all about the new life of Jesus after his old life had ended on a Roman Cross.
The foundational claim of Christianity is that Jesus certainly was dead but that he didn’t stay dead. And today 2000 years on the Christian church still confidently proclaims that the physical resurrection really happened. It is not a myth or fairy tale.
For, simply put, since Jesus came back from death we also can come back in life. We can all have a total new start in life. We can have a new identity as a Christian. We can have a brand-new history and a very different destiny.
Your suffering and sadness does not have to determine the rest of your life. Your past failure and sin does not have to define your future.
Through Jesus’ death God’s son took all our past, our sin, our guilt, our shame on the cross. And through his resurrection, we too can receive the power to live a new and better life.
You really can see total turnaround in your life. You can be radically changed from the inside out. Your self-image can change. Your depression can leave. Your attitude to life can change. Your family can change.
Today God can make things new in your life. This is a truth that is seen not only in John but throughout the Bible.
Before his death Jesus told his followers that he was making a way for them to live on after death. Jesus emphasised the point in John 14:19 when he said: ‘Because I live, you will live also.’
On earth Jesus showed his authority over sickness, evil spirits and even storms. But it was in his death that he showed his ultimate authority.
Death, the final enemy was put to death, through Christ’s death and resurrection. The death of Christ was the moment that the thick curtain in Jerusalem’s temple separating sinful people from a holy God was torn in two.
For sure death is painful but the sting as the apostle Paul wrote has been taken out. Death has been swallowed up in victory. So, you don’t have to fear death any more. You can have a genuine confidence over your future.
We can be sure that if we too will put our trust in Jesus, He will give us the best life here and now and He will give us new life and new beginnings. And above He will forgive us our sins and open the door of heaven to us for us to enjoy eternal life in His presence.
