Because He Got Up: Our Hope and Strength

Devotional

Day 1: Overcoming Life's Obstacles with Resurrection Power

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not merely a past event but a dynamic force that empowers believers to rise above the challenges they face. The stone rolled away from the tomb serves as a powerful metaphor for the barriers that life places in one's path. Because Jesus rose from the dead, those who follow Him can also transcend their circumstances. The resurrection signifies that no obstacle is insurmountable with Christ's authority. Believers are encouraged to view their struggles through the lens of the empty tomb, where the ultimate barrier—death itself—was overcome. This perspective shifts the focus from the size of the obstacles to the greatness of the power available to them because Jesus got up. [49:13]

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed." - 2 Corinthians 4:7-9 ESV

Reflection: What is one "stone" in your life that seems immovable, and how can you approach it with the confidence that comes from the resurrection power of Jesus?

Day 2: Jesus' Authority Transcends All Barriers

The guards at Jesus' tomb were paralyzed by fear, demonstrating that even in death, Jesus wielded more power than any earthly force. This account is a testament to the fact that His authority extends beyond all barriers, including the finality of death. For believers today, this means that the same power that raised Christ from the dead is at work within them. They can live victoriously, not because of their own strength, but because Jesus got up and His power is made perfect in weakness. This divine power is not just for overcoming physical death but for conquering the daily battles and fears that one faces. [52:58]

"And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you." - Romans 8:11 ESV

Reflection: How can you rely on Jesus' authority to face a situation where you feel powerless or intimidated?

Day 3: Embracing Freedom from the Past

The resurrection is a personal invitation to experience freedom from past failures and sins. The empty tomb is a declaration that the mistakes and wrongdoings of yesterday have lost their hold on the believer's life. Because Jesus got up, there is a promise of new beginnings and the assurance of God's forgiveness. This liberating truth allows individuals to face their history without shame, knowing that they are not defined by their past but by their future with God. The resurrection instills hope and enables one to live confidently, embracing the identity of a redeemed child of God. [01:09:17]

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." - 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

Reflection: What aspect of your past do you find difficult to let go of, and how can the reality of the resurrection help you find freedom from it?

Day 4: Discovering Inherent Value and Purpose

The resurrection of Jesus Christ affirms that one's identity and worth are not contingent upon the opinions of others or personal self-doubt. Because Jesus got up, believers are reminded that they are more than what meets the eye. They possess inherent value and a unique purpose within God's kingdom. This understanding fosters a sense of belonging and significance that transcends worldly measures of success or failure. The resurrection serves as a reminder that each person is cherished by God and has a role to play in His grand narrative. [01:08:44]

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." - Ephesians 2:10 ESV

Reflection: In what ways have you allowed others' opinions or your own self-doubt to define you, and how can the truth of the resurrection reshape your understanding of your value and purpose?

Day 5: Confidence in Every Day Because of the Resurrection

The resurrection is the bedrock of the Christian faith, providing the confidence to face each day with hope and perseverance. No matter the trials or tribulations, believers can smile and remain steadfast because Jesus got up, securing not only their present but also their eternal future with Him. This assurance allows one to approach life's uncertainties with a peace that surpasses understanding, knowing that the victory has already been won. The resurrection is a daily reminder that one's faith is grounded in a living hope that cannot be shaken. [01:10:34]

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." - Romans 15:13 ESV

Reflection: How can the assurance of the resurrection shape the way you handle the uncertainties and challenges you will face today?

Sermon Summary

In today's message, I reflected on the profound significance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, encapsulated in the phrase "Because He got up." This simple yet powerful truth is the cornerstone of our faith and the reason for our hope and strength in every circumstance.

I began by sharing a personal anecdote from my childhood, recalling how Easter was primarily about new clothes and egg hunts. Despite the lack of regular church attendance in my youth, the holiday's true meaning eventually became clear to me. The resurrection is not about the peripheral activities but about the transformative reality that Jesus is no longer in the tomb; He has risen.

I delved into the scriptural account from Matthew 28, highlighting the moment when the angel rolled away the stone from Jesus' tomb. This stone is symbolic of the barriers and limitations we face in life. Yet, because Jesus got up, these obstacles lose their power over us. The resurrection assures us that no matter what stones we encounter, Jesus has the authority to remove them and set us free.

I also touched on the guards at the tomb, who were paralyzed by fear, illustrating that even in death, Jesus was more powerful than any force against Him. This power is still relevant to us today because He got up, and it enables us to overcome the stones in our lives.

I shared the joy of witnessing people come to Christ, emphasizing that Jesus' resurrection is the reason we can face our past failures and sins with confidence, knowing they are forgiven and that we have a future with God.

I addressed the common struggles we all face, such as fears, concerns, and weaknesses, and reminded us that because Jesus got up, we have a steadfast hope and the strength to overcome these challenges.

Finally, I concluded with a call to accept Jesus into our hearts, assuring everyone that regardless of their past, they are loved by God and can have a transformed life through Christ.

Key Takeaways

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Observation Questions

What significant event does Matthew 28:1-10 describe, and who were the first witnesses? ([41:58])
How did the guards react to the angel at the tomb, and what does this signify about Jesus' power? ([42:33])
What message did the angel give to the women at the tomb, and what were they instructed to do? ([42:46])
How does the rolling away of the stone symbolize the obstacles we face in life, according to the sermon? ([48:33])

Interpretation Questions

What does the resurrection of Jesus mean for the barriers and limitations we face in our lives? How does this relate to the stone being rolled away from the tomb? ([48:33])
How does the reaction of the guards at the tomb illustrate the power and authority of Jesus, even in death? ([42:33])
In what ways does the resurrection provide us with hope and strength to overcome our past failures and sins? ([49:33])
How does the resurrection redefine our identity and worth, beyond the opinions of others or our own self-doubt? ([49:33])

Application Questions

Reflect on a specific "stone" or obstacle in your life. How can you trust Jesus to help you overcome it, knowing that He has the power to roll away the stone from His tomb? ([48:33])
The guards were paralyzed by fear at the sight of the angel. Are there areas in your life where fear is holding you back? How can you draw on Jesus' power to move past these fears? ([42:33])
The angel instructed the women to go and tell the disciples about Jesus' resurrection. How can you share the message of Jesus' resurrection with someone in your life this week? ([42:46])
Jesus' resurrection assures us that our past failures and sins are forgiven. Is there a past failure or sin that you need to let go of? How can you embrace the freedom and forgiveness that Jesus offers? ([49:33])
The sermon emphasized that our identity and worth are not defined by others' opinions or our self-doubt. How can you remind yourself of your inherent value and purpose in God's kingdom this week? ([49:33])
The resurrection is the foundation of our faith and gives us confidence to face each day. What specific steps can you take to live with this confidence in your daily life? ([49:33])
The pastor concluded with a call to accept Jesus into our hearts. If you haven't already, what is holding you back from making this decision? If you have, how can you deepen your relationship with Jesus? ([49:33])

Sermon Clips

1) "Because he got up, Didn't he get up? I said because he got up. And it's not going to work for you. Because the Lord wants to minister unto you. And you can move beyond where you are. And what you're dealing with. And you may feel like I have no hope. I have no courage. I have nothing that's helping me. No, no, he got up. So that you can deal with all of these areas of your life. And you can walk in victory today." [55:24]( | | )

2) "He is more powerful in death than He was in life. That's power. I mean that's power right there. And this is all absolutely relative to the grave and not to death. Because He's already dead. This is about holding Him and keeping Him disconnected from what He was called to do." [52:58]( | | )

3) "Because he got up. Now, here's my second point I want to bring to you. And my last point. But I've never used this scripture before. My son called me yesterday from California. He said, Dad, I was thinking about 52 or 53 Easter's that you had preached throughout your ministry." [55:52]( | | )

4) "We say all things. But we don't mean all things. We say it. But we don't mean it. And we examine our gifts. And we examine our talents. And we determine if we are able to do something based on what others believe and have said about us. Regardless of our being able to do all things." [59:46]( | | )

5) "Through it all, we have a steadfast hope in the Lord Jesus Christ. That he is able and he is willing to help us in all things. And he's the one who strengthens us, ladies and gentlemen, because he got up. Come on, give him praise today, will you? Hallelujah." [01:01:05]( | | )

6) "And because we have confidence certainly in him and what he is doing in our hearts and our lives. I'm almost through. Don't you come out here and press me. Just kidding. That's my great nephew. He's a great one. You don't have to applaud for him. It's not a competition." [01:06:43]( | | )

7) "And because He got up, we are here. We do what we do because He got up. And if you had a reason for doing anything in this life, I want to remind you, it's because that He got up. Now in our scripture, in Matthew chapter 28, I want to pull out the second verse that talks about the stone." [48:16]( | | )

8) "And because he got up, I'm more than what you see in front of you today. I was praying this morning and felt so humbled in my spirit. I said, 'God, I'm the least of every preacher that you've ever called.' And I know that. But I'm more than what you see because he got up." [01:08:44]( | | )

9) "The stone represents those things that will be put in front of us. That's why they rolled it in front of the tomb of Jesus. They wanted to keep Him in. They wanted to entomb Him there. And that stone represents everything that's going to limit us in this life." [49:13]( | | )

10) "And I would get to hunt eggs somewhere, whether in the backyard or something. And there would be candy involved. Now you know, I had a lot of friends who were... I thought about this when I was preparing this. And regardless of all of our churching, some of you may have been in church since you were babies." [44:21]( | | )

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