Jesus: The Power of Life, Death, and Resurrection

Devotional

Day 1: Miracles as Divine Confirmation

The miracles performed by Jesus were not merely acts of kindness or compassion; they were profound demonstrations of His divine identity as the Son of God. These acts served as God's seal of approval, affirming Jesus' claims and mission. Each miracle was a testament to the deeper spiritual reality of who Jesus was and what He came to accomplish. By understanding the miracles in this light, believers are challenged to look beyond the immediate and recognize the spiritual significance of Christ's works. This perspective invites us to see God's hand in the miraculous and the mundane, encouraging a deeper faith in His divine plan. [08:24]

Acts 2:22 (ESV): "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know—"

Reflection: Think of a moment in your life where you witnessed something extraordinary. How did it impact your faith, and how can you see God's hand in it today?

Day 2: God's Sovereignty in Human Actions

The doctrine of concurrence reveals how God's sovereign will is fulfilled through human actions, even when those actions are carried out with evil intent. The crucifixion of Jesus is a prime example, where lawless hands executed God's predetermined plan. This doctrine reassures believers of God's control over all circumstances, even when they seem chaotic or unjust. It challenges us to trust in God's ultimate purpose and His ability to bring good from evil, reminding us that nothing happens outside of His sovereign will. [11:21]

Genesis 50:20 (ESV): "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today."

Reflection: Consider a situation in your life where things seemed out of control. How can you trust in God's sovereignty and look for His purpose in that situation today?

Day 3: The Divine Necessity of the Resurrection

The resurrection of Christ was not just a miraculous event but a divine necessity. It was impossible for death to hold Jesus, affirming His sinlessness and the fulfillment of prophecy. This truth is foundational to Christian faith, offering hope and assurance of eternal life. The resurrection is a testament to God's power and the assurance that believers, too, will experience victory over death. It calls us to live in the light of this hope, confident in the promise of eternal life through Christ. [16:19]

1 Corinthians 15:20-22 (ESV): "But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive."

Reflection: How does the reality of the resurrection influence your daily life and decisions? What steps can you take to live more fully in the hope of eternal life?

Day 4: Fulfillment of Prophecy

The resurrection and exaltation of Jesus were foretold by David, highlighting the continuity of God's plan throughout history. This fulfillment of prophecy strengthens our faith in the reliability of Scripture and God's faithfulness to His promises. It reminds us that God's word is trustworthy and that He is faithful to fulfill what He has spoken. As believers, we are encouraged to delve deeper into Scripture, finding assurance in the promises of God and the unfolding of His divine plan. [21:59]

Psalm 16:10-11 (ESV): "For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

Reflection: Reflect on a promise from Scripture that you are holding onto. How does seeing God's faithfulness in prophecy encourage you to trust Him with your current circumstances?

Day 5: Empowerment by the Holy Spirit

The outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost marked the continuation of Jesus' ministry and the empowerment of the church. This event reminds believers of the Spirit's presence and power in their lives, enabling them to live out their faith and share the message of salvation. The Holy Spirit is a testament to the living Christ and His ongoing work in the world, equipping believers to fulfill their calling and bear witness to the transformative power of the Gospel. [22:50]

Acts 1:8 (ESV): "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

Reflection: In what ways do you sense the Holy Spirit empowering you in your daily life? How can you be more open to His guidance and strength as you seek to live out your faith?

Sermon Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound significance of Jesus Christ's life, death, and resurrection, as articulated by Peter in the book of Acts. We began by examining the miracles of Jesus, which were not merely acts of compassion but divine attestations of His identity as the Son of God. These miracles served as God's seal of approval, affirming Jesus' claims and mission. Peter's address to the people of Israel emphasized that Jesus was delivered to death by God's predetermined plan, yet this act was carried out by lawless hands, highlighting the doctrine of concurrence where God's sovereign will is fulfilled through human actions.

We delved into the resurrection of Christ, a cornerstone of Christian faith. Peter declared that it was impossible for death to hold Jesus, underscoring the divine necessity of His resurrection. This event was not just a miraculous occurrence but a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, particularly the words of David, who foresaw the Messiah's triumph over death. The resurrection is a testament to God's power and the assurance of eternal life for believers.

Furthermore, we discussed the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, which Peter explained as a continuation of Jesus' ministry. This event marked the fulfillment of God's promise and the empowerment of the church to carry forth the message of salvation. The Spirit's presence among believers is a testament to the living Christ and His ongoing work in the world.

In conclusion, the message of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection is not just historical but deeply personal and transformative. It calls us to recognize the sovereignty of God, the reality of His judgment, and the hope of salvation through Christ. As we reflect on these truths, may we be moved to live lives that testify to the power and love of our risen Savior.

Key Takeaways

1. Miracles as Divine Attestation: The miracles of Jesus were not just acts of compassion but divine attestations of His identity as the Son of God. They served as God's seal of approval, affirming Jesus' claims and mission. This understanding challenges us to see beyond the immediate and recognize the deeper spiritual significance of Christ's works. [08:24]
2. Doctrine of Concurrence: God's sovereign will is fulfilled through human actions, as seen in the crucifixion of Jesus. While humans acted with evil intent, God's purpose was accomplished, demonstrating His ability to bring good from evil. This doctrine reassures us of God's control over all circumstances, even when they seem chaotic. [11:21]
3. The Necessity of the Resurrection: The resurrection of Christ was not just a miraculous event but a divine necessity. It was impossible for death to hold Jesus, affirming His sinlessness and the fulfillment of prophecy. This truth is foundational to our faith, offering hope and assurance of eternal life. [16:19]
4. Fulfillment of Prophecy: The resurrection and exaltation of Jesus were foretold by David, highlighting the continuity of God's plan throughout history. This fulfillment of prophecy strengthens our faith in the reliability of Scripture and God's faithfulness to His promises. [21:59]
5. Empowerment by the Holy Spirit: The outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost marked the continuation of Jesus' ministry and the empowerment of the church. This event reminds us of the Spirit's presence and power in our lives, enabling us to live out our faith and share the message of salvation. [22:50]
** [22:50]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:13] - Introduction to Jesus of Nazareth
[00:47] - David's Prophecy and Hope
[01:45] - The Resurrection Foretold
[02:23] - The Promise of the Holy Spirit
[03:01] - Understanding Carigma and Didache
[04:21] - The Apostolic Preaching
[05:15] - The Warning of Judgment
[06:49] - The Call to Salvation
[07:47] - The Significance of Miracles
[09:15] - The Doctrine of Concurrence
[12:34] - The Crucifixion and God's Will
[13:27] - The Resurrection's Impossibility
[16:19] - The Sinlessness of Christ
[19:07] - David's Prophetic Psalms
[21:59] - The Witness of the Resurrection

Sermon Clips

Men of Israel hear these words Jesus of Nazareth a man attested by God to you by Miracles wonders and signs which God did through him in your midst as you yourself also know him being delivered by the determined purpose and for knowledge of God you have taken by Lawless hands have crucified and put to death whom God raised up having loosed the Pains of death because it was not possible that he should be held by it. [00:01:00]

Men and Brethren let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David that he is both dead and buried and his tomb is with us to this day therefore being a prophet and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body according to the flesh he would would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne he foreseeing this spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ that his soul was not left in Hades nor did his flesh see corruption this Jesus God has raised up of which we are all Witnesses. [00:01:37]

He who has ears to hear the word of God let them hear it in the realm of theology we make a distinction which is the Theologian prerogative between what we call carigma and D two words that come from the Greek language when I was a college student preparing for the ministry I joined a special fraternity the name of which was cars coming from the Greek word for preaching or heralding and a derivative of that term is this word carigma and what is meant by Scholars when they speak of the carigma is the essential message that was preached by the apostles in the early church. [00:02:41]

So often we miss the central vital significance of the Miracles performed born by Jesus in the New Testament to be sure there was an immediate need that our Lord would address in compassion and Ministry by giving sight to the Blind and hearing to the deaf and so on but beyond the local an immediate work of compassion that it exhibited was a far deeper significance it is what the philosopher John Loach called the credit of The Proposal that the claims that Jesus made to being the Son of God were verified authenticated demonstrated to be genuine by The Miracles that God performed in and through him. [00:07:50]

Here we see another marvelous example of the doctrine of concurrence which is critical to our understanding of the Providence of God how God rules over the world we are told in the Westminster Confession chapter 3 that from all eternity God does decree and ordain freely and immutably whatsoever comes to pass if he didn't he wouldn't be God if he didn't he wouldn't be Sovereign but then comes the semicolon but his Sovereign foreordination of all things that come to pass it goes on to say is not carried out in such a way as to eliminate secondary causes or do violence to the will of the creature. [00:09:41]

The classical example was Joseph before his brothers when they were reunited and they were in Terror that Joseph would wreak revenge against them and he put them at ease because he said of their atrocious Act of betrayal against him you meant it for evil but God meant it for good so that the same act by which Joseph's brother in their treachery delivered him into slavery God was working it's one of the most difficult things to conceive of the greatness and Majesty of his sovereignty that God can even bring his goodness to pass through my wretched sin. [00:10:49]

This Jesus whom you delivered to the Romans whom you condemned by the Sanhedrin and then carried out your evil with the help of Pontius Pilate this Jesus was condemned by every Earthly court that you could think of and so you killed him you executed him but the verdict of the Courts of this world was trumped by the Heavenly Court when the Heavenly judge responded to the greatest Injustice in the history of the world by raising Jesus from the dead having loosed the Pains of death and listen to this because it was not possible that he should be held by it. [00:13:27]

The resurrection of Christ is at the heart and soul of the Christian faith as the Apostle tells to the Corinthian Church if Christ is not raised our hope our faith is in vain we're false Witnesses of God and we are of all people in the world are the most to be pied that's why I say to the unbeliever when he's hostile towards Christianity don't be mad at us pity us feel sorry for us because we're investing all of our hope all of our lives in this single tenant that a man in Jerusalem was killed and the grave couldn't hold him. [00:14:39]

The real astonishing statistic is not that one should come from the dead but that one should remain sinless throughout his life and if that's true then it would be morally unjust for God to allow a sinless man to suffer the curse that he assigns to sin now maybe that's what Peter has in mind when he says Not only was it possible for Jesus to rise from the dead but it was impossible for him not to be raised from the dead maybe that's what he had in mind. [00:16:21]

Men of Israel this prediction was made a thousand years ago before anybody ever heard of Jesus of Nazareth whom God has attested in your midst this Jesus God has raised up of which we are all Witnesses and being exalted to the right hand of God and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy SP Spirit he poured out this Holy Spirit which you now see and hear he's explaining Pentecost remember last week God took of the spirit that was upon Moses and distributed to 70 but the same spirit that was anointed the mediator of the New Covenant God took the spirit that was upon Christ and gave it to the whole body of Believers to the whole church. [00:22:00]

When he's explained explaining the significance of the outpouring of the Holy Ghost Peter takes them right back to the life and Ministry of this Jesus who was raised from the dead who was exalted to the right hand of the father and after his Ascension into heaven then this Jesus along with the father poured out the spirit that day. [00:23:01]

The message of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection is not just historical but deeply personal and transformative. It calls us to recognize the sovereignty of God, the reality of His judgment, and the hope of salvation through Christ. As we reflect on these truths, may we be moved to live lives that testify to the power and love of our risen Savior. [00:23:59]

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