Living in the Power of the Resurrection
Summary
Easter is a time when we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, but it’s easy to let this truth become routine, something we acknowledge once a year without letting it truly impact our lives. The resurrection is not just a historical event or a future hope—it is a present reality that should shape every day we live. Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1 is that believers would have their eyes opened to see the fullness of what God has given us in Christ, especially the “exceeding greatness of his power” toward those who believe. This power is the same power that raised Jesus from the dead, and it is available to us right now.
Too often, we live like people who have been set free but don’t realize it—like the slave who remained in chains after emancipation, or the dog who stayed put after the leash was removed. We may know the facts of the resurrection, but we don’t always live in the reality of its power. God wants us to see that the resurrection power is not just for the past (Jesus rising from the dead) or the future (our glorified bodies), but for the present—to help us live victoriously, overcome sin, face suffering, and endure loss.
This power is not something we can manufacture or access on our own; it comes from being “plugged in” to God, just as a device is useless without being connected to its power source. The resurrection assures us that Jesus has ultimate authority—He is seated at the right hand of the Father, far above all rulers, powers, and every name that can be named. Everything that troubles us, from death to depression to the stresses of life, is under His feet. He is not only powerful, but present—He fills His church with His presence, and He is the head over all things for the benefit of His people.
The challenge is to submit to His authority, to trust His power, and to seek His presence—not just on Easter, but every day. The resurrection changes everything: it gives us hope in the face of death, strength in our weakness, and peace in our anxieties. The question is not whether Christ is risen, but whether we are living in the reality of that resurrection power today.
Key Takeaways
- The Resurrection Power Is for Today, Not Just the Past or Future
The same power that raised Jesus from the dead and will one day give us glorified bodies is available to us right now. We often limit the resurrection to a historical event or a future hope, but God wants us to experience His power in our daily struggles, victories, and growth. Living in this power means we don’t have to be defined by defeat or fear, but can walk in victory and freedom each day. [10:42]
- Spiritual Sight Is a Gift We Must Seek
Paul’s prayer is that God would open the eyes of our hearts to truly see what we have in Christ. Like the freed slave or the unchained dog who didn’t realize their freedom, we can miss out on the fullness of our inheritance if we don’t ask God to reveal it to us. It is not enough to know about the resurrection intellectually; we need God to make it real to us so we can live in its reality. [04:39]
- Christ’s Authority Is Supreme Over Every Power and Problem
Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father, far above all rulers, authorities, and every name that can be named. This means that no matter what we face—be it spiritual opposition, personal struggles, or even death itself—Jesus has the final word. Submitting to His authority brings peace, because we know that everything is ultimately under His feet and nothing can separate us from His love. [25:46]
- The Power of the Resurrection Enables Us to Face Death and Loss with Hope
Because Jesus conquered death, we do not have to fear it. The resurrection assures us that death is not the end, and that those who die in Christ will rise again. This hope gives us the strength to grieve with hope, to endure loss, and to look forward to the day when all things will be made new. [21:14]
- God’s Presence Fills His People, Not Just a Building
The church is not a building, but the people of God filled with His presence. When we gather, it is not about manufacturing an emotional experience, but about encountering the living Christ who fills all in all. The greatest gift is not a large congregation or impressive programs, but the felt presence of God among His people, transforming lives and drawing us closer to Him. [32:08]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:10] - The Danger of Familiarity with Easter
[01:07] - Praying for Spiritual Sight
[02:43] - What It Means to Be a Saint
[04:23] - Paul’s Prayer for Revelation
[05:10] - Living Like We’re Free
[06:12] - The Power of the Resurrection
[08:41] - The Importance of Being Plugged In
[09:41] - The Miracle of the Glorified Body
[10:42] - Resurrection Power for Daily Life
[13:14] - Object Lessons on Power
[16:22] - Conquering Death Through Christ
[23:14] - The Authority of the Risen Christ
[30:30] - The Power of His Presence in the Church
[34:25] - He Is Risen: The Video and Closing Challenge
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Living in the Power of the Resurrection
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### Bible Reading
- Ephesians 1:15-23
Paul’s prayer for believers to have their eyes opened to the hope, riches, and power available in Christ—the same power that raised Jesus from the dead and seated Him at God’s right hand, above all authority.
- Hebrews 2:14-15
Jesus shared in our humanity so that by His death He might destroy the one who has the power of death—the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.
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### Observation Questions
1. In Ephesians 1:19-20, what does Paul say about the kind of power that is available to believers? How is this power described?
[[06:48]]
2. According to Hebrews 2:14-15, what did Jesus accomplish through His death and resurrection for those who believe?
[[18:08]]
3. The sermon gave examples of people or animals who were set free but didn’t realize it. What were those examples, and what point was the pastor making with them?
[[05:10]]
4. Where is Jesus now, according to Ephesians 1 and the sermon, and what does that position mean?
[[23:32]]
---
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Paul prays for believers to have their “eyes opened” to what they already have in Christ, instead of just telling them the facts?
[[04:39]]
2. The sermon says the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to us now. What does it mean for this power to be for “today,” not just the past or future?
[[10:42]]
3. The pastor talked about Jesus having authority “far above all rulers, powers, and every name.” What difference does it make in a believer’s daily life to know that Jesus has this kind of authority?
[[25:46]]
4. According to Hebrews 2:14-15 and the sermon, how does the resurrection change the way we face death and loss?
[[21:14]]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon warned about letting Easter become “routine” and not letting the resurrection impact our lives. In what ways have you found yourself treating the resurrection as just a yearly event instead of a daily reality? What could help you remember its power throughout the year?
[[00:26]]
2. The pastor used the story of the freed slave and the unchained dog to illustrate how we sometimes live as if we’re still in bondage. Are there areas in your life where you’re not living in the freedom Christ has given you? What would it look like to “walk free” in those areas?
[[05:10]]
3. Paul prays for “spiritual sight” for believers. When was the last time you asked God to open your eyes to what you have in Christ? How could you make this a regular part of your prayer life?
[[04:39]]
4. The sermon said that resurrection power is for our daily struggles, not just for the past or future. Is there a specific struggle, temptation, or area of defeat where you need to experience God’s power right now? What step could you take this week to “plug in” to God’s power in that area?
[[10:42]]
5. The pastor talked about submitting to Christ’s authority, even when it’s hard. Is there an area of your life where you’re resisting God’s authority or will? What would it look like to surrender that area to Him?
[[29:13]]
6. The sermon said that God’s presence fills His people, not just a building. When you gather with other believers, do you expect to encounter God’s presence? How can you come to church or small group with a heart ready to meet with Him?
[[32:08]]
7. The resurrection gives us hope in the face of death and loss. If you are grieving or have lost someone, how does the truth of the resurrection bring comfort? How can you encourage someone else with this hope?
[[21:14]]
---
Closing Thought:
The resurrection isn’t just something to celebrate once a year—it’s a power and a hope to live in every day. What is one thing you will do differently this week because Jesus is alive and His power is available to you?
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of the Resurrection is Available to Believers Today
The same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead is not just a historical fact or a future hope, but a present reality for every believer. This power is available to help you live in victory over sin, discouragement, and the challenges of daily life. Just as a device is useless without being plugged into its power source, so too is the Christian life without tapping into the resurrection power of Christ. You are not meant to live in defeat or simply admire the features of faith from a distance; God wants you to experience His power actively working in your life every day. [10:42]
Ephesians 1:18-20 (ESV)
"Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you most need to experience the resurrection power of Jesus today, and how can you intentionally "plug in" to that power through prayer and faith?
Day 2: Christ’s Authority Over All Things
Jesus is not only risen, but He is seated at the right hand of the Father, a position of ultimate authority over every power, ruler, and circumstance. No matter what or who is causing you stress, anxiety, or fear, remember that everything is under His feet. He has authority over sickness, addiction, spiritual oppression, and even the rulers of this world. You are called to submit to His authority, trusting that He is in control and able to intervene in every situation you face. [25:46]
Ephesians 1:20-22 (ESV)
"That he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church."
Reflection: What is one specific area of your life where you struggle to submit to Christ’s authority, and what would it look like to surrender that area to Him today?
Day 3: Freedom from the Fear of Death
Because Jesus took on flesh and blood, died, and rose again, He destroyed the power of death and the devil, freeing us from lifelong bondage to the fear of dying. This truth brings peace in the face of loss and grief, and gives hope that death is not the end for those who are in Christ. You can face the reality of mortality with confidence, knowing that Jesus has conquered the grave and promises eternal life and a glorified body to all who believe. [19:15]
Hebrews 2:14-15 (ESV)
"Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery."
Reflection: If you truly believed that Jesus has conquered death and offers you eternal life, how would that change the way you face your fears and comfort others who are grieving?
Day 4: The Power of Christ’s Presence in the Church
Jesus is not only the head of the universal church, but He fills His people with His presence and power. The church is not a building, but the gathered body of believers where Christ is actively at work, bringing fullness, comfort, and transformation. When you come together with other believers, you can expect to encounter the living Christ, who ministers to hearts, brings peace, and empowers His people to love and serve. [32:53]
Ephesians 1:22-23 (ESV)
"And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all."
Reflection: How can you be more aware of and responsive to the presence of Christ when you gather with other believers, and how might that change your experience of church?
Day 5: Seeing with Spiritual Eyes—Praying for Revelation
It is not enough to know about the resurrection intellectually; you need God to open the eyes of your heart so you can truly see and experience the hope, inheritance, and power that are yours in Christ. Pray for yourself and others that God would give a spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that the reality of the risen Christ becomes personal, transformative, and life-giving every day. [04:39]
Ephesians 1:17-18 (ESV)
"That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints."
Reflection: Who is one person (including yourself) you can pray for today, asking God to open their spiritual eyes to see the hope, riches, and power found in the risen Christ?
Quotes
If you're not careful, if we don't see it, we can kind of become just used to it. Oh, it's resurrection Sunday. Okay. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And then it's come and gone. And and it really doesn't make an impact. And this day really needs to make an impact on you today. Not only today, but yesterday and the next years of your life. And I'm afraid sometimes we are all just as guilty of of, hey, we we know what the preacher is going to preach today. [00:00:26]
We pray really, really hard when we want somebody to get saved, but that's only a fourth of your Christian life. We should after somebody gets saved, we should be praying really, really hard for them to see everything about the Christian life here. And I don't know about you here, um, I really, really believe that many people, they just don't see the full picture here. And every once in a while, we've got to get a little bit more of the paintbrush to unveil the whole picture of Jesus Christ. [00:01:31]
He hears that they have a relationship with Jesus Christ here. But is it being displayed toward what's called all the saints here? Now the word saints here, okay, is is you are all if you're a Christian, everybody's a saint. No, nobody can make you a saint, okay? God makes you a saint. The word saint means that you are set apart. You you're for a reason here. You're holy and and you've been kind of like that microphone there. It's set apart for a reason. So if you are saved today here, do you realize how many with a good amen? You're a saint. [00:02:49]
If God starts working in your life here you will start to change some things and you will start to act differently here because we're going to see here because of the power of God here. And it's amazing here God was already at work in these people's life because they had faith and then they started showing love and and you know that's a true identification here. If if you're already saved and God's already starting to work on your life here and you're a loving person and you're changing some things here, that's a good sign that you really have something working in your life here. [00:03:13]
He says, "Hey, man. I I I I thank God for everybody that's a believer here, but I' i've got to continue to pray here. Now, why does he got to continue to pray? Because we don't see the whole picture of everything here. And God has to show us the whole picture here of what it is. Now notice here, and we're going to be looking mostly at the resurrection part here, but he says that God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the father of our glory, may give unto you the spirit of revelation and the knowledge of him here. [00:03:38]
He was praying that God would open up people's eyes so that they can see what they have here. Okay. And do you realize here there was a there was a story of a slave one time he was set free and uh um he did not know that he was set free here even though the emancipation proclamation here and he had always went and he had always chained himself up until one day somebody came to he says don't you realize that you're a free and he didn't realize that he was totally free one time I had a dog one time that was a neighbor neighbor of mine and they had him chained up for many years here and uh they unleashed him and that dog didn't go nowhere. [00:04:29]
Now do you realize here I wish that I could get everybody in this room. I wish I could help you see what today is all about. But humanly I cannot do that. Okay? I cannot do it. You know who's got to help you see what your hope is and what your calling is and what you have and who you serve? It's got to be God. Okay? It's got to be God. Amen. And when you look at this, he's praying for something here. But specifically, this is the Lord's resurrection here. [00:05:43]
But he specifically wants them to see what they have working in their life. And this is what I want to really concentrate on today. I'm just going to give you three points, but notice in verse 19, it says, "And what is the exceeding greatness of his power toward us to who that do what? believe. Now notice this power is so great. According to the working of his mighty, notice that word mighty what? Power. Notice the word power here to people that believe. It is so powerful. It's mighty. [00:06:26]
Now, when you think about that, that is great to think about the power first of all of somebody raising from the dead. Isn't that incredible? years ago, somebody died and rose again. Even that's past here. But let me ask a question. Is isn't it isn't it great to think about in the future here that we're going to the power to give us a glorified body that there'll never be no cancer? Hallelujah. There'll never be no headache. There'll never be no uh problems here, arthritis, all those things. There will never be that. That is beyond a miracle to think about in our human comprehension, right? [00:09:21]
But you realize here we can have the same power that is available to us that raised Jesus Christ from the dead. We like all the features, right? We love all the features here. We're going to heaven. We get a glorified body. But let me ask you a question here. Is is Christ only available for past and future or is he not available for you right now when you need some help in your life? He is available. The same God that raised Jesus from the dead. [00:10:45]
But God says, "Hey, don't forget about you need the power of God daily in your Christian life here to live the Christian life." And a feature unless I get the plug and get plugged into the power here and I don't understand this I am going to live in defeat. I love the hymn victory in Jesus. Amen. That means that we can live in victory. Now do you realize here that is a feature I don't know about you. How many like to win? I am not a good loser. [00:11:34]
The same power that raised Jesus from the dead. The same power that's going to give us a glorified body. The same power that's going to take care of this universe here and make all things new someday in revelation here is the same God that I serve today. But every once in a while I need remindersbody. Does anybody like me that needs a reminder? And I got one the other day. Jim and I were working on the baptismal heater. Okay. And um Jim said, "Okay, pastor, turn off the breaker." [00:12:38]
But death, people always say, is the final victory. How many have ever heard people say that? I'm never going to see my mom again. Never going to see my loved one again. Okay, it is not the final victory. And you need to be reminded Jesus was the first fruits of the dead here. He was the first of many people that would have died, risen, and there to be absent from the body is to be present from with the Lord here. One day, we're going to have a glorified body. [00:16:55]
Jesus was alive just like you and I. But he says that through death he might destroy. That's the power. Him that has the power of what? That is the devil. Here, notice here. He's more powerful than the devil. Amen. And he delivers them. Notice what he delivers them who fear through fear of death were all of their lifetime subject to what? Bondage. You realize today there are a lot of people maybe in this room here that are scared to die. [00:19:39]
What gives you the power to die in peace? Jesus knowing the power, the same power that I have that raised up Jesus Christ gives me the power to die in peace, but also knows my loved ones who I hurt here. I have the power not to hurt. The Bible says we will mourn, right? It is normal to mourn people you leave, but what gives you the power to keep going? the power that Jesus died and rose again. He's working over you. [00:20:54]
If I believe that that same power that can help me get through death, doesn't mean I don't hurt, right? Doesn't don't mean I don't miss people. Amen. Don't doesn't mean I don't have questions about things in life. We just discussed that. How to help people who have questions in life. Anybody who have questions in life, why did that happen? But let me ask you a question here. When we get to back to Ephesians, go back to Ephesians 1 very quickly here. [00:22:21]
He has authority over everything. He has authority over the demons. He has authority over the devil. If you say, "Hey, the devil's giving me a hard time." He gives me a hard time a lot of times. Every once in a while, I have to say, "You don't have the authority over my life." Amen. Christ is working in my life here. You can escape the addiction. God gives you the power to escape addiction. God gives you the power to break through the past. God gives you the power to go through trying times. Amen. [00:26:02]
But is there somebody above that person that's giving you stress? Is somebody that can take care of that situation here? There's a lot of times I'm saying, "Hey Lord, this is causing me stress or this is this this demons bother me or this thing is bothering me or the problems of the world here." How many of you don't like to turn on the TV here? The the It's depressing, is it not? But let me ask you a question. There's more power over an emperor like Zing or whatever his name is who thinks he's an emperor for life or Kim Jong-un or anybody any any one of our presidents. [00:27:47]
You know the number one person in our life here is not government. It's God. Let me say that again. God has extreme authority in our life here. Okay? We need to realize here. Okay? So anybody can bother us, right? Anybody can mess with us here, okay? Anything that people want to do, but ultimate authority is belongs to Jesus Christ. Now that means authority Phil, do I surrender to authority or do I submit to authority? [00:28:34]
You recognize this superior and from your heart you humbly say, "I'll do what you want." Now, is there an area of your life if his power is telling you today you're not wanting to submit to him? You know, there's a lot of times I have to submit my will. In the garden, Jesus said, "I don't want to go through the cross." He was human, right? I don't want to get beat. I don't want to get my but he said nevertheless not my will but what he submitted to the father's will in fact he says our father which art in the heaven hallowed be done thy kingdom come thy what will be done now is there an area of life right now that that god's power is pointing to you and you're saying I'm not submitting that to him he can point it out right you can fake me but he can't pull it out he can't he can't point it out He knows you and he has the power to work in your life to make you submission to him, make you love him, make you not not get stressed over things even though we do. [00:29:13]
Notice the power of God. What he wants to do in in the church today. Now, I want to correct your theology for a second, but look at verse 22. And he hath put all things under his what? Okay? and he hath given him be the head overall. So everything is underneath of whose feet? That means God's in charge of anything that's bothering you today. Okay? Do you think the resurrected Christ one day a year can help you or is he available 364 days to help you? He's available to help you here because everything everything in life is under his feet. [00:30:50]
He gave him to be head over all things, the church, which is the body. But notice what he says. The fullness of him. Notice he gives the power that fills all in all. Now, who gives us the presence when we come to church? Is it manufactured power? Somebody just cried on my shoulders. And I I assure them, I didn't have body odor. Amen. Okay. Okay. I didn't have strong cologne. They were just moved by the songs. And they said, I just moved and I just didn't say I'm going to create an act. That's the power of God working in your life. Amen. [00:32:44]
I don't have to have the biggest church in the valley or I don't have to have the biggest church in the world. I just want to feel the presence of God in my church. And I don't know about you here, I don't want to come to a drag, knock down, smack dog, what's the new wrestling mania? Okay. I want to come to a place every week where I say, I feel God working in my life. I get something out of church. Can I get an amen? And that is not my job. It's my job to deliver you the word of God. It's his job to speak to your heart. [00:33:30]
He is risen. Three small words that brought the collective pace of humanity to an absolute standstill. He is risen. Three words that shattered prisons. Words that shook the earth's foundations. Words that transformed a sense of utter despair into cries of pure joy and ecstasy. Echoes of history's greatest triumph that still shape our reality. Even today, we're assaulted by constant distraction. Countless sources waging war for our attention. Yet, three words pierce the noise. In our hunger for validation, our desperate pleas for love and attention. Three words calm our anxieties. [00:34:34]
In a universe spinning at breakneck speed, its inhabitants locked in an existential crisis. Three words proclaim the purpose of our existence. He is risen. Lay hold of this truth and embrace the peace within. Yesterday fear reigned in our hearts. Yesterday we sat in crippling darkness. Yesterday we suffered abuse and all the accusations of a broken world. But today our king, our healer, our defender is risen. And this reality doesn't merely accompany us on a meaningless journey. This changes everything. [00:35:22]
For you see, if he is risen, then all other pursuits become secondary. All of our failures become insignificant. All criticisms and condemnations become irrelevant. There is only his word, his mission, and his infinite unconditional love for you. Because he is risen, we look to tomorrow. Tomorrow we will stop defining our worth through status and social media. Tomorrow we will together build an everlasting kingdom. Tomorrow and every day after we will dance in the radiance of a redeeming savior who crushed death and set us free. [00:36:10]
There is nothing that Jesus cannot overcome. We know this because he lives. We know this because he is risen. Now the question is, do you know this? You got to see it. I can't make it and she can't make you see it. God's got to make you see [00:37:00]
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