Because He Got Up: "Power of The Resurrection"

Title: Living in Resurrection Power: Overcoming Sin, the World, and Your Past

Sermon Summary: The message challenges us to examine whether we're truly living in the resurrection power that comes from answering Christ's call on our lives. Drawing from Romans 6 and the account of Mary at the tomb, we're reminded that when Jesus calls our name, He doesn't just offer forgiveness—He offers transformative power over three critical areas of our Christian walk. First, we receive power over our sin nature, enabling us to put to death the habits and practices that once enslaved us. The sermon asks us to conduct a daily funeral, examining whether we're making excuses or actively killing the sinful patterns in our lives. Second, we gain power over the world's system—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life that compete for our devotion to God. The convicting question posed is whether the world gets more of our best than the church, and whether culture or God's Word is shaping our values and our children. Finally, we're given power over our past, liberating us from the guilt and shame that can paralyze our spiritual growth. The image of David in Psalm 34, weighed down by unconfessed sin until he released it to God, reminds us that covered sin doesn't disappear—it drains our vitality. The resurrection power means that where sin abounds, grace abounds much more. This isn't just theological truth; it's practical, daily empowerment to live victoriously rather than in defeat.

Chapters

Chapter 1: The Fascination with Power

We explore humanity's fascination with various forms of earthly power, from nature's destructive force to human strength and political influence, setting the stage for understanding true resurrection power.

Chapter 2: Resurrection Power Over Sin

We learn that resurrection power gives us victory over our sin nature, freeing us from slavery to sin and empowering us to live differently than before Christ called our names.

Chapter 3: Resurrection Power Over the World

We are called to be sanctified and set apart from the world's system of values, recognizing that what we consume of the world will eventually come out of us instead of Christ-likeness.

Chapter 4: Resurrection Power Over Our Past

We discover that resurrection power frees us from the guilt and shame of our past, as God's grace abounds much more than our sin when we confess and release it to Him.

Key Points:

- Resurrection power provides victory over our sin nature and habitual sins

- Christians must daily "put to death" earthly desires and conduct spiritual funerals for sin

- Conviction, not comfort, in sin is evidence of resurrection power working in our lives

- The world's system of values competes with God's love and must be resisted

- What we consume spiritually and mentally will eventually manifest in our behavior

- Faith is the victory that overcomes the world and its influences

- Our past sins do not define our identity in Christ

- God's hand presses heavy on believers when they harbor unconfessed sin

- Immediate confession brings immediate relief, removal, and restoration

- God's grace abounds much more than our sin

- Living in resurrection power means experiencing measurable change in our battle with sin, worldliness, and guilt

Scripture Reference:

- Romans 6:6-7 (knowing our old man was crucified with Christ)

- 1 Peter 3:18-19 (Christ made alive by the Spirit, descended to preach to spirits)

- 2 Chronicles 7:14 (if my people called by my name will humble themselves)

- Colossians 3:5 (put to death your earthly members)

- Hebrews 10:25-26 (not forsaking assembly; willful sin)

- 1 Corinthians 10:13 (God provides a way of escape from temptation)

- Philippians 3:10 (that I may know the power of His resurrection)

- 1 John 2:15-17 (do not love the world or things in the world)

- Romans 12:1-2 (be not conformed to this world but transformed)

- Galatians 6:8 (sowing to flesh versus spirit)

- John 17:16-17 (sanctified by truth)

- 1 John 5:4 (faith is the victory that overcomes the world)

- Psalm 34 (David's description of guilt from unconfessed sin)

- Hebrews 4:13 (all things naked and exposed to God)

- 1 John 1:9 (God is faithful to forgive and cleanse)

- 1 John 3:20 (God is greater than our condemning heart)

- Romans 5:20 (where sin abounds, grace abounds much more)

Stories:

- The woman caught in adultery whom Jesus told to "go and sin no more," demonstrating empowering grace

- Mary standing at Jesus' tomb grieving without hope until He called her name

- Jesus descending into the Hadean realm to speak to spirits before His resurrection

- Illustration of a woman watching housewives reality shows and gradually adopting negative attitudes and materialistic values

- Testimony of a young Christian from the military who felt God "beating him up" over unconfessed sin until he released it

- David's experience in Psalm 34 of physical and emotional deterioration while keeping silent about his sin