From Disciples to Brothers: 7 Blessings of the Resurrection

Sermon outline

By His death and resurrection Jesus restored our dignity and righteousness and gave us peace, the Holy Spirit's guidance, healing, prosperity, His friendship and victory, so we can ask with confidence and live as His brothers and sisters, not in a religious way.

1. We ask with confidence

   God paid the ultimate price, and His intention for you is blessing. We have confidence that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us, and we are not guessing at His will, because His will is His Word. God took you out of fallen humanity and made you a masterpiece and a new creation, not a member of a religion but a partner in a covenant relationship, because every fault and failing has been paid for in full.

   “We know His will. We know His will is the word of God.”

   • 1 John 5:14-15
   • 2 Corinthians 5:17
   • Revelation 1:6

2. One: dignity and righteousness restored

   When Jesus died and rose again, He restored our dignity and imparted righteousness to our nature, so we need not walk in this world with any shame. Sin already condemns people, so there is no need to keep pointing the finger; God created us with a conscience. Christ was made sin with our sins so that His righteousness could be imputed to us: He is the Lord our righteousness.

   Illustration: He admits that at one point in his life he constantly pointed out people's wrongs, until it dawned on him that sin already condemns them. A child who has done wrong already knows it.

   “Sin already condemns them.”

   • Jeremiah 23:6
   • 1 Timothy 4:2
   • 2 Corinthians 5:21

3. Two: peace

   Only God can give peace in the storms of life. God has forgiven you, but you must forgive yourself, or you will not be able to forgive others; adjusting to the new life is a struggle between old condemnation and the truth you hear in church, which is why church, devotionals and the Bible matter. The Lord is our peace: He called Gideon a mighty man of valour while Gideon thought himself the least, and Jesus made peace through the blood of His cross.

   Illustration: A dying billionaire wrote that no money in the world could pay anyone to carry his disease for him, but Christians can say Jesus carried our diseases and gave us peace.

   “While you're thinking of yourself in a little way, God is thinking of you in a big way.”

   • Judges 6:12-24
   • Colossians 1:20
   • Isaiah 53:4

4. Three: the Holy Spirit's constant companionship and guidance

   Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit on the disciples and promised not to leave us comfortless. Whether your faith is small or great, He lives inside you and is your constant guidance, so when bad signals come you can refocus and say the Lord is in charge of your home, marriage and family. As God asked Adam 'Where are you?' about relationship, not location, a healthy relationship with the Holy Spirit means you will know His voice and not follow a stranger.

   “When you create a good healthy relationship with the Holy Spirit, there's no need for confusion.”

   • John 20:22
   • John 14:18
   • Genesis 3:9
   • Psalm 23:1
   • John 10:27
   • John 10:5

5. Four: healing

   Christ paid for our healing, so we don't hope for it; we know He paid the price. Living in a fallen world still brings challenges, but we can lean on Him when all else fails. Be balanced: do the natural and God will do the supernatural, so take insurance, study for exams and use sound judgment instead of calling carelessness faith.

   Illustration: God is not going to come down from heaven and give you a shower; you have to take it yourself. He would rather walk than fly with a pilot who hadn't been trained.

   “Do the natural and God will do the supernatural.”

6. Five: prosperity

   People criticise churches for talking about money, but try buying a meal without it. You cannot know God and be poverty-stricken: there was darkness in Egypt but light in Israel, and people envied Isaac. He says he had to learn prosperity himself after he was saved, through faith books he found at Rhema Randburg, because once the understanding came, the manifestation followed. Teach your children to sow a seed and trust God.

   Illustration: Instead of telling children money doesn't grow on trees, give a child an envelope to sow as a seed with their name and need written on it, and agree with them for the bicycle.

   “Poverty is not your portion.”

   • Exodus 10:23
   • Genesis 26:12-14

7. Six: God's presence and friendship

   God is our friend, not our enemy: a God who has empathy and is touched with the feeling of our weaknesses, who forgives in advance, and who teaches us to forgive in advance too. We were far off but have been brought near by the blood, so there is no excuse for loneliness. He is Jehovah Shammah, the Lord who is present.

   “He forgives you in advance.”

   • Hebrews 4:15
   • Proverbs 18:24
   • Ephesians 2:13

8. Seven: victory

   Defeat, intimidation, fear and discouragement are no longer your portion, because God has not given you a spirit of fear and you have an encourager inside. The Lord is your banner, Jehovah Nissi, who spoiled principalities and powers and translated you into the kingdom of His dear Son.

   Illustration: When word came during a meeting that his home had been broken into, he did not panic but finished the meeting, telling the surprised visitor that God had not given him a spirit of fear; rushing there could not change what had already happened.

   “Defeat is no longer your portion.”

   • 2 Timothy 1:7
   • Exodus 17:15
   • Colossians 2:15
   • Colossians 1:13