CHRIST: THE POWER OF GOD

Easter 2020 will definitely be a day to remember. This year was the first time in the history of our nation that the majority of churches were empty. This is a day that churches typically have their highest attendance. But because of COVID 19 the majority of church services were canceled. Thankfully we have several opportunities through technology to stay connected even in year with much confusion. As you may recall for the past two weeks we have been in the greatest material concerning the resurrection.

The one theme throughout chapter 15 is the reality that the Resurrection of Christ is central to the Gospel message and the foundation of Gospel hope. This life is not all there is, and that’s Gospel truth solely because Christ has defeated death and he revealed His resurrected body to many witnesses.


1 Corinthians 15 is not the only section in the Bible that speaks of the resurrection. In Ephesians 1:15-23, Paul focus attention on the issue of God’s power and the hope of resurrection by praying that his brethren would have a greater understanding of three things: “what is the hope of God’s calling” (v18), “what are the riches of the glory of God’s inheritance in the saints” (v18), and “what is the surpassing greatness of God’s power toward us who believe” (v19). The latter petition, then, becomes the focus of 1:20-23. Notice what Paul states:


20 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.


THE POWER OF GOD DISPLAYED IN CHRIST
What is the supreme manifestation of God’s power that we as believers need to comprehend if we are going to “walk in a manner worthy of the Gospel” (4:1)? It is God’s power FIRST displayed in Christ (1:20-23). God raised Jesus from the dead, in the ultimate display of His mighty power  (vv19-20). Not only did God raise Jesus from the dead, but upon His ascension, God “exalted” Him to His right hand, and subjected all things under His feet. No one is greater than Christ. No one surpasses His preeminence over all things. No one holds the place of prestige that Jesus does at God’s right hand.


THE POWER OF GOD DISPLAYED IN THE LIVES OF SINFUL MEN
The same power that God displayed in raising Jesus from the dead is the same power He displays in raising spiritually dead sinners (2:1-10)! We who were spiritually dead, unable to respond to spiritual stimuli, God raised from spiritual death. The words “But God” (2:4) are some of the most beautiful words in all of Scripture. God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love, “raised us up with Christ” and “seated us with Him” for His glory and our good. He took the initiative to “reconcile us to Himself” (2 Cor 5), that we might become His children and His special possession in Christ.


THE POWER OF GOD IN THE RESURRECTION OF THE SAINTS
​What wondrous love is this! Not only has God displayed His power in Christ He has also demonstrated His power in His saints. Remember, if God is for us in Christ, who can be against us? This, indeed, is the great power of God displayed in the Resurrection, Ascension, and Exaltation of His Son. This is the basis of our Christian joy and hope. Because Christ rose and we have been spiritually raised, we can be sure that one day we will rise again. May God cause us to abound in love for Him and for one another, in light of His power shown in Christ and in us.