“He Conquered” Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023
Matthew 28:5-6 (NIV)
The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.”
Hebrews 11:39-40 (NIV)
These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
“…none of them received what had been promised.”
What was it that was promised that they had not received? The fulfillment of the Messiah! They never saw God become man, Jesus’ sinless existence, His sacrificial death ultimately, His victorious resurrection. His conquering of Death!
What does the fulfillment of the Promise Mean to Us?
We Are Redeemed!
Genesis 3:15 (NIV)
I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.
The Cross and Resurrection of Christ Fulfills Redemption!
We Are Restored!
All throughout the Old Testament, the relationship between God and man was a tenuous one at best. Filled with highs and lows… sometimes in good standing, most times shaken… The covenant relationship between God and Abraham, and passed down through generations… with each passing generation the relationship grew more distant, more unfamiliar, more rebellious… How could the relationship with the Father be restored?
Galatians 3:26-29 (NIV)
You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Because Jesus Kept His Promise, ALL mankind has been restored to relationship with the Father.
We Are Made Perfect!
Hebrews 10:11-14 (NIV)
Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
Because of the sacrifice of One, A Perfect One, we are made perfection…
This is What the Promise Keeping of Jesus Has Won For Us… Redemption, Restoration, Perfection!