10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection… —Philippians 3:10a (NIV)
Paul knew that the only way he could deal with the things that he would face, was if he depended on the power of Christ in him.
19 “I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.” —Ephesians 1:19-20 (NLT)
The same power that raised Jesus from the dead, the same power that He uses to rule over the universe, is available to you this morning.
4 As you come to him a living stone, rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” —1 Peter 2:4–6 (ESV)
What kind of power is this?
1. It’s the power to cancel out your past, present, and future sins.
13 You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. 14 He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. —Colossians 2:13-14 (NLT)
God didn’t come to rub them in but to rub them out. He didn’t come to condemn you, but to change you. —Brian Bloye
17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. —John 3:17 (ESV)
God has the ability, because of the death and resurrection of Jesus, to take it all from you and wipe it clean.
The Gospel doesn’t apply to just one moment of your life; it applies to every moment of your life.
1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. —Romans 8:1 (ESV)
2. It’s the power to give you a new identity.
We no longer have to be identified by what other people have spoken over us. Our identity is now defined by God’s ability to shape us into the people He would have us to be.
12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. —John 1:12 (ESV)
22 he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us. —2 Corinthians 1:22 (NLT)
The only person in the universe whose opinion counts, looks at me and He finds me more valuable than all the jewels in creation. —Tim Keller
3. It’s the power to live each day.
11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. —Romans 8:11 (ESV)