Experiencing Christ’s Death and Resurrection

Experiencing Christ’s Death and Resurrection

“I want to know Christ – yes, to know the power of the resurrection and participation in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 3:10-14

Paul is not talking about a casual relationship with Jesus. He is wanting to know Christ completely, leaving no room for apathy.

The power displayed through Christ’s resurrection is available only through Christ. It is imparted at conversion when believers experience the power of a spiritual resurrection through repenting of their sin. They are given new life. There is a new spiritual energy present that begins at conversion. There is more available as we grow in Christ. The supply is unlimited for those who are in Christ Jesus. Paul is desperately wanting to know Christ more and more in a life-shaping way.

We must remember that there is no resurrection without a death. Paul says, “Somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.” He was not saying that he would die a physical death like Jesus did. We identify and are united with Christ’s death by dying to sin. The book of Romans is a parallel to this thought.

“In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.”  Romans 6:11-14

By consistently choosing death to sin and self, a conformity to Jesus’ death occurs. When that death occurs, we are a candidate for resurrection power. At that time we can press on toward the goal to win the prize God has in store for us. Are you pursuing that level of relationship with Christ? Have you and are you dying to sin and self?

I am excited for Sunday. We will be baptizing believers in Christ. It is going to be an exciting day of worship. The following Sunday will be Easter. At the end of the service we will be having cardboard testimonies. The Spirit of God has been moving in our midst. If you would like to participate in the cardboard testimonies, call me at the church office. I am getting so blessed just thinking about all the life transformation taking place all around us.

May God be praised in your life today as you celebrate a resurrection season due to a season of death.

Joy in Jesus!

Pastor Mike