Without the Resurrection We Are Just Surviving a Broken World

Sermon outline

Without the resurrection we are mortals trying to survive a broken world, but because the tomb is empty the same power that raised Christ lives in believers, giving them ten pillars of a life that conquers rather than merely survives.

1. More than surviving

   The Great Commission, to go, make disciples and lay hands on the sick, is for every believer, not only the fivefold ministry. Friday's seven places of the blood took away our sins, and the resurrection gave the ultimate victory. Without it we are mortals trying to be normal and a little better than yesterday, which is the language of the world. Because the tomb is empty, we have a legal right to thrive and are connected to the inexhaustible power of heaven.

   “Without the resurrection, we are just mortal people trying to survive in a very broken world.”

   • Mark 16:15-18

2. Pillar one: a changed identity

   His death and resurrection moved us from being a speck of dust to sons of God. We are no longer defined by our bondage, our family's history, our mistakes, where we grew up or the political structure. Jesus did not survive the cross; He conquered it, so you can conquer what you are trying to survive and rise above trials rather than just getting through them.

   Illustration: When a plane takes off in a storm it climbs above the clouds, where there is no rain or thunder.

   “Jesus did not survive the cross; he conquered the cross.”

   • Romans 8:37-39

3. Pillar two: the final defeat and restoration

   God will restore the years the locusts have eaten. He can take a wasted, eaten life and restore it to glory. Do not despise small beginnings, because the greater is coming. Every past trauma, betrayal and disrespect is behind a stone that has been rolled away, and your restoration is not optional but guaranteed.

   “Your restoration is not optional. Your restoration is mandatory.”

   • Joel 2:25
   • Zechariah 4:10

4. Pillar three: a licence to live stress-free

   The resurrection proved Jesus sovereign over life and death. If He can handle the grave, you can handle your business, your marriage and your family. This rest is not sitting at home waiting; having done all, you stand, working with peace in your heart that God has your number. Royalty does not stress; it gives things to God.

   “If he can handle the grave, you can handle life.”

   • Ephesians 6:13

5. Pillar four: metanoia, the new lens

   Metanoia is a change of mind and heart and a transformation of character. You stop looking through the cracked lenses of trauma, circumstance and culture and look through the lens of the resurrection: as He is, so are we in this world. Stop trying to even the score; vengeance belongs to the Lord. We are raised and seated with Christ in heavenly places, saved by grace and created for good works.

   “When you are trying to make things even, you are trying to be God, but he's sovereign. He's not asking for your permission.”

   • 1 John 4:17
   • Ephesians 2:6-10

6. Pillar five: the end of reluctance

   When the frightened disciples saw the risen Jesus' hands and feet, the excuse spirit, the Jonah spirit of my needs, my wants and my prejudices, fell away and they became like lions. You become a lion by getting to the Word, to the Lord and to the Holy Spirit, building spiritual muscle and authority. Living like the world and coming to church on Sunday dishonours God.

   “Reluctance dies and the power that raised Jesus is the same power that you have inside of you.”

   • Luke 24:36-43

7. Pillar six: supernatural strategy

   Divine strategy, knowing when, how and with whom to move, comes from God, not university or experience. It is what his father called the kairos moment: the right place at the right time with the right people. David was anointed as a boy but spent a long time in preparation before the palace. If you feel badgered in a season of preparation, embrace it, because character and spiritual muscle are being built.

   “If you were nothing, you'd be dead. But the fact that you are still breathing and you are alive, it means God is not done with you.”

   • James 1:2

8. Pillar seven: the sanctification of your work

   The risen Jesus met people on the seashore and on the road. Some people God sends are scaffolding for a season, and some are added for life like DNA. If God gave you a job it cannot be a curse; ask Him what He wants you to learn there. The tension may be the buffering you need to develop character for promotion. Your job is your mission field, and a leader does not need a position, only the space.

   Illustration: On the road to Emmaus Jesus joined the conversation with His face hidden and acted as if He were going further down the road.

   “Your job is not just your job, it's your mission field.”

   • Luke 24:13-32
   • Hebrews 13:2
   • Numbers 23:19

9. Pillar eight: the ultimate seed story

   One seed, Jesus Christ, went into the ground and produced a billion-fold harvest in believers around the world. Many people are drawing from the life you live and will see Jesus through you, so there must be something that marks you as different. Every decision, vision and desire must line up with what God wants to do.

   “There must be a differentiating factor that marks you separate from the world.”

10. Pillar nine: the clarity of the tablet

    The resurrection fulfilled the ultimate written vision God gave through the prophets. The one-year, five-year and long-term goals the church has been writing are not wishes; they are bigger than you because God put them in you. Decide a matter and it will be established, and light will shine on each milestone.

    “These are not wishes. These are not pies in the skies.”

    • Habakkuk 2:2
    • Job 22:28

11. Pillar ten: vital union with the source

    Resurrection power is the tap opened full blast. What would have taken ten years can be done in one, and you can put as much pressure on your circumstances as they put on you, coming after what the enemy has taken. For an obedient believer the devil has no legal right to stand in the way.

    Illustration: You never open the tap only a little when you wash the car with a hosepipe; you open it full blast for the pressure.

    “The power that raised Christ from the dead resides inside of each of you.”

In this message