He is Risen Indeed: What that means to you and me (Preparing our Hearts for Easter Series)

Easter is the time we celebrate Christ's resurrection. His resurrection and appearances are recorded multiple places in Scripture. Paul testifies:

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 1 Corinthians 15:3-7

What does the resurrection mean to us personally?

• It assures our future resurrection 

But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. ....But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.

(1 Corinthians 15:13,14,20-23)

• It assures us all things have been subjected to Him and He is seated at a place of power at God's right hand. God will work all things for our good. 

[Jesus Christ] who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.

But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
(1 Peter 3:22, Luke 22:69 Romans 8:28)

• There is a coming judgement to which we must answer

 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power.  For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him.

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
 (1 Corinthians 15:23-27, 2 Corinthians 5:10)

• Jesus IS interceding for us 

Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.
(Romans 8:34)

• We now have the power to live the Christian life 

Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.

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.
(Acts 2:33, Romans 8:11)

Recall these marvelous truths Christian, when you consider our Messiah's resurrection this Sunday. He is risen! He is risen indeed!

All Scripture taken from the English Standard Version (ESV)