Amazing Power | 5 April 2015 | Francois van Niekerk
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When we look at the empty tomb we know that Jesus has risen and is enthroned in heaven. The same amazing power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in us. He calls us to arise with Him and live victoriously!
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Amazing Power | 5 April 2015 | Francois van Niekerk
- 1. Pastor Francois van Niekerk
- 4. MATTHEW 28:6 NIV He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.
- 5. LIGHTS OUT
- 9. THE 3rd DAY
- 10. VICTORIOUS LIFE
- 11. 1 Peter 1:3 NIV
- 13. ROMANS 8:11 NLT The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, He will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.
- 15. AMAZING POWER
Editor's Notes
- Sermon: Amazing power Theme: Amazing grace Date: 5 April 2015 – Easter service Preacher: Pastor Francois van Niekerk
- Introduction On Good Friday we remembered how Jesus was crucified and buried. We celebrated the amazing grace that flows to mankind from this greatest of events in history. Leading up to His death on the cross, Jesus said that He would rise from the dead on the third day. And He did! On Easter Sunday we shift our focus from Amazing grace to …
- … Amazing power and celebrate that He has risen by God’s amazing power! Let’s walk through the three days again, and see it all culminate in this great day of the resurrection. God’s most important message to mankind is embedded in this.
- Text: Matthew 28:6 (NIV) ‘He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.’
- Main points Lights out! When Jesus gave His life on the cross the light literally went out. Darkness settled as Jesus, the Light of the world, was crucified.
- ‘It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining …’ Luke 23:44-45 (NIV) Many people still live in darkness. I’m not referring to darkness due to the lack of electric light, but to the state of hearts and souls. There are many forms of darkness, but the worst kind was felt on the Friday of His death. It was caused by the presence of evil and the absence of God’s presence. As the sin of the world was put on Jesus, it blanketed out the light and darkness was intensified when His Father turned the light of His face away from the terrible sight. On the Friday of His crucifixion the world learnt that Jesus truly was the Light of the world! Without the presence of Jesus and His Light the heart of man is in desperate darkness.
- 2. The day in-between Although there was not much visible action on the day between the crucifixion and the resurrection important things were happening. The Bible refers to Jesus descending into the depths of the earth to contend for the release of captive souls from hell. He was in the ‘belly of the beast’ fighting for the freedom of souls.
- ‘This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.” (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions?) Ephesians 4:8-9 (NIV) The fact that we can’t see anything happening does not mean nothing is happening! People sometimes catch a wobble in the middle of God’s process. He often starts a work and then, between the start and the fulfillment, we find that bit in the middle where the enemy would like to convince us that nothing is happening. It is a time of wonder and worry; where fear, doubt and uncertainty and ‘if’ and ‘maybe’ knocks on the door insistently. I am sure the enemy also tried this tactic with Jesus, and I am sure Jesus responded: “My Father always completes what He starts, He does what He said He will do. He will not abandon Me in hell. He will come for Me, Devil and when He does, you are finally finished!” And the Father did it on the third day!
- 3. The third day God’s amazing, unstoppable, limitless, majestic, mighty resurrection power thundered on the third day. It reached into hell snatching Jesus from the clutches of death and flooding the darkness with light. Jesus was raised from the dead and the light shines brighter than ever. He is alive. Death and the devil are defeated – forever!
- 4. Victorious life The final effect of the resurrection is prevailing victory and hope for every believer. The Apostle Peter wrote about this hope that we have through the resurrection:
- ‘Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead …’ 1 Peter 1:3 (NIV) Malachi prophesied about the victorious life awaiting those who love the risen Son of God:
- ‘“But for you who fear My name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in His wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture. On the day when I act [resurrection], you will tread upon the wicked as if they were dust under your feet,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.’ Malachi 4:2-3 (NLT) Focus for a moment with me on the role of the Holy Spirit in the resurrection – realising that this victory was specifically secured through the mighty working of the Holy Spirit. In the light of this realisation I urge you to desire more of the power of the Holy Spirit as displayed on Resurrection Sunday. Only this power can bring real change in hearts, lives and situations in this world. Yet, it must flow into and through willing people.
- ‘The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, He will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.’ Romans 8:11 (NLT) Welcome the life-giving Spirit of God into your life and daily activities. Application This is a crossroad-day! Will you choose a lesser life or a victorious life? Look at the empty tomb and know that Jesus has risen and is enthroned in heaven. He calls you to arise with Him!
- Through God’s amazing power the slaughtered Lamb has become the resurrected Lion. He roars His victory over the thief, death and fear. He calls you through the power of the same Spirit that raised Him from the dead to a life of hope and victory. It is such a life that will release God’s hope into a dark and desperate world. Such a life will bring strongholds of the enemy down and bring freedom to the captives. If you believe that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead and He is alive, you are a candidate for such a victorious life!