Resurrection Rewards in the words of Jesus by Pastor Scott
Reconciled – Redeemed – Restored
“Peace be with you” ~ “Receive the Holy Spirit” ~ “Follow me!” ~ John 20 & 21
After that remarkable first resurrection morning, Jesus met with his disciples and spoke fantastic words of truth!
These words of truth were not only for the first believers but also for all believers today.
Reconciled: relationships matter to Jesus – personal relationships made right with God the Father and with one another… Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” – John 20:19, 21 & 26 (three times!)
Jesus returned to reconcile us with God and His presence on that resurrection morning was a promise of peace fulfilled!
“If you forgive anyone their sins, they are forgiven” -John 20:23- this is an incredible directive regarding our responsibility to both share and live the gospel of reconciliation by proclaiming the forgiveness of sins through the sacrifice of Christ.
Redeemed: the Lord of life brings and breathes new redeemed life & purpose into His disciples (true for us today as well)
“Peace be with you! Then He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” – John 20:21-22
Jesus returned to redeem us from a life of sin! Redemption moves us beyond forgiveness & reconciliation (great rewards) resulting in our complete deliverance and freedom; being made as new, we are no longer in bondage to sin.
Restored: the Lord restored His disciples, especially Peter, to a great commission of following Him in making disciples!
“Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” With that He breathed on them and said, Receive the Holy Spirit. … “Do you love me? Feed my sheep. Follow me!” – John 20: 21-22; 21:17-19
Jesus returned to restore us to a great calling to become “fishers of men” (Mt. 4:19) and “ambassadors of reconciliation” (2 Cor. 5:19-20) sent by the Father in the power of the Holy Spirit! We could never fulfill this calling without His equipping.
Do we truly love Him? Are we ready & willing to follow Him, even if it costs us severely?
Will we accept the King’s Commission to serve as His ambassadors of reconciliation?
The presence of the Holy Spirit gives us power to overcome anxiety giving us a peace that surpasses all understanding and giving us the power to live freely redeemed & fully empowered to fulfill God’s calling & commission to follow Jesus Christ!
Jesus returned from the dead with exceedingly great resurrection rewards!
