My first Easter Sunday in Victoria, Texas, was April 15, 1990. I preached a message from Ephesians 1 titled What God’s Resurrection Power Should Mean to Us.
If I had a recording of that service, a lot would look different—my hair, my clothes, and the way I preached. Thankfully, the beauty of Easter is that though we change from year to year, the message doesn’t.
That glorious message is this: Jesus is alive. And the same power that raised Him from the dead now lives in every believer!
Paul tells us this in Ephesians 1:18-20: “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you… his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead…”
The power Paul is referring to is the same power Jesus spoke of to His disciples in John 16. It’s the power of His Holy Spirit. Jesus says in verses 12-14: “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you.”
Jesus knew we would face trouble, so He left us with the greatest Helper we could hope for. The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth, speaking what our hearts need to hear, so we can glorify God in our lives on earth.
In another gospel, Jesus tells us how to accept this power. Scholars call Matthew 11:28-30 “The Great Invitation.” Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
To accept the Holy Spirt’s help, we must first receive Jesus’ compassion—coming to Him, no matter how exhausted, unworthy or unwanted we feel. Then we must honor His guidance, learning from Him. As we walk His way, we’ll find the help of the Holy Spirit has made the once-heavy burden we carried light.
Friend, I pray this Resurrection weekend finds you happy, healthy and hopeful. But if not, please understand this: No matter how much our lives change from year to year, one thing remains the same—JESUS. He is alive! And the same power that raised Him from the dead can live in you.
So come to Him, learn from Him, and let Him lead you into a life better than you’ve imagined. Happy Resurrection Weekend to you and yours!
