Romans 4:23-25 – But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.
Like milk in the fridge, the world’s most renowned religious leaders have an expiration date.
Buddha is dead.
Mohammed is dead.
Krishna is dead.
Gandhi is dead.
The same is true of the world’s most renowned political leaders who change the earth until they are buried six feet under it.
Napoleon is dead.
Churchill is dead.
Washington is dead.
Lincoln is dead.
Great leaders can serve as help to us as long as they live and continue to serve as an example for us after their life comes to an end but are not able to help us once they die.
History has one exception. Jesus Christ lived a perfect life as our example. Jesus Christ died in our place for our sins to repay the debt God counted against us. Then, Jesus Christ rose from death, conquering sin and death and lives to help us. Religion tells us what we should do for God. Redemption tells us what God has done for us.
The big idea is that, since Jesus can slay sin and defeat death, there is nothing He cannot do. Furthermore, Jesus has a unique record of taking dead things and raising them up so that they can be better than ever. This is the hope of the believer and our testimony.
After about two decades of painful but fruitful ministry we had our version of a Good Friday and said our goodbye. The next roughly year and half, I exited public ministry and social media to heal up, laying down in our valley of the shadow of death. This was our version of Saturday. Today, the ministry that God has given our family has been raised up better and stronger than ever so that most days feel like Easter Sunday.
Is there part of your life that feels like Good Friday? You are not buried. You are planted. The darkness of the dirt around you is not for you to rot, but for you to root. You will spring forth stronger than you were before, with roots that go deeper than they did before, better than ever. This is the story of Jesus, and the story Jesus has for His people.
What feels like it’s buried in your life right now that you are praying is merely planted?
To find the free Romans study guide for individuals and small groups, hear Pastor Mark’s entire sermon series on Romans, or find a free mountain of Bible teaching visit realfaith.com or download the Real Faith app.