Adventure in the Ascent
To the adventure in Him... This phrase has been a rallying cry for me and my circle of friends for years. We were designed for intimate relationship with God. Jesus made this possible through His sacrifice on the Cross. The veil was torn, and we were invited beyond. We were created for a grand adventure in which we come to Him in repentance, maintain intimacy, learn of Him, walk His path, and ascend the hill of the Lord. Let's ascend together and experience the adventure with God. There's more...
Adventure in the Ascent
Easter Has Passed, Now What? Post-Resurrection Life (John 20:19-22)
What does life look like for the disciples and us post-resurrection?
“He didn’t come to make bad people good, He came to make dead people alive.” -C. S. Lewis
The anticipation up to Easter- Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday
Prep, meals, events, services, photo shoots, family time
Then Monday comes, and for many people, “it’s over/Easter 2024 ended”
But Easter was a revolution, not an ending: Life after was a monumental shift
There’s no going back to normal, everything has changed! If He gained victory over death itself, there is now nothing that is impossible! (Rom. 6:4, 8)
The first Easter Sunday evening brought fear, but encounter changed that (John 20:19)
Locked in a room, fearful of the ones who had Jesus crucified, but in the middle of their fear and hiding, Jesus “shows up” in the middle of them. Closed doors are no barrier to the risen Savior!
The Prince of Peace’s first words to them- “Peace be with you!”
A new type of peace available- peace with God! (Rom 5:1), Joy (Is. 61:3)
What kind of encounter did this have to be? Because everything changed!
Were hiding from Jews but shortly will be preaching to them (Acts 4)
From huddled in four walls to being sent to all peoples (v. 21)
”As the Father has sent Me, so I am sending you.” “Equip and dispatch one with the full backing and authority of the sender.”
They have the Gospel, the backing and authority of Heaven
How will they accomplish this new mission? Breath, life, Holy Spirit! (v. 22)
He breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’”
Supernatural equipping/supernatural mission (Christ in you, hope of glory)
Became “born again” (Jn. 3:3), You can’t see this Kingdom, until you are born anew into it (Rom. 8:11). ”BREATH:” Picture of God’s breath of “LIFE” into Adam (Gen. 2:7), Jesus now breathing spirit of new life (2 Cor. 5:17)
Jesus resurrected: They would come alive/alive to His purpose in the earth!
What does this mean for us after so many “Easters?” Same as the first disciples
Post-resurrection recipe for fear: If you find yourself locked away in a place of fear, you need Him to “enter the room” (Rom. 8:15, 2 Tim. 1:7, 1 Jn. 4:18)
He left us with the gift of peace in the middle of any circumstance (Jn. 16:33)- “In Me¦” We must “stay in Him” (Isaiah 26:3)
We have a mission. We are to be sent- people are still dying spiritually and physically. We do the “works” (Isa. 61:3, Jn. 14:12), show them the Father!
Holy Spirit- equipped for the sending: Our guide in the “new life” that the “breath” brings in. (2 Cor. 5:17)
Resurrection life, newness of life, this is the post-Easter, post-resurrection life: No more hiding in rooms, no more fear, no more lack of peace, but simply a bold, commissioned life fueled by the Holy Spirit in you- the hope of Glory! Be sent this week in power…