If you have attended an Easter service in the past then you have heard the resurrection story. That message you know. This message is less about that story and more about what the resurrection means for us. A post resurrection, if you will.
Before we begin the message I want to share this Stress Reduction Kit that I found online.
It features a large circle about the size of your head.
Inside the circle in large letters there are 3 words: BANG HEAD HERE
The directions are as follows.
1. Place kit on FIRM surface
2. Follow directions in the circle of the kit
3. Repeat step 2 as necessary, it until unconscious
4. If unconscious, cease stress reduction activities.
As amusing as this kit may be, stress is a serious matter.
“Scientific studies consistently show that chronic stress significantly impacts physical and mental health, potentially leading to conditions like
high blood pressure,
anxiety,
depression, and
increased risk of cardiovascular disease,
And memory and cognitive function.
51% of adults who felt stressed reported feeling depressed, and 61% reported feeling anxious. Of the people who said they had felt stress at some point in their lives, 16% had self-harmed, and 32% said they had had suicidal thoughts and feelings.
We live in a world where it is easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of our daily lives. We are constantly bombarded with negative news from around the world, demands from work, family, and society, leaving little time for rest and reflection.
It's no wonder that stress and anxiety have become so prevalent in our society.
That's the bad news for today. The good news is Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again!
Dying He destroyed our death, rising He restored our life. Lord Jesus, come in glory. Amen.
Stay calm because in the midst of all the chaos, there is a promise of peace and provision from a higher power, in fact the Highest Power.
In John 1427 Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."
In the book of Hebrews, chapter 13, verses 20-21, we read a powerful prayer that reminds us of the power of God's peace and provision in our lives.
"Now may the God of peace who raised from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen."
These verses serve as a reminder to us that we serve a loving and caring God who desires to equip us with everything good so that we can do His will.
Let's break down this powerful prayer bit by bit and reflect on its meaning for our lives.
THE GOD OF PEACE
Firstly, this prayer addresses God as "the God of peace". The God of peace is a powerful title that speaks to the character and nature of the Almighty.
In a world filled with chaos, confusion, and strife, it is comforting to know God embodies peace.
This title emphasizes God's role as the ultimate source of peace, not just in our personal lives but in the world as a whole.
It reminds us that no matter how confused and disorganized our circumstances may be, we can turn to God and find true peace.
In fact, as we find in Philippians 4:7, it is "peace which surpasses all understanding." This signifies a peace that is beyond human comprehension, a divine peace that transcends earthly anxieties and circumstances.
I have found in my own life that it's not just a feeling of calm or tranquility, but a supernatural peace that comes from God and guards my heart and mind. It is an unbelievable, inexplicable comfort when the normal human reaction is to fall into anguish and despair, when the stress is unbearable.
I find that when I am facing the greatest challenges and struggles is when I experience the peace of God in the most profound ways.
As stated in 1 Corinthians 14:33, "For God is not a God of disorder but of peace” This verse emphasizes that God is a God of order and peace, not confusion.
This means that even when everything around us seems to be falling apart, we can trust in the unchanging and peaceful nature of our Heavenly Father. He is the one who brings peace to our hearts and minds, calming our fears and anxieties.
Now let's be clear here. Don't misunderstand. I'm not saying that you will never go through rough times. God might lift you out of them. However in most instances, rather than change the circumstances, He changes us - our perspective - our experiences. Romans 8:28 explains it this way, "We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.".
This passage highlights the idea that God is in control of every situation, including difficult ones, and uses them for the eventual benefit of those who are devoted to Him and part of His divine plan.
As we seek to understand and embrace the God of peace, we can find rest and comfort in His presence. It is God who reigns with perfect peace, and He invites us to experience His peace in our lives every day.
THE POWER OF THE RESURRECTION
The next part of this prayer reminds us of the power of the resurrection. It says "who raised from the dead our Lord Jesus". This powerful statement is a reference to the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus made for us on the cross. Our sins, your’s and mine were the nails that pierced his flesh.
Through His death and resurrection, we have been given new life and the promise of eternal salvation. This is what we celebrate today, not only Jesus’s new life but also our own new life in him.
In Romans 5:10-11 we read, “For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” Think about that “while we were God's enemies”. While we were sinners. While we rebelled against His love. While we denied His existence. While we mocked His word. He loved us enough to take on the flesh of a human, to become a servant to mankind.
In short, we are forgiven by His death and saved by His resurrection life.
Remember “Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again!
Dying He destroyed our death, rising He restored our life.” This is the good news in a nutshell.
Through His resurrection we are able to experience true forgiveness and redemption.
No matter how difficult our circumstances may seem, we have the assurance that Jesus has overcome the world and has given us new life.
Trust in the power of the resurrection and to hold onto the hope that it brings, knowing that through Jesus, we have been given victory over all things.
THE GREAT SHEPHERD
The next part of this prayer refers to Jesus as "the great shepherd of the sheep". In John 10:11. Jesus proclaims, "I am the good shepherd, the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep". This title speaks to the role that Jesus plays in our lives as our guide and protector.
In the Bible, sheep are often used as a symbol for humanity, and in this context, Jesus is portrayed as a loving and caring shepherd who watches over his flock. As much as I want to balk at being considered a stupid smelly sheep, I can't deny how accurate it is in God's eyes.
Indeed hear the frustration in these words of Jesus found in both Matthew 17:17 and Mark 9:19, where he expresses frustration with the people's lack of faith and says, "How long must I contend with you?" How sheep like we are!
Jesus knows each of us intimately and guides us on our journey through life. He is not only our leader but also our protector, always keeping us safe from harm and danger.
The title of shepherd serves as a reminder to us that we are never alone, and that Jesus is constantly watching over us, guiding us towards righteousness and protecting us from the trials and challenges of life. How often I hear “Tom stay away from there. Stop staring into that temptation. You're in danger. Return to me. Come here. Good boy.”
It shows the depth of Jesus' love for us, as he cares deeply for each and every one of us and wants us to thrive and flourish in our lives.
As we pray to "the great shepherd of the sheep", we acknowledge his role as example and guide in our lives and place our trust in him to lead us on the right path.
THE BLOOD OF THE ETERNAL COVENANT
The phrase "by the blood of the eternal covenant" serves as a poignant reminder of the immense sacrifice that Jesus made for us on the cross. It symbolizes the ultimate act of love and selflessness, as through His blood, we have been redeemed and reconciled with God.
At the Last Supper, Jesus declared "This cup is the new covenant in my blood," signifying a revived relationship between God and mankind, established through his act of sacrifice.
It is through this eternal covenant that we are able to have a real and personal relationship with God and receive His blessings.
Think of Jesus' blood serving as a bridge between humanity and God. When He looks at us through the blood He sees only His Son and never our sin.
"by the blood of the eternal covenant" serves as a powerful reminder of the ultimate price that was paid for our salvation, and the eternal love that God has for us.
EQUIPPED WITH EVERYTHING GOOD
The next part of this prayer is a promise from God that He will equip us with everything good. This promise is a reassurance that God is always with us and will provide us with the necessary tools and resources to fulfill His will for our lives.
It reminds us that we are not alone and that God has a plan for each and every one of us. In times when we may doubt our abilities or question our own strength, this promise serves as a reminder that God will never leave us stranded and will always provide us with everything we need.
We can rest assured that we are capable and empowered by God to do His will, even in situations where we may feel ill-equipped.
Philippians 4:13 shows us that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
Did you hear that? This shows that Jesus’s followers can conquer any obstacle, overcome danger, bear any pain or adversity with courage by the power and fortitude bestowed upon them by Christ.
WORKING IN US
"Working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ" powerfully reminds us that our ability to do God's will is not dependent on our own strength.
Let me repeat that. our ability to do God's will is not dependent on our own strength.
We acknowledge that through Jesus Christ, God works within us to transform us into vessels that are pleasing in His sight.
As we surrender our lives to God and allow Him to work in us. It is a humbling recognition that our own efforts and actions alone are not enough, but it is through His power and grace that we are able to live a life that is pleasing to Him.
TO WHOM BE GLORY FOREVER AND EVER
The prayer ends with a declaration of praise and glory to God forever and ever. It is a powerful reminder that all the blessings and goodness in our lives come from Him.
This declaration of praise humbles us and redirects our focus back to God, acknowledging Him as the source of all our blessings.
As the hymn writer wrote, “When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still
And with all who will trust and obey.”
May we be encouraged by these words and continue to walk in faith, knowing that we serve a loving and faithful God who equips us with everything good to fulfill His will.
Let us give Him all the glory and honor, forever and ever. Amen.
As I see it, we have two clear choices to relieve the anxiety and stress in our lives. We can use the Stress Reduction Kit that I mentioned at the beginning - banging our heads against the wall until we're unconscious OR turn our stress over to Lord Jesus and let Him give us His love and peace that is immeasurable. Amen
©2025 Thomas E Williams
No comments:
Post a Comment