The bible says that if Christ has not been raised from the dead then our faith in Him would be in vain. There would be no hope in our life if Christ has not been resurrected. 1 Corinthians 15:17, “And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain, you are yet in your sins.”
St. Luke the 24th chapter tells the story of Christ’s resurrection. The proof is recorded for us to see. Have you seen the resurrection proof of Christ in your heart? St. Luke 24:32-49 showes us three things. The disciples were able to see the Lord, touch the Lord, and hear the Lord.
- See the Risen Lord (Visual)v32-35
- Touch the Risen Lord (Verify)v36-43
- Hear the Risen Lord (Verbal)v44-49
It is very important to know that the scriptures reveal to us that Christ was resurrected physically as well as spiritually. Today the question is have you seen Him, touched Him, and heard Him? Has He been resurrected in your life?
The news of the Lord’s resurrection had spread more and more when He was seen, touched, and heard by his followers. That process has not changed today. People see the risen Lord through us. People touch the risen Lord through our touch and response. People hear the risen Lord through how we speak.
You are the Lord’s representative if you have been born again. Romans 6:5, “For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.” For you have become a part of him and you died with him, now you share his new life and is raised as he did.
If you have been born again, then God expects you to let people see Christ in how you live. Is Christ now living in your heart and life? Proof of Christ’s resurrection power in your life is his risen life now being done through you. His life is being lived out through your life.
If you’re born again, the problem might be that you are not allowing Christ to have your life. Instead of responding to things the way Christ would respond we respond our way. Instead of showing patience we show impatience. Instead of showing forgiveness we show unforgiveness. Instead of showing love we show hate.
The picture of the Lord’s death, burial, and resurrection is demonstrated through us if we would only let it. We should die to what we want. Bury it and be resurrected in doing things Christ’s way.
An example is, if you are asked by your spouse or loved one concerning a issue you did that was dishonest. You may be tempted to lie and cover up what you did, but instead kill your pride and bury your desire to lie. Resurrect Christ’s actions by telling the truth.
This would be an example of Christ being demonstrated in your life. Christ’s risen power is in your heart working. Your heart’s desire should be Galation 2:20, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live yet not I but Christ lives in me and
the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
When a Christian believes the truth about what God has said they are then, believing hard facts. 2 Cor. 5:17 says they are new creatures when they are in Christ. The scriptures when believed are hard facts.
When I attended D.T.S. Charles Swindoll once told of a time in graduate school when he was zealous to answer a question. The professor let him continue until his position became weaker and weaker.
Swindoll said, “He stared right through me, frowned, then replied, “Young man, if you continue any further out on that limb, I’m going to saw you off with a hard set of facts.”
Have you believed the hard facts about Christ? Has Christ been resurrected in you? Has His life now been allowed to be expressed in your life? Have you yield your life to His life?
Remember people will want to know about Christ when they see how you live. Just as Luke 24 shows how the disciples visibly learn the evidence of Christ, so do other visible see evidence of his life in you.
Question, who lifted up Christ Jesus from the dead? Answer, God. So now if God the father lifted Christ from the dead then, why are you trying to lift Him up by human effort? Stop trying and trust God and His Word.
Just like their touching and handling of Christ’s nailed scarred hands and feet so do others touch and handle your life for physical evidence. Just like the hearing of Jesus’ words so do others listen to the things you say as audible evidence of Christ’s resurrection. “Is Christ risen in You?”