Death to Life: A New Beginning

A New Beginning

“But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it.” Romans 8:10-12 (NIV)

To celebrate Easter, Pastor Eli Nelson focused on the new beginning that Jesus provided for humanity in conquering death on the cross. He used the visual of being awake, dead, or asleep, and how that ties to how we are truly living. Just like how we don’t know if we are actually sleep until we wake up in the morning, we may not know if we are spiritually dead or asleep, until we wake up or are revived.

How do you know if someone is alive?

Check if they’re breathing or if they have a pulse. We check what is coming out of their mouths and what is running through their veins. How do you know if you fell a sleep? You only know when you wake up. The same is spiritually as it is physically. We cannot be alive spiritually if we don't have the Spirit of God living in us. Signs you may be spiritual Dead? Maybe you feel like there is no hope, or maybe you feel there is no purpose in life. Jesus Christ is what gives us life. Knowing Jesus Christ is our purpose. When we were dead in our sins, Jesus Christ died for the ungodly. You did not have to work hard to come to God, God came to you. God is closer than your breath. Jesus came not to get something from you, but He came to give himself to you.

"We cannot live without oxygen or blood, just as we cannot live without Jesus who resides in us." ~ Pastor Eli Nelson

Don't give up on yourself. God did not give up on you.

Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. This is not your final chapter, this is your new beginning. He carried the cross so that you don't have to. He carried your sins so that you don't have to. He carried your punishment so that you don't have to. He carried that pain so that you don't have to. He took your death so that you don't have to. He came so that you can overcome and have life eternal. Joseph of Arimathea bought a grave for him and his family. But Jesus Christ took his place in it so that Joseph may have eternal life!

"I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10b (NIV)

There is a machine called an AED that is sophisticated, yet easy-to-use; a medical device that can analyze the heart's rhythm and, if necessary, deliver an electrical shock, or defibrillation, to help the heart re-establish an effective rhythm. Jesus Christ gives your dying heart life. His Spirit is what gives your soul rhythm and back to life eternal. Sometimes we need a spiritual AED or CPR to revive us or wake us up to the reality that God is not far away from us. He sticks close to us and watches over us as a Provider, a Father, a King, a Comforter, a Rock, a Refuge. Ultimately, God came to give us life, a new beginning.

It's time to come back to life

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