View Resource Online
The Impact Of A Risen Savior
Mark 16:6 But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him.
Many famous people tend to have an impact on us. Many have had the privilege of meeting a superstar athlete or a Hollywood movie star and the impact has been so great that they will always remember that moment for the rest of their lives.
What about Jesus? When Jesus shows up he will have a life changing impact in our lives. Once we’ve had an encounter with the Risen Savior, we will never be the same.
Socrates taught for 40 years, Plato for 50, Aristotle for 40, and Jesus for only 3, yet the influence of Christ’s 3 year ministry is greater than the impact left by the combined 130 years of teaching from these men who were among the greatest philosophers of all time.
Jesus has influenced our world and He wants to influence our lives today!
What happens when Jesus shows up in your life?
John 20:19-22
19 Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled,[a] for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
20 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.
21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”
22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
When Jesus showed up He made an impact and everything was different. What was the difference?
Before explaining the difference let me mention three simple rules.
- Jesus shows up when things seem hopeless. Remember the old saying “It is always darkest just before the dawn.”
- Jesus shows up because he understands the struggles we are facing.
- Jesus shows up because he cares about your need
At times things may seem hopeless. However, Jesus understands and cares about us. He will make a difference when he shows up.
What impact will He make when he shows up?
- When Jesus shows up he will bring you Peace.
Peace is a gift from God. Jesus said “My peace I give to you.”
Peace is a gift that protects our hearts.
Philippians 4:6-7
6 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Proverbs 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
- When Jesus shows up he will bring you a new Perspective. Until the resurrection appearances Jesus disciples were confused. They did not understand nor believe the stories that were being circulated.
Some people were spreading rumors that Jesus was alive. Verse 20: “He showed them His hands, and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.”
That act gave these disciples a whole new perspective.
They knew Jesus had been crucified. They knew Jesus body had been placed in a tomb. However, now they are given a whole new perspective of these events.
Jesus disciples had been struggling with disillusionment and were feeling defeat.
Upon seeing Jesus they realized that death is not the end.
I Corinthians 15:55 “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”
Illustration: Several years ago a scholar by the name of Dr. Harry Rimmer had a friendly discussion with a Muslim teacher in which they compared their faiths.
Dr. Rimmer said “We believe that God has spoken to us in a book, the Bible.” The Muslim teacher replied, “We believe God has spoken to us in a book, the Koran.” Rimmer then said, “We believe that God visited this planet in the person of Jesus Christ.” The Muslim teacher replied, “We believe that God has revealed himself in the prophet Muhammad.” Rimmer then said “We believe that Jesus Christ died for His people.” The Muslim replied, “We believe that Muhammad died for his people.” Rimmer than added, “We believe that Jesus proved His claim, by coming back from the grave.” The Muslim teacher replied, “We have no record of our prophet after his death.”
The past two weeks I have conducted funerals for loved ones of people who attend our church. In both instances those families went away in hope because their loved one had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. That is what I mean by having a new perspective.
John 11:25-26
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.
26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
- When Jesus shows up he gives you a new Purpose. verse 21. “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” Notice the transformation that takes place in the disciples. Up until that moment Jesus disciples were petrified with fear. They had been neutralized into ineffectiveness.
After Jesus showed up he lit a fire under His disciples. He gave them a reason to be alive. They went from being weak vacillating men to being men of God who shook their world.
According to church history and tradition, most all of Jesus disciples died a martyr’s death. A person will not lay down their life unless they have found something they believe in. That’s PURPOSE!
Acts 4:32-33
32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.
33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all
- When Jesus shows up he gives you a new Power. Verse 22. “And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
- The Holy Spirit gives us power over our weaknesses. We do not have the power within ourselves to live the Christian life. The Holy Spirit helps us with our struggles.
Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
- Jesus(the Resurrected Savior) made an impact when He showed up on the Day of Pentecost.
Acts 2:1-4
1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.
2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.
3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.
4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
- The Holy Spirit gives us power to live a victorious Christian life. You cannot live a victorious Christian life in your own strength. We do not have it within ourselves to live in victory. The Holy Spirit gives us that potential.
II Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Conclusion:
Jesus is here right now! “where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst of them”… He shows up and will make an impact if we allow Him to do so. May we allow our Resurrected Savior to have His way in our lives today!
1 Corinthians 15:14And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.
