A Resurrected Walk Called, "Newness of Life" (Audio & Video Available)

Wednesday, April 08, 2015 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments

©2015 Bryan Hudson http://inspirationimages.zenfolio.com

Romans 6:3, Have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.

Springtime in the midwest and Easter Sunday go together. Springtime brings a renewal of life as days grow longer and temperatures rise. The resurrection of Jesus brings eternal life from death and newness to life. Springtime in our region happens every year and is a reminder of the cycles of nature and God’s unfailing power. Jesus resurrection happened once over 2000 years ago, but we celebrate His life and resurrection power every year. We live in resurrection power everyday.

We celebrate Jesus' resurrection, not only because it was only a life-changing event in history. We celebrate because it is a empowering grace today. This is why we say, “Jesus is risen,” not “Jesus has risen.”

Identification with Christ is the master key to unlocking our understanding of our Christian identity and kingdom living. Identifying with Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection empowers us to “walk” in a new way. Paul called this new walk, “newness of life.”

“Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life..” (Romans 6:4)

The person who enters upon the Christian way is committed to a different kind of life. He has died to one kind of life and been born to another. We cannot live our physical life unless we are in the air and the air is in us; unless we are in Christ, and Christ is in us, we cannot live the life of God. (William Barclay)

Romans 6:4 is a text with few words, but loaded with insight! In essence, “just as” Jesus was raised, “even so” we can walk in newness of life. Again, Jesus resurrection empowers us to walk (live) in with newness.

Listen to MP3 audio from my illustrated sermon on Sunday, April 5, 2015

Watch video recording of the Illustrated sermon, "A Resurrected Walk Called, "Newness of Life."



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Watch skit, "What If Jesus Never Died" Written by Jonathan Hudson