Introduction
What is the message of the season? What is the real meaning of this Resurrection focus on this day throughout the Christian world? The church marquees and billboards proclaim the great truth--Jesus is risen, but what does it mean? We can celebrate resurrection, as we do weekly in the Supper, but is there a meaning in our lives? How could one get beyond the ritual, the glamor at times almost baudy, the fashion show? Is there a message in the resurrection for me, for you?
Yes, according to the Bible, the resurrection makes certain promises from God that we can depend upon. The empty tomb is more than a recorded event in history. The resurrection is God making a statement of hope to a hopeless world. It is God's statement of power in the midst of human weakness, it is God's statement of meaning in a world of meaninglessness. It is God's miraculous sign that all is well.
Today we consider a primary text in Philippians 3, and a secondary text in 1 Cor. 15; these provide background for three dynamics, three challenges. Living, failures, death.
I. Life is not futile
One of the great questions of life is, how shall we measure life. Shall we measure by length, by accomplishments, by fortune, by fame, by prestige, power, position, prominence? In the prison letter, Philippians, Paul saw clearly, toward the end of his life, that none of these are the ultimate goal, the ultimate measurement.
Paul could clearly place confidence in his human standing, what he calls the flesh: vv. 4-6. But as profitable as these may seem, they are not the goal. In fact, there is something more meaningful, more valuable, something worth losing all of the things of life to achieve or attain. That surpassing greatness is to know Christ Jesus as Lord, v. 8.
Life is not futile, but the escape from futility is in knowing Jesus. That is the only escape. The search for things, for meaning, for earning position, for prestige does not give meaning. These things are garbage for the bi-weekly pickup, rubbish, garage sale items, v. 7.
All of these can be lost, to gain Christ, and be found in Christ. Life is not futile because it provides preparation for real life.
This means that dreams are stuff of which life is really made. The goal must be right, worthy, worthwhile. Faith is not futile. The right focus in life is full of hope and potential.
II. Failures are not fatal
When one considers Paul, the failures at times overwhelm. Chief of sinners, persecutor of the church, faultless regarding human righteousness, legalistic righteousness, but a failure. None of the things people typically measure really matter when all is said and done.
Most of us this day, in honesty with self, deep down hidden where no one else can see, come face to face with failures. The resurrection of Jesus proclaims failures are not fatal. Is there a greater apparent failure than the crucifixion? Has any other ever appeared to have lost when the victory is near? Thomas Edison said of failures, one more way we know it can't be done.
Men seek success. But Paul saw the emptiness of that approach, vv. 8-9. The power we seek to overcome is not merely human, but is divine. And the resurrection is declaration that such power is available for you and for me.
III. Death is not final
Paul continues in vv. 10-11, and his ultimate goal is to attain resurrection from the dead. But how is this possible? Participation in the resurrection demands knowing Christ, the power of resurrection, the sharing of suffering, the imitation in death. Paul speaks here of an actual experience of resurrection, based on sharing his life and imitating his death.
Being found in Jesus requires union with Christ, both in past experience whereby sins are remitted so fellowship is possible, and continuing relationship in the present. This is a description of the position of believers in Jesus, based on their participation in Christ's death and resurrection, Rom. 6:1ff; Gal. 2:20, etc.
Conclusion
The title of our lesson is a question: Resurrection power for me? One of the most unbelievable, incredible facts of human experience is that one can live after having died. Job 14:1; 16:22. Resurrection power is yours, is mine. Resurrection power for genuine life, to redeem from failures, and ultimately to overcome death.