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As Easter approaches, let’s stir up our thankfulness and joy and admiration and amazement at what the resurrection of Jesus means for us. The curse of our fallen nature is that what once thrilled us becomes ordinary. The reality hasn’t changed. We have changed.&nbsp; 

This is why the Bible exists. Peter says of his two letters that they are written to “stir up” or “arouse” by means of “reminder.” 
<blockquote>This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder. (2 Peter 3:1) </blockquote>
So let’s stir up our sincere minds by way of reminder. 

What has God done in raising Jesus from the dead? Here are a few biblical answers. 

'''Because of the resurrection of Jesus, death will never have any dominion over him again.''' 
<blockquote>Romans 6:9: “We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.” </blockquote><blockquote>
Acts 13:34: “He raised him from the dead, no more to return to corruption.”
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'''Because of the resurrection, Jesus intercedes for us in heaven before God.''' 
<blockquote>Romans 8:34: “Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.” </blockquote>
'''Jesus’ resurrection was the beginning and guarantee of our resurrection.''' 
<blockquote>1 Corinthians 15:20: “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” </blockquote><blockquote>
2 Corinthians 4:14: “He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence.”
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'''We were raised with Jesus so that our true life is hidden now in him.''' 
<blockquote>Ephesians 2:6: “[God] and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” </blockquote><blockquote>
Colossians 3:1-4: “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. . . . Your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”
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'''Because of the resurrection of Jesus, we are born again to a living hope.''' 
<blockquote>1 Peter 1:3: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” </blockquote>
'''Because of the resurrection of Jesus, we now enjoy his personal fellowship with us always.''' 
<blockquote>Matthew 28:20: “Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” </blockquote>
'''Because of the resurrection of Jesus, he has a name above every name and every knee will bow to him.''' 
<blockquote>Philippians 2:9-10: “God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.” </blockquote>
'''The resurrection of Jesus means that Jesus kept his word.''' 
<blockquote>Matthew 17:22: “Jesus said to them, ‘The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.’” </blockquote>
'''The resurrection of Jesus fulfilled the Scriptures and the promises of God.''' 
<blockquote>1 Corinthians 15:4: “He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.” </blockquote><blockquote>
Acts 13:32-33: “We bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus.”
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'''Because Jesus was raised, he has received the promise of the Spirit and poured out the Spirit on us.''' 
<blockquote>Acts 2:33: “Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.” </blockquote>
'''Because Jesus is raised, he can still heal the way he did on earth.''' 
<blockquote>Acts 4:10: “Let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well.” </blockquote>
'''Because of the resurrection, he gives repentance and forgiveness of sins.''' 
<blockquote>Acts 5:31: “God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.” </blockquote>
'''Because Jesus was raised, he is now appointed by God to judge the living and the dead.''' 
<blockquote>Acts 10:42: “He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead.” </blockquote><blockquote>
Acts 17:31: “He has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”
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'''God secured our justification by raising Jesus from the dead.''' 
<blockquote>Romans 4:25: “He was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.” </blockquote>
'''The risen Christ takes the place for us that the law once had so that we can bear fruit for God.''' 
<blockquote>Romans 7:4: “Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God.” </blockquote>
'''Because of Jesus’ resurrection, he now has the glory for which we were made. Our ultimate destiny is to see him as he is.''' 
<blockquote>1 Peter 1:21: “God . . . raised him from the dead and gave him glory.” </blockquote><blockquote>
John 17:5, 24: “And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed. . . . Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.”
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May the risen Lord Jesus himself arouse your sincere mind to new depths of worship and allegiance and joy. 

Pastor John