April 2001 chaplain's corner

The Chaplain's Corner is a monthly message for chaplains.

Chaplain's Corner - April 2001

Rev. Rich Hines

For this month's Chaplain's Corner I have decided to take a hiatus from answering questions submitted by correctional chaplains, and give you a Biblical perspective on what you are celebrating with staff and inmates at your facility - the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In this message, I am not giving the evidence and proof of the resurrection of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. I am going on from there assuming you both believe it and have previously stressed the historical fact of Christ rising from the dead, to those in your correctional facility.

I want to remind you from the New Testament of FIVE THINGS JESUS' RESURRECTION GUARANTEES. These are stated to bless your own heart and ministry. You might even want to rework what I show you here and use it for your own Resurrection Day (Easter) message.

To begin, look at the opening of the Epistle to the Romans. There the Holy Spirit through the Apostle says the gospel message is:

Romans 1:3,4

3 ...concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh,

4 and declared to be the Son of God (meaning: God, the Son) with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead

The first thing the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth proves and absolutely guarantees is that He was and forever is, the Eternal God. He took on a totally human nature. He was "of the seed of David according to the flesh." But more than that the resurrection forever proves that the Father has marked Him out and "declared", the word literally means "designated," Him as "THE Son of God with power."

In the ancient Jewish and Gentile world, the words "the Son of God" definitely meant God, the Son. This is clearly seen in John 5:18, where we read:

"... the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath (in their minds that is), but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God."

If Jesus were not fully God, He would not have risen from the dead. If Jesus were not fully God, He would not have the power to truly save sinners. No one who denies the full deity of Jesus Christ has been saved. Christ's full deity needs to be stressed and always made a main part of your gospel presentation.

Next, in:

Romans 4:24.25

24 It (righteousness, justification) shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead,

25 who was delivered up (to death) because of our offenses (sins), and was raised because of our justification.

The last phrase is literally translated "was raised because of the justification of us." (us refers in the context, to believers)

Here we see the second thing the New Testament points out is that the resurrection of Jesus guarantees the true believers sins are gone. This is important. The believer in Christ has been completely justified. If Jesus hadn't completely paid for all the believer's sins, God the Father would not have raised Him up, since death would still have a claim on Him.

Thirdly, the resurrection of Christ guarantees the one who is "in Christ" can live a new life of victory over sin. The Christian can, through Christ's Spirit, be different (see Romans 8:13). He or she doesn't have to sin. In Christ, they have a choice, without Christ a sinner really has no choice they will sin. Since Christ, was subject to the power of sin which ultimately is death, in His resurrection, he broke sin's power. The problem of sin in a true child of God is a problem in their flesh, but in their heart of hearts they can escape temptation and sin, through Christ's resurrection power. They don't have to be a slave to sin, they can, because of the resurrection of Christ be a servant of righteousness.

Romans 6:8 - 13

8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him,

9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him.

10 For the death that He died, He died once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.

11 Likewise you also, reckon (or, count) yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.

13 And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.

The fourth thing wonderfully guaranteed by Christ's resurrection is that true believers will also one day have a new body. They will have an incorruptible body just like Christ's resurrection body.

1 Corinthians 15:20,23,53 with Philippians 3:20,21

20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

"Firstfruits" here mean a Sample of what is to follow. "Those who have fallen asleep" here means Christians that have died physically.

23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming.

53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

This new body the believer will receive at their future resurrection, or at the rapture if they are alive and remain until Christ comes for His church inn the clouds, will be the body they inhabit for all eternity in heaven. It will not have any sinful desires. It will be a perfect body.

Philippians 3:20,21

20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

21 who will transform our lowly body so that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able (He has the power) even to subdue all things to Himself.

The last thing Christ's resurrection guarantees is that there is going to be a judgement for unrepentant sinners. This gives us impetus in preaching the gospel. Jesus Himself will be the judge.

Acts 17:30,31

30 Truly these times of ignorance (in idol worship) God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent

31 because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.

The application to human beings now is, before that day and before your own physical death, it is time to repent and believe the gospel.

Hebrews 9:27 tells us "It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgement." In a very real sense, sinners are really in big trouble if they don't repent, NOW - that Jesus Christ has risen from the dead!

So chaplain, use the gospel facts of the death and resurrection of Jesus, as a motive to call men and women to repentance - before it's too late, forever.

May God bless your ministry this month, and year, as you celebrate Christ's resurrection, and all that it guarantees.