To prove He really was who He claimed to be.

To conquer death for Himself and for us.

(Revelation 1:18 NKJV) - I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.

(Philippians 3:10) - I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection …”

Do you know Christ?

Do you know the power of His resurrection?

ruin – GR

1. Something reduced to a state of decay, collapse or disintegration.

ruin – GR

2. The disastrous disintegration of someone’s life.

(Ephesians 1:19-20 LB) - I pray that you will begin to understand how incredibly great his power is to help those who believe him … the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead …”

(Isaiah 61:1-4) - The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on Me,because the Lord has anointed Me to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted,to proclaim freedom for the captivesand release from darkness for the prisoners,

(2) to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favorand the day of vengeance of our God,to comfort all who mourn,

(3) and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beautyinstead of ashes,the oil of joyinstead of mourning,

and a garment of praiseinstead of a spirit of despair.They will be called oaks of righteousness,a planting of the Lordfor the display of His splendor.

(4) They will rebuild the ancient ruinsand restore the places long devastated;they will renew the ruined citiesthat have been devastated for generations.

1. Stop dying

“The Lord has anointed Me to proclaim Good News to the poor …”

“Easter is death working backwards” – CS Lewis

(John 11:25-26) - Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; (26) and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.

Do you believe this?”

2. Start rebuilding

“Bind up the brokenhearted … proclaim freedom to the captives … release from darkness the prisoners …”

Grace will meet you where you are but it will never leave you where it found you.

3. Stop doubting

They will be called oaks of righteousness,

a planting of the Lordfor the display

of His splendor.

God sees greatness in me that I cannot see in myself.

4. Start living

They will rebuild the ancient ruinsand restore the places long devastated;they will renew the ruined citiesthat have been devastated for generations.

Jesus didn’t come to make bad people good. He came to make dead people alive.

A – I’m already in a real relationship with Jesus.

B – I’m beginning a real relationship with Jesus.

C - I’d like to consider it a bit more first.

D – I don’t ever intend on making that decision.