Buried But Not Dead

We live in a world where sin is a constant problem we have to deal with, and it gets overwhelming at times, but do not despair. Jesus is ALIVE!! The Holy Spirit spoke to me this morning after I asked Him to fill me, and God's Word confirmed this message. The message is that Jesus is alive, and His life is more than just one celebration day per year. Jesus is our only constant, and that constant promises and provides abundant life, and that life is ever-growing in His grace and power. Jesus was buried, but He could not be held in that grave, and the following verses show just what they did to bury any remembrance of Jesus. John 19:31 It was the day of preparation, and the Jewish leaders didn’t want the bodies hanging there the next day, which was the Sabbath (and a very special Sabbath, because it was Passover week). So they asked Pilate to hasten their deaths by ordering that their legs be broken. Then their bodies could be taken down. 32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the two men crucified with Jesus. 33 But when they came to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead, so they didn’t break his legs. 34 One of the soldiers, however, pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out. 35 (This report is from an eyewitness giving an accurate account. He speaks the truth so that you also may continue to believe.) 36 These things happened in fulfillment of the Scriptures that say, “Not one of his bones will be broken,” 37 and “They will look on the one they pierced.” 38 Afterward, Joseph of Arimathea, who had been a secret disciple of Jesus (because he feared the Jewish leaders), asked Pilate for permission to take down Jesus’ body. When Pilate gave permission, Joseph came and took the body away. 39 With him came Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus at night. He brought about seventy-five pounds of perfumed ointment made from myrrh and aloes. 40 Following Jewish burial custom, they wrapped Jesus’ body with the spices in long sheets of linen cloth. 41 The place of crucifixion was near a garden, where there was a new tomb, never used before. 42 And so, because it was the day of preparation for the Jewish Passover and since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.

Oh, how much is done today by the enemy to keep Jesus buried and dead in the grave. Jesus promised us the Holy Spirit, and every person who has been born again in the Spirit will experience the power of the Holy Spirit in their life. Paul made a very important statement in his letter to the church in Thessalonica, where in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Paul wrote, "Pray without ceasing." Hmmm. Now, why would we need to pray without ceasing? Because we are in a constant battle with spiritual forces in the air, and the enemy is constantly trying to keep Jesus and His followers in the grave. If Satan can keep us buried, then the message of Jesus will be stopped. That will not happen because the Spirit of God cannot be contained. The Spirit in each believer needs to be let go and let God lead us to follow our mission for Jesus, per His vision. The only thing keeping the message in the grave is the lack of born-again believers proclaiming the message. Our mission in life is to proclaim that JESUS IS ALIVE and His life is the light of all men. That light will shine in the darkness, expose the works of Satan, and show "the church" what our mission is.

The religious leaders of the day controlled their own beliefs and wanted to keep what they had created in power, but the power of the Holy Spirit was too powerful for them to keep Jesus in the grave. No earth, or tomb, could keep Jesus from completing what we needed, resurrection power. If you feel held back in the church you are attending, then you need to get in a church that still believes in this resurrection power and follows the leadership of the Holy Spirit. Time is wasted, and every day is precious. The enemy is crouching at our gates, but Jesus has blown the gates wide open, and we need to pray without ceasing and follow where God leads. Even in times of darkness and death, the Lord's Spirit is present and accounted for, according to Psalm 139:7, I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence 8 If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there.9 If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans,10 even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. 11 I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night—12 but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you, the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you.

Jesus was buried, but His power could not be contained!! Is Jesus still buried in the way your faith walk looks? If so, it is time to "turn Him loose" and see just what Jesus can do if we are not in the way. Paul's encouragement is seen in Romans 12:11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. I believe Jesus wants us to be JESUS FREAKS!! Time to get freakish for Jesus and step out of the grave. I will address the resurrectio tomorrow, so tune in. May the Word of the Lord be seen, heard, and followed.

Today's Message,

David Warren