The heavenly Father turned the tables.
Jesus was buried and after three days, God raised Jesus from the dead. From humanity’s first ancestors to the present, death seems to rule every aspect of the present world. However, Christ overturns the powers in the world that oppose God. Jesus through resurrection defeats death to become the Lord of life. Any who pledge loyalty to his will no longer be slaves to fear.
God through the resurrection vindicates Jesus and so declares his people righteous. Although we lost face, God in Christ, restores our face. God the Father causes all who are loyal to Christ to come under his name. He thus rebuilds the human family. They are called “Church.”
Jesus cleanses them from corrupting filth. Therefore, God’s Holy Spirit dwells among his people. They are God’s temple, the place where God dwells. Through his Spirit, God changes people’s hearts such that they imitate Christ, giving them freedom to live holy lives. God’s children are regarded with honor as a royal priesthood.
The Creator-King turns their view of the world inside out. God commands all people give allegiance to King Jesus, repenting of shameful behaviors and attitudes. Christ’s followers become his ambassadors among all nations. They proclaim, “Be reconciled to God!”
Yet, God overturns the world’s standard of honor and shame. The world does not understand His people such that many even reject them. What God sees as glorious, the world sees as shameful. What God sees as shameful, the world sees as glorious.
<–– Setting the World Right Avenging Shame & Restoring God’s Kingdom ––>
Questions
1. How did God vindicate Jesus as the world’s true king?
2. How does God change people who follow Jesus?
John 20; Luke 24; Acts 13:14–41; Romans 1:1–4; 1 Corinthians 15:1–8, 20–28; 2 Corinthians 4–5
English Presentation Chinese Presentation
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In