Easter | Christian Ministry Training Blog

Jesus’ Resurrection is More Than an Easter Phenomenon

Posted on April 16, 2025 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

Jesus' Resurrection is More than an Easter Phenomenon
At Easter we celebrate the death of Jesus who died on the cross to take the punishment our sin deserves. Jesus, however, didn’t remain in the grave. On the third day He arose from the dead. His resurrection is so much more than an Easter phenomenon. It’s an everyday reality that affects the way we live and serve.

7 Ways Jesus’ Resurrection from the Dead Affects Us Today

Consider all the resurrection provides and think about how that affects us now. Rejoice in these truths:

1) The resurrection gives proof that Jesus truly is the Son of God.

regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. (Rom. 1:3-4)

… he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures … (1 Cor. 15:4)

2) Because of His resurrections we’re justified before God and in a position of sonship to receive an inheritance waiting for us in heaven.

He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. (Rom. 4:25)

In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. (1 Pet. 1:3-4)

3) Due to Jesus having been raised, we will one day stand in the presence of God.

… we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. (2 Cor. 4:14)

4) Our perspective on life changes because we can see from Jesus’ viewpoint in the heavenly realm.

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus … (Eph. 2:6)

5) Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we have purpose so living for Him now isn’t futile.

And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. – And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. (1 Cor. 15:14, 17)

6) We can live in newness of life now because the power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to us now.

For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.(Rom. 6:6-7)

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know … his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms … (Eph. 1:18-20)

7) Because of the resurrection, we have a proclamation of Good News worth sharing.

And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. … And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. (1 Cor. 15:14-17)

Is it any wonder the Apostle Paul wanted to “know Christ and the power of his resurrection” (Phil. 3:10)? What about you?

Church Leaders, Also Read: God’s Power for the Church – The Resurrection

For Help Teaching about the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, Go To: Lessons for Easter – A Real Act of Love

Easter is . . .

Posted on March 23, 2016 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

We know that Easter is about Jesus dying on the cross and then being raised from the dead. But, Easter is more than a nice story. It’s a reality that demonstrates truths about the kind of God we serve.

Check out the Holiday Reflections resource for questions to help you reflect on the truths about God listed below. This resource includes discipleship guides for 14 different holidays.

Easter is a Demonstration of Who God Is

Easter is . . . a demonstration of God’s love and grace.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Rom. 5:8)

For more:

Easter is . . . a demonstration of God’s judgment on sin.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom. 6:23)

For more:

Easter Points to the Holiness & Righteousness of God

Easter is . . . a demonstration of God’s power.

By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. (1 Cor. 6:14)

For more:

Easter is . . . a demonstration of God’s wisdom.

but we preach Christ crucified … Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. (1 Cor. 1:23-24)

For more:

Easter Points to the Wisdom of God

Easter is . . . a demonstration of God’s plan for the future.

If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. (1 Cor. 15:19-20) But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. (1 Cor. 15:23-24)

Praise God for Easter!

For Teaching During this Holiday Season, Go To: Bible Lessons for Easter – A Real Act of Love

Palm Sunday is …

Posted on March 25, 2015 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 2 Comments ↓

We celebrate Palm Sunday the week before Easter. On that day we remember Jesus’ procession into Jerusalem with the crowd waving palms and shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” (Matt. 21:1-19)

The discipleship guide for Palm Sunday in the Holiday Reflections resource reminds us that what happened that day gives us a reason to worship today. (This resource includes guides for 13 other holidays with reflections that take us beyond the holiday itself.) The Palm Sunday guide contains the following points plus a bit more input. It also provides some questions for reflection about our worship.

Think about what Palm Sunday is and how that gives us cause to worship.

Reflect on Palm Sunday as …

fulfillment of prophecy

Certainly fulfillment of prophecy should lead to belief that Jesus is who He says He is.

hope for a deliverer

Hosanna can turn into maranatha for us … as He is yet to come as reigning King to deliver from the presence of sin.

more than a procession on the road to Jerusalem

We also see Him in the temple overturning tables (Matt. 21:12-13) and healing the blind and lame (Matt. 21:14). This should remind us to see Jesus for the whole of who He is, not just the “feel good” part.

time for a heart check-up

The religious leaders demonstrated displeasure and indignation (Matt. 21:15-16). Though the crowds reacted positively on the road to Jerusalem, in the temple only children continued in praise. May this day be a time for us to reflect on our own heart’s condition.

Click Here for Ministry Resources for This Holiday

What Does the Cross Plus the Resurrection Equal?

Posted on April 4, 2012 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

The cross plus the resurrection equals the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you … that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to . . . (1 Cor. 15:1-8)

How 1 Corinthians 15 Defines the Gospel

Christ died for our sins.

Jesus died on the cross so our sins could be forgiven but without His resurrection, God’s power to be a victor over sin and sin’s penalty would appear uncertain.

He was buried.

Jesus was buried for three days, showing He had truly died, but the grave could not hold Him for God’s plan to reconcile the world to Himself would not be held back.

He was raised on the third day according to Scripture.

Jesus had to die to pay the penalty for our sin but He did not have to stay dead. God prophesied about His plan as additional proof of His power over sin and death.

He appeared to many people.

Jesus knew people needed help to believe. Theirs would not be a blind faith, based on hopes it was true. In addition to fulfilled prophecies, Jesus also walked among them, showed them His scars, and even ate before them in His resurrected body. God offered proof to bolster their faith and to provide eyewitness accounts for future generations.

The Cross plus the Resurrection therefore equals:

When we grasp the significance of the Gospel, which is about Jesus dying on the cross and then rising from the dead, we have the following:

reassurance He can be trusted to do what He says
realization He has the power to do what He says

When we truly understand what the cross plus the resurrection equals, then we will:

recognize it as the power of God to save us
remember it regularly as we live out our daily lives
recalibrate everything against it
reach out to others with it

More for Church Leaders: The Gospel of Jesus Christ – God’s Power for the Church

More for Bible Teachers: Lessons for Easter – A Real Act of Love

Attitude Toward Those Who Do Us Wrong

Posted on March 2, 2011 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 9 Comments ↓

In ministry we will have people who let us down or disappoint us in some way. We might also experience betrayal, false accusations, or other hard-to-take acts against us. How do we react? What is our attitude toward them? How do we treat them?

Jesus’ Attitude in Ministry Toward Those Who Did Him Wrong

As I was reading John 13:1-11 in some personal time with the Lord, I noticed bookends to a well-known story about Jesus.

We often get caught up in the act of Jesus washing His disciples’ feet and its lessons on servanthood. We might take note of Peter’s reaction and Jesus’ response. But, how often do we tie in verses 2 and 11, what I am calling the bookends to this story?

The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. …

For he (Jesus) knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

I believe these verses are significantly placed in the context of Jesus washing the feet of the disciples. Jesus knew Judas was going to betray Him but He washed His feet anyway. He humbled Himself in this act of service not only for those who would ultimately remain faithful and true to Him, some of whom would die as martyrs for Jesus, but also for the one who would betray Him.

I am reminded of Jesus’ teaching:

Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. (Lk. 6:27-28)

If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ do that. (Lk. 6:32-33)

But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. (Lk. 6:35-36)

Even while hanging on the cross, Jesus extended grace to His enemies, saying “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Lk. 23:34).

Jesus, “for the joy set before him endured the cross.” “Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Heb. 12:2-3)

Jesus knew there was a bigger picture and committed Himself to the Father to take care of Him which is why He could serve the one he knew would betray Him.

Aren’t you glad we don’t usually know in advance when someone will do us wrong? We would probably have an even greater struggle with our attitude toward them. Not Jesus! He still did good. He maintained perspective.

If you find maintaining perspective difficult, perhaps the 40 Day Challenge to Maintaining a Healthy Perspective will help. These are pillars of truth you need to cling to in order to maintain a good attitude toward those who do you wrong. (Feel free to copy the 40 Day Challenge page from the link above for your own use or to give to others who might be helped by it. Be sure check out the discussion guide which also includes the challenge.)

Easter Points to the Power of God

Posted on April 2, 2010 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

Death seemed to point to a weakness in Jesus’ claims to be more than a man. Being raised from the dead, however, took divine power. See 2 Corinthians 13:4. Consequently, Easter points to the power of God and confirms the identity of Jesus as the Son of God.

. . . who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. (Rom. 1:4)

If He had remained dead, He would be no greater than mankind. He would not have accomplished salvation. But, having power over death and the devil, Jesus proved Himself to be the promised One.

“Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death – that is, the devil – and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. ” (Heb. 2:14-15)

Easter Points to the Power of God Still Available for Us Today

Because of the Resurrection, Easter Points to the Power of God
Ephesians 1:19-20 speaks of “his incomparably great power for us who believe.

That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.”

The Power of God that raised Jesus from the dead is available for us today.

Easter’s power assures us of our own resurrection. (1 Cor. 6:14)
Easter’s power gives us everything we need to be godly. (2 Pet. 1:3)
Easter’s power enables us to serve from a vantage point of strength, not weakness. (2 Cor. 13:4)
Easter’s power emboldens us to hold forth the Gospel. (Rom. 1:16)

Let’s be careful that we don’t think we can take something wrought by the power of God, and perpetuate it by human wisdom and effort.

. . . preach the gospel – not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Cor. 1:17-18)

For Bible Teachers: Lessons for Easter – A Real Act of Love

For Church Leaders: God’s Power – The Resurrection

God’s power is just one of His many attributes. For an alphabetical listing of His attributes, check out the Our Great God from A to Z Discipleship Tool Download.