Breaking Chains Series Week Three "The Comeback"
The Comeback: Embracing Resurrection Life
Have you ever felt stuck, hopeless, or lost? Like you're trapped in a tomb of your own making, unable to break free? Today, we're exploring a powerful truth that has the potential to radically transform your life: the concept of resurrection life.
Jesus once declared, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die." (John 11:25-26, NIV) These words aren't just about a future hope; they're an invitation to experience a profound spiritual awakening right now.
Resurrection Is a Person, Not Just a Moment
Often, we think of resurrection as a one-time event – something that happened to Jesus long ago or something we await in the distant future. But what if resurrection is more immediate and personal than that?
Jesus didn't say, "I can resurrect." He said, "I AM the resurrection." This subtle distinction changes everything. It means that when Jesus steps into your life, resurrection happens in real-time. Dead dreams come alive. Broken relationships get restored. Lost purpose is found.
The apostle Paul reminds us, "And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he will also give life to your mortal bodies." (Romans 8:11, NIV) This isn't just flowery language; it's a promise of power. The same force that conquered death itself is available to you, right now.
Take a moment to let that sink in. What areas of your life feel dead or dormant? Your career? Your passion? Your faith? Speak life into those areas: "Resurrection lives in me! I am not hopeless. I am not stuck. I am not lost. I am RAISED!"
The Paradox: Dying to Live
Here's where it gets challenging. To experience this resurrection life fully, we must first embrace a kind of death. Paul puts it this way: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me." (Galatians 2:20, NIV)
This isn't about physical death, but a profound surrender. It's coming to the end of our self-reliance, our need to control, our insistence on doing things our way. It's realizing that our attempts to fix ourselves or earn peace will always fall short.
Being "born again" isn't just religious jargon. It's a radical transformation that starts with letting go. You don't need improvement; you need resurrection. And that begins with surrender.
A Modern Resurrection Story
Let's look at a powerful example of this principle in action. Nick Foles, a name that might be familiar to football fans, lived out a resurrection story on and off the field.
Foles entered the NFL with promise, even setting records early in his career. But a series of setbacks and trades left him considering quitting the sport altogether. By 2016, he said, "I couldn't even pick up a football. I had no love for the game. I was done."
In that moment of despair, Foles turned to prayer. And in the quiet, he felt God speak: "Take a step of faith. Whether you quit or keep going, I'll be with you—but if you keep playing, play to glorify Me."
Foles chose obedience. He surrendered his career and enrolled in seminary, ready for whatever path God had for him. Then, unexpectedly, a door opened back into football. As a backup quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, he was suddenly thrust into the starting role for the biggest game of all – the Super Bowl.
Not only did Foles play, but he led his team to their first-ever championship, defeating the favored New England Patriots. He was named MVP. But his perspective had fundamentally changed. "I'm not defined by this moment," Foles said. "I'm defined by my faith in Jesus."
This is what resurrection looks like. It's not just external success, but an internal transformation. It's finding purpose beyond ourselves and letting God turn our defeats into destiny.
The Ultimate Game-Changer
The key to experiencing this resurrection life is a fundamental shift in who we live for. Living for yourself while asking Jesus to fix your problems will never lead to true transformation. It's not about becoming a better version of yourself; it's about becoming a vessel filled by God, living to honor and glorify Him.
This may sound drastic, but it's beautifully simple. You surrender your life and live for Him. You recognize that your life belongs to Him because He gave it to you in the first place.
The apostle Paul reminds us of the urgency of this decision: "Now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation." (2 Corinthians 6:2, NIV) You don't need to wait for a sign or a better moment. This is it.
Perhaps you've been on the fence about faith. Maybe you've been carrying guilt or shame, thinking you need to clean up your act before coming to God. But that's not how grace works. Paul explains, "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved." (Ephesians 2:4-5, NIV)
Your Invitation to Resurrection Life
Today, you don't need religion. You need resurrection. You don't need to clean up. You need to come home. You don't need more time. You need to say yes.
Imagine Jesus standing at the tomb of your past, your failures, your doubts, and He's shouting: "COME OUT!" Will you answer His call?
If you're ready to embrace this resurrection life, to be born from above, you can start with a simple prayer:
"Jesus, I believe You died for me. I believe You rose from the dead. I don't want to live for myself anymore. I surrender my life to You. Come live in me. Fill me with Your Spirit. Today, I am born from above. I belong to You. Amen."
This is more than words on a page. It's an invitation to a new life – a resurrected life. It's a chance to experience the power that raised Jesus from the dead working in your everyday reality.
Welcome to resurrection life. Welcome to a new beginning. Welcome to the family of God.
Have you ever felt stuck, hopeless, or lost? Like you're trapped in a tomb of your own making, unable to break free? Today, we're exploring a powerful truth that has the potential to radically transform your life: the concept of resurrection life.
Jesus once declared, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die." (John 11:25-26, NIV) These words aren't just about a future hope; they're an invitation to experience a profound spiritual awakening right now.
Resurrection Is a Person, Not Just a Moment
Often, we think of resurrection as a one-time event – something that happened to Jesus long ago or something we await in the distant future. But what if resurrection is more immediate and personal than that?
Jesus didn't say, "I can resurrect." He said, "I AM the resurrection." This subtle distinction changes everything. It means that when Jesus steps into your life, resurrection happens in real-time. Dead dreams come alive. Broken relationships get restored. Lost purpose is found.
The apostle Paul reminds us, "And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he will also give life to your mortal bodies." (Romans 8:11, NIV) This isn't just flowery language; it's a promise of power. The same force that conquered death itself is available to you, right now.
Take a moment to let that sink in. What areas of your life feel dead or dormant? Your career? Your passion? Your faith? Speak life into those areas: "Resurrection lives in me! I am not hopeless. I am not stuck. I am not lost. I am RAISED!"
The Paradox: Dying to Live
Here's where it gets challenging. To experience this resurrection life fully, we must first embrace a kind of death. Paul puts it this way: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me." (Galatians 2:20, NIV)
This isn't about physical death, but a profound surrender. It's coming to the end of our self-reliance, our need to control, our insistence on doing things our way. It's realizing that our attempts to fix ourselves or earn peace will always fall short.
Being "born again" isn't just religious jargon. It's a radical transformation that starts with letting go. You don't need improvement; you need resurrection. And that begins with surrender.
A Modern Resurrection Story
Let's look at a powerful example of this principle in action. Nick Foles, a name that might be familiar to football fans, lived out a resurrection story on and off the field.
Foles entered the NFL with promise, even setting records early in his career. But a series of setbacks and trades left him considering quitting the sport altogether. By 2016, he said, "I couldn't even pick up a football. I had no love for the game. I was done."
In that moment of despair, Foles turned to prayer. And in the quiet, he felt God speak: "Take a step of faith. Whether you quit or keep going, I'll be with you—but if you keep playing, play to glorify Me."
Foles chose obedience. He surrendered his career and enrolled in seminary, ready for whatever path God had for him. Then, unexpectedly, a door opened back into football. As a backup quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, he was suddenly thrust into the starting role for the biggest game of all – the Super Bowl.
Not only did Foles play, but he led his team to their first-ever championship, defeating the favored New England Patriots. He was named MVP. But his perspective had fundamentally changed. "I'm not defined by this moment," Foles said. "I'm defined by my faith in Jesus."
This is what resurrection looks like. It's not just external success, but an internal transformation. It's finding purpose beyond ourselves and letting God turn our defeats into destiny.
The Ultimate Game-Changer
The key to experiencing this resurrection life is a fundamental shift in who we live for. Living for yourself while asking Jesus to fix your problems will never lead to true transformation. It's not about becoming a better version of yourself; it's about becoming a vessel filled by God, living to honor and glorify Him.
This may sound drastic, but it's beautifully simple. You surrender your life and live for Him. You recognize that your life belongs to Him because He gave it to you in the first place.
The apostle Paul reminds us of the urgency of this decision: "Now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation." (2 Corinthians 6:2, NIV) You don't need to wait for a sign or a better moment. This is it.
Perhaps you've been on the fence about faith. Maybe you've been carrying guilt or shame, thinking you need to clean up your act before coming to God. But that's not how grace works. Paul explains, "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved." (Ephesians 2:4-5, NIV)
Your Invitation to Resurrection Life
Today, you don't need religion. You need resurrection. You don't need to clean up. You need to come home. You don't need more time. You need to say yes.
Imagine Jesus standing at the tomb of your past, your failures, your doubts, and He's shouting: "COME OUT!" Will you answer His call?
If you're ready to embrace this resurrection life, to be born from above, you can start with a simple prayer:
"Jesus, I believe You died for me. I believe You rose from the dead. I don't want to live for myself anymore. I surrender my life to You. Come live in me. Fill me with Your Spirit. Today, I am born from above. I belong to You. Amen."
This is more than words on a page. It's an invitation to a new life – a resurrected life. It's a chance to experience the power that raised Jesus from the dead working in your everyday reality.
Welcome to resurrection life. Welcome to a new beginning. Welcome to the family of God.
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