In this sermon, the preacher begins by asking for God's presence and guidance in understanding the Word. He then explains that belief in the old rugged cross is not enough to save anyone. The preacher emphasizes that God's wrath is revealed against those who do not acknowledge His authority and act in unrighteousness. He goes on to discuss the importance of imitating God and living a life of love, free from sexual immorality, impurity, greed, obscenity, foolish talk, and course joking. The preacher concludes by highlighting that God fulfilled His own declaration of the soul that sins shall die by sending Jesus as a substitutionary death for our sins, allowing for both justice and salvation.

Let's pray together. We acknowledge, Father, that apart from your Holy Spirit drawing men to yourself, they do not come. Apart from you giving the spirit of wisdom and revelation, it's just men's words giving a carnal, weak, and pathetic explanation of something that only you can make real and living. But I ask, according to your will, that you grant us an atmosphere to hear what your Spirit is saying to your church. You give us spiritual wisdom and understanding that will result in lives transformed into another degree of glory into your image. You said we are renewed in knowledge in the image of you. From glory to glory as you grant us a glimpse of your purpose that you have fully explained in the Lord Jesus Christ, our Lord. So would you powerfully control the atmosphere here? Would you open ears, open the eyes of our hearts, and grant us a deep and profound life-changing revelation of your word in our Lord Jesus Christ this morning. We ask in Jesus' name. Amen. Open your Bibles to Romans chapter 5. And by God's grace and mercy, I would like to explain why belief in the old rugged cross is not enough to save anyone. If that shocks you, blame English teachers. They say to open up something with something attention-grabbing. Don't panic. This will be explained very shortly. But I'm not afraid to say that again. You're going to see it here in the Scripture just itself. That it's not sufficient to only believe in Jesus' death to be saved. Romans chapter 10 tells us that if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you shall be saved. It's not just about believing he died. Why is it important that both his death and his resurrection be necessary for us to be saved? That's what I want to talk about this morning. Well, in Romans chapter 5, if you'll find, I think it's verse 9 with me. Romans chapter 5 verse 9. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him? Now, he's writing to Roman Christians who had been justified by his blood through their faith. So why is Paul saying, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him if they've already been justified? And he says it again in another way. I'll read verse 9 again and then and go on and add verse 10 to that. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him? For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life? What is he talking about? Already having been justified, already having been reconciled, we will be saved. What does he mean? And why is it, why is it we shall be saved from God's wrath through him and we will be saved through his life? Well, I'd like to explain that by God's, with God's help and by his mercy and grace. What does it mean to be justified? It means that it is just as if I'd never sinned. You see, you and I, before we came to Christ, had already committed sins. We had already missed the mark for all of sin and come short of the glory of God. And those sins needed to be forgiven. Those sins needed to be blotted out. The Bible says that apart from the shedding of blood, there's no forgiveness of sins. And the sins that you and I had committed needed to be atoned, covered over. The word atonement is the very same idea as the word is a covering over. So that God does not see those sins. But it's more than that. You see, God had to also fulfill his own declaration. The Bible says in Romans that God is both just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Christ. You see, God had made a declaration that the soul that sins shall die. And God must fulfill his own just sentence. So how is God going to work this out? That a death sentence is going to be executed upon the sinner while at the same time saving sinners. Well, he did it by this way. We see Jesus made a little lower of the angels, crowned with glory and honor because by the grace of God, he tasted death for everyone. Thus, God fulfilling his own just requirement, Christ became our substitutionary death for these sins we had committed. It says, as a matter of fact, if you're still there in Romans the 5th chapter, read with me verse 6. Romans 5th chapter, verse 6. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man, someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his love towards us in that while we were still practicing sinners, Christ died for us. And that takes care of the first part of Romans chapter 5, verse 9. That is how God has justified us through the death of his Son. He's justified us through the blood of his Son, and the blood of Jesus Christ covers the sins we have committed. But we still need to be saved. And his blood doesn't take care of that. His life takes care of that. And how do we need to be saved? What do we need to be saved from in verse 9? Romans 5, 9. What is it we need to be saved from? God's wrath. How does the life of Christ therefore save us from God's wrath, having been justified? Okay? First of all, why is God angry? Why is God's wrath revealed? Turn with me back to Romans chapter 1, and you'll see why the wrath of God is revealed. We first must understand why his wrath is revealed if we will understand how the life of Christ alone can save us from that wrath. Romans chapter 1, find verse 18 with me. Romans 1, 18 says that the wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness. The word there is being unrighteousness. The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in their unrighteousness. So what is God's wrath revealed against? All unrighteousness and ungodliness. The word godly is of course the foundation of the word ungodly. The word godly comes from the Greek word to fall back. It's what men did when a king strove down the center of the road to show that they recognized his authority. They fell back. They bowed low. They didn't stand saying, I'm his equal. They acknowledged their inferiority and his authority in their falling back. God's wrath is revealed against men who will not acknowledge his authority and act in an unrighteousness. And all the unrighteousness in the earth, God's wrath is against. Whether it's in the church or the world. Turn with me to Ephesians chapter 5. Book of Ephesians, Paul's letter to the church of Ephesus, chapter 5. The very first of the chapter. Ephesians 5 beginning with verse 1. Be imitators of God therefore as dearly loved children. And live a life of love just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. That takes care of our sins. But among you there must not even be a hint of sexual immorality or any kind of impurity. Or of greed. Because these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or coarse joking which are out of place. But rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure. No immoral person, impure, or greedy person, such a man as an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words. For because of such things, what happens? God's wrath is revealed. Any of us who live this way are going to experience the wrath of God. Whether you believe in the old rugged cross or not. The old rugged cross won't save you from impurity and sexual immorality and uncleanness. God's wrath is revealed from heaven against these things. And don't let anybody deceive you with empty words. He said the same thing very similar in Colossians. Two books over. In his letter to the church of Colossians. Chapter 3. Colossians the third chapter. Find verse 5. Colossians 3, 5. Actually I'll start with verse 1. Colossians 3, the very first of the chapter. Since then you've been raised with Christ. Set your hearts on things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above and not on earthly things. For you died and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you will also appear with Him in glory. Put to death therefore whatever belongs to your earthly nature. Sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming. And you used to walk in these ways in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these. And brothers and sisters look at this list carefully. He's just said you must rid yourselves of all such things. What's number one on the list? Why anger? Because the Bible says that man's anger does not work the righteousness of God. And you know what my anger is going to do? It's going to produce unrighteousness in us. And what is unrighteousness going to produce in us? God's wrath. God's wrath is revealed against unrighteousness. And if your human carnal anger leads you to do unrighteousness, you can expect a just recompense from God. His wrath is revealed against these things. You must rid yourselves of all such things as these. Anger, rage, malice, slander and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other. Since you've taken off your old self with its practices and then put on the new self which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its creator. Here there's no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free. But Christ is all and is in all. Therefore, ok? Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive. Whatever grievances you may have had against one another and over all these things, all these virtues put on love which binds them all together in perfect unity. Ok? This is clearly God's word. And what does it say back in verse 6? Just review it one more time for me. Colossians 3, verse 6. Because of these things, what happens? The wrath of God comes. Ok, now. Let's go back in your mind. You can turn back there in your Bible if you want to. But back to Romans chapter 5. How then is it that the life of Christ saves us from the wrath of God? That's the question. The blood of Christ covers your sins. But you know the Bible says that if we sin willfully after having received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice. Now if you go on willfully sinning, living in these ways, impurity and unrighteousness and fornication and anger and malice and slander and covetousness, think you'll go to heaven? Think again. If we sin willfully after having received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no sacrifice but a fearful expectation of judgment and a raging fire that shall consume the enemies of God. So how does the life of Christ save us from this kind of wrath that's revealed from heaven against all the unrighteousness and ungodlessness of men who suppress the truth in their unrighteousness? Here's how. The Bible says that if a law had been given that could have imparted life, righteousness would have come from the law. But the law couldn't make anyone alive. You know the law could not stop men from sinning. The law only made them aware of what they were doing. The law brought a knowledge of sin. The Bible says, why was the law added? The law was added only because of transgression to help you and I see what a wretched man we were. That's why the law was given. But since a law was given that could not impart life, it says if a law had been given that could impart life, righteousness would have come from the law. But can righteousness ever come from any law? And it says God's wrath is revealed against unrighteousness. How are you and I going to actually receive righteousness? Through the life of His Son. Christ is the righteousness of God. His life is God's righteousness. And you must live in Him. And when you live in Him and you become partakers of His life, His holiness, His righteousness, His wisdom, His power, His purity begin to change you. And His life saves you from something. He shall call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people out of their sins. Because no one who lives in Him keeps on sinning. Read it, accept it, believe it, or go to hell in unbelief. No one who lives in Him keeps on sinning. Turn there, let's read it. 1 John chapter 3. Why do we not go on sinning? We'll read it. Explain this. This is good to know. Benjamin, this is good to know, brother, as a young believer. If more of us had been told these things as young believers, we'd be way ahead of where we are in our Christian life right now. We had pastors leave us in Romans 7 and never take us to Romans 8. We'll get there in a minute. We'll go on and show you that we're not condemned to live in Romans 7 the rest of our life. 1 John chapter 3. Let's start with the first of the chapter. I've got plenty of time, don't I? Don't you all think that? Especially on a great day of days for the church. We're not one to get out of church early, are we? Oh, I didn't think so. I don't want to make sure. But you know, if you planned a dinner and you need to go, you're free. No one here is going to condemn you for that. But I mean, the Super Bowl lasts three hours. And we call our friends to watch the party. So we can spend a little time here. And enjoy it. 1 John chapter 3. Start from the beginning. How great is the love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called children of God. And that's what we are. The reason the world does not know us is it did not know Him. Dear friends, now we are the children of God. And now what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know this. That when He appears, we shall be like Him. For we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope of being as He is does what now? Purifies himself. He is busy seeking to purify himself even as He is pure. And of course, because God's wrath is revealed against impurity. You better be busy about purifying yourself. None of these things should even be mentioned among the saints. Anger, malice, slander, evil communication, fornication, adultery, greed. None of those things are proper for God's holy people. We're busy purifying ourselves. Verse 4. Everyone who sins breaks the law. In fact, sin is lawlessness. But you know that He appeared that He might do what? And now it says take away there, brothers. Does it say forgive or take away here? Take away. It's not just about forgiveness. That was necessary and His blood takes care of that. But He came to take away our sins. And so it goes on to say, and in Him... I'll read it again. But you know that He appeared to take away our sins. And in Him is no sin. Now listen. Read it. Struggle with it. Do whatever what you want. But I didn't put it there. Okay? Read into what my application of it. Whatever you want. I didn't put it there. No one who lives in Him keeps on sinning. Because His life is in you. And He doesn't produce sin. He is not the author of sin. He appeared to destroy sin. And when Christ is in you, when His life is at work in you, it produces His righteousness. It produces His godliness. And in Him is no sin. No one who lives in Him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen Him or known Him. Dear children, do not let anyone do what? Deceive you. You know what they're talking... Don't let anyone deceive you that just because you believe Jesus died on the cross, if it does not produce a life in Him, transformed. If any man is in Christ Jesus, he is a new creature. Old things are passed away. All things become new. And if you haven't had that experience, you will take your knowledge of the cross to hell with you. If you really know Christ, Christ in you produces God's righteousness. And don't let anyone deceive you otherwise. Little children, dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous. Just as He is righteous. He who does what is sinful is of the devil. Because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work. No one who is born of God will continue to sin. Because God's seed remains in Him. That's the life of God. The life of God is in you. And when the life of God in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ, by the Holy Spirit, lives in you, what's the result? Righteousness. Verse 10. This is how we know who are the children of God, and who the children of the devil are. Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God. Nor is anyone who does not love his brother. Now, let's go back to Romans chapter 5, and see how this is clearly stated by the Apostle Paul as well. Romans chapter 5. Now follow me here. This is... Paul is writing in a very intense, straightforward logic. Thought must follow thought. Pay very careful attention so that you can understand this. Beginning in verse 12 of chapter 5. Romans 5, 12. Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin. So how did death get in the world? By sin. How did sin get in the world? Through one man. Through Adam, okay? And so in this way, death came to all men. How come death came to all men? Because of all sin. See, once sin got in the world, and once sin was passed to every man, we were made sinners. And because God says, The soul that sinneth, it shall die. So when sin came to everyone, death came to everyone. In the same way. Okay? We need to understand that. It says in verse 13, For before the law was given, sin was in the world, but sin is not taken into account when there is no law. Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin, by breaking a command, as did Adam, who was a pattern of the one to come. Verse 15, But the gift is not like the trespass, for the many died by the trespass of one. Why did many die by the trespass of one? What entered the world through that trespass? Sin. Sin came to all men. Okay? And the sting of death is sin. So this is why all men die, because all men sin. The Bible doesn't say, For Adam sinned and came short of the glory of God. Does it? It says, For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Okay. Verse 16, Well, let me finish verse 15. I'll read it again. But the gift is not like the trespass, for if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many? So it says, Alright, it's just going to be just the opposite. Through Adam, through one man, Adam sinned into the world, and death through sin, right? Because all sin, right? So Christ with Jesus, it's just the opposite. Let's see how it's opposite. Verse 16, Again, the gift is not like the result of one man's sin. The judgment followed one sin, and brought condemnation. But the gift followed many trespasses. Who's doing the many trespasses? All. All. Those trespasses are ours. Okay. And His gift, His gift comes with a multitude of people sinning. Okay. Let's see how that covers it. Okay. The gift followed many trespasses, and brought justification. There it is. His blood, His death, His grace takes care of yours and I's sin. But it goes on. Verse 17, For if by the trespass of the one man, death reigned to the one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace, and of the gift of righteousness, reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. Now here's what you have been told the gift of righteousness is. You have been told that God judicially sits on the throne, takes His gavel, and declares you to be righteous. True. It's more than that. It's the righteous life of God Himself coming to you as a gift. God said, I will bring my righteousness near. His very character, His purity, His holiness, His power is brought near to the Lord Jesus Christ. And that's the gift of righteousness we're given. And He goes on to say this here very clearly in this passage. Continue reading with me. I'll start with verse 18 again. Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all, so the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. For just as through the disobedience of the one man, the many were made sinners. Now what is God saying there? Follow me. It's very important you follow me here. If by the trespass of the one man many were made sinners, is Paul saying, Adam sinned and the moment he sinned, God judicially cleared every one of you sinners before you even existed. Is that what he's saying? Adam sinned, you're a sinner. Is that what he's saying? Is that what it means to be made a sinner? Adam sinned, you're a sinner. No, that's not what he's saying. Because sin entered the world through one man, where did it go? All of us. It made us practicing sinners. It turned us into sinners. It made us act sinfully. Now follow it. Let's read that verse again. Okay? Verse 19. For just as through the disobedience of the one man, the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man, many will be made righteous. Is he saying, I'll just declare you to be righteous, though you're not. No, you are made righteous. John says, Let no one deceive you. He who does what is righteous is righteous. So Adam's sin turned us into sinners. Christ's righteousness turns us into righteous men and women. By His life. By sharing in His life. We become saints. Now how does it say? It actually says this. I want to finish with this and I'm almost done. You're real near Romans 7. Just find it real quick. Romans 7 is probably very familiar to many of us. I won't try to cover all of it. For time's sake, let's go to verse 21. Romans 7, 21. So I find this law at work. When I want to do good, evil's right there with me. For in my inner being, I delight in God's law. But I see another law at work in my members. In the members of my body. Waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the life of sin. At work within my members. Who will... Well, I'll skip that one. What does he say? What kind of condition is it when you know what you're supposed to do but don't have any power to do it? Wretched! Oh, what a wretched man I am! Is that what salvation is to you? Do you think God intended that to be salvation? Just you having the knowledge of right and wrong with no power to really do it? God forbid. God forbid that that's His salvation. He shall save His people. He shall save His people out away from their sins. It's not a talking about a person here. It's really fully in Christ yet. What a wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? A lot of people just go ahead and close the book. That makes a whole lot of sense. That explains why I can't do anything right. That explains why I have no power over anger. That explains why I just keep on doing the things I hate doing. But did Paul stop the chapter there? He said, Who's going to save me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord. His life will save you from this kind of situation. Let's see how. Jump with me to Romans chapter 8 right there. And so you don't think I'm going to skip it. I won't skip it. I'll read the rest of 28. Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin. Okay? If you read Romans 6, you'll know that sinful nature has been rendered powerless by those who have been united with Christ in the likeness of His death. Now verse chapter 8, verse 1. Therefore, there is no condemnation for those who are where? In Christ. If you are living in Christ, there's no condemnation for you, for those who walk not according to the sinful nature, but according to the Spirit. Because through Christ Jesus Himself, not through some legal declaration, through living in Christ, through partaking of God's nature in Christ, the law of the Spirit of life, saved by His life. The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and death. In order for the law of gravity to not dominate, you need a higher law. Is there one? Does the law of gravity keep things on the earth? No, it doesn't. The law of thermodynamics overcomes the law of gravity. And the law of the Spirit of life in Christ, the life of Christ that's in Him, overcomes the law of sin and death. Because it says, verse 3, for what the law was powerless to do. Why was the law powerless? Because it was weakened by what? The sinful nature. Here the law comes to you, but you've only got the sinful nature you inherited from Adam. So what can you do with the law? Break it. That's what you do with it. That's what I do with it. On my own and apart from Christ, when the law comes up, we just break it, break it, break it, break it. The law was powerless, and it was weakened by the sinful nature. But look, it doesn't stop there. God did, for what the law was powerless to do, God did. What the law couldn't do, the law made nothing perfect. The law couldn't make anyone righteous. But what the law couldn't do, God did. How did He do it? By sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering, and so He condemned sin and sinful man in order that what? The righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit. Do you realize that the righteous requirements of the law by those who are living in the life of Christ Jesus are fully met? He wants you to be a holy people, a godly people, a people who do what is righteousness. Through faith in the life of Christ. And in His life, Peter puts it this way in his second book, second letter. He says, but through being partakers of the divine nature, we escape the corruption in the world through lust. How can you escape the corruption in the world? Only by partaking of His divine nature. When the life of Christ is in you, you'll be saved from the wrath of God because His righteousness has been brought near. And you begin to live in His righteousness. And you begin to do what's right. You stop. You stop sinning and begin to do what's right by Christ's life at work in you to the Holy Spirit. Make sense? Alright, let's pray. Father, forgive us for being slow to understand these things. Now we can see, perhaps in a new light, those who have been able to hear this can see that You have provided everything we need for life in godliness. You have everything we need You gave in Your Son. And You said through Him that He would take from what is Yours and make it known to us. And He said that was all. All of Your life and godliness You've given to us in Christ. And Father, would You now seal this to our heart that our problem is not being like Adam. Our problem is knowing so little about being like You. Knowing everything You've already done and provided. Would You help us as a people lay hold of the eternal life that comes through knowing Christ. We, like Paul, we want to know the power of Your resurrection. We want to know that. We want to know Your incomparably great power towards us who believe. We want to see that in our life. We want to become living witnesses of this. You told Your twelve and the other that made up that group of 120 disciples You told them to tarry in Jerusalem till they be endued with power. Then they'd be Your witnesses. Lord, a lot of us have not tarried long enough to discover the life in Christ. Because You said in Your word that to all who received Him, to them, He gave power to become sons of God. We want to be sons of God. We want to look like You. We want to think like You. We want to act like You. We want to look like our Father when we ask You to bring us into this knowledge in this life, Lord. You said that when because You were working in us that men would see evidence of this and they would glorify You when they saw You working in us. That's what we want. We are tired. We are tired of living in less. Being robbed of the freedom and all the grace that You've given us in our Lord Jesus Christ. Help us, Lord. While we have breath, help the believers that are here in this area to walk in the fullness of Christ. And help us be an encouragement to other believers that it is possible that we are being transformed from glory to glory into Your image in this life. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen. Hmm? Alright. My son keeps bugging me to do a song that I almost always do. I really need a guitar to do it. Do you have a guitar? Huh? Is there one here? Make it quick. Is there one? Anyone have anything to add? Just very, very briefly. Joseph, don't be turtle. Joseph is a very laid back young man. He will not die of stress. That's... There's a song. It's kind of a tradition in my family for me to sing this. And they bug me to do this. By Don... How many of y'all remember the song by Don Francisco? It's a... I usually sing this each Easter. So, I will. I love to sing it, so... Yes, sir. No, that's... No, not at all. What I'm saying is... Remember, we're transformed from glory to glory as we mature in Christ. Here's what I'm saying is Christ in you is not producing wrong. When you're really united with Christ in those moments when you have really are abiding in Him. When you're really looking into Him in those moments is when you are really doing well. That will not produce sin. We have to be careful. If we get in our natural self, what happens? Sin. Okay? And that will probably happen until we get out of this world. But let me tell you this. The question is not how much sin can we do and get to heaven. The question is how close can we be to perfection and get there. Amen? That's right. And remember, like I said last week. Adam did not have a sinful nature when he sinned, did he? He was tempted. You and I can be tempted. And we may sin. But it won't be because of some old nature. Alright? Christ, did Christ have a sinful nature? Was He tempted? Okay. So you and I will be too. Alright? Amen. The gates and doors were barred by a brief sound Half in hopeless sorrow Half, half in fear The day was a street Expecting swords and torches There was theme Well, there was no one there but Mary So we went down to let her in And John stood there beside me As she told us where he'd been She said they moved him in the night And none of us knows where An empty tomb just the way that Mary said But the winding sheet they wrapped him in Was just an empty shell And how aware they'd taken him Was more than I could tell Back inside the house again I let it to my shame Because when at last it came To choices I denied I knew his name Even if he was alive He'd never be the same Suddenly the air was filled With a strange and sweet perfume Light that shone from everywhere Drove shadows from the room Jesus stood before me With his hand held open wide I fell down on my knees And I clung to him and cried Well, he raised me to my feet And as I looked into my confusion Disappeared in sweet release And everything I'd Every fear I'd ever had Just melted into peace And I'm forgiven Heaven's gates are open wide He's alive Amen He's alive And the reason he lives Is because it takes a living Christ In you To be righteous That's the resurrection right there Paul prayed for the Ephesians For this reason I kneel before the Father From whom all heaven and earth derives its name That the eyes of your heart would be enlightened In order that you would know what is the hope of his calling The riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints And his incomparably great power To those who believe That power to you and I Is like the working of his mighty strength Which he exerted in Christ Jesus When he raised him from the dead That's what the resurrection is to us, brothers and sisters It's power to live godly Amen Let's celebrate it this week By living godly Amen Alright, let's stand and be dismissed Brother Jerry, would you close us in a word of prayer? Either one, both