How Does Christ’s Resurrection Impact Your Daily Life?

6th Sunday of Easter, 5/17/20
1 Peter 3:15-22


How Does Christ’s Resurrection Impact Your Daily Life?
I. It’s the assurance of your salvation.
II. It’s the power in your witnessing.


You’re in a conversation with someone who isn’t particularly close to you. And the other person is the one doing the vast majority of the talking. You’re able to get in an occasional, “I see,” or “Ah-ha,” but that’s about it. It’s apparent that the other person isn’t seeking your advice, approval, or any other discernable response from you, and it isn’t long before you begin to wonder to yourself, “And you’re telling me this because…?” You fail to see the purpose for all these words filling your auditory canal. They’re just words, filling the air around you with sound. That’s it.

More than a month ago we celebrated the Resurrection of our Lord. That celebration was different this year than any year we’ve ever experienced from this standpoint: we weren’t able to celebrate it together here in worship as we wanted to, as we would have loved to. But we rejoiced, nonetheless. Our Easter celebration is a highlight of our church year, arguably the pinnacle of our annual worship experience.

But what’s your response to the resurrection of Christ today? Like most Christians, you’d probably state that your Easter joy still lives in your heart, but it isn’t as intense as it once was. In fact, things in your life quickly returned to normal, and, by “normal” I mean you returned to taking one day at a time in the midst of this pandemic that drags on and on with no apparent end in sight. It’s back to facing each day’s problems one after another with the hope of finding a solution or at least a suitable coping mechanism.

Today’s sermon text is from 1 Peter, a letter that was originally written to Christians facing severe suffering for their faith. It would have been easy for them to come to the conclusion that embracing the resurrection of Jesus not only wasn’t helping them; it was the reason they were suffering. So, what good was Christ’s resurrection for them?

We might want to ask ourselves the same question. What difference does believing in the resurrection of Jesus make? How does Christ’s resurrection impact your daily life? Peter answers that question for us today. It’s my prayer that the Holy Spirit works through these words in order to cause you to embrace the resurrection of Jesus every day of your life.

Part I.

I don’t know about you, but lately my head has been spinning. A month ago, I tried to take in as much information as I could on this pandemic so that I could make the best decisions, but not anymore. I’ve begun limiting it. More than once I’ve stated, “I don’t want to hear any more information. I’ve heard enough.”

And yet, if you took a rather quick poll, asking people, “What’s the greatest problem you’re facing today?”, I’m sure the overwhelming majority of people would reply with “COVID-19” or at least something related to it. It’s on the minds of everyone.

Peter gently reminded the original readers of these words and you and me that a pandemic isn’t the greatest problem we face. The judgment of God is. Even when we get past our current crisis, the judgment of God still looms. Listen again to what Peter wrote, “[Jesus] was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built.” This section of Peter’s letter is packed with doctrine. The verse I just read speaks about the doctrine we confess when we state in the Apostles’ Creed, “He descended into hell.” I’ll give you this short explanation. After Jesus rose again on Easter, he immediately descended into hell in order to proclaim his victory over Satan. But notice what Peter also states, “God patiently waited in the days of Noah.” God used Noah to proclaim that judgment was coming, and he gave the people 120 years to prepare. But they considered Noah’s words to be a lot of hot air, just noise filling the air. The Lord wanted all people to repent and believe in his message of forgiveness and salvation, but they refused.

And then the judgment came. Judgment will come sooner or later for us as well. This pandemic is not the worst thing we’ll ever face, not even close. The Bible declares, “[God] will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed” (Acts 17:31). How can we possibly endure that judgment of God?

Because of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Christ’s resurrection is our solid confidence every day of our lives, including on the day we stand before God. Recall how often Peter uses the word “save” in this short portion of his letter. Save us from what? The judgment of God. Joining those souls in hell to which Peter refers. The resurrection of Jesus is our solid guarantee that he has accomplished that work of saving us. We have forgiveness for every sin.

And that means Satan has no power over us to condemn us forever. As our risen Savior, Jesus entered hell, proclaimed his victory on Satan’s home court, and walked right out of hell triumphant. Satan couldn’t touch him. And Satan won’t be able to touch us either in the judgment. The resurrection of Jesus is our solid guarantee.

But how can we be sure? Peter answers to that question, too. He states, “This water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” The water of the flood, by which he saved Noah and his family, symbolizes baptism which saves us also. But how can a little water over the head of an infant save? Peter answers that question, too. “It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” The power of Christ’s resurrection is in the word of God at baptism. At your baptism, the risen Savior brought you the salvation he won for you. It washed your sins away.

And with your sins washed away, you have the blessings of a clean conscience. No sin can condemn you. No threat of hell can hold you. The resurrection of Jesus guarantees it. Now what can be more practical for your daily life than that?

How does Christ’s resurrection impact your daily life? It’s the assurance of your salvation.

No one knows where our world is heading over the next twelve months or so. I’ve heard that a vaccine could be ready sometime over the next 6 to 12 months. But I’ve also heard we’re heading for the most deadly winter we’ve ever seen. And I’m afraid. I’m unsettled. I don’t know what to think. How about you?

But let’s not miss the bigger picture. This current crisis is another reminder of where this world is headed—ultimately to destruction on the Last Day when Jesus returns. It’s another sign of the end times. But your God has everything in his hands. He’s directing all of history to that final day when your Lord Jesus will return and judge all people. But you have nothing to fear. In fact, you have every reason to rejoice. Because your God has prepared you for that judgment by faith in Jesus. Your baptism is his seal of ownership on you. You belong to him by the resurrection of Jesus no matter what happens in this life. So, live confidently! Let the resurrection of Jesus drive all fears and doubts from your hearts. The resurrection of Christ is your assurance of salvation.

Part II.

That’s some awesome news, isn’t it? Victory for us eternally no matter what happens here! Now that Christ’s resurrection has impacted your life and mine, what should we do with that saving truth?

Look what the disciples did with it. They waited in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit to be poured out on them as Jesus promised and then they set the world on fire with the message of Jesus, crucified for the sins of the world but risen from the dead.

Peter calls on us to do the same. He says it like this, “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.” “Always be prepared.” Always be ready to state what you believe about Jesus and what it means for you. Don’t think you have to recite every truth of the Bible. Just tell someone what Jesus means to you.

“But do this with gentleness and respect.” I’m not so sure that fire and brimstone sermons fit that description and neither does speaking down to someone with the truth of God’s word. Be gentle and respectful.

Even if you suffer for it. Consider the apostles. Only John died a natural death. The rest suffered martyrdom for witnessing to others about Jesus. That’s what Jesus meant to them. That’s what his resurrection meant to them. It impacted their lives daily and they shared that impact with others daily.

What does Christ’s resurrection mean for your daily life? It’s the power in your witnessing.

Times of hardship are some of the best opportunities to do just that. I know life right now isn’t easy, but you have the power of the risen Lord Jesus living in you and with you. While the world is quickly falling apart, you have a message of forgiveness, hope, and salvation. Look for opportunities to share it, gently and with respect. State the message of a crucified and risen Jesus. And see the impact you have on the daily life of someone else. The risen Lord Jesus promises to bless your efforts at doing just that! Amen.