Easter Sunday.

There is profundity in simplicity. Our world is complicated, but God's plan to lead us back to Himself is simple. Human ways to God only lead to destruction.

The good news of how sinful people can be made right with God, the Gospel, can be summed up in 3 simple words: Sin, Suffering, and Salvation. Our sin separates us from the perfect and holy God. In the person of Jesus, He suffered our penalty Himself. Now He offers salvation to all as a free gift.

2 Corinthians 3:14 also summarizes the Gospel, which we can understand in the following 4 words.

Reason

Our sin is the reason for Christ's sacrifice. The reason for Christ's coming was our deep need (Romans 3:23). This fatal flaw will lead to devastation if it is not addressed. Christ was the only one who could solve this problem (Romans 5:8, Colossians 1:19-20).

Reality

Omnipotence is the reality required to reverse the effects of sin. Only an all-powerful God can raise people from the dead. The same one who created black holes and galaxies, who spoke light into being and gave life to Lazarus, raised Jesus from the dead. When Jesus arose, He overturned death's sentence and defeated it forever.

Restoration

When our souls are resurrected in Christ, we are weak sinners saved by grace. We can come to Christ in our weakness and be safe in the strength of His love.

Reward

The resurrection power directed on our behalf is found only in Jesus. The reward for those who trust Him is life now and eternal life later. No other religious leader could offer eternal life and rest for your soul (Matthew 11:28). This is one reward that no person can work hard enough to earn, because Jesus did all the work already.

Application Points

• The Gospel is personal. Have you owned that your sin was the reason Jesus had to die? Is God's omnipotent resurrection power your reality? Have you been restored? Are you looking forward to the reward of eternal life? If not, all that is required to be in Christ is to turn from your sin and submit your life to Jesus Christ.

Tools for Further Study

Cross References to Explore

• Acts 2:32, John 2:18, 10:18, Romans 8:11, 1 Peter 3:18 – All 3 personalities of the Trinity were involved in the resurrection.
• Romans 6:4, Colossians 1:22 – Our weakness is made strong in Christ.
• John 10:10, 1 John 5:12, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 8:11, John 14:6 – Rewards of life now and eternal life later enjoying the presence of our Creator.

A Hymn to Encourage: "Free From Guilt and Free From Sin," written by Don and Jaree Hall

Dark the stain I cannot hide;
Stain of sin, my guilt to prove.
Guilt my own, and foolish pride;
Pride, the reason for my sin.

Light of God came shining down;
Son of God, my soul to win,
Laid aside His heav’n-ly crown,
Paid the price for all my sin.

Wash me in the Savior’s blood;
Make me pure, without, within;
Cleanse my heart and set me free,
Free from guilt and free from sin,
Free from guilt and free from sin.

Love of God that lights my way;
Love displayed on Calvary;
Lamb of God, my soul to save,
Gave His life to set me free!

Gone the darkness, come the Light:
Gone the night, the day begins.
Gone the wrong, my soul made right,
Free from guilt and free from sin!