Because He Lives

Mark Nichols Posey is a pastor and preacher who serves the Lord’s church in Northwest Alabama. He has a facebook page called Pulpit Previews where he posts ideas for “Sermon Starters” with either a few single words, or sentences for preachers to develop into their own lessons.

Recently Mark posted four sentences from the chorus of the song “Because He Lives,” written by Bill and Gloria Gaither, with a one sentence explanation. Mark’s thoughts triggered these observations for today’s facebook Friday.

The Gaither’s popular hymn finds its basis in Jesus’ statement to the apostles in the shadow of the cross from John 14:19. “A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also.”

#1 Because He Lives, I have Hope.
“I can face tomorrow.”

The Hebrew writer affirms that Jesus Christ is our “anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast”(Heb. 6:19). Paul affirmed to Timothy that the “Lord Jesus Christ {is} our hope” (1 Tim. 1:1). He is “the hope of glory” (Col. 1:27).

Hope is not wishful thinking. Or whistling in the dark. Or a wimpy approach to life. It’s not some Pollyanna approach to life.

Hope is based on confident prospects. A happy expectation. A favorable anticipation. Hope is built on a solid foundation of faith that is rooted in the facts of the gospel. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Heb. 11:1).

The Bible describes this anchor in a way that encourages, fortifies and assures our hope. It is called a “good hope.” A “better hope.” A “blessed hope.” And a “living hope.”

Regardless of life’s problems, challenges, and reversals, hope springs eternal, because of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead (1 Pet. 1:3). Our hope in Him allows us to accept any setback, overcome any adversity, and bear any burden.

#2 Because He Lives, I have Peace.
“All fear is gone.”

Peace is not just the absence of conflict, it is more. Much more. Peace is tranquility. Quietude. Security. Safety. A harmonious relationship with both God and men.

True peace, inner peace, and spiritual peace is of Divine origin. Our Heavenly Father is called “the God of Peace” (1 Thess. 5:23). Jesus Christ, our Savior, is identified as “the Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6-7; Lk. 2:14). And the Holy Spirit offers the fruit of peace (Gal. 5:22). This peace is higher, nobler, and greater than any peace the world can offer.

Inner peace that can say “all is well with my soul,” diminishes disharmony, dismisses our worries, decreases our frustrations, and dispels our fears.

#3 Because He Lives, I have confidence.
“”I know He holds the future.”

The Christian’s confidence is in Christ. Thus, our future reward is safe, sure and secured (Heb. 3:6, 14).

As Ira Stanphill expressed this Truth in his hymn, “I don’t know what tomorrow holds, but I know who holds tomorrow.”

Because He lives, we can have confidence in His Word. In His atonement for our sins. In His gift of the Holy Spirit. In His abiding presence. In the joy He provides. And in the promise of eternal life in that place He has prepared for us in His Father’s House.

#4 Because He Lives, I have Purpose.
“Live is worth the living, just because He Lives.”

Purpose is vitally important. Myles Munroe wrote, “Until purpose is discovered, existence has no meaning, for purpose is the source of fulfillment.” Your purpose in life provides motivation, drives your work, supports your dreams and fires your passion.

The Bible says that God has “saved us and called us with a holy calling” according to “His own purpose.” (Titus 1:9). God purposed our lives in Jesus Christ before the world began. Paul penned in Ephesians 1:11 that “In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will.”

Gaither’s hymn and Posey’s post remind us that the message of the resurrection is one of hope, peace, purpose and assurance.

John MacArthur was right when he wrote, “The truth of the resurrection gives life to every other area of gospel truth. The resurrection is the pivot on which all of Christianity turns and without which none of the other truths would much matter.”

Because He lives!

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman