This tremendous doctrine has always been the mockery of the Church at large. We will never convince or convict others of the resurrection, but it is a matter of faith! The absence of trying to explain it in this Lord's day is a strength as by faith we already believe this doctrine even as the Holy Spirit convicts us of the resurrection.

Jesus overcame death. He parts His righteousness to us by His Spirit after He overcame death. The resurrection is a cosmic event. Sin blankets the WHOLE universe and we see all things are corrupted by sin. He not only gives life to His people but restores all of creation that groans and travails for His coming again. In Christ you principally already have a new heavens and a new earth! That belongs to us, you and I, and we believe it by faith!

We are also partakers. We are raised with Him by the Spirit of the risen Lord and we are begotten to a new and Holy life being buried with Him and planted in Him in a new life already NOW! We have a new life in Christ's resurrection and it take affect now and we are new creatures though still in the mist of sin and this groaning world. That is why sin may no longer rein in our mortal bodies! We are free from the bondage and slavery of sin now (unlike the world we see around us) and are no longer slaves in bondage to sin...but sanctified in a new, holy life! Death has no dominion over us and though we die we never, never die but live! Although we do not do it perfectly, we now have the power to crucify sin as we are led by His Word and Spirit!

We have a sure pledge. The Lord does not pledge to us, but He IS our pledge! As Christ could not be kept in the grave so must we be risen and cannot be kept in the grave as the whole creation will be lifted up into glorious liberty and made perfect forevermore. Those we are sleeping with Jesus will be made alive!!! "So shall we be with the Lord evermore...comfort each other with these words."