The Miracle of Restoration

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.  Ephesians 2:1, 2

When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. Colossians 2:13, 14

Props: “the bridge” illustrations (boy separated from God, sin between boy and God) and a cross cut out to fit over the word “sin” and “bridge” the two cliffs

Today we’re talking about one of the most amazing miracles: Jesus’ resurrection.  He was dead and God raised Him by the power of the Holy Spirit.  He lived again, and still lives.  How amazing!

The Bible says that before we know God, we are dead in our sins.  But that doesn’t mean that we’re not breathing or don’t have a heartbeat.  So why would God call us dead when we have sin in our lives and don’t know Him?

If you think about it, death is more than a physical body that stops working.  Death is separation.  When someone dies, you and I who are still alive become separated from that person.  We can’t talk to him or see him like we used to.  When we are in sin, it’s like we are dead because we are separated from God.  His life-giving power is not at work in our lives. 

(Show 1^st picture–boy separated from God). 

   Everyone since Adam has been separated from God by sin.  The thing is, there’s no way we can ever get to God on our own.  People have tried for thousands of years to reach God with their own strength, their own good works or their own beliefs.  But it has never worked.  Sin created too great a separation to be crossed on our own. 

(Show 2^nd picture –sin between boy and God). 

 

That’s where the miracle happened.  Jesus came to the earth and was born without sin.  He lived a perfect life and never sinned or did anything wrong.  When He died, He took the punishment for our sins and made a way for us to be close to God again.  Our own goodness was never enough to get us close to God, but Jesus is perfect and His death was enough. 

(Place cut-out cross over the word “sin,” creating a “bridge” between the two cliffs). 

            When you accept what Jesus did for you and ask God to forgive your sins, you cross over from death to new life.  You are no longer separated from God, but are once again close to Him.  You are given new life just like Jesus rose from the dead. 

            We’re alive because Jesus is alive.  Jesus rose from the dead and, by God’s power, we can be free from sin and made alive in Christ.