Declared with Power
Romans 1:4
Pastor Jerry Koller

Pastor and theologian S. Lewis Johnson said, “The resurrection is God’s ‘Amen’ to Christ’s statement, ‘It is finished.’”

There are a number of passages in the four gospels that show how Jesus told His disciples of His inevitable death and how, after three days, He would rise from the grave.

There are no definitive passages in the New Testament that describe the exact moment the Apostles came to a saving faith in Jesus. But following Jesus’ resurrection, the disciples would never be the same.

Declarations of Divinity:

Paul points out that Jesus Christ was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead.

Declared: to announce publicly or officially; to proclaim or make a declaration.
• The resurrection of Jesus declared the truth that He is the Son of God.

A seal is a stamp affixed to a document which attests to its authenticity. In a biblical context, it conveys the idea of authentication, ownership, security, and approval.

As far as the resurrection being God’s seal that Jesus is the Son of God, the seal is not a sign of ownership or security. It is one of approval and authentication.

Scripture gives a number of accounts of people who were raised from the dead. (see: 2 Kings 13:21, 1 Kings 17:22; Luke 7:14-15; Acts 9:40)
• In each of the examples, every personwas raised by someone. No one came back to life on their own power except Jesus. (see John 10:17-18)

John 19:9-10 give the account of the interaction Pilate had with Jesus before sending Him to His death.

Jesus points out to Pilate where authority comes from, authority as far as dying and rising again is concerned. He had the ability to let one live and the ability to take life away (from a human perspective, but his authority was given to him from God.

Jesus said: I have authority to lay it down…
• The word for “authority” includes the idea of possessing official permission or approval.
It also includes the idea of power.

Besides having official permission or approval to lay down His life, Jesus said, ...andI have authority (power) to take it up again. This commandment (or instruction) I received from My Father.

Trinitarian Approach to the Resurrection:
• The Father: Acts 2:24, 32; 10:40
• The Son: John 2:19
• The Holy Spirit: Romans 8:11

Jesus is the Son of God.

• Miriam Bryant & Family upon the loss of her sister, Edna Fruge, on 4/16.
• Vincent Bryant (Miriam Bryant's son) is hospitalized due to a foot infection.
• Tabitha Goodale (friend of Stan & Jean Robinson) has been diagnosed with thyroid and throat cancer.
• Carson & Bailey Finch who are celebrating the birth of their first child, Charlotte Jane, who arrived on 3/28.
• Marialice Quinn (former FBC member) has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.
• Jeremy Price is recovering from back surgery.
• Bill Foskett Sr. (Bill Foskett's dad) was diagnosed with leiomyosarcoma, a rare aggressive cancer in muscle cells. Praise God that surgery to remove the cancer is all that is required for treatment.
• James Thomas (friend of Bruce & Vasha Ferguson) has been diagnosed with ascites; a very serious disease often associated with cirrhosis.
• Louann Pranger (Tracy Marshall's mom) continues to recover from a C Diff infection
• Derrick (grandson of Bruce & Vasha Ferguson) is recovering from a stroke.
• Curt Bales has returned home and continues to recover from a broken knee.
• Vasha Ferguson is recovering from parathyroid surgery.
• Miriam Bryant is having difficulty with both of her hands being numb, tingly, and extremely painful. Please pray that her doctor can find something to help alleviate the discomfort.
• Beth Bocock continues to recover from ulcerative colitis.
• Judy Jones (wife of Pastor Grady Jones/friend of Pastor Jerry) is recovering from a successful surgery and doctors believe they removed all of the cancer. She is waiting for biopsy results to decide how to proceed with treatment.
• Lennon McKamey (son of Kyle & Sarah) needs surgery on his shoulder. Please pray that preparing for surgery goes smoothly.
• Check out our monthly prayer card on-line at southhavenfbc.com under “Weekly Bulletins” for a list of those with on-going needs.

First Baptist Church
1635 76th Street
South Haven, MI 49090
269-637-1291
southhavenfbc@gmail.com