Of course, the Name that is “above all other names” (Phil. 2:19) belongs to Jesus Christ. There is so much power and majesty in the Name of Jesus. Would you consider coming to God through this glorious Name to be made new – to be cleansed of sin, restored, and called God’s own child? A fresh start awaits. A new identity beckons. A God-given purpose calls. And when you finish your race of faith on earth, you will receive yet another name. As Revelation 2:17 declares, “To the one who overcomes… I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone.” To God be the glory!

Clearly, the reality of Christ’s resurrection is cause for great hope! The resurrection extends to all Christ-followers. Paul explains, “as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive” (v. 22). In this sense, Christ is the “firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (v. 20). This is the very anchor of the Christian faith that holds in all storms of life.

Clearly, the reality of Christ’s resurrection is cause for great hope! The resurrection extends to all Christ-followers. Paul explains, “as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive” (v. 22). In this sense, Christ is the “firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (v. 20). This is the very anchor of the Christian faith that holds in all storms of life.

In Ephesians 1, Paul prays that believers would know God better – and, in particular, that they would know God’s incredibly great power (v. 19). Paul shows how that power raised Christ from the grave and seated him on high. In chapter 2, Paul shows how that very same power has been at work in us in our salvation story. The extent of God’s power in our lives is revealed as Paul lays out for us the story of our rescue—and that story begins with Paul reminding us of our natural condition: “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins…” (vv. 1-3)

Paul makes two important points about the resurrection. First, he explains that Christians are without hope in the absence of the resurrection. He points out that “if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith” (v. 14) Furthermore, if Christ has not been raised, “we are then found to be false witnesses about God” (v. 15), “your faith is futile; you are still in your sins” (v. 17), and “those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost” (v. 18). He concludes that “if only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied” (v. 19) Put simply, without Christ’s resurrection, we are following a lifeless leader – trusting in a failed Saviour – even worshipping a dead deity. We should then simply “eat and drink, for tomorrow we die” (v. 32).