Resurrection – we cannot come to life after dying by our own efforts.  Resurrection comes only by God’s power.

Restoration – replace death with life; restoring the old with the new.

There are instances in the Old Testament and the New Testament of resurrection for individuals from death.  Does that mean they never died?  No, I don’t believe so.  They did die, at some point in time even after they were resurrected.

There is only One who died, was resurrected from death and will never die again.  His name is Jesus.  He is the Savior we need.  We need a living Savior, not one who died, was buried and is still in a tomb somewhere.

Old Testament
1 Kings 17:17-24 Elijah prayed to the living God, whom he served, for the life of a son of a widow.  The boy’s life returned to him and he was taken to his mother.  Her faith in the Lord’s servant and word was made sure.  Elijah’s faith was in the Lord God.
2 Kings 4:8-36 Elisha the prophet also prayed for a son who had died.  The mother’s faith was sure that Elisha could restore life to her son.  Elisha’s faith was in the living God.

By faith ~ you also can know the Lord God’s words are true – all of them.

By faith ~ you also can pray for other’s to receive life in Christ.

Pray that they will be resurrected from the certain death of unbelief.
Pray that they will be resurrected to eternal life because of faith in the living Savior, Jesus Christ.

New Testament
Luke 7:11-16 The Lord Jesus, when He lived on this earth; went into a city while a funeral possession came out through the city gates of Nain.  His compassion for the grieving widowed mother resulted in action, the action of restoring her son’s life.

John 11 Another time, Jesus interacted with dear friends.  Two sisters were grief-stricken because their brother had died.  Jesus went to them four days after Lazarus was buried.  Martha, one of the sisters, met Jesus with confidence that whatever He asked God the Father, it would be given Him.

Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die.  Do you believe this?”
(John 11:25-26 NASB)

Martha replied with complete confidence, “Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world.”  (John 11:27 NASB)

Take it to heart ~

Do you believe this?  By faith believe that Jesus is the Christ.  That He is the Son of God who came into the world for you?  Do you believe by faith that you also can be resurrected from the death of your old nature and restored to life in Christ?  Do you believe this?
Choose life.

(NASB) Psalm 147:18 “O Lord God of hosts, restore us;
Cause Your face to shine upon us, and we will be saved.”