We’ve discovered that Jesus came to die in our place. We
learned that without shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins. And we
know that Jesus, once dead, came back to life on the third day. However, in
Christ’s time as in ours, some people didn’t believe in the resurrection. If
there was no resurrection, would our relationship and salvation be impacted?
Now if Christ be preached that he
rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the
dead? 13 But if there be no resurrection
of the dead, then is Christ not risen: 14 And
if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith
is also vain. 15 Yea,
and we are found false witnesses of
God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised
not up, if so be that the dead rise not. 16 For
if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: 17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. 18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are
perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most
miserable. 1 Cor 15:12-19 (KJV)
So if it’s not true: if Christ did NOT come back from the
dead, we’re living a lie. Our faith is useless. Our testimony is useless. We
still live an unforgiven life. We are most
miserable.
Do you have friends who believe that Jesus was a good man?
They are most miserable. Do you,
yourself, think this way? You are most
miserable. Or do you know that Jesus was resurrected? What’s the big deal
with the resurrection anyway?
Jesus had a friend named Lazarus. He heard that Lazarus
died. When he came to see Mary and Martha, he learned that Lazarus was very dead. He’d been in the tomb for
four days. When Jesus tried to console the sisters, they both told Jesus that
He had the power to bring their brother back to life. Jesus gave them an
interesting reply:
Jesus said to her, “I am the
resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me,
though he die, yet shall
he live, 26 and everyone
who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do
you believe this?” 27 She
said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who
is coming into the world.” John
11:25-27 (ESV)
What an odd statement! If we believe in Jesus we will live
even though we die, and if we live and believe in Him, we will never die! How
do these verses impact your life? Please email me or leave a comment!
Have you received the free gift of salvation? Can you echo
Martha’s words: “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is
coming into the world.”? If you’ve never received the free gift, it’s not
difficult.
If you
confess
with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe
in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you
will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and
with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 13 For
“everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans
10:9, 10, 13 (ESV)
There’s no magic prayer. No combination of words. Nothing
that you must do except confess Jesus is Lord and believe God raised Him from
the dead. That’s it. If you believe this, tell God. Ask Jesus into your heart.
You know you’re a sinner. Tell Him! You know that Jesus wants you to turn from
your sins. Tell Him that too! The prayer doesn’t have to be elaborate. God
knows your heart.
If you’ve accepted this gift, TELL ME! Email me or leave a
comment. Tell your friends. Tell the pastor. Rejoice that you are a new
creature in Christ.
I will talk to all of you again on Wednesday, which is
America’s Independence Day. See you then!
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