The Love of the Cross; the Power of the Resurrection!
“For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep (died) in Christ have perished. If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied. But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep.” Paul, First Corinthians 15:16-20 , (See also First Thessalonians 4:16-18)
One has said, “The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the capstone in the archway of Christianity.” Last Friday evening, Nancy and I attended “The Story of Moses” currently being held at the “Agri-Convention Center” in Wauchula. At one point in the play, following the death of Pharaoh’s son under the judgment of the Tenth Plague, Pharaoh’s Queen, said to Pharaoh as he prayed over his son he had laid at the foot of an Egyptian idol, “Pharaoh, Your God is dead!”
The truth is, all religions of the world in one way or another deny the living resurrected God of the Bible. For even if God is said to be followed and worshipped, if Christ as both the Divine Son of God born in the flesh, come into the world as the true Savior; risen from the dead, is rejected, then that religion is a lifeless and unscriptural religion.
In addressing the historical and spiritual reality of the resurrection of Christ Jesus to the Corinthian church, Paul proclaims both the love of the cross and the power of the resurrection. “…and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins…[and you will perish].”
Brothers and sisters in Christ! Paul adds, “…But now Christ has been raised from the dead…” Hallelujah! Christ is risen! By way of the cross, your sins have been forgiven and you have been given eternal life! “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life!” (John 3:16).
He is Risen Indeed!
Pastor Louie