Wednesday, March 19, 2008

The Resurrection: An Essential to Salvation

“If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9 NKJV)

There are some passages of Scripture that seem to be so plain I can’t understand the problem. The resurrection of Christ is an essential. It is the essence of what distinguishes a Christian from everyone else who believes in Jesus. The Muslims believe in Jesus. They believe he was a great prophet. They believe he was rescued from the cross and never died. Many Jews believe in Jesus. Some even believe he was a decent teacher, although a bit too radical. They also believe he died and remains dead, just like everyone else, in their opinion. A Christian believes that Jesus “suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.” (The Apostle’s Creed) If you are not a big fan of creeds, please refer back to the first sentence where Scripture is referenced. Not a fan of the literal reading of Scripture, consider for a moment the Apostles who after having denied Jesus, became bold heralds of his resurrection, even to the point of their own martyrdom. Think they are crazy? Consider the Church for over 2,000 years, with other martyrs and the consistent and uncompromising teaching about Christ’s resurrection. Witness the power of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)’s ministry and faith as for 121 years this congregation has invited tens of thousands of people into relationship with God through Jesus Christ and thousands have responded, yes.

This Sunday is Resurrection Sunday, known by the world as Easter. Come and hear again the reasons to believe, experience the power of an empty tomb, join with brothers and sisters in Christ as together we proclaim: “Alleluia! Christ is risen. The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!”

Wednesday, March 05, 2008

God's presence is not dependent on our feelings

Easter is in three weeks. Effectively, this Sunday’s emphasis will be the final emphasis on the themes of Lent. The next Sunday is Palm Sunday, which begins Holy Week, and culminates with the Feast Day of the Resurrection. By the way, the forecast for the weekend is possible snow showers. Out in our front yard, in the area where tulips would be starting to push up out of a warming ground during any other Lent/Easter season, still sits lifeless, bare and dark. A friend of mine remarked that it doesn’t really “feel like Easter.” Yet, when Sunday, March 23rd rolls around, the sanctuary of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) will be vested in white, with spring flowers and the trumpet sound of an empty tomb.

“Thanks be to God” that the power of resurrection, the presence of the Holy Spirit and the incarnational ministry of the Church are not dependent on our being ready or feelings of preparation. Actually, the fact that God comes to us, uses us for the advancement of the Gospel, heals, inspires and saves in the midst of our weaknesses is the essence of the Gospel. “For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger then human strength.” (I Corinthians 1:25)

God’s power and Word, whether it is the celebration of the Resurrection, the assurance of our salvation, the promise of healing or even God’s very existence, is not dependent on our feelings, desires, experiences or preparation. Ready or not, tulips or none, healthy or sick, snow or sun, the power of the resurrection is coming. In two weeks, the celebration of an empty tomb begins.