Testifying to the Resurrection

We have had a good day and as I write the first half of the Superbowl has just come to an end. We will be putting in a longer Sunday mornings over the next 13 weeks with Debbie helping with the grief care class. It will bring back some memories of our days of pastor ministry.

After returning home this morning, I took care of some personal business and then after lunch decided I needed to take a nap to get ready for the game. I will get back into my fitness center routine tomorrow.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… When they heard Paul speak about a raising from death, some of them made fun of him…” (Acts 17:32) “…I am on trial here because of the hope I have that the dead will rise to life!” (Acts 23:6) “All they [the Jews] had were some arguments with him [Paul] about their own religion and about a man named Jesus, who has died; but Paul claims that he is alive.”  (Acts 25:18,19)

As we were in church this morning we sang the song that contains the faith affirming words, “I believe in God, the Father, I believe in Jesus Christ…I believe in the resurrection, for He has given me new life…” The Apostle Paul would love that song and this affirmation of faith was one he embraced.

A few days ago as I was  finishing my read through the Book of Acts, I took note of the final chapters of Paul’s arrest, trials and imprisonment. The reoccurring theme and event was Paul’s conversion. And what made Paul’s conversion so impacting is that Jesus, who he was persecuting, appeared to him on the road to Damascus. When Paul writes to the Corinthians about the resurrection he lists himself as those the resurrected Christ appeared to. “…last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.” (1 Corinthians 15:8)

The resurrection of Christ became the basis of Paul’s message and the foundation of his faith.“.. if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead.” (1 Corinthians 15:14,15)

Paul clearly states that the resurrection of Christ is the basis of our faith and our hope for the future. So he asserts with confidence, “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.” (1 Corinthians 15:20-22)

As Paul testified about the resurrection, the same call is on followers of Christ today. “…in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”  (1 Peter 3:15) The reason for our hope is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus performed miracles, was a great teacher, and “went about doing good.” But all of that would not give us forgiveness and hope for the future had He not died on the cross and rose from the grave.

We are still two months away from Easter and the global celebration of the resurrection of Christ. But remember that each “Lord’s day” The first day of the week we gather in a continual reminder and celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In between those times of corporate gatherings as Christ followers we can daily live our lives by “faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20) and rose to life for me.