Has The Resurrection Lost Its Relevance?

"Religious people can hear about the resurrection so often, they are in danger of losing the significance of it, where it is no longer meaningful. Instead, it becomes something they just routinely sing about, hear the preacher sermonize on and take communion in remembrance of."

What if Jesus’ resurrection never happened?  What if He died on the cross, but Sunday never came and He remained dead?  

I have been going to church and hearing about Jesus’ resurrection since I was three.  Religious people like me can hear about it so often, that we are in danger of losing the significance of it, where it is no longer meaningful.  Instead, it can become something we just routinely sing about, hear the preacher sermonize on and take communion in remembrance of.  

One of Jesus’ chosen messengers was Paul, whom wrote to a group of Christians saying, “. . . if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.”  (1 Corinthians 15:17) Paul wrote this to remind a group of established believers, how the resurrection is the foundation of their faith.  Without it, their faith would be futile, meaning all their religious beliefs and practices surrounding Christ would be absolutely meaningless on a practical level.  All their church attendance and ministry activity would just be for the feeling of it or the general good it does, but outside of that, it would be of zero spiritual value.  These believers had lost the impact of this cardinal Christian doctrine.                

What difference does the resurrection make?  Let me ask it this way.  What if Jesus had not been raised from the dead?  Then all biblical preaching and teaching surrounding Christ would be a lie.  The Bible itself would be a lie.  The very existence of the Lord God would be a lie.  Jesus’ teachings and miracles would be a lie.  His claim of being deity would be a lie.  Your conversion to Christ would not be real, but simply a spiritual experience.  Your daily walk with Jesus would be a delusion.  Your sins would have never been forgiven, meaning you would still be guilty and unacceptable before God, remaining under the penalty of eternal death.  None of your friends or loved ones who died and had trusted in Christ, would be in heaven.  If Jesus had not been raised from the dead, then all humanity is condemned to one hopeless outcome.  Everlasting destruction.          

But praise God none of this is so.  According to the Scriptures, “. . . in fact Christ has been raised from the dead.”  (1 Cor. 15:20) Additionally, Peter, one of Jesus’ closest followers testified before a crowd of people, “This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses” (Acts 2:32).  The stone before Jesus’ tomb was rolled away so His followers could see inside.  There was no body.  It was empty.  Christ was not there.  He had risen!  He.  Is.  Alive!

All around us are people who lie, deceive and manipulate.  Professions and people we once trusted, we are skeptical of.  Distrust abounds everywhere.  Greatest of all, for many it has become a lifestyle without remorse.  This arouses God’s anger.  He detests liars and condemns them to the eternal fire meant for the Devil and His demons.  

But God is not a liar, nor is His Son.  Every letter of Jesus’ Words is true and the fact He has risen from the dead proves it.  Furthermore, His teachings are true.  His miracles are true.  Indeed, He is God in human form.  He truly did provide for the forgiveness of our sins.  Our guilt and shame can be removed.  He has paid the penalty we rightly deserved.  Our faith is not in vain.   Eternal life can be ours.  The hope of heaven is real.  And one day, Jesus is coming back again!  

In a world where you do not know who or what to believe anymore, there is One whom you can trust.  There is One whom has never lied, nor ever will.  His name is Jesus, and He has risen from the dead that you might believe in Him with all your heart.    

A prayer for you - "Lord God, I pray you will open our spiritual eyes to the realities of the resurrection.  Show us what this means.  Teach us.  Give us fresh understanding today.  And if there is someone who has never turned from their sins, bring them to yield fully to you and be washed clean by the power of your Holy Spirit.  In Jesus name.  Amen."  (Photo by Fr. Daniel Ciucci on Unsplash)

Persevering Through Perilous Times

"We live in a chaotic world . . . The truth is routinely attacked and lies rewarded. Immorality is glorified. Wars and rumors of wars persist. Threats of famine abound. It is easy to be disturbed at all we see taking place and wonder where the world is headed, becoming worried for ourselves, our children and grandchildren."

Near the end of Jesus’ ministry, He was with His disciples in Jerusalem. They commented on the beauty of the temple buildings. Jesus responded with a prediction about what would happen to them in the future. This naturally prompted questions, which led Jesus to expand on His prophecy. Knowing it would deeply trouble the disciples, He wove into His message words of assurance, saying, “See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.” (Matthew 24:6)

Jesus’ prediction of the future to the disciples included disturbing events like wars, famines, persecution, increased crime, disease, natural disasters, as well as the degradation of the heart of man, becoming more calloused and ruthless toward others.

Our Lord knew times like these would cause His followers to be greatly disturbed, to the point of being frightened, so in a spirit of wisdom He sought to prepare them for what was coming. Then they could remember His words and not be anxious.

He also knew that when prophetic events would unfold, it will appear chaotic and believers might feel like evil is triumphing and God is nowhere to be found. His teaching was to assure His followers that God is present and in charge. For He not only predicted what will be taking place, but will be working in the midst of it.

We live in a chaotic world where there are crises of all sorts happening simultaneously across the globe. Sometimes there is the sense of organized chaos, where godless influencers plot evil together at the national and international levels. The truth is routinely attacked and lies rewarded. Immorality is glorified. Wars and rumors of wars persist. Threats of famine abound. It is easy to be disturbed at all we see taking place and wonder where the world is headed, becoming worried for ourselves, our children and grandchildren.

Jesus knows the Evil One will take advantage of such crises that affects people’s emotions. He will attempt to deceive them in the church, within the family, throughout society and succeed. Jesus keenly understood this was a spiritual battle between good and evil; God and Satan.

He told His disciples about a great light that will bring hope into the world, and push back against the forces of darkness during this time of global spiritual upheaval. It is the light of the gospel of Jesus. It will be proclaimed throughout all the earth and rescue the souls of men and women who are enslaved by the empty promises of their sinful generation.

The disciples were told they will need to endure to the end during this time of trial Jesus predicted. He did not say they would escape from it, but would need to persevere through it to the end. And how could they do that when the pressure will be immense? By the Spirit of God who indwells them. It would not be according to their own strength or wisdom, but through the power of their resurrected Christ.

This is a message for us. Let us not be filled with alarm at the troubling events swarming around us. Rather, as believers read Jesus’ words again, and remember that He predicted times like these will come. Respond by being vigilant to protect yourself from deception. Take up the gospel and share it with someone who is trapped in sin. Love one another. Then endure, persevere and keep pressing forward.

A prayer for you - “Lord God, I pray that believers would not be alarmed when seeing what is happening in the world. Rather, may they remember your words, go and preach the gospel and endure to the end with joy, while being faithful to all your commands. In Jesus’ name. Amen.” (Photo by Brandon Morgan on Unsplash)

Is Covid Still Keeping You Out of Church? It's Time to Come Back

"Two years later, nearly 100% of churches are back to meeting in-person, that is good news. However, according to pollsters only around 75%-80% of Christians have come back. For those believers who have not returned, this may be a spiritual test about the Lordship of Christ."

Jesus was like a celebrity-type figure to many of His day. Crowds gathered in the thousands to hear Him speak and do miracles. This attracted a wide array of people to come follow Him, along with the 12 disciples. One man in particular was a scribe, a highly educated teacher and copier of God’s Word. He randomly shouted out to Jesus in the midst of other people, “I will follow you wherever you go.” (Luke. 9:57) Jesus quickly responded saying, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” (Lk. 9:58)

Does not that sound like an odd response to a person who wants to follow Jesus? What was Jesus, the master communicator, saying? He was telling the scribe there is a cost to following Him. While the man may have been enamored by the celebrity of Jesus, Jesus highlighted the non-glamorous parts of His ministry, which the scribe never observed. For Jesus told him it was one of poverty, homelessness and rejection.

Why was Jesus saying this? He was not just sharing information about His ministry’s travel and lodging plans. Jesus was stating a condition that must be met to follow Him. And that condition is His Lordship. It must be believed in and submitted to, no matter the cost.

When March 2020 ushered in the Covid pandemic, it became a test for every church and Christian. The test became harder with the passage of time due to continual negative and discouraging news of the virus spreading, hospitalizations, deaths, new variants and the introduction of vaccines. Sweeping lockdowns and mandates came as a result, causing churches to shut down in person gatherings and people to stay at home.

Two years later, nearly 100% of churches are back to meeting in-person, that is good news. However, according to pollsters only around 75%-80% of Christians have come back. For those believers who have not returned, this may be a spiritual test about the Lordship of Christ.

For those of us who have repented of our sins and placed our faith in Him, He became not only our Savior, but Lord. We were bought by Him through His blood on the cross. As a result, we became His and no longer our own. This means we are expected to do what He says, which is our primary way of expressing our love for Him. He commands us by word and example to gather with other believers to receive teaching, have fellowship, take the Lord’s supper, pray, celebrate baptism, engage in ministry and worship together.

For nearly 2,000 years, millions of Christians have faced potential danger for doing this. This is something modern believers in western nations largely know little about due to our freedoms. Gathering as the church has rarely been risk free since its inception. Believers in the first century often met in homes partly because of rampant persecution. The smaller groups, privacy, lack of visibility to authorities made it safer, but still not without some threat of peril. For centuries the faithful in persecuted lands have gathered with full knowledge they could be harassed, arrested or killed. They have also gathered during war, in crime ridden neighborhoods, while facing sickness and disease and following the effects of natural disasters.

What compels Christians to assemble when there are threats to their safety? The Lordship of Jesus. Like the scribe that shouted out to Jesus that he would follow him no matter what; words are easy to say. But the true test of the Christian is found in the dark valleys of suffering and trials of all sorts.

Fellow believers, it is time to get back to church. Accept there is risk, but place your faith in Christ as you go. When you do, remember the suffering and death He courageously endured for you. And do not forget some of His last words before He ascended back into heaven, “I am with you always.” (Matt. 28:20) In Christ, you are never alone.

A prayer for you - “Lord God, I pray this column will reach those who have not gone back to church since the start of Covid. Whatever their fears or concerns, bring them to place their trust in you and overcome all obstacles to gather again with their fellow believers. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”