Good morning on this Easter eve, March 22nd. HE IS RISEN! I've been seeing this emphatic statement throughout the week on church outdoor signs around the area. It summarizes the message of Easter and succinctly presents the teaching of the great resurrection chapter of the Bible found in 1 Corinthians 15. May I suggest that you take the time this Easter to read that great chapter, as I did before writing this blog this morning, to review its marvelous teachings about the importance and doctrinal applications of this climactic event in the life of Christ. The chapter covers the necessity of the resurrection to the gospel message and our salvation, the evidences of the resurrection through many witnesses, the consequences to us if there were no resurrection, the comprehensiveness of future resurrections, the order of the resurrections, the nature of the resurrected body and its relationship to our current bodies, the rapidity of our resurrection and the signs and sounds which will accompany it, the song of triumph of those resurrected, and a concluding admonition to us. That concluding admonition is, Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58). May we all not only celebrate His resurrection this Easter, but strive to live every day as steadfast, immovable believers who are always abounding in the work of the Lord.
Tomorrow's message is entitled, Something's Missing. I hope to see you in one of our three Easter services tomorrow (8:00, 9:30, and 11:00 A.M.).
Pastor Mel Brown