He is Risen! Hallelujah!
The heart and soul and foundation of our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ centers on the truth declared by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4: “For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,”.
In context, Paul wrote this to the Corinthians to remind them of the core message which they received and in which they stand. This Gospel of Jesus Christ, His death, burial, and resurrection is the undisputed truth we live by!
We don’t just live by it we greatly rejoice in it! Jesus died and rose again so that we never have to face judgement for our sins. We are redeemed because of the finished work of the cross!
We are living in days where the end of the church age is fast approaching. Regardless of where you stand concerning end-time events, there are 3 non-contested, non-negotiable truths:
- The literal, physical, visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ
- The resurrection of all dead - righteous & unrighteous
- The final judgement of all
Just as sure and secure as the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus is, so are these 3 powerful events that must take place and will involve every one of us.
What a joy to know that Christ's victory over death guarantees our victory over it too!
Praise God, Jesus Himself says in John 5:24, “I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, the person whose ears are open to My words [who listens to My message] and believes and trusts in and clings to and relies on Him Who sent Me has (possesses now) eternal life. And he does not come into judgment [does not incur sentence of judgment, will not come under condemnation], but he has already passed over out of death into life.”
When Jesus does come back again, because we are the redeemed, and are in Him, we will not be judged for our sins, but will give an account of how we stood firm and held fast to our faith in Him.
Paul said that once we receive the Gospel, we must stand firm in it and continue to have it transform us, until the day Jesus returns!
This way we won’t dread His coming, but instead, eagerly await it!
1 John 3:2-3 says, “Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. (ESV)
In his book “The King is Coming”, by John Bevere, he writes concerning this verse: There is a purifying force connected to the eager expectation of Jesus’ return. It’s a restrainer that protects us from the onslaughts and pollutions of this world!
When we eagerly await Christ’s return, we have an urgency to live a life worthy of what He accomplished for us. We have a deep, reverential fear of the Lord and love to please Him in all we do.
What a privilege to be called a child of God, and what a privilege to serve Him alongside you, our partners in this ministry!
We so appreciate your love, prayers and financial support - helping us do the work He called us to do - advancing His kingdom until He returns! And what a glorious day that will be!