Post by foxjj on Apr 18, 2022 6:53:13 GMT
Faith In The Resurrection
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of the Christian Faith. No other faith system can claim that their founder arose bodily from his tomb. He was seen by many witnesses, including over 500 on one occasion. (1 Corinthians 15:5) Faith in the resurrection is unique to Christianity. Because Jesus was God's Son, the grave had no power over Him. This gives hope of eternal life to all who believe.
Paul explains it this way in 1 Corinthians 15:16-23: "For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. 20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him."
We who live with the blessed hope of spending eternity with our Savior, believe that our faith will usher us into the very presence of The Lord when we leave this world, there to see Him face to face. Revelation 22:4 reads: "They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads." What wonderful assurance. Consequently, belief in the bodily resurrection of Jesus brings comfort when we mourn the loss of a loved one whom we know had faith in the Lord Jesus.
When conducting a memorial service for a believer, I like to read the following scripture at the grave side, giving hope and comfort to the gathered mourners: "Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord's word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words." (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) Because of our Redeemers resurrection, we who believe will also rise into eternal life.
Today, let us thank our Savior for the promise of resurrection - and eternal life.
John Joseph Fox.
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of the Christian Faith. No other faith system can claim that their founder arose bodily from his tomb. He was seen by many witnesses, including over 500 on one occasion. (1 Corinthians 15:5) Faith in the resurrection is unique to Christianity. Because Jesus was God's Son, the grave had no power over Him. This gives hope of eternal life to all who believe.
Paul explains it this way in 1 Corinthians 15:16-23: "For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. 20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him."
We who live with the blessed hope of spending eternity with our Savior, believe that our faith will usher us into the very presence of The Lord when we leave this world, there to see Him face to face. Revelation 22:4 reads: "They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads." What wonderful assurance. Consequently, belief in the bodily resurrection of Jesus brings comfort when we mourn the loss of a loved one whom we know had faith in the Lord Jesus.
When conducting a memorial service for a believer, I like to read the following scripture at the grave side, giving hope and comfort to the gathered mourners: "Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord's word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words." (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) Because of our Redeemers resurrection, we who believe will also rise into eternal life.
Today, let us thank our Savior for the promise of resurrection - and eternal life.
John Joseph Fox.