April 19, 2014

"For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep;" I Corinthians 15:3-7

There is a saying that only two things are sure in this world, death and taxes.

This week I have had very real experiences with each. It was a tough week.

But on this Easter week-end I want to declare there is a third thing in life that is sure - THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST!

Some doubt that.

This week an atheist group posted billboards that claimed - "no one died for your sins - Jesus is a myth"

I am amazed at how stupid people become when they are overcome by hatred for Christianity.

There is nothing mythical about Jesus. He is so well documented that we mark time by His life. It is 2014 AD!

And the Resurrection of Jesus is one of those most documented events in history! 

The Romans documented His resurrection in their attempts to prevent it! By sealing the tomb and posting Roman guards in front of it, they assured His body would not be stolen. The fact that the seal was broken, the stone rolled away, the fearless guards having fled in fear, the grave clothes neatly folded, the angels present, and Jesus' body gone are all evidences that Christ arose from the dead.

Reliable historic record documents that over 500 people testified to having seen the Risen Jesus following His Resurrection. They testified to this despite the threats and pressures to deny the Resurrection. No one ever found the dead body of Jesus but hundreds saw the Risen body of Jesus.

The millions of transformed lives over the two thousand years of Christian history testifies to the power and presence of a Risen Savior! Why would people be willing to forsake everything that this world system values in order to follow Jesus if they were not absolutely convinced of His resurrection?

It is illogical to declare Jesus is a myth. History documents that Jesus lived and that He was crucified on a cross. There are three logical conclusions about Christ:

First, He was a liar. He claimed to the the Son of God while knowing that He was not.

Second, He was a lunatic in that He lived under the delusion that He was the Son of God but wasn't.

Third, He is Who He claimed to be - the Son of God in the flesh Who came to take away the sins of the world.

So who do you say Jesus is?

Liar?

Lunatic?

Lord?

If you conclude that He is Lord then you concede the resurrection!

April 18, 2014

"But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And 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. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins."  I Corinthians 15:12-17

There are many reasons to rejoice over the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. I have shared two:

The Fear of Death Is Gone!

The Freedom of Forgiveness Has Come!

On this day, Good Friday, I want to share a third reason for rejoicing in the Resurrection:

The Foundation of Faith Is Here to Stay!

Some 350 prophecies were fulfilled through the birth, the life, the death and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. If just one of those had failed then all of them would have been proven false! In fact, if just one small detail of one of those prophecies would have gone amiss then every prophecies would have been discredited.

But every detail of every prophecy, some given centuries in advance, happened exactly as predicted!

Jesus' resurrection was the most significant event in human history. He predicted His resurrection on several occasions prior to pulling it off. If after predicting it He would have remained in the tomb, He would have been proven a fraud.

The veracity of God's Word depended entirely on Jesus fulfilling the mission of the Messiah. Mankind's sins had to be atoned for and death had to be defeated.

When the sinless Jesus from Nazareth died on the cross of Calvary and then rose from the dead on the third day, He satisfied the penalty for sin and smashed the power of death!

Because Jesus accomplished everything the Scriptures predicted, we can rest assured that the foundation of our faith is firm forever!

Since every prophecy and prediction put forth in the Bible has been fulfilled up to the present day, there is every reason to have full expectation that His word is reliable and prophecies yet to be fulfilled WILL BE FULFILLED!

That's a reason for rejoicing!

April 17, 2014

"If Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins" 1 Corinthians 15:17

The Resurrection is reason for rejoicing because the fear of death is gone!

Also, the Resurrection is reason for rejoicing because the freedom of forgiveness is come!

When you wrong another person you make yourself indebted to them because you must right the wrong.  The more important the relationship the heavier will be the sense of indebtedness. That's why three of the most comforting words in the English language are "I forgive you". 

Jesus went to the cross on Good Friday to provide payment for a massive debt. But it wasn't a debt He owed it was a debt owed by you and me for our selfishness and disobedience against God! Your debt against a holy loving God resulted in feelings of guilt, shame, regret, and condemnation in your spirit. This debt was too great for you to ever pay and in fact, you continued running up the debt.

On the cross, Jesus paid a debt He didn't owe and a debt that only He could pay so you can be freed from the haunting feelings of shame and guilt and condemnation!

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit."  Romans 8:1-3

"Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law." Romans 13:8

That is a reason enough for rejoicing, but it is not the only reason! It gets better!

Not only did Jesus die to pay the price and take the penalty for your sins, but He rose from the dead to prove His power and authority over sin and death! So not can you know His forgiveness you can know the Forgiver!

Rejoice that fear has gone!

Rejoice that forgiveness has come!

April 16, 2014

"But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” Acts 7:55-56

The much anticipated movie "Heaven Is for Real" opens in theaters today. I plan to see it and urge you to go as well. 

10 million books sold since 2010 testify to the popularity of the topic and the story! After all, who isn't interested in heaven and who doesn't love an inspiring story? Those of us who are Wesleyans have another point of interest - the family represented in this movie are Wesleyans! Colton Burpo who had the near-death experience is the son of Todd Burpo, a Wesleyan pastor in Nebraska.

Enjoy the movie! Recommend the movie to those who are struggling with faith issues or who are investigating the faith. Use it as an occasion to start spiritual conversations and witnessing opportunities. Take encouragement from the level of interest being expressed in this movie around the nation!

With my endorsement of this movie, I also add a word of caution. Followers of Christ don't build their faith on movies, or testimonies or the mystical spiritual experiences of others. We base our faith and our doctrine squarely and solely on the Word of God! The Bible refers to Heaven over 600 times and it was one of Jesus' main topics in His preaching and teaching. So, we have plenty of Biblical truths upon which to build a solid doctrine of Heaven.

Heaven is for real! I have no doubt about that! I have built my entire life around that belief! By the mercy of God and the grace of Jesus, I plan to spend my eternity in Heaven! While I am in this earthly part of my life, I want to dedicate myself to helping many others secure the assurance of heaven, too!

Do you know for sure if you would be in heaven if your life should end today?

April 15, 2014

"Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?" John 11:24-26

Of all the things Jesus did during His world-changing earthly ministry there is one thing He never did - A FUNERAL! Where ever He went dead people lived again!

In fact, minutes after making the statement, "I am the resurrection and the life" He proceeded to raise Lazarus from the dead!

Wow!

And this was BEFORE He died and rose again to conquer death forever!

Jesus came as the Second Adam to overcome what the first Adam did when he disobeyed God in Eden. Sin brought death because sin separates from you from a Holy God, Who is the source of life.  So, when Jesus died for the sins of mankind He arose on the third day to conquer the power of death. Because He atoned for your sins, by faith in Jesus you can live in relationship with God! When you are in relationship with God, how can you die? When physical death separates you from your body you will be alive with God forever!

The Resurrection is reason to rejoice!

“Death has been swallowed up in victory." “Where, O death, is your victory Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." I Corinthians 15:54-57

"But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life[d] because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you." Romans 8:10-11

If you are in Christ by faith, the Resurrection is reason to rejoice!

By the Resurrection you have been set free from the power of sin and death! 

Rejoice!

Because of the Resurrection your death will usher you into eternal life!

Rejoice!

April 14, 2014

"Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground, terrified."  Matthew 17:4

I can relate to Peter. Perhaps you can too.

Just like him there is a part of me that wants to camp out a certain comfort level. When something good happens or especially when I experience a spiritual high, I want to linger there for awhile. I understand his desire to want to pitch a tent.

But God would have none of that. Before Peter could even finish his thoughts, he was interrupted by the voice of God. God doesn't let me get away with it either.

Why is that?

God loves us too much to allow us to level off. There too much growth that has to happen in you and in me to allow us to camp out in a comfort zone. There are too many other people to be reached to let us pitch a tent at a past event. God is too dynamic and has so much He wants to reveal to us about His nature and His will to allow us to live on yesterday's experience. God wants to stretch us and grow us so he can do greater things through us and show greater things to us!

Our relationship with God is often described as a walk or sometimes as a race or even as a journey - but never is it called a camp out! When we walk with God we must keep up with Him - stay in step with Him. The Bible urges us to "wait upon the Lord" but it doesn't say He should wait on us!

Some of the old hymns used to refer to the Christian walk as a march. Marchers move forward steadily and purposefully in step together with each other and with their leaders. You may remember this one:

Come, we that love the Lord,

And let our joys be known;

Join in a song with sweet accord,

Join in a song with sweet accord

And thus surround the throne,

And thus surround the throne

We’re marching to Zion,

Beautiful, beautiful Zion;

We’re marching upward to Zion,

The beautiful city of God.

Let those refuse to sing,

Who never knew our God;

But favorites of the heavenly King,

But favorites of the heavenly King

May speak their joys abroad,

May speak their joys abroad.

Notice the hymn-writer said we are "Marching" not camping! And we are marching forward as we march! And, we are marching upward!

So, following Jesus requires us to walk with, to stay in step with Him. As His disciples, what happens if you walk ahead of Him?  What might happen if you don't really keep up with Him? A distance can develop then, right?  And what happens if He wants to lead you to a higher place or share a newer revelation of His glory and you are still looking back?

As we head into this Holy Week finalizing preparations for a great celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, intentionally order your schedule and your stuff so you can enjoy this journey with the King of Kings. Revel in His presence and praise Him for keeping in step with the will of God for you. Chase the Risen Savior with all your heart and never pitch a tent! Never get too comfortable or casual so as to lose the blessing, the significance, the hope, or the presence, or the peace of following Jesus who rose from the dead to set us free!

Comfort is over rated. God designed and wired us for challenges, not for camp outs!

What comfort zone might you be caught in?

April 13, 2014

“The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him. They began to shout, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!  Blessed is the king of Israel!’ Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written, ‘Do not be afraid, people of Zion; look, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt!’ (His disciples did not understand these things when they first happened, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about him and that these things had happened to him.)”  (John 12:12-16)

I found this devotional  and thought it was challenging and wanted to share it with you. It is from the Skit Guys.

Think: As we read the gospels we see the progression of Jesus’ ministry and popularity come to a climax with his triumphal entry. People are laying down their coats and palm branches—a sort of rolling out the red carpet tradition—while praising him and the city is stirred up. The Pharisees exclaim, “Look, the world has gone after him” (Jn. 12:19). Many believe. Mission accomplished. Credits roll. 

But we know the story doesn’t end there. God has a much bigger ending planned. It’s hard to believe that within a week Jesus would be tried and crucified—the crowds would turn and against him demand a detestable criminal be released instead of Jesus. What happened? What made the crowds so fickle?

The man the crowds followed healed the sick and performed miracles. It seemed he had the favor of the world on him. But shortly after arriving in Jerusalem, Jesus became more and more a source of controversy. He overturned tables in the temple and drove people out with a whip; he spoke in confusing parables and talked about dying. The people began to doubt and the Pharisees fueled it with their own darkened hearts. Their promised king wasn’t supposed to die, he was supposed to conquer the Roman Empire and be, well, a king. They had an idea of what God was going to do and how he was going to do it, and Jesus didn’t meet their expectations.

We all have the tendency to put God inside a box. We predict how he’s going to move in certain situations, and it can challenge the very core of our beliefs when he doesn’t meet our expectations. Our struggle might be confined to just one aspect of our faith, like finances or a troublesome relationship. We can believe God in some ways but not others. Robert Robinson wrote in his famous hymn Come Thou Fount, “Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love; here’s my heart, O take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above.” The question is, will we be faithful when God doesn’t show up the way we want him to?

Ask: Is there a time you were disappointed with God? How did you work through that?

Pray: Ask for strength of faith for yourself, your family, your church, and the body of Christ all over the world. May we believe even when it doesn’t make sense to.