THE IMPORTANCE OF THE RESURRECTION

Newsletter 190 - April 24, 2010

Bob Mills

Many accounts of the life of Christ, both written and filmed, chronicle his birth and his ministry up to and including his crucifixion, and then stop there as though that were the end of the story. If they were meant to be a biography, and that only, that might be true. But, the whole reason for his coming to live on the earth as a man with all the frailties that involved, was to fulfill the prophecies and become the final blood sacrifice for the sins of mankind. If he had died and stayed in the tomb, all would have been pointless.

The Gospel is told in the facts of his death, burial, and resurrection. Death, without a resurrection would have been entirely human and meaningless to all. The prophecies would not have been fulfilled. The blood sacrifices of the old covenant would have been without reason. His divinity would not have been proven beyond doubt. Satan would have won, and we would face eternity with him.

The resurrection is central to the sacraments, commanded by Christ Jesus. Of baptism, he commanded, “Go…preach the Gospel.” (Mark 16:15) That is a clear, concise instruction. There are two results of doing that. People either believe and obey the command to be baptized, or they do not. The result is salvation Mark 16:16, “”believeth and is baptized shall be saved” or it is to be lost, “believeth not shall be damned.” (Mark 16:16) The wonder of the resurrection is shown in baptism. This is the first sacrament. The second is His memorial table. Our memories are short, and even more so as we grow older. Praise the Lord for that part of our weekly fellowship in His House of worship and prayer. We can do without that weekly chat with our friends in the foyer with a donut in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other. As enjoyable as they might be. We would probably be healthier without either, but we need that time with Him about His table of Communion. We need to remember what He did on our behalf. His statement was, “Do this in remembrance of me” (1 Corinthians 11:24) These are essential to Christianity, and both are pictures in action, of His death, burial and resurrection, on our behalf. Take either away and you have little of significance remaining.

Luke 24:1-12 (King James Version)
1 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. (Luke 24:1-10, Matthew 28:7-8, Mark 16:1-8, John 20:1-8)

2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.

3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. (Luke 7:13, Acts 1:21)

4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: (John 20:12, Luke 2:9, Acts 12:7)

5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?

6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, (Mark 16:6, Matthew 17:22, Mark 9:30, Luke 9:44, Luke 24:44)

7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. Matthew 16:21, Luke 24:46)

8 And they remembered his words, (John 2:22)

9 And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.

10 It was Mary Magdalene and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles. (Matthew 27:56, Mark 6:30)

11 And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not. (Mark 16:11)

12 Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass. (John 20:3-6, John 20:10)

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RESOLVE TO READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2010


APRIL

25th. Sunday – Joshua 16-17:13, Luke 22:24-46, Psalm 51:1-9
26th. Monday – Joshua 17:14-18:28, Luke 22:37-71, Proverbs 10:21-32
27th. Tuesday – Joshua 19, Luke 23:1-25, Psalm 51:10-19
28th. Wednesday - Joshua 20, 21, Luke 23:26-56, Psalm 52
29th. Thursday – Joshua 22, 23, Luke 24:1-27, Psalm 53
30th. Friday - Joshua 24, Luke 24:28-53, Proverbs 11:1-6
MAY
1st. Saturday – Judges 1:1-:2:15, John 1:1-28, Psalm 54

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THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“He that rejecteth me; and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.”

John 12:48

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Spreading Stupidity...

Only in America......do drugstores make the sick walk all the way to the back of the store to get their prescriptions while healthy people can buy cigarettes at the front.

Only in America.....do people order double cheeseburgers, large fries, and a diet coke.

Only in America.....do banks leave both doors open and then chain the pens to the counters.

Only in America ......do we leave cars worth thousands of dollars in the driveway and put our useless junk in the garage.

Only in America......do we buy hot dogs in packages of ten and buns in packages of eight.

Only in America ......do they have drive-up ATM machines with Braille lettering