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Christ is Risen!
By Mark D. Roberts | Sunday, March 23, 2008
Reflection
Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed!
Christians confess that Christ is risen, not only in the hearts of the faithful, and not merely as some nice religious image, but truly and physically. On Easter morning the tomb of Jesus was empty. The power of death was broken, both for him and for us, by his resurrection.
We can only begin to understand the divine power that raised Jesus from the dead. The more we think of it, the more we are astounded.
Ephesians adds to our astonishment. The “mighty power that raised Christ from the dead” is in fact “God’s power for us who believe him” (vv. 19-20). The same power that shattered the prison of death sets us free from all that binds us. The very Spirit of God lives in us to empower us for the ministry of the kingdom of God. Resurrection power is for us, in us, and at work through us.
Thus we live as Easter Christians, not simply with gratitude for our salvation, and not merely with hope for the future. We live in the power as God’s ministers, filled with his power, extending his kingdom into every facet of our lives. We are Easter people at home and at church, at work and at play.
Christ is rise! He is risen, indeed!
Prayer
Gracious God, how we praise you for your power made known in the resurrection. Death could not defeat you. Rather, the death of Jesus set the stage for an extraordinary display of divine power. Christ is risen! You have won the battle. Alleluia!
Yet the power of the resurrection is not merely something we celebrate joyfully, but also something we can experience daily. Your power is for us, helping us, guiding us, setting us free. Your power is in us, healing us, renewing us, and gifting us for serving you in the church and the world.
Even as we celebrate the power of your resurrection today, may we live by that power today, and each day of our lives. To you be all the glory. Alleluia! Amen.
Topics: Holy Week & Easter |
4 Responses to “Christ is Risen!”
Comments
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March 23rd, 2008 at 6:53 am
[…] Christ is risen! […]
March 30th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
REFLECTIONS
Many christians say they want to be “more Christlike”. (How is it possible to be more of something, that one isn’t?) They also say it is only a goal that can’t become a reality for any human being. (“Only try”! Call them “christians”, or, call them “Tryans”?)
So, they believe the best they can be is only a REFLECTION of the Christ. (Seeing a sinful christian is seeing the living Christ?)
Christian, will you stand in front of a mirror? Do you see a reflection of someone, or, something that “isn’t” in front of the mirror, as you are standing in front of the mirror, or, do you see an EXACT reflection of YOU? (Blink your right eye. Do you see a reflection of your left eye blink?)
Christian, unless you are walking this earth as the Christ walked it, before his crucifixion, you could not be a reflection of Christ! Unless the Christ “failed to do God’s will” (as you have no fear to do), you could only be a reflection of the “father of sinners”!
Christian, can you imagine the Christ having twisted scriptures, to make it right for him to sin, as you do?
Robert Stichter
Milford, IN USA
www.THISgospeltoalltheworld.info
www.wecdusa.org
April 13th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
Yes! I refuse to call myself a Christian anymore! From now on I will call myself a Sticherian. The church of the perfect stich is the only way!
December 14th, 2008 at 11:28 pm
LEGITIMATE KIDS?
FACT:
Today’s christians have no shame about being sinners. And they want no part of the Bible’s way of becoming ex sinners. Why is this? Might the following scripture have the truth about today’s “so satisfied sinful shining saints”?
Hebrews 12:6-11
6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
FACT:
Christians can sin without needing to have any fear about being punished by their Great God of Love, Mercy, and Forgiveness, or by their church. (If there would be “capital punishment” from the church, just move down the street to a church that loves to see “sinning saints” do their thing.)
FACT:
Since no “enduring chastening” can be seen coming from God, or from the church, satisfied shining sinful saints do not qualify to be “sons of God”. (Whose sons would they be if not God’s sons?)
FACT:
Christian freedom to sin, without having any punishment, proves that sinful christians are BASTARDS! (The word is in the kjv Bible!)
FACT:
If christians would be punished for their sinning they might be sharing God’s HOLINESS! (If sinful christians really are sharing God’s holiness, He surely must be a “stinker”! See a christian and see god?)
FACT:
If christians would be punished by God for their sinning, couldn’t they be seen as having “the peaceful fruit of RIGHTEOUSNESS”!
FACT:
One of the major doctrines of christianity says that it isn’t possible for anyone to be righteous. (True, some christians have been deceived into believing they are holy. But they couldn’t be sharing God’s holiness, unless His actions are as unholy as many of the “so holy” christians’ actions are.)
But, couldn’t this scripture, with the filthy word in it, have been slipped in by some silly little imp without having King James’ scribes knowing it? So, “in context” this scripture really doesn’t mean what it says. Right? (If it would mean what it says, wouldn’t there have been several sermons preached about it?)
Christian, whose “holiness” are you sharing?
Christian, what kind of “peaceable fruit” are you growing in your garden?
Robert Stichter
Milford, IN USA
www.THISgospeltoalltheworld.info
www.wecdusa.org