The Christian Message: He is Risen!:
THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2012
He is Risen!
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| 1 Corinthians 15:1f lays out the rationale for the historical fact of Christ. This chapter of the Scriptures illustrates how the resurrection of Christ is the foundational basis for the Christian Faith. And, all this is based upon the historical God-authored divine revelation as found in the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures. |
“……For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” John 18:37
“…..I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die…” John 11:25-2
“….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… 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
People display their foolishness
This emeritus Christian pastor is no stranger to some online forums. I find that if a person wants proof of human foolishness, all one has to do is access some web forums; better yet some Facebook comments. There exhibited, are more often than not, comments by people who defy human logic and scatter sound reasoning to the four winds. The minority comments are those whose forum personalities think through their responses and clearly and sanely communicate.
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| The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in the 1940's testified to the historical accuracy of the Old Testament (Biblical) manuscripts. |
Of course, we know that few (by comparison in number) people, who lived in the past, personally left little in the way of historical documentation about themselves. [Relatively few people keep a daily diary]. And, unless they have made provisions while they lived – and their family members didn’t destroy personal writing provisions – there is none of that particular "proof" that these people ever existed. But, as I just stated, if you desire evidence of human foolishness, just go and visit, online forums.
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| The Gospel of John in the Christian New Testament Scriptures is just 1 of 4. The Old and New Testament Scriptures testify about the promised, prophesied and historical Christ. |
It is fallacious reasoning to insist that people from the past must have personal writings to establish their existence. Foolish people who accept this false premise are very quick to dismiss both the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures. They refuse to accept these historical documents at face value and to recognize that the major theme in its composite 66 books is the person of Christ. People who will find their souls damned in hell forever with death everlasting, will have refused to accept the testimony of history of the Christian Faith being spread in all corners of the world by groups of Christians who worship Christ. They fail to understand that history was, and still is, (by many) to be divided by BC and AD.
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| The historical documents of the Hebrew Old Testament and Christian New Testament Scriptures are second to none. People who cast aspersions upon the testimony of Scripture do so because of their sin. Their unbelief and sinful lifestyle subdue any spiritual perception on their part. [1 Corinthians 2:14] |
As I stated in a previous message, people refuse to accept divine Scripture, God, Christ, and His saving sacrifice for their souls because they love to live with their sins and sinful lifestyles. They would rather give their souls to the devil and all of hell’s eternal damned rather than humbling themselves and accepting that they are sinners who have offended a just and holy God – and, who, must, according to his holy nature prohibit them from His holy heaven, except they be covered with the forgiving holiness of Christ, who was sacrificed on their behalf. Philippians 3:8;9 ; Matthew 22:1-14
People who refuse to accept Christ, who He claimed to be, prefer to go it alone in eternity. They would rather dismiss the Scripture’s prophetic message of Christ and His God revealed Scriptural biography:
“……For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” Gospel of John 18:37
“…..I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die…” Gospel of John 11:25-26
“….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… 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
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| The sinful soul will attempt to understand God. That same soul will try to make its "peace with God." But, no peace with God can be made apart from God-given faith. No one can bargain or earn his way into God's good favor. Simple trust (belief) in Christ is the only way to experience genuine peace with God. John 3:1-21 ; Ephesians 2:8-9 |
Not too long ago I talked with someone who was bothered about his hereafter existence. He knew that his time here was very limited. I told him that I don’t believe in those 4 or 5 point prescriptions that are used to convince a person that they are one of God’s children. Rather, I pointed him to some basic Scripture realities about human sin; God’s wrath and displeasure over sin; His judgment of sin and the sinner – but also, His love in Christ, who came to be the holy and just God’s “Lamb” sacrificed for sin, in order to allow the sinner to be accepted by God and His heaven. I explained about the thief on the cross next to Jesus, and said to this fairly young man – “Look to Jesus Christ whose work for you, was to be God’s cleansing for all of your sins. Trust Him and His sacrifice for you.”
Friend, it is not that complicated – especially when you are able to leave your sinful excuses behind and come as the Prodigal [Lost] Son who had nothing to offer, except a contrite “sorry” for having sinned against God commandments and his fellowman. Luke 15:1f
My father taught me the following declaration every Easter morning, as he would go room to room waking up his sons. He would declare: “He [Christ] is risen!” And then he would expect the following reply: “He is risen, indeed!” Such was the declaration and response of the early Christians every year commemorating the death and resurrection of the Christ of history.
"He is risen!" "He is risen, indeed!"
Amen.
Please also note:
Rejecting the Resurrection Reality - thechristianmessage.org/2011/04/
Short music video - "Up from the grave He arose" - youtube.com
Rejecting the Resurrection Reality - thechristianmessage.org/2011/04/
Short music video - "Up from the grave He arose" - youtube.com
Above Message and Related Scriptures [below] -- Intended to be utilized in a simple worship format:
Also: For a couple of other (more formal) worship formats:
The Order of Morning Service
The Order of Matins
Related Scriptures To the Above Message
Also: For a couple of other (more formal) worship formats:
The Order of Morning Service
The Order of Matins
Related Scriptures To the Above Message
Old Testament:
Isaiah 53:1f ; Psalm 16:10 -- Prophecies hundreds of years before His birth, Christ’s life, suffering, death and resurrection
New Testament:
Matthew 27:1f – 28:1f – The fulfillment of Hebrew [Old Testament] Scriptural prophecy about Christ
1 Corinthians 15:1f – The Resurrection chapter
Also, please note: "Rejecting the Resurrection Reality"
Of Whom Does the Prophet Speak" -- by Victor Buksbazen -- Isaiah 53:1-12 -- an in-depth view of and the prophecy of Christ, hundred of years before his birth. Isaiah 53:1-12 underscores the truthfulness of Divine Revelation as exemplified in the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures.
Please note: Topical Messages, by subject
Pastor (emeritus) Nathan Bickel
Please also note:
The "Words in Season" topical messages and related worship format are not intended to discourage or replace the Christian worship and assembly of Christians at their particular places of church worship. As this website's author, it is my prayer and hope, that many souls will find the topical messages, related worship format and other material, a useful and valuable Christian resource.
The Christian Faith: Parts 1-3
Note: This message, (with the exception of some minor editing) was previously posted online by Nathan Bickel
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