RESURRECTION PROMISES

1 Corinthians 15:14-15 “And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty, and your faith is also empty. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up if in fact the dead do not rise. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!”

Every year, thousands of people climb a mountain in the Italian Alps, passing the “Station of the Cross” to stand at an outdoor crucifix. One tourist noticed a little trail that led beyond the cross. He fought through the rough thicket and, to his surprise, came upon another shrine, a shrine that symbolized the empty tomb. It had been neglected. The brush had grown up around it. Almost everyone had gone as far as the cross, but stopped there.

How does the cross and the resurrection impact the way you live your life? How has this glorious truth and experience made a difference and change in your life?

It is a message of LOVE, LIFE, HOPE, POWER, and HIS RETURN! But not only a message, but a PROMISE!

The cross and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Chris is the cornerstone (bedrock) of our faith. It was the place Christ was betrayed, forsaken, and crucified. Through death and supreme sacrifice, we have forgiveness from sin and victory over hell, death, and the grave. Jesus died to become the full atonement for all the sins of all mankind.

“We are sanctified through the offering of the body of Christ once for all.” Hebrews 10:10

The message and promise of the Cross, Resurrection and Christianity is:

Luke 23:
v. 34 “I will forgive the unforgivable.”
v. 41 “I will accept the unacceptable.”
v. 43 “I will do the unimaginable.”

The resurrection transforms the tragedy and agony of the cross into the Gospel. There is no truth that will have greater power over us, when properly believed, than the fact that Christ is Risen from the dead.

Paul’s message to the church at Corinth is that the Resurrection is irrefutable and conclusive. Christianity is true, and if true, then this chapter unfolds to us the most elevated and glorious truth to immortal man. JESUS IS ALIVE!!!! Because He lives, we have the promise of eternal life if we believe!

THE CROSS AND THE EMPTY TOMB REPRESENTS POWERFUL PROMISES…..

-The evidence of Justification (Forgiveness)
-The source of Sanctification (Separation from the World)
-The pledge of all power that we ever need in this present life (Victory over all sin)
-The guarantee of our future Resurrection (Eternal Life – Life beyond the grave)

The uniqueness of our faith is the incredible fact and truth that death couldn’t hold Him. HE IS RISEN!!

”But Christ has been raised to Life. And He makes us certain that others will also be raised to life. Adam brought death to all of us and Christ will bring life to all of us.”

Through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, we have the promise of LOVE, LIFE, HOPE, POWER, and HIS RETURN.

Bishop Dennis Page
Administrative Bishop - NNE