My friend’s grandson once asked me, “Who is this Jesus I hear people talk about?” What did He do to be so famous? Why did He have to die?
Welcome! In this edition of my blog, I am reflecting on a song by Kari Jobe,
“Forever”
Click HERE for the lyrics video.
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Vital questions are coming from an 8-year-old boy. It should be the same questions for all grown-ups also. To most people, Jesus Christ is a myth, a well-made story, an allegory. For others, Jesus Christ was just a great moral teacher. For those dying without hope, Jesus living a perfect life and dying on the cross for our sins is foolishness. But, for those that God is saving, Jesus Christ dying on the cross is the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18)
That is good news. That God Almighty loves us and has sent us a rescuer. Someone that will pay our ransom and set us free from our bondage to sin.
This good news is the Gospel of Christ. Below is the Gospel in the Bible as explained by the Apostle Paul:
Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that 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, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles.
1 Corinthians 1-7
Four main parts of the Gospel:
- Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures
- Christ was buried for three days
- Christ rose on the third day from death, according to the scriptures
- Christ was seen alive and risen by numerous eyewitness accounts
The first two points of the Gospel have been explained so much for so long. The purpose of this blog is to cover the third and fourth points. If you need an explanation or need to touch upon the first two points of the Gospel, read my article on salvation by clicking HERE.
Jesus dying for our sins is good news, but if Jesus Christ did not rise again, we would be dead, forgiven people, as Paul explains:
And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.
1 Corinthians 15:14
Many religions have sprung up on the earth, looking for followers and trying to explain our existence. These religions have founders, or so-called prophets, long dead or dying. How can they save you or guide you if eternal life is not in them? They are here for a little while and then gone. All the bones of these religious leaders are in the grave. When it comes to Jesus Christ, there is an empty tomb. He is Risen and alive today, sitting in the heavens at the Father’s right hand.
But Jesus rose again, trampling the power of death. For this, we can trust Him as the only one we can place our faith on for continued living. As He defeated death, He imparts that power to us, eternal life. He lives forever, and we will also live forever if we place our faith in Him. God imparts that power to us by making a deposit, a guarantee, sealing us by the Holy Spirit of God:
Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
1 Corinthians 1:21-22
Someday, Jesus will clothe us with our eternal body, either when we die physically (or fall asleep, as the New Testament calls it) or at the rapture. At that time, we can shout the words of the Apostle Paul:
Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
“O Death, where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your victory?”
1 Corinthians 15:51-55
My friends, do not be like the foolish dying without hope. Trust in Jesus Christ today. He is alive today and has Risen! And He promised this when He was with us:
…“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. Do you believe this?”
John 11:25-26
Do you believe this?
Do you want to know more?
Like the 8-year-old kid, we should be researching Jesus Christ, inquiring about Him (Jeremiah 29:11-13). Today is the Lord’s day; let us make Him Lord and Savior of our hearts and souls. Without Him, we can do nothing!
To God, be the glory!
Everything was created By Him, For Him!
“The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-25
Disclaimer
I write this blog as I get inspired by God. Consider this writing as a Bible study. Like the Bereans In Acts 17:11, search the Scriptures to determine whether what I write is so. Always consult with your church ministers about biblical matters. I am also not a professional writer, so some grammar or spelling errors may be. I try my best to write as efficiently as possible. Your brother, In-Christ, Ricardo
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