4-20-2014

      Good Morning All,

        Romans 6:5; “For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.”

      For He is Risen!!  Alleluia!!

     There are no greater words for us to hear!! Jesus has marched out of the tomb and now everything is different.  Nothing is as it was.  We have a newness of life because Jesus is risen from the dead.  Death no longer assails us.  We no longer fear death for we will conquer death.  Because Christ is risen we too shall rise just like he did with a new and glorified body.  We can go forth, even now, that death sting for us is no more.  For we know that even though we may experience a physical death, we will never experience eternal death.  We will live with Jesus forever in his new kingdom.

    The resurrection of Jesus has changed everything.  Up until Jesus, death was the end; death was the fearful, gruesome victor.  But when Jesus walked out of the tomb, he did so in a way that altered the course of our lives in a complete fashion.  Jesus did not walk out of the tomb and go back to the old way of living; rather he brings a whole new way of thinking and acting on our part.  Now that we have this newness of life; our life is different as well.  We walk in this new life with the Spirit to guide us.  We walk in this newness of life with the desire to follow Jesus, humbly and meekly. 

    Jesus resurrection means that he is now the everlasting King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  He reigns over all and at his name every knee shall bow.  Yet his reign in our life is one of love.  His reign in our heart is one of grace.  We have all things needful through him.  We have all that we need to go forth in his benevolent reign.  We have new life, new purpose, new hope and a new certainty.  Christ is risen; he is risen indeed!

    So we celebrate this day not just because Christ is risen but because we too shall rise.  The destructive power of death have no hold over us.  The pain that death causes will be wiped away.  Our victory is complete.  Just as Christ walked and held and was held by his disciples and family; so too will we be able to hold onto our loved ones.  We will touch the hands of our loved ones; we will fell the ground beneath us; we will live for the purpose which we were designed.  What happened in the Garden of Eden when Adam sinned will be completely undone.  We have total victory and complete restoration of God’s glorious kingdom.  Once again, everything will be very good.  We have the victory given to us.  Christ is risen; he is risen indeed!

Father in heaven, your mercy did so move you to send Jesus to rise from tomb and give the certainty of life eternal with him.  Give to those who doubt or are weak of faith to confidently cling to you.  In the precious name of Jesus our RISEN Savior, amen,

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret