1 Corinthians 15: The Past, The Dead, Stay Strong

The Past, The Dead, Stay Strong

1 Corinthians 15:10 is a very powerful verse as Paul is retelling Christ's resurrection and the order in which he appeared to people. Paul retells how he was not born at the time in which Christ was resurrected but Christ still appeared to Paul (even though Paul was persecuting Christians). Paul says in verse 10 "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain." This means Paul recognizes that he made huge mistakes and bad choices before Christ appeared to him, but "I am what I am" signifies how Paul's past does not keep him from serving God. And when he says "His grace was not in vain" he is saying that God's grace wasn't wasted. If Paul had ignored seeing Christ and not doing what he was told, then Christ speaking to Paul would have been wasted. I ask you, what is God try to tell you but you are not listening?

Paul also points out an issue with a belief versus the truth. It was believed by the Corinthians that the dead could not be raised, but they overlooked that fact that Christ was raised from the dead. If the dead could not be raised then that makes the faith in Christ null and void and a fallacy. Paul points out that if there is no resurrection then we have no Heaven, no afterlife and we should be pitied (1 Corinthians 15:19).

Lastly, 1 Corinthians 15 ends with a reminder to believers, not just Corinthians. Paul says "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58)." He is endearing to them while encouraging them to stay strong and unable to be moved in doing work for the Lord knowing that the work is not in vain.

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Wednesday Wake Up #21

If Today Is Your Last Day

The topic of salvation has come up numerous times in the last few weeks with friends and family. I have been asked questions Bible choice (translation) to the second coming and people should be scared. I'm no Biblical scholar, but I am seeking to learn and teach other as I learn. I have directed people who do not read the Bible to start with a simpler book, proverbs, but then I was later corrected and told to introduce people to the Book of John so that they can be introduced to Jesus. That is what I realized what was missing. I talk to numerous people every week and sadly I have not brought up Jesus or their salvation through him. I was doing people a disservice and as best as I can through the Holy Spirit, I want to help guide them toward resources to answer the question, if today was your last day on earth, would you go to Heaven or Hell?

You cannot earn salvation. There are no works to complete in order to get to Heaven. You cannot be baptized by your parents and get into Heaven. You cannot be saved because your family is. Following Christ and accepting him as your Lord and Savior is your choice. Yes!, YOUR choice. If you are on your death bed and accept Christ as your Lord and Savior, then you are forgiven and welcomed into the family of believers. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life and no once comes to the father except through him. Jesus is not a way, or one way, or anything other than THE WAY (J0hn 14:6).

For those of us who are not on our death beds and can repent for our sins, then do that. Our sin is what draws us away from God. It is our sin that brought Christ to earth to be the last sacrifice for us to be reconciled to God. No more slaughtering of animals, just accepting that Christ's blood paid the price for us. When we repent of our sins that does not mean we all of a sudden stop sinning, but our minds change on the sins that we have committed and sought to justify as just part of being human (Got Questions article on repentance). If you have accepted Christ then the old ways die and you become new (2 Corinthians 5:17).

To further understand Jesus, I would also check to see if you know and understand that Jesus is God in the flesh. Do you know that he was resurrected on the 3rd day after his day bringing truth to prophecies that existed before he was ever born? Do you know that he is the only way to God? If you understand these and accept Christ, then welcome to the family of believers. If you think Jesus was just some rebel who was just counter culture, then you need to read more and put down your remote for your TV. If you want to be saved seek to know Christ and accept him as your Lord (of your life) and Savior (from eternal damnation). Our life is not very long and the after life is longer. Where will you spend yours?If you are ready to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you can pray this prayer "Jesus is the Lord of my life. He is my Lord and Savior. I believe in my heart that God raised you from the dead. I believe that you are God in human form. I believe that you are the way the truth and light. I thank you for dying for my sins. Thank you for saving me. Amen."

Please see Francis Chan's 3 min explanation on eternity (click his pic)

Please see Rick Warren's 13 min message on Jesus and Salvation (click his pic)

(Please feel free to leave comments to add to the discussion)
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Acts 1:14- Joined in Prayer

Joined in Prayer

Jesus has already ascended in to Heaven after his resurrection. We already know that he is down one disciple (Judas hanged himself for betraying Jesus). All of the remaining disciples, Mary mother of Jesus, and other followers of Jesus (including his brothers who were not supportive of his ministry until after his resurrection) met totaling about 120 people. The purpose of this meeting was to find a replacement for the deceased Judas.

In verse 14, we see that they all had one accord. That means that they were all joined together and had unity in their purpose. There were not multiple perspectives on what needed to happen and of what was of the utmost importance. We read "All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers." They were all praying together for the same purpose. Not selfish motives, but for wisdom in selection a replacement.
 

They selected Matthias who had been a part of their group. They prayed that God would know their hearts and help them select who would be the replacement. I showcase this verse to show unity within the group to God's will and the group's purpose was for solidifying a unit and spreading the word of Christ. I ask this simple question, is your group of friends, loved ones, and/or family united to spread the word of Christ?

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John 16- Overcome the World

Overcome the World

Jesus was explaining to his disciples that he came from God and man (Mary) and would be returning to God. Typically, he would say things like this in figures of speech, but changes his method hear as the time drew near that he would be crucified.

When Jesus was relaying to them that there is a time when he will return to God, he let them know that their faith may be shaken and they will return to their homes and leave him alone. That is a glimpse into the death on the cross and his body being placed in the tomb. He told them not to worry because he would be with the Father. He told them this so that they could have peace and for them to understand that there will be tribulation in the world but he overcame the world (John 16:33).

 
Jesus wanted them to be at peace and not worry about him as he was with the Father. His overcoming the world is the overcoming of sin by being sinless, overcoming being arrested, beaten, misjudged, and even the overcoming of death through his resurrection. Life has problems. We all have had them, will have more and may even have some now. But, no matter what the problem has been, Jesus has overcome it. With him we can overcome them too.

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Mark 16:14- Rebuking Unbelief and Spreading the Word

Rebuking Unbelief and Spreading the Word

We know that after Christ died on the cross and was resurrected. We know that an angel told Mary Magdalene and Mary (mother of James) that Jesus had risen from the dead. But, did you know that as the disciples were told that he had risen, they did not believe it? It wasn't shock, it was disbelief. They did not believe that Jesus did what he said he would do (see Mark 8:31-38).

In verses 9-11, Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene and tells her to go and tell the disciples that he has risen. They did not believe her. I understand that Jesus would have chosen her because in this time women were not respected. But, when God uses a women to deliver a message and you don't believe the message due to your prejudices, then you have missed the point on following Christ and loving your neighbor as yourself. The disciples messed up again as Jesus appeared to two of them in verses 12-13, but not in the form of Jesus. There is more detail of this encounter in Luke 24:13-35.

In verses 14-16, when Jesus appears the the eleven disciples (used to be 12 but Judas hung himself) he rebukes them for their unbelief. Jesus sent the message of his resurrection by Mary Magdalene and again in another form, yet the disciples did not believe. Jesus said what he would do and who he was, yet when the going got tough, the disciple's faith got going, in the wrong direction.

Then he commanded them to go into the world and make disciple of all nations. This was not specific to only people in one land or another, but in all lands. Jesus did not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, color and nation of origin. Jesus explains "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." As we must remember, we cannot just sit on the history of Jesus. We must tell others about him.

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Matthew 28- The Resurrection and Commission

The Resurrection and Commission

Matthew 28 takes us into the resurrection of Jesus and what he wants us to do with what we know about him and his life.

Even with the huge stone rolled on front of Jesus's tomb, he still rose from the dead as he said he would after he was crucified. An angel of the Lord rolled away the stone in front of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and the "other Mary (not Jesus's mom, but the one from Luke 10:38-42 who had the right idea) were the first to see the empty tomb. They were told by the angel to see the empty tomb and then go and tell the disciples. They got proof of his resurrection and then went and told others. See that? In verse 7, they went and "spread the word" of Jesus. They didn't just keep it to themselves. They went and told others.

They get to see Jesus in verse 9 and then after clasping his feet and worshiping him they did what he told them, which was tell his brothers to meet him in Galilee. While they did as Jesus told them to do, the guards who were to keep watch over the tomb were paid off to make up a story that Jesus's body had been stolen by his disciples. Greed and lies.

In verse 19, he tells them that he has been given full authority on earth and in Heaven and that we are to go make disciples of all nations. This means spread the word of Christ to all people, man, woman, child. California, Arizona, Europe, Africa, India, Asia. It doesn't matter. Spread the word of Christ. Jesus told us to do so.

 
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