Message for April 16, 2017 from Pastor Jerry

“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.” 1 Cor. 15:3-4 “Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen.  And if Christ is not risen,  then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.” 1 Cor. 15:12-14 “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.” 1 Cor. 15:16-17

            Coming into its own in the early part of the 1900s, higher Biblical Criticism now has a vital part in the teaching and training of Bible scholars and ministers.  Within this academic circle most, if not all, of the supernatural  and miraculous events in Scripture are explained by natural events.

            One of the most critical events to be questioned is the truth of Jesus’ resurrection.  Dr. Rudolf Bultman, a Lutheran Bible scholar, was a major voice in this movement and he is quoted as saying, “It doesn’t matter if Jesus was raised from the dead as long as you believe He was.”   One might as well say it doesn’t matter if you have air to breath as long as you believe you do.

            We must never let go of the fact that Jesus was raised from the dead.  That is the one thing that separates Christianity from all other religions.  OUR SAVIOR IS ALIVE!  If not, there is no other reason to accept  the truth of our faith.  This is the most important message you can ever hear.  “He is not here, for He has risen!”

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