Amish horse and buggy with lush background farm scene.
(Photo by Doris High)
Listen to this message on your audio player.“The Apostolic Proclamation Of The Resurrection Of Jesus Christ“
A proud, ungodly professor tried to “reason” with a young child who believed in the Lord Jesus; “My dear little girl, you don’t know whom you believe in. There have been many christs, in which of them do you believe?” The child confidently replied, “I know which one I believe in. I believe in the Christ who rose from the dead!”
This last weekend believers around the world rejoiced in the resurrection of Jesus Christ; the foundational fact of our faith. However, it is so common during this season to also hear the latest, faddish pronouncements from “modern scholars”, who reject the historical, Biblical record.
I consider a rather famous apostate (fallen away) bishop from an older mainline denomination who denies the literal bodily resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He boasts of a novel new theory, which is really not new. However this of course makes the news and can be a stumbling block for many, both unbelievers and weaker believers. These articles are common around this time of year especially as our unbelieving world is confronted with the message of Christ.
In our daily verse Peter is preaching to the curious crowd on the day of Pentecost. Fifty days earlier he was among the first witnesses to the greatest event in history. His statement, “But God raised Him from the dead” is the first reference to the resurrection in apostolic preaching in the book of Acts. Apostolic preaching consistently emphasized the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It was and ever will be at the very heart of the Gospel. A faithful witness will always, “earnestly contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints” (Jude 3).
“Freeing Him from the agony of death.” Peter, who had infamously denied the Lord at His trial, had been a witness to this agony, although perhaps at a distance.
Now he makes a great statement of faith, “It was impossible for death to keep its hold on Him.” He surely recalled the teaching of Jesus he had heard time after time. Early in His ministry Jesus had said “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days” (John 2:19). After Peter had made his great confession of faith, Jesus clearly taught that He would “suffer many things, be killed, and be raised again the third day.” Even his enemies were aware of the claim and had made provision for a guard at the tomb (Matthew 27:62-66). But no paltry Roman guard was going to stop this glorious, supernatural event! Death had forever lost its sting.
Be assured that heretics will continue to espouse their apostate views as they have all through the history of the Church. In fact according to Scripture “in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires” (2 Peter 3:3).
Today we indeed serve a risen Savior. Let us rejoice in this truth and live for the One who once died for our sins and now lives forever, for it was impossible for death to keep its hold on Him! It is for this truth that we must earnestly, faithfully and vigorously contend!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father, we thank You for the living hope we have through Jesus who did not die in vain, but instead He conquered sin and death. You raised Christ’s body from the dead, because death could not hold Him. The certainty of Christ’s resurrection is taught and reinforced throughout the New Testament writings and is the cornerstone of our faith. Biblical perspective makes the reality of the grave not a finality, but a springboard from which we will enter into glorious, eternal life. With deep conviction we choose to earnestly, faithfully, and vigorously contend for this essential truth of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Amen.
* It’s distressing that these heretics still have credentials with and are ultimately funded by many denominations that at one time contended for the apostolic faith. However in my observation many of the grassroots clergy and lay membership still hold to the faith.
All this week our daily encouragement messages will be on the resurrection of Jesus Christ as taught in each of the major sections of the New Testament.
Monday’s message was from the Gospel accounts. We tend to be most familar with the resurrection accounts that each of the four gospels have and these are the passages that most preachers use on Easter Sunday. Obviously we could develop more than one message from these accounts but thought it would be beneficial to study the resurrection in the rest of the NT.
Today we examined how the resurrection was a core element in apostolic preaching in Acts.
Wednesday and Thursday we will study the resurrection teaching in the epistles and on Friday from the Book of Revelation.
Further study: In studying Acts for this message I see there are three prominent preachers from whom we have the text of their messages recorded; Peter, Stephen, and Paul. Both Peter and Paul have the resurrection as a very prominent element in their preaching. Stephen’s sermon was interrupted when he proclaimed, “You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered Him (Christ), you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it” (Acts 7:51-53).
“When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him” (v. 54) and this progressed to his stoning. He was unable to complete his sermon which I am sure would have progressed to declare the resurrection. However, he declared the resurrection of Christ in another way: “But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” (Acts 7:55,56). The risen Lord was seen by Stephen at the right hand of God! Praise the Lord!
For further study on today’s Scripture text I found this resource by John Piper helpful.
We (Stephen especially) always enjoy seeing farm work. Yesterday the harvesters came to mow the grass in the field across from our home. I suppose it will be baled. The changing scenery is one of the elements to country living we enjoy! The grass was green all through the winter but really took off with the warm Spring weather.
Last night we took our trail walk and this is the distant view of our home at sunset centered across this field.
Early this morning we had this view from our front lawn.
Yesterday we walked the dogs and were startled to see this animal up in tree watching us as we walked by. It would be a rather exciting photo if it was a black bear or mountain lion, but it was only a _____! (* see below songs)
This week we will place the same songs up through the week on the resurrection, adding to them as we consider a new song.
“I see Jesus” Video I (Brooksyne) recalled a song that we sang when I was growing up in Oklahoma. Country and country gospel music was the only genre of music my dad ever listened to and thus, so did his children. ”I See Jesus” was sung in our church a lot and I happened to find this recording by Hank Snow, one of Dad’s favorite singers (we probably had the album or on an 8 track he played in his 18 wheeler truck). The song speaks of Stephen who declared, “I See Jesus” when he entered the promised land!
“Resurrection Song” Video Second Chapter of Acts On Sunday morning, Stan Miller, our Sunday School teacher opened our class by playing this song for the class using his cell phone (though Keith Green was the singer)!
“See What A Morning” Video Kristyn Getty A fairly recent written anthem describing the historic resurrection morning.
“I’ll Rise Again” Video Dallas Holm This song never grows old for me!
“Christ The Lord Is Risen Today” Video
“Christ Arose” Video Daniel Thornton
“He Arose” Video
“Because He Lives” Video Gaither Vocal Band
“He’s Alive” Video Don Francisco
“He Gave His Life” Video Vocal Union
“There Never Was A Pulpit Like The Cross” Video Vocal Union Brooksyne heard this on the radio Saturday and called my attention to it. It’s a southern gospel rendering of a powerful message within the song.
Today’s photo by Doris High was taken from this collection.
* Cat!
Ministry Update (Revised 12/11)
Are our daily encouragement messages a blessing to you? We ask you to consider making a donation to Daily Encouragement Net so that we can continue to prepare and provide this daily resource which is accessed by believers and seekers all over the world. Daily Encouragement Net relies solely on the generosity and financial support of its readers and podcast listeners. See here for more information on supporting this ministry. Gifts are tax deductible.
“He Is Risen Indeed!”
April 10, 2012
Listen to this message on your audio player.
“He Is Risen Indeed!”
A customary greeting in many churches on resurrection morning is for the worship leader or pastor to say, “He is risen” and the people heartily respond, “He is risen indeed!” We joyfully did so again yesterday as our pastor led us in this traditional Easter greeting as the service began. What a joy to sing the great songs of our faith and hear a message proclaiming a risen Lord.
The word “indeed” is significant in the daily text as well as in the affirmation made yesterday by hundreds of millions of Christ-followers all over the world.
To illustrate this I want to share a story that took place seven years ago; my Mom’s final Easter here on earth. We traveled up to the Lehigh Valley in Eastern Pennsylvania for our family Easter meal with my brother and his family. My 84 year old mother Georgia Mae, who was living with us at the time, recently had knee replacement surgery followed by a lengthy period of rehabilitation, so this was an extra special trip for her.
After we arrived and had our customary greetings, my brother gathered us altogether and said, “I have Genelle (our sister) on the phone. Let’s sing Happy Anniversary to her and Cesar.” (She and her husband, Cesar, who lived in Miami Florida at the time, were celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary.)
We all began to sing heartily as we mentally pictured the two of them at the other side of the telephone connection in Miami. But as we got to the line where we personalize the song, “Happy Anniversary Genelle and Cesar”, they walked right into the room! We were totally surprised. With hands over her mouth Brooksyne screeched. Mom was somewhat in shock, but after it fully sunk in, she with very damp eyes, hugged my sister over and over.
As I saw them come in I recall the way my mind worked as it assimilated the information. I conceptually had them in Miami and for a couple of seconds my brain circuits were all messed up. My surprised expression was not verbal, but surely my eyes bugged out as my mind adjusted to a reality so different than my assumption.
Magnify that experience a hundred fold and I believe some of this same dynamic is at work with the early resurrected appearances of our Savior. The disciples seemed so confused; they were startled and frightened. They doubted since it was too incredulous to believe and they thought they saw a ghost.
Though there was a period of disbelief, reality eventually sunk in. This actually ended after Jesus appeared in the midst of the disciples with Thomas who voiced what others were probably wondering. But they all came to believe and live out their lives proclaiming the risen Lord.
The phrase “He is risen indeed” is a tremendous statement of faith. It is actually the eye-witness testimony of the two disciples whom the Lord met on the road to Emmaus. (This wonderful story is found in Luke 24:13-35.)
We tend to use the traditional rendering, “The Lord is risen indeed.” The word for “indeed” is translated “true” or “really” in many other versions. The actual underlying Greek word is “ontos” (those who studied philosophy may recall the word “ontology”, which is the study of existence and reality).
“He is risen indeed” is an ancient declaration of faith that can too easily become a mere cliché on Easter. However these four words express the very bedrock of Christian faith. The literal, bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ is a genuine, historical event validated by many eyewitnesses. It is the core doctrine of the faith once for all entrusted to the church of Jesus Christ for all time.
Today, we join hundreds of millions of fellow believers around the world in declaring, “He is risen indeed!”
He’s in the world today,
I know that He is living,
Whatever men may say!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father, how our hearts rejoice as we celebrate and honor the historic fact that death has lost its sting and the devil’s power over it has been destroyed. We no longer have to fear death since it is now a covenant blessing to sleep in Jesus. Death has been swallowed up in victory so that there is no dread or fear associated with death for the believer. Death is but a moment but the eternity of glory is unending. Thank You for providing us passage through the gates of heaven through our Lord’s sacrificial death and glorious resurrection. It is in His name that we pray. Amen.
Note from Brooksyne: After the experience with the “in person phone call” I feel more personally how the disciples might have responded to seeing the resurrected Christ. Their last sight of Jesus was that of a brutally beaten, lifeless form being taken from the cross to be buried in a tomb sealed off by a huge stone and guarded by soldiers. Now, in their very presence, they see a fully restored body. Defeat turned into victory – it was too good to be true! But, praise be to God, it is true!! I like a quote from one of my favorite devotional writers, Henry Gariepy:
“Our gospel ends
not with a Corpse, but with a Conqueror,
not with a Tomb, but with a Triumph,
not with a Victim of death, but with a Victor over it!”
All this week our messages will be on the resurrection of Jesus Christ as taught in each of the major sections of the New Testament.
Today’s message was of course from the Gospel accounts.
Tomorrow we will examine how the resurrection was a core element in apostolic preaching in Acts,
Wednesday and Thursday the epistles
Friday the Book of Revelation.
Brooksyne and Ester made this “Sunflower Cake”, an easy idea by Taste of Home. Just frost a double layer cake with chocolate frosting. Make a circle and fill in with chocolate chips. Place peepers around the chocolate chip circle. Peeper marshmallows are half price or less by now or perhaps your children collected more than they can eat and you can use them on a sunflower cake.
My sister and her husband now live in North Carolina. She sent me this photo of a nest constructed by a resourceful robin on a wall decoration on her home.
We will place the same songs up all through the week on the resurrection and perhaps add some!
“Resurrection Song” Video Second Chapter of Acts
“See What A Morning” Video Getty/Towend team I (Brooksyne) really appreciate the Biblical resurrection account being recounted in such detail and colorfully presented in this song by the Gettys and Stuart Towend, one of 12 hymns they collaborated on, based on the core beliefs as articulated in the Apostle’s Creed.
“I’ll Rise Again” Video Dallas Holm
“Christ The Lord Is Risen Today” Video
“Christ Arose” Video Daniel Thornton
“Because He Lives” Video Gaither Vocal Band
“He Arose” Video Stone Church choir
“He’s Alive” Video Don Francisco
“He Gave His Life” Video Vocal Union
“There Never Was A Pulpit Like The Cross” Video Vocal Union Brooksyne heard this on the radio Saturday and called my attention to it. It’s a southern gospel acapella rendering of a powerful message within the song.
Ministry Update (Revised 12/11)
Are our daily encouragement messages a blessing to you? We ask you to consider making a donation to Daily Encouragement Net so that we can continue to prepare and provide this daily resource which is accessed by believers and seekers all over the world. Daily Encouragement Net relies solely on the generosity and financial support of its readers and podcast listeners. See here for more information on supporting this ministry. Gifts are tax deductible.
