March 30, 2011

Reading for March 28-April 1
Acts 22:30-23:1-11
Wednesday

“Paul realized that some members of the high council were Sadducees and some were Pharisees, so he shouted, 'Brothers, I am a Pharisee, as were my ancestors! And I am on trial because my hope is in the resurrection of the dead!' 7 This divided the council—the Pharisees against the Sadducees— 8 for the Sadducees say there is no resurrection or angels or spirits, but the Pharisees believe in all of these."
Acts 23: 6-8

Believing in the Resurrection is EVERYTHING

Pastor’s Reflection

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the central event of all of world history. The Pharisees believed in it – sort of (a corporate resurrection of all of Israel at some distant point in the future), the Sadducees didn’t, that’s why they were sad-you-see (really, really bad joke I heard in 1983).

What God did for Jesus he will do for the world. Romans 8:28 is not by accident the most popular verse in the Bible. It is not a nice sentiment or just a wish, rather it is true.

Easter is a true Story. If your “believer” deep down within you “gets” this then it changes EVERYTHING.

I believe it 100% in my mind. Yet, after all these years it is still in the slow process of permeating my “believer”. “ I believe, Lord help my unbelief” said Thomas, my favorite disciple.

Here’s how to believe. When it comes to a situation where believing Ro 8:28/Easter would require one action and not truly believing would prompt a different action, choose to act on the believing action. Jesus had said, when you act, then you will believe. (John 7:17)