He Is Risen!

He is risen! What an incredible weekend with our Church family!

We had a wonderful Good Friday service focused on the thief on the cross. We had over 100 kids participate in our “Flapjack Feast” and hear the story of the resurrection in our children’s ministry. And over 1000 people attended our Easter services hearing the gospel preached alongside a fantastic time of praise!

Easter is a time of celebration and joy for believers as we remember the resurrection of Jesus Christ! If Christ was not raised, Paul says that our “faith is futile,” we are “most to be pitied,” and we might as well “eat and drink, for tomorrow we die” (1 Cor 15:17–19, 32). But if the resurrection is true, then we have everything to celebrate!

Paul continues in the very next verse (v.20) and highlights some of the reasons that we should be celebrating! “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. 28 When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all (ESV, 1 Cor 15:20–28, emphasis my own).”

And what conclusion does Paul get to at the end of this very long chapter? “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (v.56–57). The victory is secured, so we celebrate.

And if victory is already secured, then what are we to do now? We linger in this “already-not-yet” tension, but Paul gives us action as we await that final day when we will be resurrected like Christ. “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 Cor 15:58).

Let us go and do likewise,

Caleb