Beauty from Pain

Dear Friends,

Spring is such a wonderful season, filled with sunshine and teeming with new life! The beauty of God’s creation is on display in the many vibrant colors of blossoming flowers and budding trees! The sights and scents of spring are absolutely revitalizing and energizing!

As we approach Resurrection Day, we remember the great and perfect sacrifice Jesus made on the cross for us.

1 Corinthians 15:17 NKJV
…if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!

Have you ever considered what your life would be like if Jesus had not been raised from the dead? Paul explained the dire consequences of such a scenario and the effect it would have on every believer.

The Christian faith would be worthless. There would be no gospel to preach and no reason to go to church. And if anyone did preach the resurrection, he’d be a false witness.

Jesus would be proved a liar, since He predicted His resurrection. He’d be just like any other sinful man who was crucified. Moreover, this lie would make it difficult to believe anything the Bible says.

There would be no pardon for sin. Without the resurrection, which was the proof that God accepted Jesus’ sacrifice; there would be no basis for the forgiveness of our transgressions.

We would have no hope after death. Instead of being raised to eternal life in heaven, we’d all be doomed to eternal punishment and separation from God.

Seeing the terrible alternative often leads to a greater appreciation of the truth. We can rejoice that Jesus Christ has been raised – our faith is valid, the Bible is true, our sins are forgiven, and our hope of resurrection is secure!

Psalms 107:1-2 NKJV
Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.
Let the redeemed of the LORD say so…

We celebrate the proof of God’s love for us through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, His Son. He set us free from bondage to sin, death, and Satan through His victory on the cross! Our Lord laid down His life as a sacrifice for us, taking upon Himself the burden of our sins and the penalty therein. The full debt for our sins was “paid in full” at Calvary.

John 19:30 (emphasis, mine)
When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished."
With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

The Greek word translated “finished” is tetelestai, which had three meanings, each confirming Jesus’ finished work on the cross for us:

First, it indicated the completion of a task. When students completed their required work at school, they would then report to their teacher “Tetelestai,” meaning, “The work assigned to us is now finished.”

Second, it was used for paying off a debt. When a person paid off a debt with the legal authorities, the document was stamped “Tetelestai,” meaning, “The debt has been paid in full.”

Third, this word was used to verify a person’s possession of a deed. When someone bought a piece of property and paid for it in full, they received the deed with the inscription “Tetelestai,” meaning, “You have the right of possession.” The Lord gives the Kingdom of Heaven to the poor in spirit and those who are persecuted because of righteousness:

Matthew 5:3
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Matthew 5:10
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven.”

Our new life in Christ begins through the Holy Spirit. Though we may die physically before Jesus’ return, we are promised that our perishable bodies will rise and be transformed into imperishable, glorified bodies at the catching away of the saints into Heaven. Praise the Lord!

God’s love for each one of us is eternal, unchanging, and unconditional:

Ephesians 3:17-19
…I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to
grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses
knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Romans 5:8
God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:10
For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how
much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!

We have salvation not because of our love for God, but because God first loved us and sent his Son to pay for our sins and to give us eternal life.

Because of Christ’s finished work at Calvary, we have forgiveness, salvation, eternal life and the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit!

Ephesians 4:1-3
…live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient,
bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of
peace.

May our hearts overflow with love and gratitude this Resurrection Sunday, as we commemorate such a great salvation through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

May you all enjoy the Lord’s richest blessings in this beautiful spring season!

Pastor Paul