Rejoice in the Lord...Always‪!‬ OldNewHope Baptist

April 14, 2024 . . .

The Apostle John was close to 100 years old when he wrote his First Epistle around 90 AD. In I John 4:1-6, he gives Christians instructions so that they can better understand who they are. In Verse 1 he says we are to test the spirits. The foundation question is, “Who is Jesus?” He tells us that if we don’t believe Jesus is of God then we are not of God. We are to believe the true Spirit. Jesus is fully God and fully man. We are to reject false spirits. We are to overcome false spirits (Verse 4) “because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.” We are to realize how some people react to the Gospel (Verses 5-6). Depending upon which kingdom you live in, your reaction to the gospel message will differ. There are many false prophets in the world. Are you keeping the commandments of Jesus Christ? To Whom are you clinging today?

March 31, 2024 . . .

Today, Easter Sunday, we look at I Corinthians 15-58 in which Paul gives us illustrations and contrasts on what it will be like when the body of a Christ-follower is raised up and what it will look like. All of God’s creation is designed with a purpose. For example, people, animals, plants, and celestial bodies were all created with a beginning and end (verses 36-41). And Paul uses five contrasts (verses 42-50) that explain how we are in our earthly bodies and how we will be in our heavenly bodies. Our corruptible earthly body will be replaced with an incorruptible heavenly body. Paul tells us (verses 51-57) what our heavenly body will be like and that it will happen in the twinkling of an eye when the trumpet sounds. Paul says (verse 58) that we need to “be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord knowing, that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” in light of the resurrection. Friends, we are all sinners, we will all face death, and it is not “good works” that get us to heaven. It is our faith in the resurrection of Jesus Christ that “because He lives, we can live too.” And this is why the resurrection is relevant!

March 24, 2024 . . .

In I Corinthians 15:20-34, Paul writes that Jesus was resurrected, is the first one to be resurrected, and is a sacrifice for mankind (verse 20). Because He lives, we will live. Death began with Adan, but Christ made all alive, a resurrected body and a life for eternity. And then, “He must reign, till he hath put all enemies under His feet” (verse 25). The last enemy that will be destroyed is death (verse 26). There will be no more death for those who love Him. Bad company corrupt good people (verse 33). Awake to righteousness and to the fact that Jesus will return. Yes, the resurrection is quite relevant!

March 17, 2024 . . .

Continuing with I Corinthians Chapter 15 Verses 12-20, the resurrection of Jesus proves there is a resurrection. The doctrine of the resurrection is essential to our Christian faith. Some of the Corintian Christians didn’t deny the resurrection of Jesus, but they denied their resurrection. If there is no resurrection from the dead, then Christ is not risen. If Jesus was never raised from the dead then the Apostle’s preaching is in vain making them false witnesses of God. Therefore, our faith is in vain, we are still in our sins, and those who have died have perished. If Jesus rose from the dead then the Gospel is what it is said to be and Jesus is the Son of God. If your faith is in anyone or anything other than Jesus Christ, your faith is built upon a lie. Upon whom or what is your faith grounded?

March 10, 2024 . . .

The doctrine of the resurrection is laid out by Paul in I Corinthians Chapter 15 more than in any other chapter in the Bible. There are three realities of the resurrection: 1) the reality of redemption, 2) the reality of the resurrection, and, 3) the reality of regeneration. There are also three parts of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: 1) Christ died for our sins, 2) Christ was buried, and 3) Christ rose again on the 3rd day. Because Jesus Christ died and was raised, we are also raised to live again, to be redeemed. Paul uses two arguments in his defense of the gospel, the scriptures of the Old Testament, such as Isaiah 53:2-8, and eye-witness accounts. In verses 5-10 of Chapter 15, Paul writes about those witnesses. The reality of regeneration is documented in Paul’s own account of when Jesus appeared to him on the road to Damascus. Next week I will continue our study of I Corinthians Chapter 15 leading to a greater understanding of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

March 3, 2024 . . .

The first disciples would be the first witnesses for Jesus Christ. While they were not perfect people, the Holy Spirit helped to equip them with the ways to bring others to Christ. As they witnessed to others, they were also recording the story that would become the Holy Bible. They were a learning church but they were saving people daily. The Lord added to the church those who were saved. As a church we are called to live in community with each other. Learning was key to the early church. The apostles were learning and teaching. The new community of believers was in fellowship with each other. They worshiped together to strengthen their bond with God. And, ultimately, they were evangelizing with the world around them. We are also called to learn, teach, fellowship, and evangelize with those we meet in this world. We are truly blessed to live in a country where this is possible without persecution.