Luke 24:5-6 The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living One among the dead? He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee .
Pastor JJ finished up his “Awake from Death to Life” Sermon series with the message that Jesus dies for our sins on Friday, but Sunday was coming, and the story of your and my life doesn't end on Friday either. We are not to be metaphorically “seeking the living among the dead.” Conquering death in this world, Christ tells us that this life is not all there is. He is with us and our story is not over. Jesus died and came out on the other side, and so shall we. Defeated Sin and death are words speaking to our hearts of comfort here and now. Knowing the “risen” Lord is to know that there is more to life and that our great hope is sure, no doubt, guaranteed, and that we can bank on it. Do we recognize this and know it in our hearts? Or do we want to see the wounds and touch the man to know it’s real?
John 20:14-16 When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, “Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” (which means, Teacher).
The truth takes away doubt and we gather to celebrate in worship, praise and adoration. Doubts about God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit lead to disappointment and a disillusioned life. Pastor JJ told us to put your name in the place of Mary, in the bible passage above, and hear the Lord speak to us individually. Christ overcomes the world and we find faith in meeting the Lord day by day and moment by moment because Jesus is exactly who He says He is and helps us in our belief. In seeking truth, we find great purpose for a life aligned with His holy Way. Take your doubts and lay them at His feet. The child of God is never too far away for Jesus to reach. Don’t ever let failure define our lives. Move from failure to victory, from doubts to faith, and from sorrow’s mourning to joy in Christ. Commune and listen to God, not the doubts and failures of this world.
Philippians 3:12-14 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Into God’s hands, we commit our life, but also our doubts, sorrow and failures … and press on towards the goal, looking heavenward always. The Lord is in the business of rescuing the lost and resurrecting the dead. Psalm 34:8 says, “O taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!” So taste Jesus. Oh, so sweet is His name.
In Christ, Brian
2 comments:
Hi Brian,
I love how you said, "Don't ever let failure define our lives. Move from failure to victory, from doubts to faith, and from sorrow's mourning to joy in Christ."
It is the doing and the acting out of the Spirit that allows the flesh to die. When we live in failure, doubt and sorrow, that will cloud over the Spirit of God. He doesn't leave us it is us who shut Him out by living in sin. When we walk in victory, faith and joy we allow the Spirit of God to fill us and then we will clearly see Him.
Great word Brian, thanks!!
Blessings,
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I think that you are right, Child of God, that we can easily take our heart, mind and vision onto the distractions, rather than looking through the victory by Christ at everything. And in doing so, we get a dim and distorted view of life. Keeping our hearts and minds on Jesus is the key. I like that! Thanks for writing.
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