Apr 21 2011

Reflections on the Resurrection of Jesus


It seems like only a few weeks have passed since I wrote and published on Grace Digest a post entitled simply “Jesus is not dead!” about a year ago. Now the roses, tulips, hibiscus, and a variety of other plants are showing their spring faces. It was a short winter! This Sunday Christians (and many non-Christians) will in some way celebrate or remember the resurrection of Jesus.

This afternoon as I contemplated this time of year, and especially Easter, I focused my thoughts on Jesus fulfilled promise that He would rise again. And, of course he did and his life after resurrection is carefully documented in the Bible and in history.

The resurrection of Jesus from death is the bedrock of the Christian faith but it is not an isolated event. As important as Jesus’ resurrection is, it does not stand alone, at least it will not. My friend Edward Fudge said it best. In one of his popular gracEmail installments he said,

Jesus’ resurrection was not an isolated event. It was the first in a long series. Imagine Jesus and all his people holding numbered tickets, with Jesus’ ticket marked “No. 1.”

The Resurrection started nearly 2,000 years ago when God called “No. 1” and Jesus rose from the dead. Then, in keeping with his plan announced through the ancient prophets, God paused — until a time known to him alone (Psalm 110:1). When that time arrives, God will resume the Resurrection with “No. 2” and all the numbers that follow.

I sincerely hope that many of those dear people who will make one of their twice annual appearances in a house of worship will hear the truth that being raised out of death was not only for Jesus but for all of those who were, and are, and will be, faith followers of the One whose life we celebrate at Easter.

A resurrection like that of Jesus awaits all of God’s children by divine decree. As Brother Fudge correctly said, Jesus was “No. 1” out of millions who will finally be resurrected. The resurrection of the people of God is the final step in God’s redemptive plan to make sinful human beings fit for heaven and the glory of God.

Each of that unknown number will at the resurrection of the saints receive a body like the resurrected, glorified body of Jesus. It will be a body that is recognizable, can be seen and touched, one that can enjoy a meal with friends, and yet can appear in a room with the doors shut. It is a body that is well suited both to earth’s atmosphere and the heavenly places of the Father. It is a body that will be no less than a trophy of the glory and grace of God to put on display His matchless love, give him glory and praise in eternity, and enjoy the inheritance given by grace.

There is good news! You can get out alive! Jesus conquered death and gives life and immortality to those who obediently trust Him alone. Jesus said to a friend’s sister who was in grief,

I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. (John 11:25,26)

I close with the question Jesus asked “Do you believe this?” I hope you do. The resurrection of Jesus confirmed he was who he claimed to be and that his promises are sure. He offers forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and a home with him in eternity. Just take him at his word, He is trustworthy above all others.

For the Life,

Royce Ogle

Apr 18 2011

Blessed Assurance – 1st John (3rd post)


In the first post on the book of 1st John we learned the purpose of the book.

That you may know you have eternal life. (1 John 5:13)

And we learned who John wrote to.

Those who believe in the name of the Son of God. (I john 5:13)

The 2nd post addressed John’s statement of faith, his rationale for for his personal faith, and the foundational truths upon which every faith follower of Jesus must begin and end.

Jesus is God. 

Jesus is eternal.

Jesus is eternal life. (1 John 1:1-4)

The author states his message in terms hard to misunderstand. He is proclaiming Jesus Christ as the Godman who himself is eternal life. Fellowship with the Apostles and others of the family of the faith is only possible for those who have Jesus Christ. John says his joy will be filled out when this evidentuary truth is understood and accepted by those who believe on Jesus. (1 John 1:1-4)

Now that the purpose of the book is identified, the audience addressed, and the foundational truths of salvation stated, John begins presenting a series of proofs that separate true Christians from impostors.

How can I know that I have eternal life? How can you know? John begins answering the question.

Light vs darkness

“This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.6If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:5-7)

“God is light“. Light, thought of in its most elementary meaning, serves a single purpose, it dispels darkness. Where light exists darkness is impossible. In the gospels again and again Jesus identifies himself as being light and the world as being darkness, John 1:4,5,8,9   John 3:19-21  John 5:35  John 8:12 and more.

The contrast is stark and unmistakable. God is light and those who are his walk in the light he is, and those who continue in darkness do not have God and have no place with God’s people. What a man says is not always consistent with what he is. Anyone who claims to be a Christian while he continues to live in darkness is a liar. (1 John 1:6)

You can see this regularly. A person by what he says is a Christian in good standing with God and the church but his life is inconsistent with his lips. How do you know if you are a true faith follower of Jesus, that you have eternal life? You live in the light. Your life is open to full disclosure, in your private and public life there is nothing you are trying to keep hidden from God or his people. What a man is either confirms what he says he is or condemns him as a liar who has no fellowship with God and his people.

Those who live in the light of God’s truth, doing the best they can to stay in the light of God’s revelation have fellowship with God and one another and the blood of Jesus keeps them clean from day to day. These are those who believe on the Son of God.

Unbelievers and make-believers, without regard to what they say have no fellowship with God and his children and you can know it by how they live. A true Christian wants to please God and walk with Him. A Christ rejector, or impostor, cares little about God’s will and lives his life to please himself.

How about you? How about me? Is your life and mine the sort of life that will stand the scrutiny of the light? Are we going to the light or trying to stand in the shadows?

(to be continued…)

For the true Light,

Royce

Apr 14 2011

Expository Preaching


Expository preaching is the form of preaching where the preacher expounds on a verse or passage of Scripture. Both his motive and method is to mine the passage for its truth and then to make application to himself and the listeners. This method of preaching is much more difficult to prepare for and requires discipline that many do not have. But going chapter by chapter and verse by verse through books of the Bible will cover every doctrine, expose every sin, correct every error, and potentially heal every heart. There will be very difficult passages that the preacher might not understand. That is absolutely true in my experience. When one of those awkward times comes, and they will, the honest preacher should just admit, “I am not sure what is meant here, this is a passage I have not mastered. But I have done some research and here are a few of the most prominent views and here is the way I am leaning, but I am not ready to take a firm stand at this time in my study.” That sort of transparency will be appreciated by the people and everyone, including the preacher, will learn from the experience. It is not a sin to admit you don’t know everything.

I challenge my friends and those I have never met to consider giving it a try. Today there are tons of resources to help you as you study. Pray, pray, pray,and read, read, read, sermons, commentaries, illustrations,etc. and then make it your own, in terms you are comfortable with, and give it to the people in the power and authority of the Spirit and you will grow a healthy church, one that keeps the main thing the main thing.

I am for Christ and the Bible and I am against any agenda that vies for His place as preeminent in our hearts and lives. Only when He is lifted up do sinners come to Him. The word of God exalts Him above every thing in heaven or on earth and ours is to make Him known by our lives and our lips. The Word of God, not the traditions we cherish, is to be the final authority for both faith and practice for every believer. Preach the Bible!

(This post is a part of a post I wrote in Jan 2009 ( http://wp.me/p2PSx-5y )

Royce Ogle