From: "Phil Rembleski" <PHIl@rescuechurchofchrist.org>

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Thu, Mar 21, 2024 at 5:32 AM

Subject: 3-21-24 THOUGHTS

3-21-24   THOUGHTS

Chapter 15 of 1Corinthians focuses on the resurrection of Christ Jesus.  I am so glad we have this information.  If Christ did not rise from the grave, God’s plan to save man falls short of giving us eternal life.  Verse 17 says “and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.”   Christ has become “the first fruits of those who are asleep.”  The awesome idea/reality of ALIVENESS,  gives us hope, comfort, assurance and joy concerning our eternal future.  1Pet 1:3-5 says it this way...   “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,  4  to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5  who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”  

1Cor 15:12-22     Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?  13  But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; 14  and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain.  15  Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. 16  For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; 17  and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. 18  Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19  If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied. 20  But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. 21  For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22  For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.

My Prayer:
With our all, we thank You, O Father God, for the power of the resurrection that is in Christ Jesus.  You have given us the sense of all eternity in Your Son.  Your grace and mercy and love overwhelms us in every part of Your creation design. Truly it was good.  Increase every aspect of our faith, dear God.  May we serve you in the Kingdom with more power and energy. Excite our hearts to a closer walk with You.  May we continually abide in Your presence.
In the name of our Savior  who lives,      Amen.