A Moment With Pastor Fred

Christ is risen!   He is risen indeed! 

This historical saying dates back to Christianity’s early days – instead of saying “good morning” or “hello” believers would use this refrain on Easter. The tradition lives on 20 centuries later. We will use it this morning. Be ready. 

Did you know that Christ’s resurrection will destroy death itself one day? Death is swallowed up in victory, 1 Corinthians 15:54. In the death and resurrection of Jesus death was defeated. Death is our enemy. The child asks, “Mommy, why do people die?” Answer – sin, for the wages of sin is death. Because of original sin death struts around like a proud peacock. It haunts us.

But in 1 Corinthians 15 the Apostle Paul taunts death, vs. 55-56, O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. Sin, death and the law all go together. Sin is breaking God’s law. God’s law convicts us, shows us where we failed, death is the result. Jesus pulled out death’s sting. Death could not keep Jesus in the grave. Because of Jesus’ victory over death, it no longer should frighten us. Death was defeated on the cross (past) and it will be destroyed (future) by the believer’s resurrection. No wonder Paul concludes by saying, But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ, v. 57.

He is risen!  He is risen indeed!