The Scripture reading for today is from 1 Corinthians 15, 12 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. 20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
It would be my day to do the blog when the text mentions "useless preaching". Now I know something about that........a lot of people probably wish I knew more about it. As a "preacher" the worse thing in the world would be to have my preaching considered "useless".
The Apostle Paul says that there is a sure way to make preaching "useless" and our faith "futile"! Deny the Resurrection! For Paul, the Resurrection is key.... vital.... core to the christian faith and message! He seems to be saying,"there is no christianity without the doctrine of the Resurrection - Jesus' and ours!"
Why?
I am still growing in my understanding of the importance of the resurrection! I don't want to do "useless" preaching, have a "futile" faith or empty living! It is as if Paul knows that belief in the resurrection transforms everything - everyday! I get to live victoriously, today, everyday and my last day! There is something about the confidence and hope and sheer happiness that the reality of "victory" brings. I want to learn more and more about how the reality of the Resurrection, when unleashed into every facet of my life, gives life to everything touched. I am excited about the message series we are embracing at PoG this month, "Resurrection Unleashed"! Paul says it is vital, importance, essential..... I want to know how to live that way!
The Resurrection........it's everything! I know some, I want to know more! I want to live more!
delton
