Believe in the Resurrection

April 5, 2015 Background Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1 – 22 Lesson Passage: 1 Corinthians 15:1 – 11, 20 – 22 In a few statements, the Apostle Paul declares that the entire Christian faith hinges on the reality of the resurrection of the dead. Of course his statements were not intended to elevate the event of resurrection but to show by inductive reasoning the fallacy of believing in Christ and not believing in the resurrection of the dead. The argument by itself hardly seems worth the space used to print it. However, the importance of the argument is to enlighten Christians in such a way as to affect their daily living and bolster their future outlook in order to cause tangible changes in lifestyle. It is the same today as it was then. Today, many Christians live as though this life is all that matters—or at the least it matters more than the eternal future. It is difficult to promote the advantages of delayed gratification when something is triggered in the human mind that suggests we ought to get all we can today for tomorrow may not come. Many who acknowledge a calling into the preaching ministry declare that their “specific” calling is to show Christians how to gain worldly wealth for worldly reasons. The only time that today should matter more than tomorrow for Christians is when it comes to worshiping God or ministering to people. We sing songs of faith that attest to our hope for tomorrow yet we sometimes live like tomorrow will never come. Some people justify this discrepancy between their profession of faith and their everyday walk in life by casting doubt on the reality of the resurrection. It was this type of logic that the Apostle Paul set out to refute in the Corinthian church. All of our Christian faith hinges on the reality of the bodily resurrection from the dead of Jesus. Paul’s reasoning is that if we don’t believe in Jesus’ resurrection then we are living empty lives with no hope for tomorrow. In such a case, it would be better for us to live life to its fullest because tomorrow we are going to die. But there is too much proof that Jesus was raised from the dead. Paul gave a brief accounting of the many eyewitnesses that testified to having seen Jesus alive and well after he had died. For forty days Jesus showed himself as irrefutable proof to many individuals—including one group of over 500 people at one time. Then Paul offered himself as an eyewitness long after the others had seen him. I think it is interesting to note that no one has ever offered irrefutable proof that Jesus did not rise from the dead. Historians have studied a shroud in the city of Turin, Italy since the sixteenth century believing it to be the burial cloth that Jesus was wrapped in. There are no widely known studies of skeletal remains by anyone claiming the bones to be Jesus’ remains. On the other hand, billions of Christians have proclaimed over the last 2,000 years the changes that have touched our souls after we put our faith in the risen Christ. Salvation experiences should speak for themselves as witnesses today of the resurrection of Christ. If one believes in Christ, then they should also believe in the resurrection. Robert C. Hudson March 7, 2015

The Spirit of Truth

March 15, 2015 Background Scripture: John 16:4b – 15 Lesson Passage: John 16:4b – 15 For the third time in his discourse concerning the ministry of the Holy Ghost, Jesus referred to him as the Spirit of truth. What the disciples would receive later through revelation knowledge was going to be orchestrated by the indwelling Holy Ghost. God’s very existence and nature is not discoverable by mankind absent the revelation of the Holy Ghost. However, mankind has physical evidence of God’s existence therefore no one has an excuse to not come to God for salvation. God’s word plainly declares that the things that are offer proof of God’s existence. The perfect order and balance within nature is by intelligent design. On the other hand, knowing God exists and knowing God are two very different things. Nature offers proof of the first but only the Holy Ghost can lead one into the awareness and experience of the other. It is this truth that is revealed by the Holy Ghost that Jesus claimed will make one free. There is no other way to receive it, figure it out, or discover it. The Spirit of truth leads into all truths. Christians rejoice in the experience of the indwelling Holy Ghost because our eyes are open to a greater reality than what we experience physically, emotionally, or intellectually. The Spirit’s gentle approach and nurturing is reassuring as we encounter challenges in life. When we are confronted with undesirable choices or decisions, we know we can count on the leading of the Spirit of truth when we submit ourselves and ask that he order our steps. Where there is truth, the Spirit will guide us to it. The Spirit of truth is the epitome of one who is unselfish in that his mission revolves around the complete revelation of Jesus Christ to a dying world. What we know of the Holy Ghost is what Jesus taught concerning him. There is nothing further that the Sprit of truth reveals to us about himself. He constantly points the way to Jesus. The Holy Ghost opens our minds to allow us to see beyond the present and perceive a future state. He convinces us of our sin so that we are brought to repentance. He shows us that we don’t measure up to God’s standard of righteousness and therefore we stand in danger of eternal damnation unless we allow ourselves to be brought to Christ where we are saved and cleansed. Jesus made it clear that no one can come to Christ for salvation unless God draws him. It is through the ministry of the Spirit of truth that we are led to Calvary so that we may choose life by accepting the atoning work of Jesus on the cross. Man’s conscience is fickle and therefore not to be relied on. Christians should only allow the Spirit of truth to be our guide. All that the Holy Spirit does is in accordance with the purpose and will of God as revealed in His holy word. We are confident when we know that we are relying upon him because Jesus revealed the Spirit of truth to his disciples and now the Spirit of truth is revealing Jesus to the world. If truth is to be our guide, then the Spirit of truth is the only one who can direct us. Robert C. Hudson February 20, 2015

Another Comforter

March 8, 2015 Background Scripture: John 14:15 – 26 Lesson Passage: John 14:15 – 26 John 14 is a classic example of “bad news” and “good news” all in one conversation. Thankfully, the conversation starts with the bad news and continuously expounds on the good news in spite of the bad news. The bad news was that Jesus was about to leave the earth. After three and a half years of miracles and unparalleled teaching, Jesus’ assignment had come to an end. The “twelve” had left their occupations and families to travel the Galilean and Judean regions declaring the dawn of a new day in Judaism. Some had questioned Jesus about future positions in his kingdom and others wondered aloud if they had given up too much in exchange for promises. But for three and a half years they stuck it out. They were forewarned that Jesus would not be with them always but somehow it did not come across that that day was so imminent. However, that day was now upon them and the news of it must have sent emotional shock waves through them. For three years Jesus had supplied all of their needs. When they hungered, he fed them. When relatives and friends became ill, he healed them. When the religious authority accosted them, Jesus defended them and rebuffed the “so-called” experts of the law and religion in Judea. Even with the warnings, the time of Jesus’ departure arrived like a thief in the night. Some seemed speechless and others asked probing questions and perhaps others were too numb to react to the news: Jesus was leaving them. After all of their personal sacrifices, what did it all mean? Then the good news came. Jesus would not leave them alone. Jesus would send them another Helper to come along side of them. This “new” Helper would reveal even more to them than what they had already received from Jesus. In fact, He would remind them of what Jesus had taught them over the past three years. This Comforter would appear to be more available than Jesus was. While Jesus was on the mountain top with Peter, James, and John, the other nine disciples were in the valley getting berated by an irate father with a demon possessed son. This Comforter, however, could be in all places at the same time so there was no need for anyone to feel neglected or left out. But the world would not know that he was present. Only those to whom he was assigned would be aware of his presence. Furthermore, he would never leave them but rather stay with them forever. Although he would always testify of Jesus even as Jesus had always testified of his Father, this “new” Helper would appear to be more present and just as powerful. Whatever they needed, he would be right there to comfort them. If anything could take away the sadness of hearing of Jesus’ imminent departure, the coming of the Comforter would be that encouragement. Now their sadness was turned into anticipation. There was a bright side coming and the Comforter was going to usher it in. Robert C. Hudson February 19, 2015