Mission Made Possible

1 Corinthians 15:51-58

Through the work that Jesus did on the cross and by His rising from the dead, we have a hope that no one else can ever have unless they surrender to and pledge their eternal allegiance to King Jesus. Paul talks about this hope in his first letter to the Corinthian church. He says there will come a point in which Jesus will return and when He does those that are dead will be caught up with Him along with those of us that are still alive. But, whether we are dead already or still alive, in either case, we will all be transformed into the perfect imperishable bodies that we were meant to have before sin entered the world. This Easter Resurrection Sunday – we echo the words and sentiments of the Apostle Paul when he wrote, “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 

This day is not just a celebration. Don't make that mistake. It isn't nor was it ever meant to be just a reminder of what Jesus did for us on the cross. That is what Communion is for every Sunday. This day is abou reminding us of the mission. Jesus came on mission and He commissioned us to carry on that mission until He returns. Paul goes on to remind us in this text of that mission and our role in it. “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” The work of the Lord is seeking and saving the lost, reconciling the world back to God. Thats our role! Thats our mission!

Why Not Me?

Sometimes, for some of us more than others, we are hit with a curve ball, something that rocks us to our core, a hardship or ailment. In these moments we often are tempted to get angry, to blame God or others, to shift the focus off our inadequacies and short comings and place all the focus on the perceived reason for our strife or at the very the appointed object of our wrath. As Christians though our perspective and subsequently, our response should be entirely different. When trouble comes our way we should see it as an opportunity to put God's glory on display. For the Christian, hardships of any kind, difficulties of any magnitude, should be met with praise and thanksgiving toward God and a graceful disposition that says, “Why NOT me?” Instead of the usual, “Why me?” I am reminded of a passage in James, it says, 

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. ~James 1:12 ESV

Life is a proofing ground. Notice, I didn't say proving. We don't have to prove anything. God proved himself worthy and sufficient so we don't have to. I said, proofing. Like a precious gems or metals are refined under intense pressure and heat we have to walk through life in order to come out come out having been made better for it. That is how we become more Christlike. 

To Talk or Not to Talk

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” (Deut. 6:5)

Next to John 3:16 this passage is likely the second most quoted and memorized scripture. This is the original reference found in the Old Testament. What you and I are more familiar with is Jesus' quoting of this text in the New Testament. When he was asked about the greatest commandment in all of the scriptures, this was his response. However, what we never heard preached along with this passage is the verses that follow this commandment.

“And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” Deut. 6:6-7)

So, God has written his moral law code on our hearts. We don't have any excuses left. Its there to remind us at every turn of what God expects of us. Then he commands us to teach it to our kids and to talk about it with regularity both in our homes and when we are out and about. When was the last time you had a discussion with someone in your home or at the grocery store or while sitting in a restaurant – that was all about God's goodness? For those that call themselves his, its not an option, its a command. Its an order, a directive. Us, talking openly about God, his word, spiritual things, Heaven, Hell... SHOULD BE COMMON! Have some God talk this week.