Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:00 — 3.7MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

This week, we’ve looked at the resurrection of the dead. It is the central hope of the Christian faith. Without his resurrection, Jesus’ death would have accomplished nothing. With it, Jesus not only provides forgiveness for sins, but eternal life to his followers in new, glorious bodies. He is the first fruits of the resurrection. We’re just waiting for his return to receive our new bodies.

So, how should this hope affect us? Well, Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (NIV)

This verse mentions two things. First, we must stand firm. In the context, he is urging us to keep our faith in Jesus and in the reality of resurrection – both Jesus’ and ours. The world tries to deceive us about the big truths. You hear it. Claims like “there is no creator, we evolved,” Or, “death is natural, there’s nothing after this life.” Don’t believe it! Stand firm in your faith!

Second, we should “give ourselves fully” in serving the Lord. What does that look like? Well, we go all in. We leave everything on the field. We hold nothing back from serving Jesus. Why? An old saying express it well. “Only what’s done for Jesus will last.”

How to leave a review: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/rate-and-review/

Please provide feedback and suggestions at: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/feedback/

Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:00 — 3.7MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

What was the most powerful event since the creation of the world? Hmmm, are you thinking of some stellar super nova? Or maybe you thought of a hydrogen bomb explosion. What about the asteroid impact that caused the extinction of the dinosaurs? There are a lot of powerful things that have happened in history! But the most powerful was a miracle. It occurred when Jesus rose from the dead.

It was easy to pick my favorite miracle for this episode! Nothing compares to the resurrection of Jesus. It and creation are in a class by themselves. Romans 4:17 declares how mighty is God with these words, “the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.” (NIV)

The resurrection of Jesus is not just powerful because it created life. It is also powerful because of the effects it has. It means we will be raised from the dead. I Corinthians 15:51-52 says, “Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed — ⁵² in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.”

But there’s more! It also affects us today. As verse 58 says, “Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” His resurrection gives us hope!

Please provide feedback and suggestions at: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/feedback/

Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.