Sunday Words of Encouragement April 17, 2022 Happy Resurrection Day!

I enjoyed a Resurrection Sunday School message that the empty grave and Christ’s appearing to many proves his message of hope and restoration! The sermon message was similar message. We prayed for local and world needs and issues. We welcomed more new members which is always a lovely thing!

Our (Interim) Pastor recognized that it is a Special Day and shared his sermon titled: What Has Christ Conquered? The primary scripture is 1 Corinthians 15:12-19.
Pastor also noted that Resurrection is the proof of Christ's forgiveness and promise of restoration.
The tomb is empty.
Religious leaders, trying to protect their own powers and control over people, lied and bore false witness.
Christ entered the city on a donkey as a king of peace and not as conquering king on a war horse.
Religious leaders stirred the crowd to seek crucifixion.
In truth Christ came as a conquering king for future but also a king today.
Here are three things Christ conquered.

1. He Conquered Death. Matthew 28:1-8. 1 Corinthians 15:23- 26 Christ is the first fruits and the last death. v50-57. We win!
2. He Conquered the devil. Matthew 12:40. Hebrews 2:14-45. Revelation 1:18 Jesus has the keys of death. The enemy is limited and his time is short.
3. He Conquered doubt. Who is this? Matthew 28:6-10, 17. Some did not believe. Mark 16:11-14. Luke 24:21-27. They did not know the scripture. John 20:9-10. John gave testimony that others would believe! John 20:26-31.

Don’t doubt. Believe that Christ conquered death and the devil!

Verses for Today:
1 Corinthians 15:12-19 NIV
The Resurrection of the Dead
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.

Christ is risen! He is alive and He is our Living Hope!

Sunday Words of Encouragement April 7, 2019

After church this morning we met our son-in-law and grandchildren for lunch. It was so good to see them.

This morning we had another Sunday School lesson from 1 Corinthians 14 with some review of the prior chapters. Our teacher reminds us that the chapter breaks were not part of the original letter and we need to keep that in mind as we read the instructional and correctional text. Interestingly – and assuredly a God thing!– the SS lesson was titled “I’ll Never Go Back to That Church” and Pastor used that phrase in his Sermon teaching too.

Pastor concluded his Sermon series on The Bridge, finishing up in Hebrews 6 and 7.
As we see in the world around us people are beset with mixed views and mixed truths. The facts presented lead to totally different conclusions based upon their preset perspectives. Believing is not permanent. Truth is filtered and flavored. The distance between belief and doubt gets shorter.
Many people struggle when their belief is shaken.

Betrayal can result in doubt, mistrust. Some live with one foot ready to break away in order to protect themselves.

Christ followers are thankful that God is steady. God is a firm foundation. His promises are sure.
When we decide to change something in our life style for God we often meet resistance.
At such times the distance between belief and doubt becomes quite small.

Hebrews 6:11-19 says we can be secure in the hope given by God’s promise. Hebrews 7:21-22.

Point: Doubt is the destroyer of hope. Our confidence is most secure in the promises of God.

There is every reason why the Christ follower should have the most hope. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. The anchor must hold. If we are living in doubt, our anchor is not Jesus.

[I learned when I was 15 that I couldn't even trust myself, but only God.] Pastor restated this point – we cannot trust any human or we will be disappointed. Only God is fully trustworthy to keep His promises
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Hebrews 6:19 and Hebrews 10:19-25 -- Only one thing matters: that your hope is in Jesus.
Where have you misplaced your confidence?

I think this song fits well: Living Hope

Hebrews 6:19 NIV
19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 7:22 NIV
22 Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant.
Hebrews 10:23 NIV
23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.


Lord I give you thanks that you are my foundation and my anchor. Praise God that I am confident in the Hope promised by my faith in Christ Jesus.