The Resurrection and the Rapture

This Sunday, we are focused on the Biblical teaching on the second coming of Christ and specifically the idea of a "rapture" in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17.  I encourage you to read that portion of scripture, but let me just point out a few things of interest about the rapture.

1) The rapture is connected to the resurrection.  If the resurrection is a historical reality, then so too can we expect a rapture with great confidence.
2) The rapture is a great hope for all believers.
3) The rapture encourages all believers to live for Christ confident of His return.

Join us Sunday as we dig into 1 Thessalonians 4-5.  See you at the ARC at 10:15 AM.  Pastor Tom

Power of the Resurrection

This Sunday, we are kicking off our series, "He is Risen".  I hope you will join us.  The series will lead us through the book of Romans and remind us of the gospel story and the power of a life-changing relationship with God.

This Sunday we will focus on Romans 1:16-17.  Paul wrote to the Roman believers only 27-30 years after Jesus was crucified and rose from the dead.  As Paul begins his letter to the Roman believers, he is focused on the power of Christ' resurrection.  Come experience a resurrection in your walk with God.

Resurrection and Life

Living sure beats dying. I just wrapped up a grave site funeral in 18 degree weather with snow falling and wind blowing. It reminded me of all the good things we share together in life such as memories, adventure, good food, love and marriage, our children, fishing, hunting, sports. The list could go on and on. Life is definitely better than death. And yet, death is certain to come to all of us.

Death reminds us to value our life and live with meaning and purpose. In John's gospel chapter 11 we encounter a story about life and death and how our relationship with Christ can produce life even after we die.

Jesus said in 11:25, "I am the resurrection and life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" He said this after one of his close friends, Lazarus had passed from life into death. But, Jesus had a plan. He would raise up Lazarus form the dead.

From out of this powerful story flows both historical and spiritual realities. Historically speaking, archeologists tell us that churches were built on the grave site of Lazarus from as early as the 4th century if not earlier. In other words, this story spread through out the region and down through the pages of history. People came to believe in Jesus as the Christ because they saw him raise up Lazarus from the dead. It's hard to dispute a miracle when the very evidence is walking around and living just like you. Tradition tells us that Lazarus later served in Cyprus as the Bishop of the church.

Spiritually speaking, there are some very important truths we learn from Lazarus' story about how we can live a resurrected life. Let's take a look.

1. Faith and a change of mind - Faith is the first step to receiving the glory of God in your life. When Jesus said, "Take away the stone," others expressed practical concerns. Lazarus had been dead for four days (11:39). But Jesus wanted them to have faith. Jesus' offer of life must be received by faith.

2. Obedient action - Although their minds told them no, their spirits said "yes". They obediently removed the stone (11:41). Faith must always be followed by action. If we say we believe, we need to live like we believe.

3. Removing the old life - When Lazarus came out from the grave, he was still wrapped in grave clothes. Jesus, then, commanded "Take off the grave clothes and let him go." (11:44) This may be the most important step to living the resurrected life. Removing the old life allows us to step into the new life we possess as a child of God. Whatever is holding you back must be thrown off.

This week believe the promise of Jesus and live the resurrected life for which Jesus died and you were redeemed. See you Sunday as we celebrate the resurrection and the life.

Pastor Tom

Rise Up

What's it going to take for you to live the kind of life you have always dreamed about living?  Well I'm not sure what kind of life you're dreaming about, but let me share with you some of my dreams.  I want to live a life that is a blessing to others.  I want my spouse, my children, my friends, and my community to be blessed because they knew me.  I think most of us share this desire, even though we express it in a variety of ways.

I'm not talking about putting on a "public face" or or facade of success, I'm talking about living a truly different kind of life that elevates me from my selfishness and empowers me to live a truly significant life.  How can I do this?  I have found a one word answer -- Easter!

Easter is all about "rising up" and living a resurrected life.  Most people are familiar with the Easter story.  Jesus lived, died, and rose again.  Then he appeared to the disciples and others on many occasions before he gave them the Great Commission and left for heaven.  For too many people that is the end of the Easter story.  I believe Jesus wanted the Easter story to be about you and me today, not just about his death and resurrection over 2,000 years ago.

Easter is the centerpiece of Christianity and the key to "rising up" and living a resurrected life.  Are you satisfied with the life your living?  Often times I am not!  And I see many people around me that are living way beneath their potential in life.  They are bound by selfish desires, addictions, and bad decisions that leave them trapped financially, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.   I want to rise up and become a better person and more of a blessing for those around me.  And I want to help you rise up and live life god's way!

This Sunday we are going to take a look at the story of Easter, the resurrection of Lazarus, and three steps to rising up to a resurrected life.  Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life."  Then he asked, "Do you believe this?"  I hope you do.  IT can make all the difference in your life.

Join us at the ARC this Sunday for Easter.  Tom Ragsdell