FROM THE PULPIT
Ancient Words: The Resurrection and The Life 2
The resurrection of Lazarus caused much consternation among the Pharisees, the Sanhedrin and all of those looking for a reason to stop Jesus.
Pushing him off a cliff had failed, gathering stones to pummel him had failed, but now with the news of Lazarus coming out of the tomb after four days, something else had to be done. Therefore, many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin.
"What are we accomplishing?" they asked. "Here is this man performing many signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation."
Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up: "You know nothing at all! You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish."
He did not say this on his own, but as high priest. That year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, and not only for that nation, but also for the scattered children of God to bring them together and make them one. So from that day on they plotted to take his life. (Joh 11:45-53)
Not only was Jesus in their crosshairs, but Lazarus as well. Much people of the Jews, therefore, knew that he was there, and they came not for Jesus’s sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead. But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death (Joh 12:9-10).
Satan’s ploy to continue holding humanity in bondage by the means of death was now in jeopardy. Satan will strike at the heel of Jesus but that is all the injury he will inflict. We don’t know the fate of Lazarus. Unbinding the chains of death and putting an end to death is now what flies in Satan’s face. Yes, the flesh of mortal will continue to fail, but now with resurrection for all insight, the spirit and soul within that flesh will never die because of one man Jesus. For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man (Adam), how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ (Rom 5:17)!
Christ has become the world’s only hope. He, as Savior, has defeated enemy No. 1 and provided a sure and certain victory for all who will come into his grace. Just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Rom 5:18-21).
There is no need to fear for the power of love has cast out all fear. Where O grave is your victory?
Where O death is your sting?
Give praise to The Great I AM!!
Scott and Jane Johnson minister with East Faulkner Church of Christ and BRG Bible. Bible questions can be sent to brgbible@gmail.com.
Standing on The Promises
As a little boy, I remember a situation where I made a promise to do something and I failed to follow through. This wasn’t a life or death situation, but it would prove to be a life changing lesson.
My mom explained, that agreeing to "try’ to do something and "promising" to do something was a big difference. Once it sunk in, I felt so disappointed, but Mom also made me realize that sometimes, as hard as we try to make something happen, sometimes it falls through.
I learned on that day that the ONLY GUARANTEED promises came from God.
I found this definition online of "promise" — "a declaration or assurance that one will do a particular thing or that a particular thing will happen."
I also found this definition of "promise" in the Bible — "In Scripture, the promise of God is the declaration or assurance which God has given in his word of bestowing blessings on his people. Such assurance resting on the perfect justice, power, benevolence and immutable truthfulness and correctness of God, cannot fail of performance."
Every Sunday night in church as a child, we sang that familiar hymn, "Standing on The Promises." I loved this song because it started "testimony time."
I loved hearing the adults share how the Lord had brought them through their trials and tribulations of the previous week. I remember thinking, "wow, it must be hard to be an adult!" Thank God that His promises never failed them.
Now, I’m all grown up, I’m a minister, and I still love this song! I still use this song as a declaration and reminder that whatever happens, I can stand boldly on the promises of God my Savior!
My question to you this week is do you take God at His Word and trust and believe that His promises are real?
Too many "saints’ are walking around acting like victims instead of living like victors! Are you "Standing on The Promises" or simply "Sitting in The Premises?"
Please find the lyrics below! Claim His promises, and I hope it gets stuck in your head!
1 Standing on the promises of Christ my king, through eternal ages let his praises ring; glory in the highest, I will shout and sing, standing on the promises of God. Refrain: Standing, standing, standing on the promises of God my Savior; standing, standing, I’m standing on the promises of God.
2 Standing on the promises that cannot fail, when the howling storms of doubt and fear assail, by the living Word of God I shall prevail, standing on the promises of God. [Refrain]
3 Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord, bound to him eternally by love’s strong cord, overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword, standing on the promises of God. [Refrain]
4 Standing on the promises I cannot fall, listening every moment to the Spirit’s call, resting in my Savior as my all in all, standing on the promises of God. [Refrain]
Peace and Blessings.
Captain Jason Perdieu is corps officer of the Salvation Army of El Dorado.