Morning Message: April 24

After Jesus’ death the Apostle Paul is responsible for spreading the teachings of Jesus to non-Jewish peoples.  In today’s reading, he is talking to people of Corinth, Greece.

A reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians.

Now I would remind you, brothers and sisters, of the good news that I proclaimed to you:  that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.  Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died.  Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.  Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.

Think about this silently in your heart.  Paul calls the stories and teaching of Jesus “good news.”  How are they “good news” to us?

Holy and loving God, may we hear the good news of the Gospel.  Through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, he revealed your power.  He taught us to believe in you.  May we always be faithful to his teachings.  We pray in his name.  Amen.

As we look at our reading today, the apostle Paul told us what is most important for us to believe as Christians. Before Jesus entered his heart the apostle Paul wasn’t doing God’s work. He persecuted the church and even arrested and sometimes killed Christians. But by His grace God changed Paul and filled his heart. Then God used Paul to do so many good works. And when we let God fill our hearts, He can use us to do all kinds of good works, too.

The apostle Paul wrote this letter to the ancient church at Corinth in Greece. He was a missionary there and planted this church. He deeply loved these Christians, but they had become confused about what were the most important things. Paul reminds them of what he had already taught them and what they had already received: the gospel… the word gospel means Good news! But why is the gospel “good news”?  Because Christ died for our sins and He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. - This is what we celebrate today and how we know we are actually saved.  Paul writes that the risen Jesus was seen by a lot of people, over five hundred people even!

But we haven’t seen Jesus, how do we know that happened?   Well, let me ask you this question: How do you know Abraham Lincoln is the president known for ending slavery in America? Have you met him or seen him in person?  No, but you know because there were witnesses who recorded what happened. Therefore, we can know with confidence who he was and what he did 160 years ago!

In the same way, there were witnesses who saw Jesus’s death and resurrection and wrote down what happened (the four gospels). Therefore, we can know with confidence who Jesus was and what He did over 2000 years ago! * There were many people who did not believe that Jesus rose from the grave and Paul and the other apostles were able to tell them, Paul said, “Don’t just take my word for it. Go ask one of the five hundred who saw it! They are still alive!” the risen Jesus also appeared to James, other apostles, and Paul, the writer of this letter.

We celebrate Easter every year with tremendous joy and excitement not only because it is amazing that Jesus Christ rose from the dead and conquered death. Would Paul give up everything he had for something he knew to be false and pointless? NO WAY! If you believe in Jesus Christ and in His death, burial, and resurrection, show your faith in Him to be real by no longer living for yourself, but for Him! Remember God’s grace changed Paul and filled his heart and then God used Paul to do so many good works. And when we let God fill our hearts, He can use us to do all kinds of good works, too.

Have a wonderful day and a beautiful weekend.  Even on a rainy day you can be someone’s sunshine, attitude is everything!