A NEWSLETTER FOR THE MEMBERS OF THE GREENWOOD CHURCH OF CHRIST

VOLUME 3 NO. 13                                             May 21, 2006

“THE RISEN CHRIST”

BY STEVE NIEMEIER

Paul states very clearly what the gospel is that he taught and that we should belive in I Corinthians 15:1-8.  The message is clear that Jesus the Christ died for our sins and that He was buried and that He rose again on the third day.  This is proven Paul states by the witnesses who saw Him.  Those witnesses included Cephas (Peter) then by the twelve, then by five-hundred brethren and then by Paul as one born out of due time.

What does this mean to us?  According to Paul's teaching in this passage it means that the Scriptures were fulfilled.  Obviously this has to be comforting to us as we strive to serve the risen Christ.  Also, Paul states that Christ died for our sins.  This is a blessing beyond comprehension because it means we had our sins nailed to the cross IF we follow the teachings of Jesus and are obedient to Him.  Paul states that it is possible to believe in vain by not holding fast to the word that had been taught.

Paul also states in verses 12-17 that Christ was raised from the dead and that gives us hope and the vision of being raised with Him.  Physical death is something that we all face and to know that we can overcome this by being in Christ and being raised to be with Him in the glory of God in Heaven is the blessing that we all hope for.

Yes, the risen Christ is why we have hope and why we must follow His word so that we can be with His in eternal peace and happiness.  Are you serving Him in the manner He would be pleased with (Matthew 7:21-27)?