April 2012 – Resurrection

Yes … Easter does happen this month … and it can seem cliché to speak about the Resurrection.  However, as I was reminded in our Foundations of the Faith class, it is a foundational principle to Christianity.  The difficulty is that it becomes only a yearly reminder or monthly reminder as part of Communion.  As a foundational principle, Paul wrote that without the Resurrection of Jesus there is no proof that God accepted Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf and that our sins are forgiven; or of a future bodily resurrection for us who believe in what Jesus did for us. (1 Cor. 15:12-23)  Without the Resurrection, Jesus was just another guy who died on a cross.

While the past and the future are important aspects of the Resurrection, it is its present application of that power to our lives that lifts it from the realms of theology, philosophy and nostalgia.  The first present application is the assurance of sins forgiven.  When we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive them because of the complete work of the Cross. (1 John 1:9)  Salvation, being born again, is the first and greatest work of God in the life of the believer, but we don’t remain at that point, just as a natural new born doesn’t remain at that stage.  The Resurrection is key to everyday life for the follower of Christ.  Paul prayed that we would know “what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places….” (Eph 1:19-20)

Jesus designed us to walk in the power of the Resurrection.  We live in eternal life today; not at some time in the future.  Jesus said: “I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.” (John 5:24)  Paul wrote that he no longer lived but Christ lived in and through him. (Gal. 2:20)  I don’t know about you, but the level of that Resurrection Life that was released through the early church challenges me.  There is a power of witness that the church has lost.  “With great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 4:33)  Jesus’ own assurance to John the Baptist that He was the Christ was: “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” (Matt. 11:4-6)

Let’s continue to press forward.  Let’s not settle for less than a powerful demonstration of the Resurrection Life of Christ in His church.  Many strongholds exist in the current experience and thoughts of God’s people but we have been given the weapons to overcome it and walk in fullness of life. (2 Cor. 10:4-6)

Journeying with you,

Pastor Merril

March 2012 - Awaken!

The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”  So I answered, “O Lord God, You know.”

Again He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! Thus says the Lord God to these bones: “Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the Lord.”’”  Ezekiel 37:1-6 (NKJV)

I have been thinking on the theme of “awakening” for a few weeks.  I looked through many Scripture passages thinking about it.  There were many I could have used to bring this pondering to you but I felt lead by our Father to bring this one to you.  It speaks to appearances and circumstances.  It also speaks prophetically to outcomes.  The Word of God released overrides circumstances and brings forth God’s desired outcomes.

I began speaking a series of messages on the implications of the New Covenant.  I felt lead to do this because I believe we have to awaken to God’s prophetic outcomes.  If we are to become the church that God intends us to be, if you are to become the fully alive Christian that Jesus intends you to be, if we are to have the impact on our community that Father intends us to have, then we have to receive the Word spoken to us and over us completely, gladly and without reservation.  What He intends for us is not what we are living—can we be satisfied with less?

Ezekiel 37 is so appropriate for us.  Many circumstances in our church and in our individual lives would say that the promise of God is never to be fulfilled.  Even where that Word has been effective, it may have only been partially so.  Ezekiel prophesied as commanded by God, and yet the breath did not come until after him prophesying a second time.  We need to continue to speak God’s Word and words over ourselves and our church.  I truly believe we are becoming what has been prophesied over us.  Don’t sleep waiting for the day to come, for the day is upon us.  Awaken!!!