The Empty Tomb

I wanted to share notes from Easter service with anyone who still reads here! :)


1 Corinthians 15:13-19 (NLV)
…if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless. And we apostles would all be lying about God — for we have said that God raised Christ from the grave. But that can’t be true if there is no resurrection of the dead. And if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins. In that case, all who have died believing in Christ are lost! And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world.

That’s Paul writing to the Corinthians in his first letter to them.

There is nothing so central to our faith, the faith of anyone who claims to be a Christian, than the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. The empty tomb is where Christianity truly begins. The resurrection of Jesus Christ and Christianity itself stand or fall together.

I’m sure you know, millions upon millions of people on this earth today, entire nations of people, don’t believe it happened. They believe in the historical Jesus but not the resurrected Jesus. And the internet is filled with sites that try to explain away the evidence of the resurrection story.

Dr. Simon Greenleaf, the Royal Professor of Law at Harvard University, a man credited with building the Harvard University Law School and who later became the Dane Professor of Law at Harvard, was convinced the resurrection story was a myth. He set out to disprove it once and for all using the rules of evidence he helped establish in his book A Treatise on the Law of Evidence. When he finished his investigation after examining all the evidence, he came to the exact opposite conclusion and emphatically stated,

“It was IMPOSSIBLE that the apostles could have persisted in affirming the truths they had narrated, had not JESUS CHRIST ACTUALLY RISEN FROM THE DEAD, ...”

He concluded that according to the jurisdiction of legal evidence the resurrection of Jesus Christ was the best supported event in all of ancient history!

Acts 1:3 says:
“After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.”

What else could have changed those cowardly men who fled Jesus on the night he needed them the most, after spending three years traveling thousands of miles with him, not long after all vowing to die for him? Remember, after Jesus died nearly every one of his followers went back to doing what they were doing before meeting him. It was like three wasted years. They rolled back the clock.

So, what could have changed them from fleeing cowards to desolate martyrs?

The Holy Messiah coming back from the land of the dead. The single greatest event in all of history!

In the book of Acts we have a record of how Christ’s first church began. The details capture an amazing and faith-filled time. It was a time for action. His resurrection lit the fire and with the promised Holy Spirit given to each baptized person, God’s personal seal of approval, the men and women who followed Christ began to spread the word like crazy when they realized he was alive again. They saw him beaten and crucified and then, over the next four or five weeks, they saw him alive. That’s how Christianity began.

It began with the empty tomb.

We are very fortunate to have approximately 11 examples in Acts of verbatim testimony where our first century brothers were preaching about the Good News...basically, how they spread the church.

For example:

1. We have Peter preaching to the Jews at Pentecost exactly 50 days after the Crucifixion


2. Peter and John before the Sanhedrin


3. Stephen, before getting stoned to death, explaining himself in front of the Sanhedrin


4. Peter preaching to Cornelius and his family


5. Paul in Athens at the meeting of the Aeropagus

…to name a few of the better known cases.

In 10 out of those 11 instances they preached about Christ being resurrected from the dead. The only one who didn’t was Stephen - likely because he didn’t get the chance. The last thing he said was “and now you have betrayed and murdered him” and bam, lights out, they were stoning him death.

What is our life in Christ today if we don’t constantly consider and speak about his resurrection? It is our foundation. Christ is Risen!

That’s where the Good News starts.

1 Thess 4:14-18
We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.

Resurrection is the real deal. As Adam was the firstborn among the living, Jesus was the firstborn among the dead.

And resurrection is not just for those who live for Christ. It is for everyone. And that’s a scary thought…

In the book of Daniel, chapter 12, he talks about resurrection for everyone. He says in verse two,

“Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.”

Do you know what he goes on to say about this very scary thought? It’s fulfillment began in the book of Acts. In verse three he says,

“Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.”

The resurrection of everyone is a scary thought if we don’t do something about it.

So what is Easter really all about?
• The Empty Tomb!
• The Resurrected Lord.
• The Living Sacrifice!
• Our Hope and Joy and Sure Reward!

It’s where Christianity begins. Where mankind had it’s first chance to rise from the dead in hope of everlasting glory.

It’s where we get the power to take one more step in life, to overcome, to persevere, to focus on saving the souls of others too.

Consider how we (like our first century bothers) can personally share about his resurrection with others, serving them with the truth of Jesus and this amazing new life we have in him.

Romans 4:25 distinguishes between the two:

"He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification."

We can bring that justification to others. Christ is risen! Let’s get started!

Frightened and Encouraged!

As Christians, I think most of us would agree that evangelism is a key ingredient of our walk. My husband and I have begun a Bible study group in our home and have about 8 co-leaders from our church, and 4 visitors attending the first one this coming Thursday.

I'm frightened.

I am unconventional and even undecided in many areas of scripture where others (most!) are soundly convicted. I'm more likely to say, "I don't know!" than "Let me show you!" Granted I will dig until I find something - but I am also more apt to present the options than the answers.

However, I am convinced that God can still use me.

What has been on my mind is an on-going conversation with God. I want to reach the lost. There are many I have fallen in love with that I cannot imagine a future without faith for them! But this conversation with God kept leading me to Christians outside of fellowship. Believers who have run away from hurt, felt pressed for commitments they were unable to provide, those that studied with people more concerned with church membership and proper indoctrination than reconciliation with the Father... Hopefully you understand my meaning. They have no other Christians in their life, and some would rather keep it that way. One thing I am fully convinced of in scripture is that we need one another - and we need to need one another. It keeps us humble, vulnerable and soft-hearted.

So I was overjoyed, with no personal influence whatsoever, the group actually discussed this! I come from a church rather notorious for being more concerned about membership conversions (strict adherence to our doctrine) than leading the lost to a simple faith. We came to quick, unanimous decision that this group was not about membership - but souls and having a genuine love for them.

Then, the group selected a 6 week study on the book of James. How awesome is that? I had been leaning toward a longer term study in John. It suddenly occurred to me, that although James has a lot about living out faith, it has much to do with the connections and relationships in the Body! I am not usually a quiet one in groups, so my silent, beaming smile during our planning meeting must have been unsettling. I am so encouraged!

Please, if you have a moment to do so, pray that this group allows God to lead us and lives are transformed to faith - or stronger faith when needed.

I am reminded...

Matthew 24:45-51

"Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time?

Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions.

But if that evil slave says in his heart, 'My master is not coming for a long time,' and begins to beat his fellow slaves and eat and drink with drunkards; the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour which he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

I try to keep this scripture in mind as a mother - my primary role of authority. It's important that I remember my place and the responsibility it entails - as well as the consequences for myself and my charges. This scripture also makes me wonder if there is such a thing as an, "evil believer." Notice that the reason the SLAVE to the master would act in this way is because he is an EVIL SLAVE. In context, I am aware that this was in reference to the Pharisees - but in applying the lesson to the religious of today...??

Just Another New Year

Sorry, I am not quite that cynical yet. In New England, I now have markers with the extreme seasonal changes that truly seem to speed time. I can't believe I am at a new year once again!

I have avoided the tradition of making any resolutions in the past. In making some personal revelations this past year, I've discovered that in not establishing goals, I've avoided failure at the expense of personal growth. So, in establishing this tradition in my own life, it should be encouraging to set some goals that will be easy to accomplish that also provide an real impact in my life.

I'm still working it out, but one idea has come to mind. It's not unique. I would like to read the Bible this year. I haven't done it in a very long time - and not at all since I've been a Christian. I've chosen to read it in chronological order. So far, I am at Genesis 11. I'm trying to have an open mind, but curious to see how some of my newly formed christocentric ideas will pan out.

I've lacked focus on this for a time, but that's okay. I've learned much by looking at the focus of others and see that as no accident. God bless you all for your contributions in strengthening the faith of many, the least of which is me.

This is not just another new year - it's the present, the moment, the time God has given us. Rejoice!

Some Words, Part 1

Repentance.

It's a very confusing concept to Christians. Not so much to the rest of the world.

First, it is a very uncommonly used word in the world outside of religion. It is not used lightly and almost never as a command. The word has weight. It has undertones related so deeply with religion, that its use is only when it is absolutely the right word for the task. Have you ever heard "repent" or "repentance" outside of a religious conversation?

I have, a small handful of times. Of course, I made it to age 27 before coming to Christ. And every time, it was used as a warning or indication of self-condemnation resulting in self-correction: condemning one's own actions before another does.

Second, in the world, I've always been aware that the word is applied to specific situations, actions, etc,. - never as a general term applied to someone's life or remaining existance. If you were to describe someone as "repentant," the question begs, "Of what?" If you were to say someone has a "repentant heart," it would be assumed it was for a specific wrong-doing, not the general character of the individual.

Finally, repentance is not an easy act. Repent is a verb! But it's a feeling, too. So it's a feeling you do - purposefully. It requires introspection, insight, concern - and motivation. There are two motivations to repent - fear and love. When the world uses the word repentence, they most often assume a motivation of love.

Most Christians I know use fear of God as motivation for repentance. They wouldn't agree with me, but I've listened carefully.

"To repent is a command!"

"You must repent from your sins for forgiveness!"

Who was repentance preached to? Christians?

Repentence was preached to the lost world. Don't you think the word used would be the word they understand?

Why do we change it?

Removing the blog, er... LOG from my own eye :-)

There has been some teaching at my church that is making me itch! I don't like being told what to do, so fear of this teaching leading to that is causing me to feel very critical. (scritch-scratch!) I don't want to back away simply to avoid controversy, but I also don't feel anywhere near equipped to be a spokesperson for a Biblical cause.

My first step is to pray to God to reveal to me where I am wrong and to grant me patience and a listening heart.

Is this the way you interpret Luke 6:42, i.e., removing the plank from your own eye prior to removing a speck from another's? A wise elder woman taught it to me this way several years ago when I thought this meant I had to be blameless before I helped another sister in sin. She told me I should wait to speak until God reveals all the incorrect assumptions I've made (mostly by listening both to the other party and the Word) then to speak, but with a "listening heart."

I stood to speak at the first lesson this week, but a little tug in my memory brought me back to the words of this woman and I simply asked a harmless clarifying question instead.

Hopefully I am completely wrong in my own understanding of this scripture or in my understanding of their teaching - and all my worry is moot. ;-)

Can I?

"When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly." 1 Peter 2:23