Resurrection Living

Weekly Update – March 28th, 2024

This Sunday we approach our annual celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  In reality, we should celebrate the resurrection every time we gather, as it is only by the resurrection that we have purpose given to our lives as believers.  Nevertheless, we gather this Sunday to sing, pray, read and listen as we consider our risen savior.  Despite our gathering though, does the resurrection have any more barring upon our lives?  What I mean is, what has the resurrection accomplished for us and does it change the way we live presently?  To answer this question, let me give you five results that the resurrection should have in our lives as we live them today.

First, the resurrection gives us hope.  In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, the apostle Paul addresses a church who seems to have misunderstood what the resurrection means to them. They fear that those who have died before them are going to miss out on the eternal joy of being with Christ.  In response to this fear, Paul writes in verse 13, “but we do not want you to be uninformed brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.”  What this means is that in the face of death, we grieve, but we grieve with hope.  Why?  Verse 14, “For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.”  In other words, since Christ has risen from the dead, on the last day, so will we. 

Second, the resurrection breaks the power of sin.  The apostle Paul writes in Romans 6:4 that just as “Christ was raised by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”  What does this newness of life look like?  Verse 10, “For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God.”  It is now, as Paul says in Philippians 3:10 that the very power of the resurrection is at work in our lives.  So then, “Are we to continue in sin?  By no means!” (Rom. 6:1).  Since Christ has risen, we have been delivered from sin through faith in Him. 

Third, the resurrection confirms the validity of Jesus’ life on this earth.  Jesus made several claims throughout his life on this earth.  “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35), “I am the way, the truth and the life” (John 14:6), “Your sins are forgiven” (Mark 2:5), and “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:19) just to name a few.  As C.S. Lewis says, based upon all of these claims, Jesus is either a liar, lunatic or He is Lord.  There is no in between in how you think about Him.  The resurrection assures us that Jesus is in fact Lord and that what he says He will do, He in fact can do it.    

Fourth, the resurrection brings us to God.  First Peter 3:18 says, “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God.”  If Christ has not been raised then nothing in this verse is true.  He would not have suffered for sins, because his death accomplishes nothing without the resurrection.  He would not be counted as righteous, because his resurrection proves he was righteous before God.  So then, Jesus, the righteous one, stands in our place in death to pay for our sins, so that God’s wrath can be removed from us and we can be reconciled to God through faith in Jesus.  That means the resurrection allows us to have a relationship with God.

Fifth, the resurrection allows us to walk in love.  This result is the focus of our gathering this Sunday.  As Paul says in Ephesians 5:1-2, “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.  And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”  Paul says that we can walk in love because Christ gave himself up for us.  Now, we cannot say that Christ gave himself up for us if he did not rise from the dead.  Again, if he did not rise from the dead, then his death accomplishes nothing.  But since Christ has risen, “God’s love has been poured into our hearts” (Rom. 5:5).  Therefore, we are called to love, since God has loved us (1 John 4:11).  What does this love look like?  It shows itself through forgiveness, patience, bearing with one another, and kindness (Col. 3:12-13).  We will explore this and how Christ’s death and resurrection makes this possible, on Sunday.

As we approach our emphasis on the resurrection of Jesus Christ this Sunday, let us always remember that every day is a day to live with our focus on the resurrection.  Without it, our faith is futile and we above all people ought to be pitied (1 Cor. 15:18).  Therefore, let us live our lives as if the resurrection matters, as we live differently from the world and devoted to God and his purposes for us.

Serving Him with You,
Pastor Michael Nelson

Written by Pastor
Michael Nelson

Fighter Verse for the Week

[And] you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
- Ephesians 2:1-3

Announcements:

Easter Schedule: Join us tonight for our Maundy Thursday service. We will sing together, hear from God’s word and take the Lord’s Supper. Then on Sunday, there will be no equipping classes/Sunday school. Instead, we will have our annual potluck Easter brunch at 9:15am. Following brunch, we will gather to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ in our main service at 10:30am. Plan to come, bring something for brunch and invite a friend or family member to come with you.

Annie Armstrong Easter Offering: Every year at this time, we raise funds to support missionaries all over North America who are serving with the North American Mission Board (NAMB). This year, our goal at First Baptist Church is to raise $8500. You can give on Sunday mornings through one of our offering boxes located in the foyer or the welcome center. Just mark your envelop as “missions” or “Annie.” Or you can give online HERE and choose “missions” under the Fund tab. You can find more information about this offering HERE.

Collegiate Impact: One of our home groups is helping with a dinner for a group of college students meeting at Longview Community College. They could use your help as well. The dinner is for the evening of Friday, April 5th and is for 35 students. If you are interested in helping, connect with Matthew Klika.

Women’s Craft + Brunch: All ladies of the church are invited to the Larson Home at 10am on Saturday, April 13th, for a potluck brunch and a time of crafting. Details can be found HERE.

Prom Dress Giveaway: If you are interested in volunteering with the prom dress giveaway, please contact Amy Blankenship. More info can be found HERE.

Women’s Bible Study: The seasonal ladies’ Bible study began on Tuesday, February 20th. Sessions are offered at 9:30am and 6:30pm. More information and a signup sheet are available on the bulletin board in the hall.

Men’s Bible Study: This men’s study is based on the book, The Exemplary Husband. The study is held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday night of each month at 8:00pm in the library. If you are interested see Clint Blankenship.

Greeting Team: We are looking for volunteers to serve one week a month on this rotation. If you would like more information, connect with Matthew Klika.

Befriend a Student: If you are interested in befriending a student from Longview Community College this semester, connect with Matthew Klika. You can find more information about befriend a student HERE.

Food Pantry: We are in need of pop-top and ready to eat items for our food pantry. These items are needed specifically for the homeless in our community that stop by the church building throughout the week looking for a meal. We are also in need of spaghetti-o’s, ravioli, dry pancake mix, and maple syrup.

Nursery Volunteers Needed: Nursery volunteers are needed each week during the 10:30am service time. Contact Betty for more information on how you can serve.

Equipping Hour

We have three classes held at 9:15am on Sunday mornings. “Firm Foundations” meets in the Sanctuary, a biblical exposition of 1 Peter will meets in the Fellowship Hall, and a Ladies’ class studying the New Testament meets in the classroom next to the nursery. You can find more information HERE.

Giving

To Give Online, Go HERE. 

You can also mail your offering to: 1416 Main Street, Grandview, MO. 64030

Home Groups

Home Groups typically meet on the first and third Sunday of each month. Please contact Pastor Michael if you would like to join a Home Group. You can find more information HERE.

Prayer

An updated Prayer Guide can be accessed HERE. 

Prepare for Sunday

Guide for Worship can be found HERE. 

Wednesday Evening Activities

Awana, Youth Group, and Biblical Counseling are on Wednesday evenings. We will share a meal in the Faith Center Gym at 6:00pm before heading to classes at 6:30pm.