A Note from the Pastor…
Many years ago, at the first church I served as Pastor, I was sharing about how wonderful it was to serve the Lord, (I even got an amen or two from the crowd). As I was sharing from the pulpit, I made the comment that “even if it wasn’t for Heaven, Christ would still be worth serving.” I was thinking of His peace, His comfort, and the joy that He brings to His followers. Later that afternoon, I was working on my Sunday evening service, (yes, I have been a procrastinator for many years), I came across a verse that contradicted my earlier statement.
Later that evening, as I stood before our very small congregation, I shared that I had to correct something that I said that morning. I read from Paul’s first recorded letter to the congregation at Corinth. “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable,” (I Corinthians 15:19 KJV). I shared with the Elrod First Church of God outside of Somerset, Kentucky, that I was wrong in my morning message. Not wrong in praising the Lord – and not wrong in my heart or in my intentions – but I was wrong in my statement! Surely Christ brings hope, peace, comfort, joy, and great promises! However, Paul reminded the Corinthians that it was a resurrected Christ, and His promise of eternity in Heaven, that makes all that we face here worthwhile! Our peace, comfort, and joy in Him is only possible in the fullest sense if Christ is risen from the dead!
As we continue our series, “Faith of our Fathers,” this morning we look at the essential belief “that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,”
(I Corinthians 15:3-4). My hope is not in a dead savior, still buried in the ground somewhere in Israel – but my hope is in the only Risen Savior, Jesus Christ!
The little church I served so many years ago was very supportive and forgiving! An older Pastor there, (who has long since passed away), was always a gentle mentor. It is great to be excited about the Lord – but it is also vital that we worship Him in the truth of God’s Word!
In Christ,
Pastor Chris
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