THE EFFECTS OF THE RESURRECTION:

EASTER 96 APRIL 3, 1996

1Cor 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the

gospel which I preached unto you, which also

ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

1Cor 15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in

memory what I preached unto you, unless ye

have believed in vain. (KJV)

1Cor 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that

which I also received, how that Christ died

for our sins according to the scriptures;

1Cor 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose

again the third day according to the

scriptures: (KJV)

1Cor 15:5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the

twelve: (KJV)

1Cor 15:6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred

brethren at once; of whom the greater part

remain unto this present, but some are fallen

asleep. (KJV)

1Cor 15:7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all

the apostles. (KJV)

1Cor 15:8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of

one born out of due time. (KJV)

1Cor 15:9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am

not meet to be called an apostle, because I

persecuted the church of God. (KJV)

1Cor 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and

his grace which was bestowed upon me was not

in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than

they all: yet not I, but the grace of God

which was with me. (KJV)

1Cor 15:11 Therefore whether it were I or they, so we

preach, and so ye believed. (KJV)

1Cor 15:12 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from

the dead, how say some among you that there

is no resurrection of the dead? (KJV)

1Cor 15:13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead,

then is Christ not risen: (KJV)

1Cor 15:14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our

preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.

1Cor 15:15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of

God; because we have testified of God that

he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up,

if so be that the dead rise not. (KJV)

1Cor 15:16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ

raised: (KJV)

1Cor 15:17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is

vain; ye are yet in your sins. (KJV)

1Cor 15:18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in

Christ are perished. (KJV)

1Cor 15:19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ,

we are of all men most miserable. (KJV)

1Cor 15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and

become the firstfruits of them that slept.

1Cor 15:21 For since by man came death, by man came

also the resurrection of the dead. (KJV)

WE ARE ASSEMBLED HERE TODAY TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND CELE-

BRATE THE SINGLE GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT IN ALL OF HUM-

AND HISTORY--THE RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD BY THE MAN

JESUS CHRIST. ACCORDING TO 1 COR.15:21 THAT SINCE

DEATH CAME BY MAN THERE WAS THE NECESSITY THAT THE RES-

URRECTION BE ACCOMPLISHED BY A MAN. PLEASE REMEMBER

THAT THE SCRIPTURES TEACH THAT BY ONE MAN'S DISOBEDIENC

DEATH CAME UPON ALL MEN, SO THE RESURRECTION WAS THE

RESULT OF THE OBEDIENCE OF ONE MAN--JESUS CHRIST. THIS

SINGLE EVENT HAS EFFECTED GREAT CHANGES IN ALL OF HUMAN

HISTORY EVEN TO THE DATING OF OUR CALENDAR: IT IS APRIL

7, 1996 A.D.

THIS MORNING I WANT TO BRIEFLY LOOK AT THE EFFECTS

THAT THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST HAS ACCOMPLISHED

FOR ALL OF CREATION.

1Cor 15:17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is

vain; ye are yet in your sins. (KJV)

1. THE FIRST AND MOST IMPORTANT ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE

RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST IS THAT HE ADEQUATELY

DEALT WITH THE SIN PROBLEM THAT SEPARATED MAN FROM

GOD AND GOD FROM MAN. THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS

CHRIST IS PROOF THAT HIS DEATH WAS VICARIOUS IN NAT-

URE OR THAT HE DIED AS OUR SUBSTITUTE.

Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us,

in that, while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us. (KJV)

Romans 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by

his blood, we shall be saved from wrath

through him. (KJV)

Romans 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were

reconciled to God by the death of his

Son, much more, being reconciled, we

shall be saved by his life. (KJV)

Romans 5:11 And not only so, but we also joy in

God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by

whom we have now received the

atonement. (KJV)

Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered

into the world, and death by sin; and

so death passed upon all men, for that

all have sinned: (KJV)

THE DIVINE PENALTY FOR PERSONAL SIN AND DISOBEDIENCE

IS DEATH. FOR WHEN GOD SPOKE TO ADAM AND SAID IN THE

DAY YOU EAT OF THE TREE YOU SHALL SURELY DIE HE ESTAB-

LISHED THE DIVINE ORDER OF THINGS AND THE DEVIL BECAME

THE EXECUTOR OF THE SENTENCE OF DEATH. IN ORDER FOR

MAN TO GAIN WHAT HE LOST THERE HAD TO BE ANOTHER

MORALLY PERFECT MAN WHO COULD LIVE A SINLESS LIFE AND

SO QUALIFY IN GOD'S EYES TO BECOME A SUBSTITUTE FOR ALL

OF MANKIND AND TAKE THEI PLACE OF PUNISHMENT IN THE EX-

ECUTION OF THE DIVINE SENTENCE OF CONDEMNATION. JESUS

CHRIST WILLINGLY SUBMITTED TO BECOMING OUR SUBSTITUTE

AND TOOK OUR PLACE ON THE CROSS AND DECENDED INTO HELL

FOR THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS IN ORDER TO PAY THE

FULL PENALTY FOR THE AGGREGATE SIN OF MANKIND.

Acts 2:22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words;

Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God

among you by miracles and wonders and

signs, which God did by him in the midst

of you, as ye yourselves also know:

Acts 2:23 Him, being delivered by the determinate

counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye

have taken, and by wicked hands have

crucified and slain: (KJV)

Acts 2:24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed

the pains of death: because it was not

possible that he should be holden of it.

Acts 2:32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof

we all are witnesses. (KJV)

Acts 3:26 Unto you first God, having raised up his

Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in

turning away every one of you from his

iniquities. (KJV)

THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST IS PROOF THAT GOD

HAS ACCEPTED THE DEATH OF CHRIST AS A MEANS BY WHICH

THE SIN PROBLEM HAS BEEN RESOLVED AND MAN CAN NOW COME

INTO INTIMATE FELLOWSHIP AND COMMUNION WITH THE FATHER.

THE RESURRECTION IS THE FATHER'S VALLIDATION THAT

CHRIST'S DEATH WAS VICARIOUS, THAT IT WAS SUFFICIENT TO

PROVIDE JUSTIFICATION, FORGIVENESS AND SALVATION FOR

ALL OF MANKIND. THE DIVINE CONDEMNATION FOR SIN IS

DEATH. THE RESURRECTION IS PROOF THAT JESUS DIED FOR

OUR SINS AND NOT HIS OWN OTHERWISE THERE COULD BE NO

LEGAL CAUSE FOR THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST FROM

THE DEAD.

Col 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the

uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he

quickened together with him, having forgiven

you all trespasses; (KJV)

Col 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances

that was against us, which was contrary to us,

and took it out of the way, nailing it to his

cross; (KJV)

Col 2:15 And having spoiled principalities and powers,

he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over

them in it. (KJV)

2. THE SECOND GREATEST EFFECT OR ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE

RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST IS THAT SATAN AND HIS

COHORT OF DEMONS WERE COMPLETELY DETHRONED AND REN-

DERED POWERLESS TO HOLD MEN IN BONDAGE TO SIN AND

DEATH.

Heb 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are

partakers of flesh and blood, he also

himself likewise took part of the same;

that through death he might destroy him

that had the power of death, that is, the

devil; (KJV)

Heb 2:15 And deliver them who through fear of

death were all their lifetime subject to

bondage. (KJV)

Quote: Paul Billhiemer, DESTINED FOR THE THRONE

WHEN THE RESULTS OF CALVARY ARE ADEQUATELY APPRAISED,

IT APPEARS FOR WHAT IT IS, THE TRIUMPH OF THE AGES.

WHEN JESUS DIED WITHOUT FAILING IN THE SMALLEST DETAIL

OF THE LAW, HIS DEATH RESULTED NOT ONLY IN DEFEATING

SATAN'S PURPOSE TO OBTAIN A LEGAL CLAIM ON HIM--IT ALSO

CANCELLED ALL OF SATAN'S CLAIMS UPON THE EARTH AND THE

WHOLE HUMAN RACE. UNDER UNIVERSAL JURISPRUDENCE, WHEN

A MAN COMMITS MURDER HE BECOMES SUBJECT TO THE DEATH

PENALTY--A CONVICTED MURDERER MUST FORFIET HIS OWN

LIFE. WHEN SATAN SECURED THE DEATH OF JESUS HE BECAME,

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HIS AGE-LONG HISTORY, A MURDERER.

HE WHO HAD THE POWER OF DEATH HAD SLAIN HIS MILLIONS

WITH IMPUNITY SINCE THE FALL OF ADAM BECAUSE HE HAD A

LEGAL RIGHT TO DO SO. AS A SLAVE OWNER, SATAN HAD A

LEGAL TITLE TO ADAM AND HIS OFFSPRING--HE COULD DO WITH

THEM AS HE PLEASED. BUT NOW SATAN HAD COMMITTED THE

MOST COLOSSAL BLUNDER IN ALL HIS DIABOLICAL CAREER. IN

HIS DESPERATE ATTEMPT TO BREAK JESUS'S ONENESS WITH THE

FATHER HE KILLED AN INNOCENT MAN UPON WHOM HE HAD NO

LEGAL CLAIM. IN DOING SO HE COMMITED MURDER AND IN THE

COURT OF DIVINE JURISPRUDENCE HE BROUGHT UPON HIMSELF

THE SENTENCE OF DEATH AND DESTRUCTION. SATAN HAS BEEN

LEGALLY DEFEATED AND AS A MURDERER HAS FORFIETED HIS

LEGAL RIGHTS TO FUNCTION AS THE EXECUTOR OF THE DIVINE

SENTENCE OF DEATH UPON ALL OF MANKIND.

1Cor 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave,

where is thy victory? (KJV)

1Cor 15:56 The sting of death is sin; and the

strength of sin is the law. (KJV)

1Cor 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us

the victory through our Lord Jesus

Christ. (KJV)

3. THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST HAS ACCOMPLISHED

THE HOPE OF ETERNAL LIFE FOR ALL WHO ACCEPT HIS

DEATH AS AN ATONEMENT FOR THEIR PERSONAL SINS.

John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye

believe in God, believe also in me.

John 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions:

if it were not so, I would have told

you. I go to prepare a place for you.

John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you,

I will come again, and receive you unto

myself; that where I am, there ye may be

also. (KJV)

John 14:4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye

know. (KJV)

John 14:5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not

whither thou goest; and how can we know

the way? (KJV)

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the

truth, and the life: no man cometh unto

the Father, but by me. (KJV)

BEFORE JESUS SURRENDERED TO THE FATHER'S WILL IN THE

GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE HE PREPARED THE HEART OF HIS DIS-

CIPLES FOR THE WORST POSSIBLE SERNERIO BY PLANTING IN

THEM THE HOPE OF ETERNAL LIFE. HE SAID, LET NOT YOUR

HEARTS BE TROUBLED, IN MY FATHER'S HOUSE THERE ARE MANY

MANSIONS, I GO TO PREPARE A PLACE FOR YOU. WE SHOULD

NOW BE ABLE TO SEE WHY HE HAD TO GO BEFORE THEM OTHER-

WISE THIER SINS WOULD HAVE SEPARATED THEM FROM GOD.

THE MOMENT YOU ACCEPT WHAT JESUS CHRIST HAS ACCOMP-

LISHED FOR YOU AT CALVARY AND RECEIVE FORGIVENESS FOR

YOUR SINS AND INVITE CHRIST TO COME INTO YOUR HEART,

THE FOUNDATION OF YOUR MANISION WILL BE LAID. IT'S

INTRESTING TO NOTE THAT THIS GREEK WORD FOR MANSION

LIT. MEANS DWELLING PLACE. WHEN A STUDENT AT TBC HEARD

THAT IN CLASS HE STOOD UP AND OBJECTED AND SAID "I'VE

ALWAYS BEEN TAUGHT THAT I ALREADY HAVE A MANSION IN

HEAVEN AND THAT'S WHAT I WANT AND THAT'S WHAT I'M GONNA

GET." WHAT DO WE SEE HERE IN THIS ATTITUDE? WE SEE

THE TRADITIONS OF MAN MAKING THE WORD OF GOD OF NO

EFFECT.

1 Cor 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay

than that is laid, which is Jesus

Christ. (KJV)

1 Cor 3:12 Now if any man build upon this

foundation gold, silver, precious

stones, wood, hay, stubble; (KJV)

1 Cor 3:13 Every man's work shall be made

manifest: for the day shall declare it,

because it shall be revealed by fire;

and the fire shall try every man's work

of what sort it is. (KJV)

1 Cor 3:14 If any man's work abide which he hath

built thereupon, he shall receive a

reward. (KJV)

1 Cor 3:15 If any man's work shall be burned, he

shall suffer loss: but he himself shall

be saved; yet so as by fire. (KJV)

I RECENTLY PREACHED A MESSAGE ON THIS TEXT AND YOU

CAN OBTAIN A COPY FOR A FURTHER EXPLANATION. LET ME

SIMPLY MAKE THIS REMARK, THIS MORNING, WE CAN SEE IN

THIS PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE THAT THE FOUNDATION FOR OUR

MANSION HAS BEEN LAID AND WE ARE NOW BUILDING AND PRE-

PARING FOR OUR ETERNAL HOME IN HEAVEN. WHAT IS IN

QUESTION IS NOT THE HOPE OF ETERNAL LIFE, YOU ALREADY

SECURED THAT WHEN YOU ACCEPTED CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR.

WHAT IS A MATTER OF CONCERN IS WHETHER YOUR MANSION

WILL BE FINISHED WHEN YOU GET THERE OR NOT. JESUS IN-

STRUCTED HIS DISCIPLES NOT TO LAY UP TREASURES ON EARTH

WHERE MOTH AND RUST CAN CORRUPT AND THIEVES CAN BREAK

THROUGH AND STEAL; BUT TO LAY UP TREASURES IN HEAVEN

BY INCREASING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS, PURITY AND HOLINESS

WITHOUT WHICH NO MAN WILL SEE THE FATHER. WE ARE NOW

IN THE PROCESS OF BUILDING OUR MANISION BY THE TRANS-

FORMATION OF OUR CHARACTER.

1 Cor 15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead,

and become the firstfruits of them

that slept. (KJV)

1 Cor 15:21 For since by man came death, by man

came also the resurrection of the

dead. (KJV)

1 Cor 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in

Christ shall all be made alive. (KJV)

1 Cor 15:23 But every man in his own order: Christ

the firstfruits; afterward they that

are Christ's at his coming. (KJV)

4. THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST HAS BEGOTTEN US

AGAIN UNTO A LIVELY HOPE OR A LIVING HOPE. BEFORE

JESUS LEFT HIS DISCIPLES HE PROMISED THEM THAT HE

WOULD SEND TO THEM THE PROMISE OF THE FATHER IN:

John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is

expedient for you that I go away: for if

I go not away, the Comforter will not

come unto you; but if I depart, I will

send him unto you. (KJV)

THE DEATH OF JESUS CHRIST AND THE SHEDDING OF HIS

BLOOD TO ATONE FOR THE PERSONAL SINS OF MANKIND MADE IT

POSSIBLE FOR GOD TO INDWELL THE HEARTS OF MEN THROUGH

THE INFILLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS

REFERRED TO IN THE SCRIPTURE AS THE EARNEST OF OUR IN-

HERITANCE AND IS WHAT KEEPS OUR ETERNAL HOPE ALIVE, BEAR-

ING WITNESS OF THE REALITY OF HEAVENLY THINGS.

2 Cor 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of

this tabernacle were dissolved, we have

a building of God, an house not made

with hands, eternal in the heavens.

2 Cor 5:2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring

to be clothed upon with our house which

is from heaven: (KJV)

2 Cor 5:3 If so be that being clothed we shall not

be found naked. (KJV)

2 Cor 5:4 For we that are in this tabernacle do

groan, being burdened: not for that we

would be unclothed, but clothed upon,

that mortality might be swallowed up of

life. (KJV)

2 Cor 5:5 Now he that hath wrought us for the

selfsame thing is God, who also hath

given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.

2 Cor 5:6 Therefore we are always confident,

knowing that, whilst we are at home in

the body, we are absent from the Lord:

2 Cor 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

2 Cor 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing

rather to be absent from the body, and

to be present with the Lord. (KJV)

2 Cor 5:9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether

present or absent, we may be accepted of

him. (KJV)

Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye

heard the word of truth, the gospel of

your salvation: in whom also after that

ye believed, ye were sealed with that

holy Spirit of promise, (KJV)

SEALED:Strong's # 4972 sphragizo (sfrag-id'-zo);

from 4973; to stamp (with a signet

or private mark) for security or

preservation (literally or

figuratively); by implication, to

keep secret, to attest:

KJV-- (set a, set to) seal up,

stop. (DIC)

WE HAVE BEEN SEALED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT OF PROMISE

THAT JESUS REFERRED TO BEFORE HE LEFT HIS DISCIPLES.

THE WORD USED HERE FOR SEAL LIT. MEANS TO SEAL UP, TO

CLOSE AND MAKE FAST WITH A SEAL OR SIGNET. IT IS USED

IN THE SENSE OF SETTING A MARK ON ANYTHING TO DENOTE

THAT IT IS GENUINE, AUTHENTIC, CONFIRMED OR APPROVED.

AS APPLIED HERE TO THE BELIEVER BEING SEALED WITH THE

HOLY SPIRIT IT MEANS THAT THE SPIRIT HAS BEEN GIVEN TO

CONFIRM THEM AS BELONGING TO GOD. THE HOLY SPIRIT

PRODUCES IN THE HEART OF EVERY BELIEVER THOSE FEELINGS,

HOPES AND DESIRES WHICH ARE AN EVIDENCE THAT THEY ARE

APPROVED BY GOD; THAT THEY ARE REGARDED AS ADOPTED

CHILDREN; THAT THEIR HOPE IS GENUINE; AND THAT THER RE-

DEMPTION AND SALVATION ARE SURE. GOD GIVES THEM THE

HOLY SPIRIT AS A PLEDGE THAT THEY ARE HIS AND SHALL BE

APPROVED AND SAVED ON THJE LAST DAY. THESE ORDINARY

OPERATIONS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ON THE HUMAN HEART, PRO-

DUCE REPENTANCE, HOPE, FAITH, JOY, CONFORMITY TO GOD,

THE LOVE FOR PRAYER AND PRAISE AND FOR THE GENERAL

VIRTUES THAT FOLLOW FAITH IN CHRIST--THESE THINGS ARE

THE EVIDENCES THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS RENEWED THE

HEART, AND THAT THE CHRISTIAN IS SEALED UNTO THE DAY OF

REDEMPTION.

Eph 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance

until the redemption of the purchased

possession, unto the praise of his glory.

EARNEST: Strong's # 728 arrhabon (ar-hrab-ohn');

of Hebrew origin [6162]; a pledge,

i.e. part of the purchase-money or

property given in advance as

security for the rest:

KJV-- earnest. (DIC)

AT THE TIME OF CONVERSION EVERY CHRISTIAN RECEIVES WHAT

WHAT IS CALLED THE EARNEST OF THE SPIRIT. THIS WORD

EARNEST LIT. MEANS A PLEDGE GIVEN TO RATIFY A CONTRACT,

A PART OF THE PURCHASE MONEY, A FIRST PAYMENT, THAT

WHICH CONFIRMS THE DEAL AND WHICH IS REGARDED AS A

PLEDGE THAT THE FULL PRICE WILL BE PAID. THIS EARNEST

WAS TO BE REGARDED AS A PLEDGE OF ASSURANCE THAT THE

FULL PRICE WOULD BE PAID. THE EARNEST OF THE SPIRIT

THAT IS GIVEN TO EVERY BELIEVER IS THE REALITY OF

SPIRITUAL OR HEAVENLY THINGS EXPERIENCED IN PART HERE

ON EARTH LIKE JOY, PEACE, LOVE, COMFORT, HEALTH AND

PROSPERITY BUT WILL BE EXPERIENCED MORE FULLY WHEN WE

ENTER INTO HEAVEN ITSELF. THE JOYS OF HEAVEN ARE THE

SAME IN NATURE HERE ON EARTH, THE ONLY DIFFERENCE WILL

BE THE DEGREE AND MEASURE THAT WE EXPERIENCE IN HEAVEN.

THEY ARE GIVEN TO US AS A FORTASTE OF WHAT WE CAN HOPE

FOR IN HEAVEN AND IS PART OF THE LIVING HOPE THAT IS AT

WORK IN EVERY BELIEVERS HEART. THESE COMFORTS AND

INFLUENCES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ARE A PLEDGE OF HEAVEN.

THEY ARE THE SECURITY THAT GOD GIVES US THAT WE SHALL

BE SAVED. WHAT WE EXPERIENCE HERE ON EARTH IS ONLY THE

DOWN PAYMENT OF WHAT WE CAN ANTICIPATE IN HEAVEN. THE

PROOF AND THE REALITY OF HEAVENLY THINGS AND THE

ASSURANCE THAT WE WILL RECEIVE THEM IS THE DAILY WORK

OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WHO SUSTAINS OUR FAITH INTO A LIVELY

HOPE BY THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST FROM THE DEAD.

1 Pet 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God

the Father, through sanctification of the

Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the

blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and

peace, be multiplied. (KJV)

1 Pet 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord

Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant

mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively

hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from

the dead, (KJV)

1 Pet 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and

undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved

in heaven for you, (KJV)

1 Pet 1:6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a

season, if need be, ye are in heaviness

through manifold temptations: (KJV)

1 Pet 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more

precious than of gold that perisheth, though

it be tried with fire, might be found unto

praise and honour and glory at the appearing

of Jesus Christ: (KJV)

1 Pet 1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom,

though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye

rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of

glory: (KJV)

1 Pet 1:9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the

salvation of your souls. (KJV)

JESUS CHRIST IS THE SAVIOR OF ALL MEN, ESPECIALLY OF

THOSE THAT BELIEVE. THE PROMISE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AS

THE BELIEVERS SEAL AND EARNEST HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE

BY THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST. THE FORGIVENESS

OF SINS AND THE HOPE OF OUR ETERNAL SALVATION ARE MADE

POSSIBLE BY THE LIFE, DEATH, RESURRECTION AND ASCENSION

OF JESUS CHRIST WHO HAS COME TO LIVE IN THE HEARTS AND

LIVES OF THOSE WHO WILL RECEIVE HIM AS SAVIOR AND LORD.

LET US PREPARE OUR HEARTS THIS EASTER MORNING TO RE-

MEMBER ALL THAT CHIRST HAS ACCOMPLISHED FOR US AS WE

GATHER AROUND THE COMMUNION TABLE.