Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1, NIV)
How can we have true peace? We don’t have to look further than Ukraine to see that world peace seems impossible. We might not have to look too far to see that personal peace is hard, either. What about peace with God? Is that possible?
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. (Acts 2:1-4, NIV)
The day of Pentecost marks the coming-of-age of the church. The Holy Spirit fills the disciples so that they can proclaim the good news of Jesus. The same Holy Spirit is with all Christians now, helping us to know the truth and to help us to be witnesses about Jesus.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’ (Matthew 28:19-20)
At Jesus’ ascension into heaven, the disciples are left with a command and a promise. The command was not just for them, but for all Christians. What does it mean to make disciples? How can Jesus always be with us, if he is in heaven?
I hope you can join us this Sunday as we look together at Jesus command to all his disciples, and the promise that makes it all possible.
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:56-57)
Death feels painful and permanent, and an impossibe enemy to cheat or beat. The good news of the gospel is that we don’t have to beat death - Jesus Christ has done that for us. Jesus’ victory over death is given to us by God so that we can share his eternal life.
I hope you can join us this Sunday as we look at the final part of 1 Corinthians 15, and the glorious truths of the resurrection to eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ.
But someone will ask, ‘How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?’ (1 Corinthians 15:35)
What will the resurrection look like? What will we look like? How will it happen? Jesus is risen, and so will his people be, but what will it be like? I hope you can join us this Sunday as we look at some of what the resurrection from the dead will look like for us.