Thank you again for your patience and kind words of encouragement as we have covered the importance of obedience to the gospel. We saw baptism is essential for salvation and now we are moving past the act of baptism. Apostle Paul stresses in I Corinthians 15 there must be a resurrection from the dead. One preacher said if there is no resurrection after baptism, there is just a drowning.
Our faith is based on the whole council of God and not just certain aspects. We have confidence through our faith there is new life after baptism, just as we believe there is eternal life after the earthly walk. In I Corinthians 15, Apostle Paul gives us some details about the spiritual life we will experience after this life, in eternity, especially the type of body we will have.
This Lord’s Day we will concentrate and focus on our faith as we live our lives while here in the flesh. We will move beyond baptism to see we have been saved through God’s mercy and because of His love, we have been given grace. (Ephesians 2:4-5) We truly believe by grace we have been saved through faith; and that not of ourselves, it is the gift of God. (Ephesians 2:8)
We have been reconciled to God through the resurrection. We are raised up with Him and seated with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:6) This faith and hope give us reason to live the new life in Christ with eagerness and thankfulness.
This also helps us to understand Jesus’ teachings in Matthew 6 where we are not to have the worries of the world, as to live with no hope. God knows everything we need concerning our cares while we are living in the flesh. In Matthew 6:33-34, Jesus encourages us to seek first His kingdom and righteousness, and all these things (material necessities) will be added to us. Verse 34 tells us not to even worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough troubles of its own.
As we look at this subject of the resurrection, we will see God’s power is what has lifted us out of the watery grave, (Col 2:12) not to be left alone but rather to be cared for and nurtured until He comes again.
It is our Heavenly Father who has given us this precious gift of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus so loved His Father and us that He was willing to be obedient to the very end. We would love to have you join us as we honor and adore Him this Lord Day. Please plan on fellowshipping with us as we worship Him together. See you Sunday, if He doesn`t come back before.
In Christ,
Steve
NOBLE CHURCH OF CHRIST