Strand Baptist Church
  • About
    • Our Beliefs
    • What is a Baptist?
    • Our History
    • Our Leadership
  • Ministries
  • Sermons
    • Sermons by date
    • Sermons by series
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • About
    • Our Beliefs
    • What is a Baptist?
    • Our History
    • Our Leadership
  • Ministries
  • Sermons
    • Sermons by date
    • Sermons by series
  • Blog
  • Contact
Search

Resurrection Courage

29/3/2018

 
Picture
Christianity is ludicrous without the hope of the resurrection. Think about it for a moment: what does God call us to in Christ? In 1 Corinthians 15 the apostle Paul reflects on some of the dangers he had to face for the sake of the gospel. In v. 30 he says that he was in danger every hour. Later, in 2 Corinthians 11:26 he records some the dangers he faced: “in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers”. No wonder Paul said: “I die every day!” (1 Corinthians 15:31).

That is what taking of the cross meant for Paul (Luke 9:23: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”). That is what it might mean for us. 

If this is all there is to life – if death is the end – then following Jesus, risking for Jesus and dying for Jesus makes no sense. If death is the end, then we should “eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” (1 Corinthians 15:32). But that is not what Paul chose. 

Why did Paul choose the way of the cross instead of the ways of the world? 1 Cor. 15:20 & 58 gives us the answer: “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep… Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” 

So ask yourself: what difference does the resurrection make now? How does the hope of the resurrection affect your life? At the very least it should give us hope, but more than that: it should give us courage – courage to do what God has called us to do, knowing it will be worth it in the end. 

Because of Christ,
Pastor Pieter

Comments are closed.

    Topics

    All
    Attributes Of God
    Bad Theology
    Being Human
    Book Review
    Christian Living
    Christmas
    Church
    Evangelism
    Faith
    Family & Parenting
    Gender
    Jesus And The Gospel
    Love
    Paul Hartwig
    Pieter Pienaar
    Podcasts
    Prayer
    Scripture & Bible Reading
    Sexuality
    Suffering
    Work
    Worship

    By Date

    December 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    February 2021
    January 2021
    November 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    August 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    December 2015
    December 2013
    November 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    April 2013
    January 2013

Sunday Worship 9:00am    |    We welcome you to join us!   
​

Office Hours

M-F: 8am - 12:30pm

Telephone

021 854 6869

Email

info@strandbaptist.org.za
Strand Baptist Copyright © 2022
  • About
    • Our Beliefs
    • What is a Baptist?
    • Our History
    • Our Leadership
  • Ministries
  • Sermons
    • Sermons by date
    • Sermons by series
  • Blog
  • Contact