Several of the Bethany Baptist Church folks came out Friday evening for the Pizza and Movie night. The movie was a serious representation of conditions that may occur on the earth after the rapture. It will be far better to be ready to meet the Lord in the sky than to put off and find yourself in the middle of the events of the Tribulation.
The Jubilee Singers presented an Easter Cantata, Sunday evening. It was composed of several medleys of traditional hymns telling about the wondrous life of Jesus, His death, burial, and resurrection. One day the crowds in Jerusalem shouted, “Hosanna, Blessed is He.” But on another day, crowds stood mocking while a few wept at the sight of Jesus on the cross, but when His precious blood fell to the earth, a wonderful thing happened. The blood of Jesus covered sin and forgiveness sprang up. On the third day, angels at the empty tomb proclaimed that Jesus had risen, which is why believers still sing “Hallelujah, Jesus is Alive.”
Pastor Bob Sorensen brought a message from 1 Corinthians 15, “The Good News Of Easter.” Medical advances have come into existence that can extend life. People today can receive heart transplants, chemotherapy, and other up-to-date medical treatments, but still death is the inescapable enemy. Hebrews 9:27 says that we have an appointment with death and then the judgment. But there is hope.
The good news is that Jesus died for the sins of the world, fulfilling prophecy. Jesus did die. Roman soldiers who were very adept in the business of dealing out death, had certified that Jesus was dead. They had beaten Jesus with the Roman scourging that tore the flesh and left the muscles exposed. Jesus had hung on the cross for six hours, bleeding, struggling for breath. He was dead when the Roman soldiers came to take him down. If there had been any doubt a soldier took a spear and pierced his side. Blood and water came out. Then the bloodless body of Jesus was taken down, wrapped in about 100 pounds of wrappings and spices. He was laid in a tomb, a heavy stone rolled to the opening, and a Roman guard set to guard the tomb.
The good news is that Jesus arose from the dead. When the women came to the tomb on the first day of the week, it was empty, and angels proclaimed that Jesus was risen. Jesus was seen by Mary, by his disciples, and by as many as five hundred at once. Jesus ate and talked with them. They saw and touched the wounds in his side and hands.
One of the evidences that Jesus arose with power is that those who saw the risen Christ were changed. Their discouragement turned to joyful boldness. There is now hope. All who die in the Lord will be raised in his likeness. There is no reason to fear death and the grave. We can’t overcome death and hell by ourselves, but Jesus has. Trust Him. He will forgive your sins and clothe you in a resurrection body. Trust Him, confess to Him, and call upon Him. He will give you everlasting life.
