1 Cor 15:24-32

1 Corinthians 15:23–24 ESV

23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power.

:24_

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Intro:

Throughout this letter, Paul has been bringing correction, and instruction to the people of Corinth.

…and, as we know from experience…

The Hook did a follow up article on our relief efforts in Mississippi.

I read it Friday night, and it left me with bitter-sweet feelings..

On the sweet side, I think it’s nice that they would be willing, as a liberal media source..

To highlight the work that we’ve done in Mississippi.

On the bitter side..

Some things in that article.. were just plain wrong.

And I believe it was miscommunication.. or misunderstanding.

But one little thing got my goat.

Apparently I said, that we were not there to “preach the gospel”

.. but, that we were just there to work.

.. as if, we were going out of our way to avoid the gospel..

I’m sure it was a miscommunication between the “Christian-ese language we sometimes use, and the reporter’s interpretation of it.”

But that comment was wrong.

You see, the gospel is something that should be preached through our lives.. in everything we do..

In kindness.. in sacrifice.. in expressions of love..

It is a message that must be given in words..

But it is a message, that also, must be supported, by action..

And the gospel was presented, both ways, while we were there..

Both, physically, and verbally…

And now, there will be those in this town, who think that we are ashamed of the gospel..

They will think, that you are ashamed of the gospel..

Which sets before us, a simple challenge…

What do we do?

Have a correction printed in 2 font in the back of the magazine?

No..

We correct that mentality.. by example..

The Lord will give us opportunities to share our faith.. one on one, cold turkey..

And it will be fruitful..

We remember Philip’s encounter with the Ethiopian on the road..

He was there, he shared the gospel.. and the Ethiopian was saved…

We should be open and sensitive to such opportunities..

Yet, in the example of Jesus, we see a wonderful method of sharing the gospel..

Which almost.. always.. came..

First.. w/a physical or an emotional touch..

May we be a people.. who bring correction..

By loving.. w/the intent.. of it being X’s love that is seen.

By serving, w/the intent, that it is the service of X that is recognized..

By sharing, w/a message of salvation.. that rings true, in our actions.. and in our attitudes…

I’m appreciative to the folks who did the article.

They put out a lot of press w/a limited number of reporters..

I thank them for considering us..

But today, I’m challenging you, as a family..

This is our call..

Not to ask them for a correction..

But rather.. to live lives.. which make a correction.

Correction, is a good thing..

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Especially the correction that Paul has just given the Corinthians here in chapter 15..

For previously.. the corrections had to do with better spiritual health.. or better spiritual community… or better spiritual interaction with others… ++

This correction here, in chapter 15… though not diminishing the great value of spiritual life… is speaking to a higher reality. - BEFORE ONE CAN HAVE A SPIRITUAL LIFE… they need to be ‘spiritually alive’…

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But w/life and death itself.

So… Paul address here, in this chapter… issues of life and death.

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Why?

Well, there were some who denied the resurrection.

And Paul explained to them..

That the resurrection.. was a cornerstone of the gospel..

As we said last week.. it was one of the three vital elements of the gospel..

ONE: Jesus was of divine nature.. – “One With God”

TWO: Jesus took upon Himself, the debt of our sins.. and paid it..

THREE: Jesus proved that He was victorious over death By the resurrection. ++

By the resurrection.

We can deny any aspect of God’s Word..

But our opinions.. do not alter truth.. one single bit…

Truth pre-existed us.. it remains the same, and it always will..

We cannot create it or change it..

We can only discover it. ++

To deny one aspect of it..

Is to cripple the whole thing.. ++

And this is Paul’s argument.. in the first 19 verses of chapter 15..

The pick and choose faith.. is indeed, a self made faith..

And though based on Xtianity..

It is not Xtianity.. ++

The illustration of this argument..

Was.. the resurrection..

And with the mention of this, Paul now launches into a detailed discourse on this very topic..

No longer needing to defend it’s vitality..

Now.. He’s going on, to describe it in detail, and explain the benefits and the effects.. ++

SLIDE 3

1 Corinthians 15:23–25 ESV

23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.

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SLIDE 4

1 Corinthians 15:26–28 ESV

26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. 28 When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.

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One of the earliest messianic prophecies was given Immediately after the fall of man, in . ++

Immediately after the fall of man, in .

Speaking directly, though symbolically..

Of Christ and of Satan..

The heel of Jesus shall be bruised..

But.. the head of Satan, shall be crushed. ++

What happens to a bruise?

It heals.. The place of injury is restored..

And on the cross.. this is what happened..

Christ was not crushed beyond repair..

He was bruised ++

This prophecy is supported by another prophecy..

Two very powerful verses from the O.T. ++

SLIDE 5

(NKJV)

Surely eHe has borne our 7griefs

And carried our 8sorrows;

Isaiah 53:4–5 ESV

4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.

Yet we 9esteemed Him stricken,

1Smitten by God, and afflicted.

5 But He was fwounded 2for our transgressions,

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He was 3bruised for our iniquities;

The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,

And by His gstripes 4we are healed.

What about the crushing of Satan?

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In the resurrection, the heel of Christ.. has been poised over that head..

He is victorious.. It has been declared..

“No Contest!” ++

However, the time for that foot to come down, is yet to come..

He is still waiting.. for His Father’s perfect timing.. ..

He is still waiting, for more of His beloved children..

“To receive the message.. and embrace eternal life.”

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In explaining the hardening of Israel’s heart, Paul said in:

SLIDE 6

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Romans 11:25 ESV

25 Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.

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God is still waiting for the right time to bring that heel down… there are more Gentiles yet to be saved… and there will soon after come a time, when Israel’s heart will be softened to the Gospel.

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We recently saw this prophecy… in our study of the minor prophets…

In … it speaks of time when the surrounding nations of Israel will come agains Jerusalem…

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But (Zech 12:2)… Jerusalem will be a cup of staggering to them… they will come against it as people who are drunk and confused..

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In vs. 3… Jerusalem will like a heavy stone… that when they try to lift it, they will be hurt.

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When they gather against it… their horses will be struck with panic and their riders with madness…

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The inhabitants of Jerusalem will have strength through the Lord.. and vs. 8 says that the feeblest among them will be like King David…

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And… as Israel experiences this great, miraculous victory against these impossible odds… vs. 10 - - God will pour out a spirt of grace… and they will look on Him whom they have pierced… and mourn.

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You see… there are Gentiles (that is, non Hebrew people), who are yet to believe… and when the last one that God has predestined believes… events will unfold in Israel… and the hardness of their hearts will be removed… and they will look upon Jesus, and not only will they mourn for what they missed… but they will BELIEVE..

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SO… today… right now, that head of Satan is not yet crushed… ++

Your friends.. relatives.. co-workers.. neighbors..

God still allows the devil, mobility and influence..

Because He’s waiting.. for His work in this dispensation to be completed..

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When that last soul.. whom He has foreseen..

When that last soul.. prays that all powerful prayer..

And receives the gift of salvation..

When everything that needs to happen.. happens..

When the timeline of God is complete..

When everything that needs to happen.. happens..

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Whether our bodies are in the grave, or still walking around..

God is going to resurrect this flesh..

Or what’s left of it.

.. into something glorious and incorruptible..

Then what? Vs .24 says..... then comes the end.. ++

Paul seems to be skipping ahead over many prophetic years…

Over both the tribulation.. and the millennium..

To a time.. when the enemies are completely destroyed..

And… to a time.. When He puts an end to all rule, and all authority and power..

Why? ++

Because all things.. will be under God.. that God may be all in all.

You might ask… Is this Paul giving us a lesson in prophecy? ++

No.. he’s leaving too much unsaid for it to be a lesson.

this is Paul giving us a glimpse of what lies ahead..

These are things which the scriptures speak of..

And because of the resurrection..

These will be things that we will be part of. ++

Last year we took a trip to Israel… and next year, in February, we are going again...

Nick / WHC.. Christian from CC Staunton.. Mark R. from CC Fred..

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.. they’re all going too..

I remember my first trip.... for months, I thought about it nonstop… I imagined the locations… the history behind those locations… the things I would learn… ++

We’ve been getting excited about it..

We’re already imagining ourselves there..

We’re already envisioning parts of the tour..

Having the tickets and the reservations.. are one thing..

But with those tickets.. w/those reservations..

.. comes the anticipation.. the excitement.. the hope.. of what we’re going to be part of.. ++

This is part of what Paul is sharing.. having your spiritual life secure now.. is one thing… but with this reality… come the promise of greater things in the future… ++

God has promised a resurrection..

And w/that .. we have so much to look forward to..

We have so many things to hope in..

We have amazing experiences before us.. that we can envision.. right now.

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SLIDE 7

1 Corinthians 15:29–33 ESV

29 Otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf? 30 Why are we in danger every hour? 31 I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day! 32 What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” 33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”

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Baptisms for the dead.

The church at Corinth knew what this was all about..

But, here in this current era… we we don’t. ++

This has been interpreted several different ways..

By first impression, it would seem that some are being baptized.. on behalf of a dead person.

And if such were the case..

We don’t know why anyone would do that..

And there is absolutely no scriptural teaching on this.. at all. ++

Paul does, seem to be speaking of other people though..

Maybe an offshoot group who developed this practice on their own..

And it’s something they practice.. because they believe in a resurrection.. + The Mormon church would be a modern example of someone who made up such a doctrine. ++

Some believe it is in reference to water baptism.. though communicated in a strange way… ++

For Paul gave us the symbolism of water baptism in ..

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SLIDE 8

Romans 6:4 ESV

4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

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4 Therefore we were eburied with Him through baptism into death, that fjust as Christ was raised from the dead by gthe glory of the Father, heven so we also should walk in newness of life.

Baptism, is a picture of our salvation experience..

It happens, after we give our hearts to the Lord..

As an expression, of what this new life is all about..

It’s a communication and a witness to what we once were..

And what we now are.. ++

For when we go down in the water..

It represents the death of our flesh..

And that’s our admission..

That we are leaving that life of lust, and pride.. in the grave.. ++

And we are rising up.. out of that grave.. in the newness of life.. ++

Not only does baptism speak of our current change..

But obviously.. it speaks of the ultimate change..

When finally.. this flesh is laid in the grave..

And finally..

This eternal spiritual being that I am..

Is raised up to live eternally w/God. ++

We could apply this verse.. to our practice of memorial baptism… because it is a practice which speaks of resurrection.. ++

Why would we do this??..

…a practice which speaks of resurrection??..

Why would we do it.. that is, be baptized. if we didn’t believe it in the resurrection that baptism declares? ++

Now.. in vss 30-32.. Paul shares a little of his testimony..

He said, “I die daily”… speaking of his experiences… that are comparable.. to the atrocities of the coliseum.. ++

Why go through all that?

Why would anyone do.. what Elizabeth Elliot did?

After her husband was killed by the Auca Indians in Ecuador..

She, and a few others.. moved in with those very people..

The ones who murdered her husband.. ++

She packed up.. moved into the jungle.. and brought the gospel to them.

Why did Hudson Taylor leave everything and move to China?

Why is it.. that some would give up positions of great worth in the eyes of the world..

In exchange.. for preaching the gospel? ++

One of the greatest examples of personal sacrifice.. was David Livingston..

If you read his story… is will amaze you. ++

The things this man did.. for the sake of the Gospel..

The danger, sickness, solitude, the helplessness.. ++

But here’s what David Livingstone said of it:

“People talk of the sacrifice I have made in spending so much of my life in Africa. Can that be called a sacrifice which is simply paid back as a small part of the great debt owing to our God, which we can never repay? Is that a sacrifice which brings its own reward of healthful activity, the consciousness of doing good, peace of mind, and a bright hope of a glorious destiny hereafter?

“Away with such a word, such a view, and such a thought! It is emphatically no sacrifice. Say rather it is a privilege. Anxiety, sickness, suffering or danger now and then, with a foregoing of the common conveniences and charities of this life, may make us pause and cause the spirit to waver and sink; but let this only be for a moment. All these are nothing when compared with the glory which shall hereafter be revealed in and for us. I never made a sacrifice. Of this we ought not to talk when we remember the great sacrifice which He made who left His Father’s throne on high to give Himself for us.”

In another speech:

Speaking at the University of Glasgow in 1896 David Livingstone said: “Would you like me to tell you what supported me through all the years of exile among a people whose language I could not understand, and whose attitude toward me was always uncertain and often hostile? It was this: “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” On these words I staked everything, and they never failed.”

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You see that?

God was with him.. there in Africa.. but that promise.. of His presence..

Went on.. and on and on.. ++

I may die, before this world ends..

But I have a promise from God..

He will be w/me… ++

Have you ever read, Foxes Book of Martyrs?

Why did all those people suffer for their faith? ++

It is estimated that more than 50 million Christians died for their faith in the Dark Ages. ++

It is estimated that a million Christians died for their faith when the Communists seized China. ++

++Millions have died as martyrs in the revolutions and civil wars in Africa. Hundreds died at the hand of Rome.. in South America.. even as recently as the 1950s.

Millions have died as martyrs in the revolutions and civil wars in Africa. Thousands died at the hand of Rome..

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Even today, in our world… Christianity is the most persecuted people group.

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Why in the world do so many people face this treat… and still, hold fast to very point of suffering and of death?

In many parts of this world.. people are dying.. directly.. because of their faith in Christ.. Even today…

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Why? If there’s no resurrection?

Why all this effort? This suffering? This disapproval and this opposition?

If there’s no rez.. what’s the use???.. ++

If we’re honest, we will admit that we all probably struggle occasionally with doubt… unless we have been so beat up by the word of faith doctrine… then...we won’t admit it… we’ll just confess something verbally that doesn’t reflect the honest reality of our heart…

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When I struggle with doubt… when I ask myself… “Is all of this really real?” When the miracle that scripture is doesn’t overcome my doubt… when I’m out of touch with the assurance of the Spirit...

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In those moments of doubting despair… I look back at history. I consider this element of the Gospel… of those 500 plus people who saw Jesus resurrected…

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And of how, that experience… led them… and many others… to hold strong to their conviction even in the face of torture and death.

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People have consistently been holding to their faith in Jesus for over 2000 years… in many different societies… cultures and climates… even in the face of death or torture.

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That testimony bolsters my faith, when I struggle with doubt.

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Notice what Paul would do.. if there was no resurrection..

“Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!”

What’s the use? Why bother? ++

You see… Not only does the resurrection give us something to look forward to..

But it gives us strength, determination and resolve..

For the things we face..

Today.

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SLIDE 9

Consider these words from:

(NKJV)

Romans 8:18 ESV

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

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18 For I consider that zthe sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. [1]

For us.. it’s hard to relate to the idea of suffering for our faith.

Even though we find a lot of stuff to complain about..

For many of us..

In this present day.. it’s hard to relate to. ++

For us.. suffering for the faith means spending a little more money for gas to go to church.

For us.. it means.. missing our favorite tv shows..

For us .. it means.. keeping the kids up late for something other than sports one night a week..

For us.. it means..

Getting out of bed when you don’t have to go to work.

For us..

It’s time.. it’s convenience.. it’s money.. it’s entertainment..

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Our pettiness is confronted… and we call that suffering.

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These are the things that attack our faith, in the world that we live in..

And what do we do?

We face these big bad enemies of our spiritual growth..

And often times..

We let them win..

… we’ve all seen it happen.... for some… dare I say.. are defeated. ++

The attacks we face, are different than our brothers who live in India, or China, or Malaysia…

Many of you, are saying.. in your heart.. quietly.. right now..

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..”yes.. that’s me..”

If that is you… I’m pretty sure of this… - I’ll bet you know why. When you finally quit blaming other people and other circumstances…. you’ll see it… and you’ll know it..

maybe you’ve been attacked..

By convenience.. by gas prices.. by entertainment.. by sports.. by time.. by unnecessary business, by distance.. by the business of daily life! ++

Maybe, because of this… you’ve grown distant in your spiritual life…

Or when you got home..

Or on your lunch break..

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Or, before you went to bed..

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Whenever that time was..

You had it..

And now you don’t..

Well guess what?

Paul is speaking to a people who remain religious, but are very distant in their faith… and he is encouraging them to a greater spiritual resolve… by reminding them of the resurrection.

God is still keeping that appointment..

He.. is still waiting for you to show up..

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So He can pour His joy and His love into your life again. ++

We stopped showing up, because our pettiness was attacked and we succumbed to it.

By embracing the promise of resurrection…

in eternity..

Not only, are we given a hope for what is yet to come..

We should also be given..

A resolve, a strength, a determination.. for the here and now. ++

We’re not facing a martyrs death in this place, right now..

We face.. inconvenience.

And maybe we call it suffering. ++

No matter what it is..

It’s not worthy of being compared..

To the glory.. which shall be revealed in us. ++

What are we giving up for the sake of our relationship w/Christ?

What do we give up to be in fellowship?

To spend time, personally in the Word?

To give of ourselves in service for His glory? ++

What do our teens who are going to Zambia and Uganda this summer give up?

The folks who lead the children’s program on Wednesday night?

The guys who come to Men’s Bible Study on Tuesday morning?

What did Mack give up to go Ethiopia?

The folks who have gone down to Bolivia?

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The folks who went to Mississippi?

What is the sacrifice?

Before we try to answer that in our minds.. let me re-quote.. something that I read earlier.. from David Livingstone?

Concerning all the things he did.. in Africa.. he said: ++

”I never made a sacrifice. Of this we ought not to talk when we remember the great sacrifice which He made who left His Father’s throne on high to give Himself for us”

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Conclusion…

Whatever it is that we give up for the sake of our faith… it’s not worthy to be compared… to the joy which will be revealed in us.

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There are many, who call this church home..

That I am worried about.

My job, is about your life… your spiritual life..

That’s what my job is about..

The doctor.. he’s going to worry about your flesh..

But I’m worried about the real you..

The spiritual you…

And I don’t want to guilt you..

I don’t want to beat you up..

I don’t want to hound you and beat your door down..

All’s I can do, is gently turn your head.. and direct your eyes..

Joy… which is revealed in the reality of an amazing eternity with God..

in the right way to go.

I’m not going to take your hand.. It’s not my job.. or Dave’s job.. to hold your hand..

It’s our job.. to help you, hold on more tightly, to Jesus’ hand..

And today.. I want your heads to turn.. and your eyes to look..

Not down at your feet..

Not at your hectic schedule..

Not at your TV Guide..

Not at your grudges our your disputes..

Not at your hobbies..

Not at any other person..

And please.. not at me.

When you think of eternity..

…know this.. ++

Ecclesiastes says: God has placed eternity in your hearts..

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We are a people who are broken in our flesh… living in a broken world… but, whether we realize it or not… there is something eternal about us…

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And the more we come to terms with the spiritual side of who we are… the more will will live according to promise and the reality of our resurrection...

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We will live according to the reality of the promise… of the joy which shall be revealed in us…

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We will live according to the hope… hope in His promises… Hope in a habitation that is far greater than this tent we now inhabit..

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Right now.. in the here and now..

We can know and experience.. intimacy with an eternal God..

That’s amazing.

We can experience.. eternal wisdom

We can walk in.. God given joy..

We can feel and know.. and emanate… a love, that is only of God. ++

A love, that is only of God.

Look up.

And realize.. afresh.. anew.. how great a cost it was.. that purchased your soul..

Look up..

And realize.. that it is God’s nature..

To love you.. and bless you.. and fill your life with abounding peace! ++

Not just for the fleeting moment of this fleshly life… but for eternity…

Have a relationship with Him!

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He has so much wisdom to share w/you..

Today as we close, if you are feeling led to make a step of faith… to give your live to Jesus, to receive for yourself… this great promise of a resurrection… then come forward for prayer…

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In His word.

close.

He wants to be part of your life..

To be involved in the things you do..

And this happens.. in prayer..

He wants to build you up, and equip you for the life you were designed to live..

This.. happens.. not only through the study of His Word..

But through service.. worship.. and fellowship.

All relationships require time and effort.

The relationship w/God.. is no different..

But it is, by far .. the most rewarding relationship of all.

Today, church plant number 5 has occurred on our outer perimeter. (Josh / Waynesboro)

Over the years.. we have lost, from this immediate family..

Many, solid servant.. strong leaders in the faith.

Because they have gone to start, or be part of these fellowships, that have sprung up in their own communities.

You’ve looked around and asked yourself:

Where have they gone? Where is so and so?

Where are the people who used to do this, or that?’

They are now.. In Palmyra, or Greene, or Culpepper, or Waynesboro, or Staunton..

And they are doing there, what they did here.

What does this mean, for us?

There are shoes to fill.

And I’m not talking about Sunday School Teachers and Greeters..

Though, they are needed.

But, I’m talking about spiritual maturity, and leadership.

To be mature, spiritually..

Means: that the Lord is strong in your life..

The more people we have, in whom the Lord is being strong..

The stronger, and more effective we will be,

As a body.. as a family.. as team.

Does your joy need to be restored today?

Does your strength need to be renewed?

Does your resolve need to be strengthened?

Does your commitment need to be reaffirmed?

Do you need.. to look up?

If so.. we want to pray for you..

Stand / song / prayer!

e [; ; ]

7 Lit. sicknesses

8 Lit. pains

9 reckoned

1 Struck down

f [; ; , ]

2 Or pierced through

3 crushed

g [, ]

4 Blows that cut in

e

f

g

h ; [; ; ; ]

z ; [; ]

[1] The New King James Version. 1996, c1982. Thomas Nelson: Nashville