Sunday, April 24, 2011

My God. How Great Thou Art.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ (aka 'the Easter story') is not so much a matter of faith as a matter of fact.

The claim of Christianity is not that Jesus will do something wonderful to your heart if you believe Him, but that Jesus ACTUALLY, PHYSICALLY rose from the dead. Just like He said He would.

The whole of the Christian religion is riding on the verifiable truth of a historical event. If Jesus actually rose from the dead, then what He claimed about Himself and what He claimed about salvation and judgement are true. If He did not rise again, then the whole of the Christian religion should be thrown on the scrap heap of history and we should forget all about it. Everything is riding on the truth of falsehood of the resurrection.

So.

It's Easter.

I'm not asking you to consider how you feel about Jesus. I'm not asking you to look into your heart and wonder at whether you are touched by the story. I'm not asking you to sense the warmth of the season. I am asking you to consider whether the resurrection is true. Did it actually happen? Be a detective and make an informed decision. Jesus has made some audacious claims regarding God, heaven, hell, the universe, and the fate of every person who ever lived, including you.

He invites your investigation.

(From Jeff Bucknam's Easter message)

And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.


When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
And then proclaim: "My God, how great Thou art!"


Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

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