but (in fact) Christ has been raised...

"This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me..." (Matthew 15:8-9)

"Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you- unless you believed in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:1-2)

"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." (1 Corinthians 15:58)

Isn't it interesting that so much that seems central to the Christian faith can in reality be empty and worthless when viewed through God's eyes? Our worship, our belief, our labors can actually be empty shells of words, doctrine, and deeds as God sees them. That's not the epitaph I want on my faith... or on the life of our church. But what prevents us from falling into the trappings of religion that mean nothing to God? There's much that does... but according to 1 Corinthians 15- there is one thing we can't forget- Christ is risen.

"But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead!" (1 Cor 15:20) This doctrine carries more freight than a once a year celebration merits. According to Paul, if it's false- Christians are pathetic and Christianity is pointless. But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead... and that makes all the difference in how we hold to the great news of the gospel. So come join us this month as we study 1 Corinthians 15 to celebrate what's so GOOD about the gospel!

The Father is Seeking Worshippers...

Those words have their basis in John 4- "But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (v 23-24)

What an amazing reality that is! God desires worshipers who are in tune with Him... who know who God is and are internally drawn to Him- not the most accurate description of our culture. Our world elevates and worships many things... but God as He's revealed Himself in Scripture in the face of Jesus Christ isn't among the top 10- at all. But the Father is seeking worshipers.

This Sunday, we'll be looking at John 4 to grasp the connection between worship and evangelism... how a burden to tell others about God begins and ends with a heart amazed by His glory. I'm looking forward to Eric's message for this reason... that I might grow in both my wonder at God's glory and the weight of my call to share what I've known with others.