First Baptist Church of Vineland, NJ

Welcoming, Witnessing & Winning for the Kingdom of God

APRIL 1999

An atheist complained to a friend because Christians had their special holidays, such as Christmas and Easter, and Jews celebrated their national holidays, such as Passover and Yom Kippur.  “But we atheists,” he said, “have no recognized national holidays.   It's unfair discrimination.”

His friend replied, “Why don't you celebrate April first?”

The fool says in his heart, “there is no God.” ~ Psalm 14:1

The Bible tells us, in Acts 1:3, “To whom also He showed Himself alive after His passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.”

Everyone thought Jesus was dead and gone!  The onlookers at the cross that day said, “Whoever He was, He is dead!”

The scribes and the elders said, “He is dead!”

The religious leaders said, “He is dead!”

The soldiers said, “He is dead!”

Even His followers despaired for His life!

His throne disappeared in a tomb!  His regal robes changed to a dreary shroud!  His only crown, a crown of thorns!  His kingdom shrunk to a narrow grave!   His body hung six hours on that cross in agony!  His companions on the cross were two thieves!  His cry from the cross, “My God, My God.”

Jesus, the ancient of days, cut off right in the midst of His days!  But, thanks be to God, He resumed His power!  He recovered His challenged rights!  He regained His waning influence!  When made alive again, He cried, “Behold, I am He that was dead and am alive for evermore!”

He is not the shadow of a Christ of legend!  He is not a dream of the Christ of a culture!  He is no mere Christ of the artist's canvas!  He is no mere Christ of the sculptor's chisel!   He is no mere Christ of song or story!  BUT, A LIVING CHRIST - for the borrowed tomb of Joseph is empty!

And, wonderful too, are the words of our Savior, “Because I live ye shall also!”

The Bible tells us in Romans 8:11, “But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell on you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you.”

Have you, by faith, trusted the risen Christ as your Savior?  He died for your sins and He arose to reign in His heavenly Kingdom - preparing for us a dwelling place!

Remember His promise, “Because I live, ye shall live also!”

I'll be looking for you in Worship Service and in Sunday School each Lord's Day.

God Bless.

Pastor Bob

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