A well known famous sermon, by Tony Evans, is about the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He sermonizes then ends every thought with "it's Friday, but Sunday's comin'!" I'm a movie buff and a visual learner so Christian movies speak very loud to me. I was looking for one of my favorites of all, BEN HUR, not only the movie, but also the book. I can still recall the moment, when I was in my finding "old" books mode, which I had to give up when I told everyone, myself included, no more gifts or purchases if it has to be dusted or kept.
I opened an old worn out copy of BEN HUR and noticed for the first time the title page states: BEN HUR then down below, "A tale of the Christ." What? I was dumbfounded. I could remember every phase of the story that transformed my life in one way or another, but that the whole book was about Christ. Missed that fact completely! The reason why I wanted to watch the movie again is because it was Good Friday and the crucifixion scene in that movie always moves me to tears and a serious consideration of just what Jesus has done for me and my sin.
It is still not available any place except to rent - that says volumes right there. I try not to pay since so many movies are available to us for free. Anyway another movie that also has moved me in reference to Christ and how important He is to me and I wish was to the whole world is RISEN. I am always very moved by this movie, so I bought it. Now I can watch it whenever I need a reminder of just how marvelous Jesus actually is.
The lead actor, Joseph Fiennes, as the Roman Centurion, makes me feel and see everything he experiences. When he sees the RISEN Christ in that movie, well if we could travel in time, that is one place and moment I want to be. It is to believe that because He lives, not only will we also live but it is to know we will live with Christ for all eternity.
First we are to be amazed by the truth that our God is a living God who never dies. We do not have to worship at a place He might have been buried or a temple that bears his image. We just have to look into our hearts and souls and believe without a shadow of a doubt that He is with us through His Holy Spirit all the time.
Second, we have to know that we have been saved through faith as the Word tells us in Acts 16:31 "And they said believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved, and your house." Also the Word tells us again in Romans 10:9 "...that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead you will be saved."
Third, we are to know we repent of our sins and know they are forgiven and pray to stay repentant from that day forward.
Fourth, we need to be grateful for this truth and this life and live it out for others speaking the good news in anyway we can.
I can only wish you all are as blessed as I am to be in a church that truly worships in praises and celebration that the Lord is living and real and the only one to follow.
God bless hoping you have a kingdom filled day.
