GONE, THE TOMB IS EMPTY

The resurrection of Jesus from the grave is God's assurance that He has accepted his Son's sacrifice on the cross. 

1 Corinthians 15:17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain: ye are yet in your sins.

If Jesus had only died and not been resurrected, He would have been a mere martyr -- a good man dying for a cause. But Calvary's cross and the empty tomb are inseparably linked for eternity.

The immediate future may be uncertain, but if you have entrusted your eternal destiny to the One who rose from the dead, you have nothing to be afraid of. 

Gone, the stone is rolled back

Gone, the tomb is empty

Gone, to sit at the Father's side

Gone, over death triumphant

Gone, sin is defeated

Gone, He lives forever more

Eldridge Fox

RESURRECTION: FOUNDATION OF CHRISTIANITY

Without the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Christianity would collapse like a house of cards.

Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

Every major Christian doctrine depends on the resurrection. The following seven serve as examples:

1. SALVATION BY FAITH: 1 Corinthians 15:17
2. JUSTIFICATION BEFORE GOD: Romans 4:24,25
3. PEACE WITH GOD: Romans 5:21
4. THE INTERCESSORY MINISTRY OF CHRIST: Hebrews 7:24,25
5. THE PROMISE OF THE SECOND COMING: Titus 2:13
6. THE HOPE OF OUR BODILY RESURRECTION: 1 Corinthians 6:14
7. INDIVIDUAL JUDGMENT FOR ALL MEN: Acts 17:31

This Easter experience God's greatness through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. 

NOT MY WILL, BUT THINE BE DONE

In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus was engulfed by sorrow. 

Matthew 26:39 And he went a little further and fell on his face and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.

Jesus was not wrestling with or resisting God's will. He was yielding Himself to God's will.

As perfect Man, He felt the awful burden of sin, and His holy soul was repelled by it. Yet, as the Son of God, He knew that this was His mission in the world.

Salvation is free, but it is not cheap.

We can't comprehend it, but we were on the mind of Christ in his garden prayer and on the cross.

The look of love was on His face, Thorns were on His head

Blood was on His scarlet robe, stained a crimson red

Though His eyes were on the crowd, He looked ahead in time

And when He was on the cross, I was on His mind.

For He knew me, yet He loved me

He whose glory makes the heavens shine

So unworthy of such mercy

Yet when He was on the cross, I was on His mind.

Ronny Hinson

EXCELLENCE

If we want to be like God and be blessed by Him, we must strive for excellence.

Philippians 3;14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

IT HAS BEEN SAID:

Going far beyond the call of duty, doing more than others expect -- this is what excellence is all about. And it comes from striving, maintaining the highest standards, looking after the smallest detail, and going the extra mile. Excellence means caring -- it means making a special effort to do more. 

We offer God our best because He gave us His best. Some believer's try to give God as little as they can. God prefers no service to half-hearted service.

God doesn't expect you to be like someone else -- only to do your best.