SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 15
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain. [1 Corinthians 15:58]
Paul assures the Corinthians that life today matters for tomorrow.
The work we do, the sacrifices made, the love spread, the message shared – are not in vain because Jesus is alive.
Jesus takes our efforts, which seem weak and insignificant – like seeds – and produces news life and blessing through them.
When we spend our life in blessing others in Jesus’ name, even though we may suffer and will eventually die, Jesus multiplies the results of our efforts and produce more life, more blessing.
I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. [John 12:24]
Jesus embodies this: though He faced the curse of death for us, He accomplished the blessing of resurrection.
As a result, by His death, He has produced a family of resurrected people, serving by His side to extend God’s life and blessing.
We are not just saved for our own sake, we are saved to serve, blessed to be a blessing.
And Jesus is the guarantee that the good we do in this life will bear fruit in the next life.
Death has lost, Life has won!
Jesus came to break the cycle of sin and death, to restore God’s original design – eternal life.
This is the good news.
Jesus is presently working to bring everything back to God; at the very end, He will do away with death once and for all.
In the meantime, we still die… but now, with hope.
Jesus is the guarantee that life, not death, has the last word.
Jesus gives us hope to get out of bed each day, to face the challenges that come, to resist evil, to do good, to be courageous, to defy the devil’s lies, and to refuse to give death the last word.
Because He lives, I can face today, and tomorrow!
PRAYER:
Lord, help me to plant my life for good, and trust in You for the harvest!
Christ lived.
Christ died.
Christ arose and showed Himself to the believers. They are His witnesses to that fact – He is ALIVE!
Christ ascended to take His place forevermore.
Once again the agrarian example – the seed planted grows into the plant it becomes. The seed becomes the grain, the corn, the tree, etc. The mature plant is nothing like the seed but oh the splendor of it all!
And so each day is a new day of our Lord. Stand firm. Serve Him. That is my purpose in life. That is the reason I was created. And when I do serve, my service is not in vain.
Happiness is . . .
serving my King.
God sent His son, they called Him, Jesus;
He came to love, heal and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives!
Chorus
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!
How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives;
But greater still the calm assurance:
This child can face uncertain days because He Lives!
Chorus
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!
And then one day, I’ll cross the river,
I’ll fight life’s final war with pain;
And then, as death gives way to vict’ry,
I’ll see the lights of glory and I’ll know He lives!
Chorus
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!