This week's Paper Pulpit has been written by Rev. Raymond McLarnin, Minister of Ballymena Congregational Church

REGARDING the Resurrection of Christ, one author states that it is,

“One of the most wicked, vicious, heartless hoaxes ever foisted upon the minds of men, or it is the most fantastic fact of history!” Another states that “Christianity is founded on the empty tomb”.

The Saviour’s first recorded post-resurrection word is found in Matthew. 28:9, “And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying- ‘Rejoice!’ And they came and held Him by the feet and worshipped Him” (NKJV). Believers have been rejoicing ever since! May the Lord bless the following points to you, dear reader, and even bring someone to rejoice.

We can rejoice in:

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* The Deity of the Son. Who raised the body of Christ from the dead? The Triune God did! God the Father, Acts 2:24, “Whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it”. The Son raised Himself, John 10:17,18, “. . . . . because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.” The Hloy Spirit, Romans 8:11, “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead. . . .”

* The Defeat of Satan, Hebrews 2:14,15, “Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood. He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage”. The resurrection weakened Satan’s power in the world. Sin does not have to have dominion over us.

* The Descent of the Spirit. When Jesus ascended, the spirit descended, on the Day of Pentecost, John 16:7, “. . . . . for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you”. He came to vivify-the Spirit awakens dead sinners, John 3:5, “. . . . unless one is born of water and the spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God”, to occupy, John 3:5, “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever.” To glorify, John 16:14, “He will glorify me. . . .” to testify, John 15:26, “He will testify of me.” To certify, John 16:13, “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth.” To clarify, John 14:26, “But the Helper the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your rememberance all things that I said to you.” To sanetify 1Peter 1:2, “In sanctification of the spirit.” Defined as that gracious and continuous operation of the Holy Spirit by which He delivers the justified sinner from the pollution of sin, renews his whole nature in the image of God, and enables him to perform good works.”.

* The Deliverance form Sin, Romans 4:25, “who was delivered up because of our offences, and we raised because of our justification.” To be justified, i.e, “the act of God declaring men free from guilt and acceptable to Him.”

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* The Deliverance from Sin, Romans 4:25, “who was delivered up because of our offences, and us raised because of our justification.”. To be justified, i.e, “the act of God declaring men free from guilt and and acceptable to Him.”.

* The drama of the Second coming. The promise signs of His coming are daily being fulfilled. Jesus will return because He rose. This is the basis of our hope, 1Peter 1:3, “Blessed be the God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”.

* The Delight in Service, Luke 24:45-47, “And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. Then He said to them, ‘This it unwritten, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations beginning at Jerusalem.” The Gospel has gone global because of the resurrection.

* The Display of Sovereignty. The risen Saviour declared, Matthew 28:18, “All authority, has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” He rules over all. He alone is Head of the Church. What about you life?

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* The Design of His Supplication , Romans 8:34, “Who is he who condemes? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God who also makes interession for us.” What a thought! The Christ who died for me lives and remembers me!

Dr. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones said: “In this frightening and uncertain world in which we find ourselves, surly, if we are Christians at all, we must fell that the biggest and the most important thing for us to know is whether or not the Lord Jesus Christ is praying and intereading for us…..

“What a wonderful thing it is to go through life knowing that your life is in the hands of God, knowing that your Father is this concerned about you and that your blessed Mediator who prayed for you on earth is still interceding for you in heaven.”

May the Saviour who rose from the dead raise you from the deadness of your sin to now life in Him, that you may have resurrection joy, both now and forever, 1Corinthians 15:19,20,

“If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable, But now Christ is risen from the dead….”.