Verse of the Day 4/4

Verse of the Day 4/4

1 Corinthians 15:20-21But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.English Standard Version (ESV)

Many of you reading this have already been to a church service today and heard someone say "He is risen" followed by someone else saying "He is risen indeed".  It is the basis for Easter.  Today's verses begin with three words that point to and testify to the event, "but in fact".  We celebrate a fact, it happened, witnessed to by the women at the tomb, the disciples and 500 others.  This fact is a game changer, no more than that, a life changer, death has been defeated that we may have everlasting life.

Pastor Greg Laurie writes, "The Bible tells us, "Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is" (1 John 3:2 NKJV)....And this is the best news of all: If you have loved ones who died in faith, you will see them again. Your loved ones who have gone to Heaven are not just a part of your past; they're also a part of your future."

These thoughts should bring joy to your heart and to the word, He is risen, He is risen indeed!

Hear the bells ringing
They're singing that You can be born again
Hear the bells ringing
They're singing Christ is risen from the dead

The angel's up on the tombstone
Said, "He's risen just as He said
Quickly now, go tell His disciples
That Jesus Christ is no longer dead"

Joy to the world
He's risen, hallelujah
He's risen, hallelujah.  (Glad)

In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV

1 Corinthians 15:12-22 English Standard Version (ESV)
The Resurrection of the Dead
12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope[a] in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.
20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.