If Jesus died and never rose again, Christianity would just be another sad story of a good man gone too soon. No power. No victory. No hope.
The gospel is not just that Jesus died. Many people died. The difference is this, He didn’t stay in the grave.
The resurrection is the proof. Proof that sin was actually paid for. Proof that death was actually defeated. Proof that everything He said about Himself is true.
Take away the resurrection and what do we have left. A message with no life. Faith with no foundation. Hope with no assurance.
This is why in 1 Corinthians 15, Paul says if Christ is not raised, our faith is useless. Not weak, useless.
But He is risen.
And that changes everything.
It means your past is not stronger than His grace.
It means your sin is not greater than His sacrifice.
It means death does not get the final say.
We do not serve a memory. We do not follow a fallen leader.
We serve a living Savior.
That is the gospel.
From @TheAthletic: For 40 years, Duke has been college basketball’s most polarizing team. People love to hate Duke.
But has Duke basketball become less hateable? Perhaps, maybe, even likable? https://t.co/Z2jcL2ANjA
I am more than just a Serious basketball fan. I am a lifelong Addict. I was addicted from birth, in fact, because I was born in Kentucky and I learned, early on, that Habitual Domination was a natural way of life. The first time I managed to pick up a basketball, I knew I was destined to lead the University of Kentucky to another National championship.… Even now, so many years later, I still believe Kentucky will go undefeated in March & win everything.