The Daily Fountain Daily Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 4 July 2020 – TOPIC: GOD RAISED HIM
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TOPIC: GOD RAISED HIM
READ: ACTS 13:23-35 (NKJV)23. “From this man’s seed, according to [the] promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior — Jesus –24. “after John had first preached, before His coming, the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.25. “And as John was finishing his course, he said, ‘Who do you think I am? I am not [He.] But behold, there comes One after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to loose.’26. “Men [and] brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to you the word of this salvation has been sent.27. “For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they did not know Him, nor even the voices of the Prophets which are read every Sabbath, have fulfilled [them] in condemning [Him.]28. “And though they found no cause for death [in Him,] they asked Pilate that He should be put to death.29. “Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him, they took [Him] down from the tree and laid [Him] in a tomb.30. “But God raised Him from the dead.31. “He was seen for many days by those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are His witnesses to the people.32. “And we declare to you glad tidings — that promise which was made to the fathers.33. “God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm: ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.’34. “And that He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, He has spoken thus: ‘I will give you the sure mercies of David.’35. “Therefore He also says in another [Psalm:] ‘You will not allow Your Holy One to see corruption.’THE MESSAGE:“But God raised Him from the dead” (verse 30). In this factual statement of Scripture lies the weight and supremacy of Christ and Christianity. Without the resurrection, Christ would not have been any different from other “great leaders.” Great leaders have risen, but they have also fallen; each died, was buried, and have remained in their graves. Christianity is nothing without the resurrection; it could not have been different from any other religion. But that Christ is risen is the main and great story of the Christian faith. In it lies our hope of resurrection also, guaranteeing our hope of spending eternity with Him. This hope must influence the way we live here on earth, knowing that our “real home” is in Heaven. Are you living like a pilgrim, one who is on a journey home? Are you living as if this earth is your final destination? This message of the resurrection must be preached by us. It is, and should be, a basic component of any gospel message. To omit it is to omit the heart of the message of the Gospel. You have not truly preached Christ until you include the fact that He was crucified, He died, and was raised. Faith in the risen Christ, therefore, guarantees salvation for lost souls. If you have known this and have experienced salvation, then it is your duty to tell others this good news. It is the responsibility of every saved soul. Are you doing this?PRAYER: Father, help me in this duty of telling others about the risen Christ