Usually, a kingdom advances and is secured through things like military might or political force or worldly wealth. It can be tempting to believe the same holds true in the kingdom of God. Perhaps we think churches would flourish if we had the right rulers passing and enforcing the right laws. Or we believe that for a church to do good requires a robust budget. Political force. Worldly wealth. This way of thinking is breathtakingly wrong.

We need God to give us the top-down faith that grasps the fact that the kingdom of God advances in ways that are imperceptible. Through something that seems insignificant to most—the gospel—the King of kings establishes his reign in human hearts. Even Jesus himself taught that the gospel seems unimpressive, for He often compared the gospel to a tiny seed. Yet within a seed is hidden life. As the seed of the gospel is planted, the largest of all kingdoms grows.

In most world religions, the alleged foundational event was experienced by only one person. A self-proclaimed prophet would allege he alone had some special encounter with God. “No really! Just trust me. It really happened.” The resurrection reality is so very different. In the Great Resurrection Chapter (1 Corinthians 15), St. Paul writes an entire paragraph listing all the people to whom Jesus appeared after He rose, including a group of over five hundred at one time. It is like St. Paul is telling skeptics, “You don’t need to take my word for it. Hundreds of us saw Jesus back from the dead.”

The proof of Jesus’ resurrection brought peace and strength to those early believers. They knew there was more to their existence than just their time on earth. They knew the reality that eternal life was theirs, a gift from their living Lord. It gave them incredible joy and courage. May the resurrection reality give us the same.

This life-changing story tells us that you are loved and you are forgiven.  No matter who you are, no matter what you’ve done, through faith in Christ, we have forgiveness.  When you know that truth but you kind of ignore it, it’s like driving outside at night without lights.  You are ignoring the truth and it is dangerous.  Even when it’s foggy, life gets hard.  We need help.  We need the Light.  We need the truth.  That’s what Christ is.

As you hear this story today, don’t just think “Do I like this?”  Think about how we worshipped and what our Savior means to us–that He has come to be one of us, to live for us, to die for us, and that He rose again to show that our sins are forgiven.  Take to heart this true, life-changing message as you hear what a wonderful story this is. 

This life-changing story tells us that you are loved and you are forgiven.  No matter who you are, no matter what you’ve done, through faith in Christ, we have forgiveness.  When you know that truth but you kind of ignore it, it’s like driving outside at night without lights.  You are ignoring the truth and it is dangerous.  Even when it’s foggy, life gets hard.  We need help.  We need the Light.  We need the truth.  That’s what Christ is.

As you hear this story today, don’t just think “Do I like this?”  Think about how we worshipped and what our Savior means to us–that He has come to be one of us, to live for us, to die for us, and that He rose again to show that our sins are forgiven.  Take to heart this true, life-changing message as you hear what a wonderful story this is. 

The Christian trusts God to provide. God reveals His mighty power chiefly in showing mercy and kindness. God feeds hungry mouths and hungry souls with His gifts of grace. When we bring our problems to Jesus, He will richly supply all we need.

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