It’s springtime! While some areas of the U.S. are still experiencing snowstorms, most of the country is seeing the greening and sprouting which warm weather brings. Flowers are blooming and folks are spreading Weed-N-Feed on their lawns.
It’s also time for believers in Jesus Christ to celebrate Resurrection Sunday. Here are four words to contemplate as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Health – No matter what you are currently experiencing with your earthly body the Scriptures teach you will one day receive a brand-new resurrection body. The apostle Paul wrote, “For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only that, but also, we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons and daughters, the redemption of our body.” (Romans 8:22-24) So, as you approach Easter Sunday and feel the aches and pains of your earthly body, remember you will one day receive an eternal model … free from all pain.
Opportunity – Resurrection Sunday teaches us to face each new day with optimism. Every day holds the promise of a new beginning. Scripture teaches, “The LORD’S loving kindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23) Every book we read is an opportunity to grow. Each new person we meet holds the promise of a fresh friendship. Every hardship we face provides an option for ministry and service. Be on the lookout for new opportunities to serve our resurrected Savior this spring.
Perseverance – I love meeting seasoned saints who still live with a smile and a gleam in their eyes. Too many of us reach the gray hair stage and spend much of our time longing for the good old days. Sure, growing older is tough. But contrary to many folks’ opinion … living is still quite popular! What a list Paul strung together when he penned, “And not only this, but we also celebrate in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Romans 5:3-5) No matter the trial you are enduring today … persevere with your nose in the Bible and your eyes on the Lord Christ!
Eternity – How long is eternity? There’s no human way to measure the ceaseless days that await us. Simply the thought of eternity reminds us that this life is just a vapor … a puff of smoke. The old Corinthians were told, “For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18) I love the stanza of Amazing Grace that informs us, “When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise, than when we first begun.”
Four pretty strong words, right? Health, Opportunity, Perseverance, and Eternity. But, put them together and you get the bonus word which most aptly describes Resurrection Sunday: H-O-P-E! So, on behalf of New Commandment Men’s Ministries, allow me to close with this benediction: “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)
© Dr. Paul Pettit
This post first appeared in New Commandment.org.
Dr. Paul Pettit is Director of Career Services; Adjunct Professor in Pastoral Ministries, Media Arts and Worship, and Educational Ministries and Leadership at Dallas Theological Seminary.
Resources for Dads
A five-time dad, Dr. Paul Pettit has become a spokesman for the responsible fatherhood movement. Dr. Pettit has founded Dynamic Dads which offers key resources to help Dads succeed in their unique role of fathering. His website provides curriculum for either existing small groups, or for forming a new Dynamic Dads group at your church.
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Learn how to form teams of men for every widow, single mom
and fatherless child in your church at NewCommandment.org.
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