Chautauqua Star April 18, 2014 | Page 22

22 RELIGION CHAUTAUQUA STAR FRIDAY, APRIL 18, 2014 Keeping The Faith The Weekly Word the whole world became subject to sin (Romans 5:12). The Bible also tells us that sin disqualifies us from entering into God presence (Romans 3:23). God, not willing to loose His beloved creation, promised He would send a Redeemer to resolve the problem of sin (Genesis 3:15). This would allow for reuniting with His creation. If you examine the Bible, you will see that God promises to answer the need for the justification (to clear the debt) of mankind’s sinful state from the creation to the miraculous conception of the Lord Jesus Christ. The birth of the Jesus was the initiation of God’s promise. Jesus had to live a sinless life in order to qualify as the perfect sacrifice in God’s plan. Amazingly, when Jesus hung on the cross and His sinless blood poured out (Hebrews 9:14), He took upon Himself the penalty for every sin of mankind (2 Corinthians 5:17-21). This included every sin from man’s REJOICING IN OUR REDEMPTION Rev. Michael Lokietek Family Church Fredonia fcfredonia.org Why is the resurrection of Jesus so important? With the celebration of Easter just around the corner, your question is very timely. While most people spend great effort to honor the birth of Jesus Christ, it is the Resurrection of Jesus Christ that is truly the most important event for all of mankind. Without the Resurrection, there would be no Christianity! Without the Resurrection, all creation would be forever separated from God’s presence and could not enter into Heaven. The Bible says that when man disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden, first sin in the Garden of Eden to the last sin that will be committed just before the end of the world. At His death, Jesus suffered the full judgment of the world’s sins in our place (Matthew 12:40, Psalm 22). Even with His suffering and death, the plan for our redemption had not yet been fulfilled. It was only when Jesus Christ rose from the dead in order to reveal the truth of God’s power that divine justice was served and the Lord’s sacrifice met the conditions for the eternal redemption of mankind. The Resurrection is the fulfillment of God’s promise for redemption. It restores the possibility of reunion with the Father, gives us power over sin (Romans 8:2), and allows for an eternal, everlasting life in His presence (1 John 2:25). It is for this reason that Easter should be celebrated as the greatest single event in history. Services Beginning Easter Sunday April 20 • 10:30 am Chautauqua Suites Meeting & Expo Center 215 W. Lake Rd., Mayville , NY [email protected] to make us self-conscious. The Church was never called to be self-conscious; we were challenged to be God-conscious. Every God-conscious believer will need to come to a point where they decide to let their Rev. Tim Stahlman voice of redemption Family Church be heard. Psalm 63:3 Jamestown says, "Because (God's) fcjamestown.org loving kindness is better than life, my There is nothing lips will praise you." better than knowing Hebrews 13:15 says, the fullness of our "By Him therefore let redemption that was us offer the sacrifice of purchased for us on praise to God conthe cross of Calvary. tinually, that is, THE The realization of FRUIT OF OUR redemption should LIPS giving thanks to create a responsive His Name." God has heart and mouth for ears and He is eager every believer. 1 Peter to hear something 1:8-9 says, "Whom from His redemption having not seen ( Jesus) family. Many times you love, in whom His children are too though you do not see silent and the seeds of Him now, yet believfaith that would rescue ing, you REJOICE a lost world never WITH JOY UNget planted. Romans SPEAKABLE AND 10:17 says, "...faith FULL OF GLORY..." comes by HEARING True Bible faith will AND HEARING by provoke a believer the Word of God." to rejoice with "joy What if the Church is unspeakable" and too quiet? The voice "glory". Yet so many of redemption is the worship services are greatest harvest tool without rejoicing. And there is. God needs if you are a church your mouth to win the that rejoices with joy planet He died for. and glory you might The glory of God on get labeled as "one the lips of believers of those churches." I is the best advertiseam sorry to say that ment for Heaven there much of the Body of is. Romans 10:14 tells Christ has lost their us, "How then shall shout. We have althey (unbelievers) call lowed traditionalism www.classifiedsonus.com discover new postings from around the area or post one of your own for others to find. on Him whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not HEARD? And how shall they HEAR without a preacher?" The word preacher here does not mean the person dressed real nice standing behind the pulpit Sunday morning in church. The word preacher here means "one who proclaims." God needs ones that will proclaim. He isn't only interested in your salvation but in the salvation of every human being. God needs walking and talking billboards for Christ. I have noticed that God blesses the lives of those that proclaim His goodness in Christ. Well think about it. Of course God makes investments in those that are willing to be advertisements for His Kingdom. Why would He invest in us if we stay quiet? Would you pay big money for a newspaper or radio ad and not have it seen or heard? You wouldn't waste your money! Don't you think God is at least as smart as we are? He is infinitely wise and He doesn't waste His blessings on those unwilling to speak for Him