The Trumpet Sounds

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This weekend thousands of Christians will celebrate across the globe the resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday. It is an absolute fact that Easter changes everything. Our faith is just another teaching without the resurrection.

Through Jesus Christ our greatest problem of sin and facing eternal judgment has been solved; and because of His resurrection the solution of His perfect sacrifice has been established. If the church had to pick one event to put time and effort into, and rally the most enthusiasm around, it would have to be the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

I believe that our limited minds cannot resolve the entire complexity of our fallen condition. We are creatures, implying that we have been created, and must rely on someone greater than ourselves to fill in the holes of our understanding. Jesus Christ, God in flesh, came to bridge the gap of lost relationship between God and man. Jesus made radical claims, asserting himself to be God and the long awaited Messiah. His profound offers of forgiveness and hope are summarized in His words, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). Then, according to His own word and in accordance with prophecy, He gave himself up to be crucified. But if that were the end of the story, Christ’s bold claims and great sacrifice would be meaningless.

The great commentator, Albert Barnes, said, “There is no one truth that will have greater power over us, when properly believed, than the truth that Christ has risen from the dead (Notes on the Bible, Philippians)”. This is why the apostle Paul would pay any price and abandon every last thing in his life “to know Him and the power of His resurrection” (Philippians 3:10).

Without God our search for hope and purpose turns up empty and we are ultimately left to carry the burden of sin alone, to live out our lives searching for meaning with no reassurance that we have come up with any real solution to our depravity. I can offer you an Easter bunny, some jelly beans and a couple Cadbury eggs, but chances are you will only feel better for mere moments before the sugar rush wears off and you are left empty, searching for another good-time holiday.

The good news is that the Gospel lends a hopeful twist to the Easter Sunday tradition. He is risen! This Sunday at South Side we will celebrate the only one who conquered sin and the grave. We will have a sunrise service at 7:30, Sunday School at 9:30, and our Easter worship service begins at 10:45. We would love to see you and your family there!

In Christ,

Barry Pettit

Lead Minister

South Side Church of Christ

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Easter Changes Everything

By Barry Pettit

Religion Columnist

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