Grant County church of Christ

There is a tendency among people of the world, and many "religious" people alike, to give a token recognition of Christianity, a recognition that does not truly take into consideration the weighty claims of Christ, and what they demand if they are true.

Even the observance of "Easter" seems to often trivialize the cross in all of the lovely trappings of the springtime holiday. The principles, claims and expectations, of Christianity rise and fall on the assumption of the cross; the death of Christ together with his subsequent resurrection (John12:32). Let us consider some weighty matters which are necessarily true:

I. BECAUSE JESUS CHRIST DIED, AND BECAUSE HE AROSE, The Problem of Sin Must Be Addressed By All Men. From the very first time the cross was preached, sin was addressed (Acts 2:37). The principle is universal--for all times and all men (Romans 3:23). If Christ died, and if He arose, then every man is either saved or he is lost. The original way given by God for honoring the cross and receiving its benefit has never changed (Acts 2:38). Many people bask in the comfort of the resurrection, look forward to heaven, and will miss it because they are still in their sins (Isaiah 59:1-2).

II. BECAUSE JESUS CHRIST DIED, AND BECAUSE HE AROSE, Every Man Must Make A Decision Regarding Christ. If Jesus died and arose, then Christianity cannot be just a "way among ways". If the claims of Christ are true, then His way is the way (John 6:41, 47-53;14:6; Acts 2:36).

Similarly, if Jesus' claims are true, then Christianity is the one religion that cannot "mean different things to different people."Serious thought must be given to every teaching of Jesus. Mark 7:9. God's truth about any matter, is not subjective; therefore, to allow every believer his own set of beliefs is to dishonor the cross. In light of these things, we must put a choice before the world. Some people congratulate us on being Christians, but are quick to inform us that it is not their "thing." If Christ died, and if he arose, the truth stands apart from any man's feelings about it. If the biblical claims are true, one's personal rejection of Christ is not to go unchallenged!

III. BECAUSE JESUS CHRIST DIED, AND BECAUSE HE AROSE, One's Whole Outlook On Life Depends Upon How He Views Christ. The way he looks upon himself will depend upon his view of spiritual values. His view of others will be affected (Matt. 5:21-22; 18:12; Luke 10:30). His view of life and death will depend upon his acceptance or rejection of the teachings of Christ (Luke 16:19). His view of religion is certainly affected. One who has come to know and appreciate the Christ of the cross will not take a light view, a broad view, a selfish view, or a loose view of religion. He will take a serious view toward the inspiration and authority of the scriptures. It is from these scriptures, he reasons, that he learns of the death and resurrection of Christ to begin with. He will accept and embrace every doctrine of Christ. He will not have a flippant view of the church of the Lord (Acts 20:28; Matt. 6:33). He now knows that the kingdom of Jesus Christ is a matter of eternal destiny.

If Christ died, and if He arose, the message to the world is clear: any token recognition of Christ and His way falls far short of the implications and demands of the cross. Christ died, and if He arose, there is a message to the church as well: each Christian should examine his or her life for anything (attitude, behavior, etc.) that gives less than a full devotion to Christ and the cross. May the message of the cross so touch our hearts that our lives reflect no less than the devotion and service of which the cross is so richly deserving (Matt. 16:24).

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There are flyers and pre-printed invitations in the lobby for the gospel meeting. Help us invite as many people as we can to come to our meeting.

"God sent His Son, they called Him Jesus,

He came to love, heal and forgive.

He lived and died to seal my pardon,

An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,

Because He lives all fear is gone;

Because I know, He holds the future,

And life is worth the living, just because He lives."

Life is worth the living, just because Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God, the Messiah, was born, lived a perfectly sinless life, died in my stead, arose from the dead, ascended back to Heaven, and will return here some day to take me home to live with Him forever. In other words, " Because He lives" (JWC).

Sometimes as human beings we want to fix all of our problems alone. Maybe instead of trying to do it all ourselves, we should stand still for a moment and let God work.

You are our honored guest and we welcome you back anytime you are in the area. Please fill out a visitor card located in the rack on the back of the pew.

Van Riders: If you need a ride to worship services please Jerry know in advance, if possible, so that he can better plan the bus route.