Trinity Missionary Baptist Church: Newsletter 406-"Raised Up In Jesus"-2/1/2012

GOODNEWSLETTER

Number 406 February 1st 2012

RAISED UP IN JESUS

"If Christ be not raised your faith is vain," 1st Corinthians 15:17 NKJV.

     Vain or, empty faith, cannot be considered in Christian's minds; or, better, in their hearts. Jesus rose and we are looking upward for His return. There are many proofs presented to us. One is John, the Baptist.

While, John accepted Jesus as being who He claim to be, he needed some reassurance. So, John sent two of his disciples to ask Jesus, "Are you the Coming One, or do we look for another" (11:4).

     The words of Jesus proved what John knew, already. Jesus said to go and tell John what they see and hear. "The blind receive their sight and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; THE

DEAD ARE RAISED UP..." Matthew 11:5. Amen! With all the deeds available through the Bible, we join with John and understood that Jesus was the Messiah. The deeds that Jesus did were no small thing!

     Of course, Lazarus knew about living again; as well as, the thief on the cross. But, why do some miss the promise? The answer is: they miss who Jesus is, that's why. Our hope is being raised up at the Second

Coming of Christ bodily. However, believers in Christ Jesus understand that the promise operates today, within the heart. We are alive because Jesus lives. Further, we live now because Jesus is alive. We ought

not to be in a doubtful position or fail to see what we are in Christ.

     Ephesians 2:5 & 6 records, "Even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Him ... (SINCE WE ARE) ... and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus." How are you doing over there? Good! And, it is wonderful to be in the Lord's work and know that in the present, we are living in Him and working our His teachings within our lives.

    As a Missionary Baptist (persuaded by Scripture), it is clearly understood that we must join with Him to be pleasing. "For where two are gathered together, I am there in the midst of them," Mt. 18:20. In the Lord's New Testament Church, Paul clearly says it so we may see what occurs in His body. "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly about all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, TO

HIM BE GLORY IN THE CHURCH BY CHRIST JESUS THOROUGH OUT ALL AGES, WORLD WITHOUT END, AMEN! (Ephesians 3:21-22).

     In the church, we are raised, now. Believers are presently in the company of the LORD, today! While, most of those who have been saved by the blood of Christ and His raising, we see too many who fail to realize

that their service is so important to God. But, it is so important to them. Thus, the words that John trusted in has to be understood that every word spoken by Jesus always carried His Father's approval. Therefore, all

His words are applicable today. of course.

     Whether, we gather with two or three or, whatever the number may be, we have give God the glory through His Son. Only such service will guarantee that our faith is accepted. Again, we refer to Paul's word of

Ephesians 1:22 and 23. "And He (The Father) put all things under His feet, and gave Him (The Son) to be Head over all things to the church, (the church is His body) which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all

in all." Our hope lies in the raising of the dead at the return of Jesus Christ. Our service lies in the raising up in His body, the church, today.