Resurrection?

At the end of the day ------- do we as the church really need this whole resurrection business? (check out 1 Corinthians 15.14) What do you think?

1 Corinthians 15.12-20

This coming Sunday we will be focusing on 1 Corinthians 15.12-20. The meat of verses 12-19 indicates that if we do not believe in Christ's resurrection, then in essence all of our faith and hope has been in vain. But then in verse 20 the Apostle Paul writes: "But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died." We can find our hope in the one who overcame death and the grave. One thing that sticks out to me is the word "fact" that is used in this translation. This quote comes from the New Revised Standard Version [NRSV]. I did a quick search on other translations, and I found that the CEB and the ESV also use the word "fact". But the NIV, KJV, and NASB do not use the word "fact". When that word is used, in regards to the resurrection, how does that change your understanding of the resurrection in regards to history? Do you believe that the resurrection is a historical fact?
I think the word "fact", truly conveys Paul's emphasis on how important the resurrection is for the life of the Christian. But oftentimes, people get a little nervous with the word "fact" when it comes to the fundamentals of the Christian faith. Because we do not open history books and find pictures of the tomb empty ---- or Jesus standing with his disciples looking into his pierced side. So how does this word "fact" differ from our 21st century understanding of "fact"?

1 Corinthians 15.1-11

This coming Sunday we will be focusing on 1 Corinthians 15.1-11. In this passage we can see that the resurrected Christ appeared to the Apostle Paul. He explains how Christ appeared to Cephas, then the twelve, then to 500, then to James, then to the other apostles, and "last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me" (v 8). This is grace ----- for Paul was one who persecuted the church. That even one who had sought out death for the disciples of Jesus ----- was transformed into one that proclaimed that Jesus was the resurrected Lord of lords. How has the resurrection of Jesus impacted you? If you look back on your life, what grace do you see extended your way?

Colossians 3.1-4

Happy Resurrection Day. This Easter Day we will be focusing on Colossians 3.1-4. It starts out with this verse: "So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God." Because Christ was raised — we are raised as well. And if we have been raised then why would we seek the things on earth — instead, let us seek the things above. Since we have died and have been raised from our death as new creatures — why would we turn to our old ways? This is a terrific time to remember that we have been claimed by the Lord through the baptismal waters. That Jesus has laid claim to your life. Are there things that you need cast aside to walk in that resurrected life?