Philippians 3:7-11

“But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ  and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.” NKJV

Everyone has a life ambition, and if you put that ambition in proper focus, everything you do brings you nearer that objective.

I asked my six year old son what he wants to be when he grows up. He said, “I want to be a doctor, a business man and a pastor!” I then asked him how he intends to achieve all those and still avoid conflicts. I was surprised at his answer. He said; “Now I have a Bible and I am reading it. That prepares me in future to be a Pastor. I go to school and I am doing all I can  do to pass all my subjects; that is in fact steps to being a doctor and I have with my friends in my class formed a Company – ‘The Future Investments Company’; we are already Business men” He is putting his life ambition in focus and is working towards it.

Reading: First Kings 18:17-39

Our society today is full people who are between two opinions. The question most present on the lips is; “where do we go from here?” This problem prevails in the economic as well as in the social life of the people. It is most pronounced in their religious lives. People change from one religious sect to the other in search of meaning and answer to the yearnings of their heart. They are silently asking “which god is the real God? Which god answers the prayers of his children? Where can I find him?” The mistake they make and the mistake that has made the answer to their question elusive is that they have been looking for this God in establishments and organisations. God is not in them. He is not in any cult. He is not in any society whether secret or open. God says in His Word, the Bible; “They will seek Me and find Me when they seek for Me with all their heart.” The Bible further says “God is a Spirit, they that worship Him, must worship Him in Spirit and in truth.”

Luke 24:1-12

“Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’”  And they remembered His words. Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.  It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them, who told these things to the apostles. And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them. But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying by themselves; and he departed, marveling to himself at what had happened.” NKJV

The greatest announcement ever made in the world was made some two thousand years ago. It was very precise and direct. “He is not here, but is risen! Why do you seek the living among the dead?” The women could not believe it; but they retold the story to an equally astounded group of disciples. Dead men remain dead but this Jesus Christ is different. “He is risen!”

Artwork: John Marr

First Corinthians 15:1-28

In our last consideration, we looked at the miracles of incarnation and crucifixion. We saw that Christ in the incarnate life lived a life that is exemplary, challenging and without blemish. His entrance into the world was unusual having come without the help of man but through a virgin; he lived a life of sinlessness - the first fact prepared Him for the second because in that He did not inherit the Adamic sin. He manifested supernatural powers in the form of miracles. He had power of God in Him. This is so because there was no sin to break His relationship with His Father, and so He was different from all men. Life of sinlessness is an attribute of God and not of man. He spoke the greatest words ever said – words that should be said only by One who knows the end from the beginning, even God Himself. His life, His words, and His powers left a lasting and universal influence. We all here testify and in fact are eloquent and living testimonies of how He influences lives. His influence brought satisfaction to all who were spiritually hungry and thirsty. He gave peace where there was none and brought life where all hope was lost and to give us the final hope and victory He conquered death, man’s greatest enemy. His death was victory for it brought life to all who came to Him.

There are some few false theories concerning the death of Christ; Again an attempt by the devil to confuse the world. There are about four of such theories.