Three weeks running must be some sort of record. Even if it's not, we're back with some thoughts and links. I recently said in a sermon that you don't have to click on every link someone posts on facebook. Same holds true here (and me linking it doesn't mean I necessarily agree with every word). Have a great weekend!
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It was my privilege to preach yesterday on the resurrection and I did so from 1 Peter 1:3-5. (You can listen to that message here if you're so inclined.) There are many, but one take away from this passage? The Christian's hope is inextricably linked to the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. And when I say "hope" I don't mean something like, "I hope it's sunny tomorrow" or "I hope to make it to your game next week." I mean certain, unshakable expectation and confidence rooted in the love and power of God. I hope to receive my inheritance in heaven and know that I will because God is keeping it for me in heaven and by his power is guarding me until then - 1 Peter 1:4-5. That kind of hope is rooted in the resurrection of Christ.
1 Peter 1:3 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead..." 1 Peter 1:20-21 "...you who through him [Christ] are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God." Twice in this passage, Peter links our hope with the resurrection of Jesus. So does Paul: 1 Corinthians 15:17,19. "And if Christ has not been raised...If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied." And the 2 disciples that the risen Jesus spoke to on the road to Emmaus. Remember what they said (before they realized who was walking with them)? Luke 24:21 "But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. "See it? They thought Christ was dead and their hope of redemption died with him. If Jesus is dead, so is our hope. A dead man can't give us new life. But Jesus is not dead. He is risen! He is alive! And with his resurrection our hope rises and we enjoy certain confidence of our salvation. If you find your hope fading, come to the empty tomb and glory in the risen Lord Jesus. Whoa! Two Fridays in a row...that's approaching regularity and consistency. Can we keep it going a 3rd week? Come back next Friday and find out. But don't hold your breath. Last week Friday Fragments was some miscellaneous thoughts none of which quite amounted to a full blog post in themselves. This week it is a little of that again, but also some other things I've collected through the week that I found helpful, funny, encouraging, challenging, interesting, etc. (Kinda like Tim Challies' "a la carte" or David Murray's "Check out.") Enjoy!
I don't have a coherent theme to write about; just a few miscellaneous thoughts rolling around. Not sure if this will become a regular blog feature, though I kinda like "Friday Fragments" as a title. I've never blogged consistently enough to think that I'll manage to pull something together every Friday, but you never know. Here goes...
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When I quote Scripture In this blog, unless otherwise indicated, the quotations are usually from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway. Used by permission.
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June 2024
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