This Changes Everything

Welcome to this Easter Sunday edition of Our Daily Bread are reading titled this changes everything was written by Wynn Collier Miroslav Pelikan longtime Yale professor considered one of his generation's preeminent authorities on Christian history was renowned for his extensive academic career, he published more than 30 books and one the esteemed kludgy prize as a lifetime award for his voluminous writings. One of his students however recounted what he considered his teachers most important words spoken from his deathbed.

If Christ is risen. Nothing else matters.

And if Christ is not. Nothing else matters.

Pelikan echoed Paul's conviction in first Corinthians chapter 15. If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith, the apostle made such a bold statement because he knew that the resurrection was not merely a one off miracle, but rather the pinnacle of God's redeeming work in human history, the promise of resurrection wasn't only his assurance that Jesus would rise from the dead, but his bold affirmation that other debt in room to things lies, neighborhoods, relationships would also one day be brought back to life through Christ.

If there is no resurrection, however Paul knew that we are in deep trouble. If there is no resurrection, then death and destruction.

When but of course Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, destroyed by the Victor death loses in Jesus is the firstfruits of all the life that will follow the conquered evil and death so that we could live bold and free.

This changes everything. Today's Our Daily Bread devotional Scripture reading is from first Corinthians chapter 15 verses 12 through 26. But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead. How can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead. If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised and if Christ is not been raised, our preaching is useless and so was your faith more than that. We are then found to be false witnesses about God or we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead, but he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised, or if the dead are not raised that in Christ has not been raised either.

If Christ is not been raised, your faith is futile.

You are still in your sins than those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost if only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied, but Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.

But each in turn, Christ the firstfruits, then when he comes, those who belong to him.

Then the end will come when he hands over the kingdom to God the father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. Let's pray father give us eyes to see how Jesus's resurrection changes everything about life now and forever made the sacrifice of his life, cause us to sacrifice our lives in service to you that others may know of your great love and saving power. Thank you Lord Jesus name we pray. Amen. Thanks for listening today I'm Stephen in today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread ministries