We need a Savior! -- Easter 2025 -- Full message

 

The resurrection of Jesus: It’s personal -- Full message

 

The resurrection of Jesus -- Full message 4/9/23

 

The resurrection is necessary for your salvation

 

 

Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? - Full message

 

Where Are You Looking For Jesus?

 

You’re invited to our Easter services!

 

First Church of God

4600 W. 111^th Street

Oak Lawn, IL  60453

 

Easter Service times: Saturday, April 3, 5pm;

Sunday, April 4, 9am or 11am

 

#ThankYouForSharing

This is NOT the end!

Jesus is the one who couldn't be found at a tomb

Are you searching for God?

A Resurrection Is The Best Explanation of the Facts

Dr. William Lane Craig, is a theologian and scholar who has spent decades carefully examining theological issues, in particular, the resurrection of Jesus. Dr. Craig states these four facts “are widely accepted by New Testament scholars today.”

Fact number 1: After his crucifixion, Jesus was buried by Joseph of Arimathea in the tomb.

Fact number 2: On the Sunday following the crucifixion, Jesus’ tomb was found empty by a group of his women followers.

Fact number 3: On multiple occasions and under various circumstances, different individuals and groups of people experienced appearances of Jesus alive from the dead.

And… Fact number 4: The original disciples believed that Jesus was risen from the dead despite their having every reason not to.

There are many more things which could be said in support of each of these four statements but a great question to consider in light of these truths would be this: What is the best explanation of these facts?

If you are my friend on social media you already know my position on the matter, but I will state it here, anyhow: the best explanation for these four facts is that God, the Father, raised Jesus from the dead.

You say, “Yeah, but if you believe that explanation it means you have to believe a miracle occurred.”

That’s true. But it’s okay. He’s God. He is capable of performing miracles. In fact, what we consider miraculous is actually simple and natural to Almighty God.

“He isn't here! [The tomb.] He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen.”

Matthew 28:6

Victory Over Death, Jesus Is Alive!

Jesus claims to be the giver of life, true life, abundant life, eternal life.  He says things like this:  “Life is found in me!” 

Well, He can only be the giver of life, if He has experienced victory over death, himself.

It just happens to be the case that victory over death is what we proclaim at Easter.  Jesus is risen from the dead!  He has experienced victory over sin and death!  The grave could not hold Him!  Evil could not defeat Him.

He’s alive!  And because Jesus lives, you and I can live!  We can have life in Him.

Praise God for the resurrection of Jesus; for the truth of who Jesus is; for forgiveness of sins; for the hope we have in Him. Praise God for life! 

Happy Easter, Jesus is alive!

Fear And The Time In Between The Crucifixion And The Resurrection

Fear stinks.

Oh I know, there are situations in which fear serves a useful purpose. If a hungry lion escaped from the zoo and he’s been following you on the walking trail for the past couple of minutes you should have some fear or else you’re not taking the situation seriously enough.

But oftentimes fear is not good. Some people live with an unhealthy sense of dread and fear which prevents them from living life and doing the things they need to do and want to do. They live with a basic sense that they are alone, helpless, vulnerable and with the sense that whatever happens next will probably not be good.

I’m thinking about fear today because in between the crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus it seems pretty likely His disciples were caught up in fear. Jesus had given them words of reassurance. He told them what would happen. He even said these specific words to His disciples, “Do not be afraid.” Jesus made it possible for them to experience peace and assurance but they tended toward fear instead.

It happens, doesn’t it?

In between the crucifixion and the resurrection, it looked dark. It seemed that, perhaps, evil would prevail. There was tremendous sadness, disappointment and confusion. I suspect some words to this effect were spoken: “What just happened? This is not how we thought this would go.”

Fear seemed reasonable.

Remember, though, it is not God’s intention that we live in fear.

Do not be afraid. Darkness doesn’t win.

God loves you. He loves you completely and perfectly. He loves you more than you can imagine. This is the truth. The more you know and genuinely recognize this truth the less fear you will experience.

And remember, even when things look grim, the story is not over. Easter is coming! 

Easter 2014, You Are Invited!

                                       Click here for video!

                                           Click here for video!

E-Flash From Dan, March 22, 2014

Dear E-Flash Friends;

Baptism services are among my favorite services of the year.  Think about witnessing people stepping forward in faith and obedience to Christ, and participating with Him in His death and resurrection.

“…having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.”  Colossians 2:12

It’s extraordinary, encouraging, exciting and inspiring!

That will be happening in our services tomorrow, March 23^rd, 9am and 11am.  And guess what?  You’re invited!

Click on the link and you can check out a brief video invitation.

Link…   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAkS3_Ua4Ks

We’ll have some wonderful worship music and I am bringing a message on the topic of “Telling The Good News.”  I’m fired up about it.

Hope to see you tomorrow!

Love and blessings,

Dan

A Good Story Involves A Eucatastrophe

According to J.R.R. Tolkien a good story involves a catastrophe that ends up being a positive thing.  Tolkien called that a “eucatastrophe.”  The best example of this that has ever occurred is when the only sinless, perfect man was viciously and unjustly executed.  But this travesty of justice ends up resulting in resurrection and victory.  And the forgiveness, redemption and salvation of the world is made possible.  What an incredible and wonderful story!

He's Alive!

I suppose that when they killed Jesus they somewhat naturally assumed: “That takes care of that.”  Death by crucifixion is known to be quite final. 

“There!  We won’t have to deal with this Jesus character anymore,” is no doubt what they believed.

But something happened.

Imagine the various reactions:  Surprise.  Joy.  Fear.  Disbelief.  Awe.  Bewilderment.  Worship.

And then these words began to ripple through the community:  “He’s alive!”

They’re still rippling through the community today.

He’s alive!

Resurrection? Come On! You're Kidding, Right?

There's no point in trying to argue about the resurrection of Jesus.  After all, as I read on a web site recently, "We know from all our experience of the world that men don't rise from the dead."

But this sure is strange: Billions of people over the past couple of thousand years have been well aware of the fact that men don't rise from the dead—this fact has not escaped their attention—and yet they put their faith and trust in Jesus and they embrace the truth of the resurrection of Christ.  To say that all of these people are just plain dumb and gullible is not a satisfactory explanation for this phenomenon, although I realize that will be the default explanation for some.

I think it's likely that many of these believers would simply say, "I have experienced the truth of Jesus Christ alive in me and I know this reality to be true!"

So, we continue to proclaim the truth of Easter:  "He's alive!"

You're allowed to doubt, of course.  God gives us that option.  But when you see Jesus, someday, it will be a profound moment of clarification.

I believe that He is alive!

What If You Weren't Expecting Easter... And It Happened Anyhow? - Audio Podcast

                 Click here for audio!

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Is There Good Evidence For The Resurrection?

“Even the once-doubting Sir Lionel Luckhoo, identified by the Guinness Book of World Records as the most successful attorney in the world, was forced to conclude after an exhaustive analysis of the evidence, ‘I say unequivocally that the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ is so overwhelming that it compels acceptance by proof which leaves absolutely no room for doubt.’” – Lee Strobel