An Easter-related Sermon: Acts 13

In Acts 13:14, Paul arrives at Antioch in Pisidia and proceeds to share the gospel with the Jews in the synagogue. It is probably a classic and typical example of his preaching to the Jews who have not yet heard the gospel message. And in his sermon (vs. 16-41), we have these verses:

27 For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.
28 And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain.
29 And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre.
30 But God raised him from the dead:

Considering that tomorrow is Easter, that last verse is exceptionally appropriate. Those seven simple words, stated as plain fact (because it is a fact!), are the absolute bedrock of the Gospel Message. As Paul also wrote in 1 Cor. 15:12-19, if there was no resurrection of Christ on that blessed day two millennia ago, our faith in vain; we are in our sins; there is no hope of heaven or blessing after this earthly life.

But God raised Jesus from the dead! And because of this, our faith is not in vain! We can have hope of heaven after this earthly life!

And if you do not have this faith, but want it, please get in touch with me.