Resurrection, what next?

Last weekend we celebrated one of the greatest events in all history " the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. An event recognized all over the world and celebrated by millions and millions of people.

There are three major events connected to Jesus. We celebrate His birth at Christmas time. His death, burial and resurrection are celebrated during the Easter season. There is also a lot of attention given to His return which we have yet to celebrate. We talk about it, think and write about it, and wonder when it is going to happen.

I would like to talk about something else Jesus did that sometimes gets overlooked. Immediately after His resurrection He appeared to His disciples and instructed them to go to Jerusalem and wait for the promise of the Father. They were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to build His church. Jesus told Peter earlier that He was going to use him to build his church.

Matthew 16:18, "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it."

Ephesians 2:19-20, "Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but, fellow citizens with the saints and member of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone."

Was Peter perfect? No! Is the church perfect? No! For 2,000 years He has been maintaining and building the church. Why?

I Timothy 3:15, "but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth."

Ephesians 3:10, "to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, God uses His church to reveal Himself to the world."

Yes, He uses the imperfect organized church to do His work on the earth. There has never been a time when the church is more important to the stability of our nation that it is right now. When Jesus returns He will be returning for His church.

Revelations 22:20, "Even so, come Lord Jesus!"

Leo Kruger is pastor of Valley Christian Fellowship and is a member of the Carson Valley Ministers' Association.