APRIL: 24-HOUR PRAYER

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It is in our hope that we understand the power of the Cross, the gospel message, and the unmatched power of God for salvation for all who believe.

 

But what about the power of the Empty Tomb?  The Power of the Empty Tomb is the evidence of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Without the resurrection, there is absolutely no hope for anyone or anything.

 

If Jesus did not rise, then we won't rise either.  Unlike the tombs of Mohammed, Buddha, Confucius, Karl Marx, and every other religious founder and philosophical genius, they still hold remains of their occupants. However, the power of the tomb of Jesus Christ is…EMPTY!

 

Because the tomb of Jesus Christ is empty, with His resurrection, the graves of every believer in Jesus Christ will be emptied, and we shall all receive glorified bodies like that of Christ Himself. "We know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is" (1 John 3:2; also note Philippians 3:20-21). Then like Paul we can mock death, "Death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" (1 Corinthians 15:54-55). 

 

Let us all pray as a church with the utmost confidence:

 

·      The tomb is empty, and we learn how to empty ourselves of all the tendencies and attitudes that contradict our spiritual life. We need to come to God “empty” to be filled. Paul reminds us that Jesus emptied Himself though He was in the form of God and became obedient unto death, even on the cross (Phil. 2:6-9).

 

·      Second, as a church, let’s all pray to start living the resurrected life. Paul advised us in (Colossians 3:1-4) to change our focus from seeking things below to searching for realities above where the risen Lord sits at the right hand of the Father. We cannot have a risen Lord while still living like those in the grave of sin and damnation. This Easter…this month… “right now” …let’s all strive to rise from spiritual, material, and mental limitations. 

 

Because the tomb is empty guilt does not have the last word… “There is no more condemnation for those of us who are in Christ” (Romans 8:1).

 

Because the tomb is empty injustice doesn’t have the last word…there is a promise that God will overturn every evil intention by bringing true justice into the world. Justice will roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream (Amos 5:24).

 

Because the tomb is empty pain doesn’t have the last word…it has an expiration date and Jesus promised us that he will bring us to a place where every tear is wiped away and crying is no more (Revelation 21:4).

 

Yes, the tomb is empty! The last word in our lives no longer belongs to the powers of darkness nor any evil we can imagine. As a direct result, nothing will separate us from the love of power Christ revealed because of that first Easter morning.

 

 

Pastor Jamie Kjos, Senior Pastor

Aubrey Woodfolk, 24 Hour Pray in Place Coordinator

 

“But the angel said, “Do not be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is not here! He is risen from the dead!” (Mark 16:6 NLT)