Sunday, April 9, 2023
HAPPY RESURRECTION DAY!!
Oh this most holy day, we need to remember that, if Jesus had not returned from the grave, we would not have church, we would not have forgiveness for our sins, we would not have life after death and we would not be citizens of heaven.
“Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.'” Johns is the only gospel writer who records these words from Jesus; “My kingdom is not of this world.”
Near the end of the first century, when John was writing his Gospel, Christians were often assailed with the accusation that their goals were not spiritual, but political. The Roman Empire was being filled with reborn citizens of the heavenly kingdom, but their “kingdom of God” terminology could be misunderstood. Thus, John adopts the phrase “eternal life,” as much to show the new quality of life Jesus Christ has brought as to describe its quantity.
The ideal of “eternal life” describes a divine dimension of life available to mankind, as well as a destined duration of everlasting endlessness. The words “eternal life” occurs 15 times in John’s writings, “the kingdom of God” only 6. We are not of this world we are just passing through on our way to His kingdom where God’s glory reigns.
You are loved, Pastor Don
Cornerstone Worship Center 