The Washington herald., 1922-04-17
SCOTS AT THOSE
WHO DOUBT CHRIST
RISlvGFROMDEAD
Pastor Claims .Resurrec-
ton Firmly Established
BY EyewftNesses.
NOT MERE VISION
Hope Of New Life. Mans
Greatest Possession, Says
Christ Lutheran Rector.
By Rev.. y. FREDERICK WEN
CHEL,
e
NOT MERE VISION
b. Rev. y. FREDERICK WEN
Christ Lutheran Church.


CHEL,
+. Christ Lutheran Church.
Text: 1 Peter la, 4. Blessed
be God and the Father Of our Lord
Jesus Christ. who hath begotten US
again unto q lively hope by the
resurrection OF Jesus Christ from
the dead. to an inheritance incor-
ruptible and undehled and thot
passeth not away, reserved In
heaven for you. e.. ..
The resurrection of Jesus Christ
10 the GROWING event In His Life.
Its significance IL tremendous. Did
Jesus Christ rise from the dead?
Then He Is without doubt the Son
Of God. His gospel IL divine and
to be unquestionably accepted by
mon. Did Jesus Christ. rise from
the dead? Then, we shall rise, too,
and all His heavenly promises will
certainly come true.
The apostle blssses God for the
lively hope he had In a heavenly
inheritance. This hope divinely be-
gotten was based on the resources
ton Of Jesus Christ. This is the
greatest significance of the resur-
rection: 'Tf a man dies shall he
live again." Is answered clearly
and Enthusiastically in the affirma-
tive. There can be TO, question as
to that now. Men sometimes speak
Of hope aside from the resurrec-
ton of Jesus Christ. It is only a
dead speculation, a hazy notion.
practically worthless, ana as far
removed from the living hope OF
the Christian as night Is from day.
This is a real expectancy. It is
living principle in his heart. and Is
molding his thoughts and is affect
ing his whole conduct. 1t exercises
a real and evident power over his
life.
Resurrection Of Christ EstablisSed.
Because of its tremendous sig
nihcance. God has established tha
resurrection Of Christ beyond the
shadow of any reasonael. doubt.
Peter. who wrote the text, was an
eyewitness. But he was not the
only one. There wee hundreds of
others. He was not seen only once
but repeatedly. We can only smile
at those who would try to make
out that IL was all a mere vision
or Authorization.
Some also claim that such a?
event does not happen. st. Paul
said, when speaking of even a
greater thing. the general resur-
rection of the dead. rs it a thing
incredible to you that God should
raise the dead?" How wise a man
must seem to himself when he fees
himsalf ~ -
can do and what He cannot do.
Considering what wonders men
have accomplished in telegraphy, in
electricity and other fields. we
would not even presume to say
what man can do or not do, much
less God. and place upon Him the
limitations Of our own notions.
The facts OF Christ are historically
established. To doubt them il I'M
reasonable unbelief.
"Maps Highest Psssessien.v
This living hope is the highest
possession. the noblest sentiment,
the most blessed expectation which
man may have. It exercises a
powerful influence over him. In
the midst OF an evil and wicked
world it exerts a sanctifying innu-
ence and helps us to overcome the
world and its sins and life. 1t
makes us patient to endure trial
and affliction. 1t robs death Of its
terrors and often makes It a well
come messenger. for it brings us
to glorious realization, a new life
in heaven IN the presence of the
risen Christ and in the company
of the holy angels and the blessed
dead. This glorious hope Is the
fruit OF the resurrection of Jesus.
No wonder that this Is such a day
of high JOY and, triumph. We arc
moving on. Each day brings us
nearer. Sooner than we think the
wonders which Gods love has made
ready for us will be ours.