Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1943-03-25

The most important day in all his
tory was the first day of the week
following the crucifxion Of Christ.
Then He appeared to His disciples
as their risen Lord. All the hope Of
all mankind for all eternity depend
ed on His victory over death.
BY eventide news had come to the
disciples Of His. resurrection, and
half in hope and half in uncertainty
they had gathered to talk over these
matters. Fearful of the Jews, they
met behind closed doors. All at
once He was there-the Lord Him
self. What wonderful change came
over them as He made Himself
known to them. They went
1. From Fear to GIadness wv.
10, 20).
Their eyes had been upon their
enemies and they were afraid. Now
they were glad, when they saw
the Lord" We need to learn that
lesson. If we look within we are
ashamed and discouraged. If we
look around US we are confused and
fearful. II we look to Christ we
are glad and strong.
Notice that their joy was not based
only on an emotional impulse They
saw Christ in His resurrection
body-the very One who had died.
The evidence was there before them.
Now they could understand the
things He had said to them. The
whole realm of spiritual truth was
now in focus again, and they were
glad. So are we when we really see
Christ.
III. From Weakness to Strength
wv. 21-23).
The disciples who were called TO-
be witnesses for Christ had lost their
testimony when He died on the cross.
Unbelief and Encouragement had so
weakened them that they were In
hiding instead Of being out proclaim
ing His truth.
Now the risen and victorious One
sent them forth with the Fathers
blessing. They were empowered by
the Holy Spirit, and given great au-
thority ". 23). Note that it was
given not to one man or to therha3E
ers, but to all the disciples. It v
"a declarative right, and 1t belony
to every true disciple. Those wi
have received the gift Of the Hol
Spirit are in position to declarS
to men that their sincere repentancey
brings forgiveness" (Douglass). The
opposite is also true.
Ill. From Doubt to Faith wv. "a
28).
Thomas, who had doubts and who
cultivated them by his stubborn at
titude ". 25), did himself and his
brethren a serious disservice by be-
ing absent from the meeting on the
evening of the first Easter Day.
When he did appear he had only
doubts to contribute. Let those who
make a custom of absenting them
selves from the place and hour Of
service beware lest they do like
wise.
His doubts were honest ones-and
God always meets such questions.
honestly and intelligently. When the
evidence was before him, the heart
of Thomas leaped the chasm from
doubt to faith in one cry Of COM
pete devotion ". 26).
1t is significant that down through
the ages many doubters have been
won to Christ by the proof Of
the resurrection Of Christ. which is
by the testimony Of historical schol-
ars the best authenticated fact In
all history" The risen Christ stands
before men today and says. BE not
faithless but believing" May many
respond with Thomas. MY Lord
and my God"
Nv. From Death to Life (vv. 20
81.
Christ arose from the dead not
just to show that He had power to
do so, but, as Paul puts 1t. for
our Justification (Rom. 4:25). The
reality and dependability Of the en-
tire plan of salvation hinged on the
return of Christ from the dead.
Had the grave held Him, His claims
of deity and of the ability to for
give sin would have been entirely
discredited. Because He lives we
shall live.
The experience of regeneration is
therefore likened in Scripture to a
passing from death to life John
,5:2D. Thomas saw the Lord, and
believing. passed from doubt TO
faith. We cannot see Him now, but
we have the blessed privilege Of be-
lieving and thus receiving life CIV.
20, 81.
This was the message which the
now radiant and empowered disci-
Piles went out to preach. The book
of Acts tells US how effectively they
did it, and shows how much Of their
preaching conferred on the fact Of
the resurrection
The command and the commits
sion was not to them alone. but
also to all Of US who believe IA
Christ. May God take out Of US
fear Of men, overcome our wi
mess and send iie olIf with ran,