4 November, 2024

True Champions

by | 27 March, 2023 | 2 comments

By Doug Redford 

At this time of year, several major sporting events are taking place, including NCAA basketball tournaments, the Masters Golf Tournament, and the start of the Major League Baseball season. But these pale in comparison to the event Christians celebrate on Resurrection Sunday, which is next week. 

First, we celebrate the championship won by Jesus’ conquest of Satan through his resurrection. On one occasion, Jesus pictured his dominance over Satan with this illustration: “How can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house” (Matthew 12:29). Jesus announced to the apostle John, exiled on the island of Patmos, “I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades” (Revelation 1:18). And Jesus is not letting go of them! 

Second, we celebrate Jesus as “Master” of the grave, which allows us to be “masters” as well. Satan was lying when he told Eve, “You shall not surely die,” but Jesus was speaking absolute truth when he declared, “Because I live, you also will live” (John 14:19). Jesus changed the vocabulary of death, transforming it into a “sleepover.” Paul wrote, “For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him” (1 Thessalonians 4:14). We can “encourage one another with these words” (v. 18) in the present century as confidently as believers could in the first century. 

Third, on Resurrection Sunday we celebrate “opening day,” for the women arrived at Jesus’ tomb and found it opened—and empty! Never had anything so empty possessed such great worth. It is worth noting that two other “openings” occurred on the day Jesus arose: Jesus “opened the Scriptures” so the two men traveling toward Emmaus could grasp them as never before (Luke 24:32), and then later that day he appeared to the remaining disciples in Jerusalem and “opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures” (v. 45). Jesus’ “opening day” began a whole new season of life for humanity! 

At Communion each Lord’s Day, we partake, symbolically, of Jesus’ body and blood as he indicated when he established that memorial. But we also partake personally and daily in the victory he achieved through his death and resurrection. We too are champions and masters, or as Paul put it, “more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:37). 

Doug Redford has served in the preaching ministry, as an editor of adult Sunday school curriculum, and as a Bible college professor. Now retired, he continues to write and speak as opportunities come. 

2 Comments

  1. Ed Rangel

    Thank you for your thoughts. However, is resurrection Sunday not every Sunday and not next Sunday? “Christians celebrate on Resurrection Sunday, which is next week.” Would you help me understand with Scripture why you teach Resurrection Sunday is next week? Thank you.

  2. Rev. David D Wayne Smith

    I really love the idea that taking communion remind us that we are more than conquerors, that in Christ all shall be made alive in him. But we worship on Sunday because he rose on the first day of the week. Though he rose only once, and that was on the feast of first fruits, which of course falls three days after the Passover, it changed forever the day of worship from the Shabbat (7th day) to the first day (resurrection day) of the week. So this makes every Sunday Shabbat for the believer in Christ, not one day of the year. This is why the Church of Christ observes communion every week.

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Articles

Ministry Help Wanted

Recent postings: A director of campus ministry is needed at the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign). Stillwater (Pa.) Christian Church is looking for both a lead pastor and a youth pastor. Lexington (Ohio) Church of Christ is seeking a full-time senior minister. Norwin Christian Church in North Huntingdon, Pa., needs a full-time worship minister. Lycoming Christian Church in Linden, Pa., is seeking a minister of children, youth, and young adults. Michigan City (Ind.) Christian Church needs a senior minister. And more . . .

Stories

By taking these symbols of Jesus’ body and blood, we announce we believe there really was a Jesus, and he really did die for us and carried all our sins down to a grave . . .

Documentary Highlights Christian Response to Pandemics

Southeast Christian Church’s “Purpose in Pandemics” is a documentary that follows the response of the church to pandemics throughout history. The “Purpose in Pandemics” website also includes a study guide for small groups and individuals.

Used of God

I soaked up Sam Stone’s wit and wisdom during our lunches together. Afterward, I’d take notes about our conversations. After hearing of his passing, inspired by his wordsmithing, I felt compelled to share just a small part of his story.

Sam E. Stone: ‘He Tried to Speak the Truth in Love’

In memory and appreciation of our former editor, Sam E. Stone, who died early this week, we share this 2011 column from Christian Standard’s archives in which Sam discussed four Scripture verses significant to his life.

Elliott Library ‘Cornerstone’ Laid

Three Bibles of historical significance to Cincinnati Christian University were the first books place on the shelves during relocation of the George Mark Elliott Library.

The Death of Evil

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. saw in minority groups’ struggles for social equality in America a parallel with Israel’s bondage in Egypt. King envisioned God’s goodness would deliver the U.S. from the evil of segregation.

Mark Scott’s Greatest Kingdom Impact

Since I first enrolled at Ozark Christian College, Mark Scott has been my kingdom hero, and I’m not the only young preacher Mark has shaped. Over his 35 years at OCC, Mark has inspired generations of students.

‘Have We Plans for 1921?’

“All the Standard asks is the opportunity to serve, and it yearns to render in 1921 the greatest, finest, and best service of its history. . . .”

CCLF Concluding Strong First Year in Greater Cincinnati

In its first full year, the Christian Church Leadership Foundation has accomplished much to ensure Christian education and resources would continue to be available to people in the Greater Cincinnati area.

News Briefs for Dec. 9

Items from Timber Lake Christian Church (Moberly, Mo.), Choateville Christian Church (Frankfort, Ky.), Johnson University, and more.

My Counsel for Young Preachers

If I were counseling an aspiring young preacher fresh out of Bible college or seminary, champing at the bit to lead in the church, I would offer these three bits of advice.

My Memories of Marshall Leggett

By Ben Merold
As I think about Marshall Leggett, who passed away on March 2 at age 90, two personal experiences keep coming to my mind . . .

Powell Quintuplets Graduating from High School

When the Powell quintuplets were born in 2001, all of Kentucky celebrated, including Southeast Christian Church, where the Powells are longtime members. Now the quints are 18 and are all headed to the same university.

Reentry: It May Be Harder Than We Think

When the COVID-19 crisis eases, I anticipate that reentry is going to be harder than some people think. Churches, especially, need to prepare for this.

November 10 Study | I Pledge Allegiance

God’s people should be crystal clear about their allegiance. They play to an audience of one. So they must be very careful of other allegiances. For the believers in the seven churches, that meant coming out from the pagan influences of the culture.

November 10 | Discovery Questions

These Discovery Questions are for use with this week’s Lookout Bible Lesson, “The Battle is the Lord’s” (Revelation 17:1-2, 6, 18; 18:1-10), by Mark Scott.

Rescued

Each of us is an individual Titanic. We may, in our pride and self-sufficiency, think that we are uniquely grand and unsinkable. But each of us has already struck the iceberg of sin. It’s only a matter of time. But wait. God has provided a lifeboat for anyone who wants to be rescued.

Reasons to Be Grateful

Let’s honor God in this season as we give thanks for our blessings, as we celebrate our salvation, and as we take the gospel to the world.

Follow Us