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\u2026if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.\xa0 \u2026 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.\xa0 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead.\xa0 (1 Corinthians 15:14, 19-20a)

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As the years go on, I\u2019m more and more convinced about what Paul writes here.\xa0 If the cornerstone of your faith is not anchored in a belief in the Jesus who rose from the dead: what are you doing here?

Church is not firstly about good community, impactful preaching, rich programs, engaging worship, or any of those other church-shopping list items we tend implicitly to look for and measure value by.\xa0 Church is firstly about Jesus Christ, crucified and risen.\xa0 If that is not a belief you hold, your faith is useless and so is your showing up in a church online or on a Sunday.\xa0 Because if Jesus Christ has not been raised, then there is no good news to be found here.\xa0 If Jesus didn\u2019t rise from the dead, we\u2019re still in our sins, those who\u2019ve died in Christ are lost, and there\u2019s no hope for the future.\xa0

It is that important.

But here\u2019s the thing: Jesus Christ has indeed been raised from the dead.\xa0 That\u2019s why we celebrate on Easter.\xa0 That\u2019s why we accompany our dearly departed loved ones at funerals with prayers, singing, and a Gospel proclamation of resurrection in Christ: that what you see here with a casket and a grave is not the end of the story for this Saint.\xa0 It\u2019s why we work for justice and mercy in this world: because we believe that the risen Jesus is bringing all things to life throughout creation, renewing the whole world, and that he invites and empowers us to join him.\xa0 And we can join him, because he\u2019s alive.\xa0

Sin has been atoned for, death and evil defeated.\xa0 No terrible, evil, unjust, or deadly thing in this world will last.\xa0 It is all passing away.\xa0 Yes, even this present pandemic.\xa0 Life is the end of the story.\xa0 Life is the final word.\xa0 Abundant, vibrant, diverse, and colourful life.\xa0 All because Jesus Christ has indeed been raised from the dead.\xa0 \xa0\xa0

It is that important.

In this season of Easter, I invite you to believe this good news in Jesus.\xa0 Believe it again.\xa0 Believe it anew.\xa0 Believe it for the first time.\xa0 And if you don\u2019t believe it, or have a hard time believing it: despite what I said at the beginning\u2014don\u2019t let that stop you from coming to church.\xa0 Join us, the company of fools who believe in a risen Lord.\xa0

And, even if we don\u2019t do it perfectly or as well as the other sweet preachers and worship leaders out there on YouTube: let us tell you this good news again and again.\xa0 Let us offer it to you, sing it for you, pray it for you.\xa0 I want you to have this hope that I hold for yourself.\xa0 It is that important.

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