Logos Alethias

The literal, historical, bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the vindication of Christ’s saving work on the cross. The issue is simple—no resurrection, no Christianity. For this reason, belief in the resurrection of Christ is essential in order to be a Christian.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the central miracle of the Christian faith. As the New Testament reveals, the resurrection represents the Father’s complete satisfaction in the obedience of the Son—even unto death. Sin and death do not have the final word. Indeed, they are defeated through the saving work of Christ.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead separates Christianity from all mere religion–whatever its form. Christianity without the literal, physical resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is merely one religion among many. “And if Christ is not risen,” said the Apostle Paul, “then our preaching is empty and your faith is in vain” [1 Corinthians 15:14]. Furthermore, “You are still in your sins!” [v. 17]. Paul could not have chosen stronger language. “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable” [v. 19].

Yet, the resurrection of Jesus Christ has been under persistent attacks since the Apostolic age. Why? Because it is the central confirmation of Jesus’ identity as the incarnate Son of God, and the ultimate sign of Christ’s completed work of atonement, redemption, reconciliation, and salvation. Those who oppose Christ, whether first century religious leaders or twentieth century secularists, recognize the Resurrection as the vindication of Christ against His enemies.

Those who would attack the Church and reject its gospel must direct their arrows at the most crucial truth claim of the New Testament and the disciples: That Jesus Christ, having suffered death on a cross, though sinless, having borne the sins of those He came to save, having been buried in a sealed and guarded grave, was raised by the power of God on the third day.

As Paul well understood, Christianity stands or falls with the empty grave. If Christ is not raised, we are to be pitied, for our faith is in vain. Those who would preach a resurrectionless Christianity have substituted the truth of the gospel for a lie. But, asserted Paul, Christ is risen from the dead. Our faith is not in vain, but is in the risen Lord. He willingly faced death on a cross and defeated death from the grave. The Resurrection is the ultimate sign of God’s vindication of His Son.

The great good news of the resurrection is this—those who come to Christ by faith will share in His victory over sin and death. Belief in the resurrection of Christ is clearly essential in order for one to be a Christian. The Christian church has understood this from the beginning, and the Apostle Paul left no room for doubt when he declared that those who are saved are those who confess with their lips that Jesus Christ is Lord and believe in their hearts that God raised Him from the dead [Romans 10:9].

This week we will hold our second Iron Sharpens Iron men’s bible study. Last month’s study was outstanding, convicting, and motivating. Make sure you schedule your Saturday morning to allow the time to attend this meeting.

8:00 to 9:30 am

As we meet together to discuss God’s Word, we will benefit ourselves, our families, our church, as well as other areas of our lives.

We look forward to seeing you there tomorrow morning.

On March 1, 2008, Abigail Hamilton and Joe McKinley, who attended Old Forest Road Baptist Church during their time at Liberty University, were joined together as husband and wife. Seeing this couple follow the biblical model for establishing a family in the sight of God and the congregation was a great joy and honor for the many OFRBC members who attended the wedding.

This wedding was the most beautiful and the most God-honoring wedding I have ever seen. Joe and Abigail asked that some unusual things be done in this wedding—things that are not seen in weddings very often. But this wedding, in my opinion, should set the standard for how a Christian wedding should be done.

Pastor Mike presents the gospel of Jesus Christ

Joe and Abigail are from different churches originally—Joe from Prestonwood Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, and Abigail from Columbia Evangelical Church in Columbia, South Carolina. The church they attended in common was Old Forest Road Baptist Church. So they wanted Pastor Mike O’Brien to be involved in the ceremony. Of course Joe’s father was officiating the wedding, so the fact that Joe and Abigail wanted a clear presentation of the gospel to be given at their wedding provided the perfect opportunity for them to ask their previous pastor to be involved.

Pastor Mike gave a clear and strong gospel presentation to those in attendance. Along with the news that Jesus gave his life to save those who turn to him from the penalty of their sins, Mike wove in a clear biblical presentation of God’s purpose and plan for marriage. His message included such unpopular concepts as the fact that wives are told to “submit” to their husbands (Ephesians 5:22). He also exhorted Joe and the other husbands in attendance to “love their wives as Christ loves the Church—even to the point of being willing to die for our wives as Christ gave up his life to save the lives of those who make us the Church.

This theme was continued through the vows, which were out of step with the traditional wedding vows (they did not say, “love, honor, and obey”) and they were also out of step with our current culture, which has dropped the obedience thing altogether. Abigail vowed to “love, honor, and submit to” Joe. These were the most biblical vows I have ever heard at a wedding. And it was clear from the expression on Abigail’s face and from the emotion dripping from her every word that Abigail was serious about her vows. It was clear that both of them have every intention of fulfilling these vows completely before each other, before the congregation, and before the Lord.

Eric Graves prays for the couple

In another departure from the standard American wedding, Abigail’s brother-in-law, Eric Graves, stepped up to the couple and prayed for God’s blessing on this marriage and for God’s guidance for Joe and Abigail as they set off together as a new family that God has joined for his service. It was a touching, motivating, and God-honoring blessing.

In fact, after the wedding my wife and I discussed the fact that this wedding provided tremendous motivation and conviction to those of us who have been married for many years. It reminded us of our own vows before God and the congregation. It reminded us of God’s purpose for marriage—the symbolic parallel of Christ and his bride, the Church. It is an awesome responsibility and this wedding had a tremendous sense of the gravity of this event and the commitments each of us make in a Christian wedding.

Singing “In Christ Alone”

Joe and Abigail wanted to focus the attention of the congregation on the fact that everything we do must draw the attention of the watching world to Jesus Christ. In order to do this, the couple asked that all of those gathered there to witness the wedding join the wedding party in singing the hymn “In Christ Alone.” The congregants sang a rousing rendition that brought tears to the eyes of many of those in attendance. This song proclaims Christ’s death and resurrection to save his people from their sins and the final verse makes a strong statement reminiscent of Martin Luther with these words:

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from his hand
Till he returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand

Just after “the kiss”

I mentioned that this wedding was beautiful as well as God-honoring. Romance, love, and tenderness exuded from Joe and Abigail. Their actions toward each other, the way they caressed each other, even their way of interacting with others throughout the day demonstrated a tremendous strong and tender love that made this wedding the epitome of what a Christian wedding should be.

“Husband and Wife

When Pastor McKinley pronounced Joe and Abigail “husband and wife” the look on their faces told the entire story. I saw extreme happiness based on the fact that they understand that God is the creator of marriage and so following his design for this wonderful institution is laying the foundation for a lifetime marriage that will show Christ to the watching neighbors. As a congregation, we were honored to be included in the charge that each of us has to provide the proper prayer support, guidance, and accountability that contribute to a healthy family and a healthy Christian community. Although covenants are disregarded in our society today, it was clear that this was a covenant that each of those gathered there were entering into for the sake of the couple and for the sake of Almighty God.

Lindsay, Lisa, and Melissa—the OFRBC bridesmaids

After the wedding we were able to see some of the many people who had come to witness Joe and Abigail’s ceremony. Pictured here are a few of the dignitaries. Among the three bridesmaids, Melissa is getting ready for her own wedding coming up at the end of this year.

Peg & Dave Hunt and Pastor Jack & Deb Graham

Many other OFRBC members attended the wedding, including Dave and Peg Hunt who opened their home to Abigail for a time while she was attending Liberty University. The Hunts are standing with Jack Graham and his wife Deb. Jack Graham is senior pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, Joe’s home church and the church where Joe’s father serves as an associate pastor.

After the wedding ceremony, we all headed to another venue for the reception. It was held at the beautiful Ensor Keenan House, an old Southern home. The rooms had been decorated with myriad photos of Joe, Abigail and their families and friends. Because of the photos, it seemed that we were gathering at Joe and Abigail’s home. The catering, the venue, the grounds, and the fellowship could not have been more pleasant. And God provided a beautiful Southern day with a temperature in the high 60s or low 70s, a sunny sky, and low humidity, for which I am sure those dressed in wedding attire were very thankful.

The reception venue

The large front porch of this Southern house had a hanging swing that received much use from many of those gathered there. Again, the location was every bit as romantic as the wedding itself.

At the reception, Joe and Abigail danced their first dance (quite well), mingled with and thanked those who had come to their wedding, cut their cake, threw the bouquet and…. I really should mention the fact that the garter toss began with the discovery that the garter was actually around Joe’s arm underneath his tuxedo jacket.

Bride & groom enjoying the porch swing

Abigail’s father gave a hilarious speech before the traditional bouquet toss. He encouraged family propogation by Joe and Abigail by mentioning that he expects grandchildren to be on the way soon. He also explained that one of the reasons for the traditional bouquet toss is the simple pleasure of annoying the feminists. He was very funny and showed obvious love for his daughter and for his new son-in-law.

David Gelina kisses the bride

My son was surprised to find out that the men actually get the opportunity at weddings to kiss the bride. He adores Miss Abigail and looked forward to this kiss from the moment that we received the invitation to the wedding. But Joe and Abigail did not have the traditional wedding receiving line, so it might have slipped by had Peg Hunt not informed Abigail of David’s desire to kiss her. Joe obligingly allowed my son to have the thrill of his life.

As Joe and Abigail look forward to their future together and to the plans that God already has in store for them, may each of us commit to praying for this couple. Their wedding was a reminder that God is not through with this world yet. There are others out there who are slated to become worshipers of God in spirit and in truth. And Joe and Abigail are now embarking on their task of finding those people together. May God make them fruitful!

Genesis 1:28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply;

Genesis 1:31 Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good.