Perceptions #200207

"Why It's Important to Focus on the Resurrection"

by Norman Bales

About twenty-five years ago, I chose to address the subject of the resurrection on Easter Sunday. During the course of my remarks, I said something along these lines, "If we don't believe in the resurrection, we don't really have faith." I wasn't sure how the congregation would respond to the sermon. I probably thought some people would say, "That was a good sermon." Some people said that or something like it. I figured there would be some who would prefer that I address another subject on Easter Sunday because they didn't want to be like the people around us. But there was one reaction I most certainly did not expect.

A teacher from a secular college was in attendance that day. Her roots ran deep in the church. She knew the names of many well-known preachers and a lot about Restoration Movement history. Most people would say she had learned her faith from sound teachers, but she apparently drank from some other streams as well. I was in total shock when she said to me, "I don't think it makes any difference whether you believe in the literal resurrection of Jesus or not."

I learned a valuable lesson that day. We cannot assume that people understand the importance of the resurrection just because they have grown up in the church. We cannot leave the teaching of the resurrection to others. If we just sort of "let it go," we may well reap a harvest of unbelief. Why is it important to believe in the resurrection? Pay attention to the words of Paul. "... if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless, and so is your faith" (1 Corinthians. 15:14).

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