God’s Stimulus Package
Wednesday, February 25th, 2009
Stim-u-lus (n) “something that rouses or incites to activity”
For the past month there has been non-stop discussion about an “economic stimulus package”. As you know it’s an attempt to stimulate or “rouse” economic activity. The economy is “flat lining” and the political “doctors” in Washington D.C. have their electric shockwave paddles on the patients chest trying to “stimulate” the economy to life.
The frightening thing about all this is no one knows if it will work. It’s as if nobody has even thought to read the manual to know how to use the “economic defibrillator”. I think of what Jesus said about the Pharisees in Matthew 15:14, “Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.”
Since the stimulus package is FRONT PAGE NEWS and will be for some time in the future, I wanted to use this headline topic and apply it to the coming Easter celebration. I want to talk about God’s Stimulus Package-the Death and Resurrection of Jesus.
Think with me for a moment. Jesus’ death and resurrection roused a defeated group of men, the Apostles, and “stimulated” them to live for Christ. Men who ran away from Jesus, hid in a home in Jerusalem became publicly active, speaking about Jesus, even if it meant persecution or death.
A resurrected Jesus changed Paul from a persecutor to an object of persecution. He changed a doubting Thomas into a doubtless Thomas. The resurrection changed a slave ship captain into the writer of “Amazing Grace” (John Newton). Changed a Hollywood actor into a bold speaker for Jesus (Stephen Baldwin).
The purpose of this series, which will last until Easter Sunday, is to stimulate many of us who are close to flat lining in our Christian life and incite us once again to be alive to Christ. To “fan into flame” (2 Timothy 1:6) this incredible new life in Jesus Christ. Lukewarm Christianity is where many of us find ourselves. We need to be “stimulated” back to life. God has signed, sealed, and delivered His stimulus package for mankind. Jesus Christ, crucified and raised from the dead.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” – 2 Cor. 5:17
Blessings,
Pastor Mike
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