God Specializes in Resurrections

Date Published: 04/05/2009

God specializes in resurrections. Through Moses, God brought the Hebrews out of seemingly hopeless slavery in Egypt. Under King David, God united a hopelessly divided Israel. With the teamwork of Ezra and Nehemiah, God returned Judah from hopeless exile in Babylon. Jesus returned to life Jairus’ daughter, the son of the widow of Nain, and even the four-day decayed Lazarus. When John the Baptizer’s disciples asked Jesus if he was “the one” or if they should look for another, one of the signs of the dawning of the Messianic age Jesus told them to report was that the dead are raised. (Matthew 11:4)

Easter Sunday we will celebrate the climax to which all of these resurrections point, the resurrection of Jesus. In that celebration we also affirm our hope of sharing in the ultimate resurrection to eternal life of all of God’s people of faith. (Philippians 3:10-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:14).

Central Christian Church has had at least two resurrections as a congregation. When the congregation was deeply in debt having just built the downtown facility, the financial panic of 1891 threatened the loss of the building and the existence of the congregation. Through the vision and determination of Pastor M.M. Davis, God brought Central Christian Church into a generation of global effectiveness from downtown Dallas. After World War II, Central Christian Church faded with the era of downtown churches. Through the vision of Ralph Shank and others and the pastoral leadership of E.C. Rowand Jr., God brought Central Christian Church to a generation of thriving in our current location. Now, in the 21st Century, in the midst of another economic crisis and dramatically changing culture, it is time to believe God for another resurrection for Central Christian Church. This Easter we watch for Jesus to show up and transform our daily routines into holy encounters.