Thursday prior to Epiphany 6

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1 Corinthians 15:12-20 – St. Paul would argue “If there is no resurrection, we all remain dead.” If there is no resurrection, there is no accountability to God. This will affect our human values, for as Paul said, we can then say, “Eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die.” Yet in these passages Paul assures us of the indispensability as well as the factuality of the resurrection. It is the keystone in the arch of the Christian faith. Remove the keystone and everything galls. Yet, it is not possible to remove the keystone, because the resurrection is true as an historical fact of reality.

Paul would reminds us in Romans 8:11 “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit which dwells in you.”  The Spirit will raise you up just as Christ was raised. What does this mean?  The LORD seals your forgiveness. He gives you the hope of eternal life as He will change your body for life in heaven.[2]

Collect for purity – Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden, cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of Your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love You and worthily magnify Your holy name; through Jesus Christ our Lord.[3] – 10 February 2022

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[1] Schnorr Von Carolsfeld woodcuts “The Resurrection” copyright © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use

[2] Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series C, John Brokhoff © 1979 CSS Publishing, Lima, OH

[3] Collect for purity, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis