Easter 2024: His Resurrection, Our Redemption
By Senior Pastor Dr. Bill Rains | March 31, 2024
Open your Bibles to Romans 10:1-13 for our Easter message, “His Resurrection, Our Redemption.” Let’s pray: Father, thank You for Christ’s resurrection, Your love that sent Your Son, and this great host here and online. Bless our hymns, choir, Emma’s baptism, and save souls today, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
In Romans 10, Paul yearns for Israel’s salvation, noting their zeal lacks knowledge, relying on self-righteousness instead of God’s. He declares Christ ends the law for righteousness to all who believe, offering salvation through faith and confession: “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (v. 9). On Easter 2024, Pastor Rains ties this to Christ’s resurrection—our redemption’s cornerstone—revealing four truths: a wrong perception, a divine plan, a prayer that works, and a profession that inspires.
A Perception That Is Wrong
“They have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge” (v. 2). Paul desires Israel’s salvation, but their perception is flawed—ignorant of God’s righteousness, they chase their own. Pastor Rains likens this to driving without a license: you can know the rules, but without the credential—faith in Christ—you’re lost. We all crave acceptance with God, yet human efforts fall short. Recalling Paul’s conversion in Acts 9, he urges believers to desire others’ salvation and recognize that self-righteousness fails. Salvation lies beyond our grasp, fully in God’s hands.
A Plan for the Salvation of Souls
“Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth” (v. 4). God’s plan, not ours, redeems us. Pastor Rains asks: if we could save ourselves, why did Jesus endure the cross—beaten, nailed, pierced, bearing our sins into hell? Quoting John 3:16, he stresses God’s love made salvation possible through Christ’s death and resurrection. The Old Testament’s works couldn’t save; now, faith in Jesus offers righteousness. Submission is tough, but laying aside self-righteousness for God’s is the only way.
A Prayer That Works
“If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart… thou shalt be saved” (v. 9). Useless prayers—like climbing a holy mountain within—fail. The prayer that works is simple: faith from the heart, confessed with the mouth. Pastor Rains shares his father’s saying, “You can’t put the shuck on God,” emphasizing sincerity. Recalling his wedding vows to Fay, he illustrates: just as he publicly said “yes” to her, we must say “yes” to Jesus. This heartfelt confession brings peace, securing eternal life.
A Profession That Inspires
“Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (v. 13). Confessing Christ inspires others. Pastor Rains recounts Emma’s baptism stirring hearts and his own salvation sparking Fay’s. When you say, “Yes, I trust the Risen Savior,” it’s powerful—Jew or Greek, all can call on Him. He invites you to pray: “God, I’m a sinner. I want to be saved. Forgive me, accept me, and I’ll confess You.” This profession not only saves but ignites faith in others.