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Our Death: Life In Christ
Brian Mashburn
April 16, 2006
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The Full Message
"Go, stand in the temple courts and tell the people the full message of this new life." - Acts 5:20
These Jesus followers had just been busted out of jail when an angel brought them out and instructed them with these words.
Just the thought of telling the "full message" of this new life that they had (and that we have) in Jesus stops me in my tracks. Where would I begin? Where would I end?
It would be like telling a cancer victim, whose doctors can't explain why they suddenly can't find a trace of cancer in their body, to tell the "full message" of what that means to them.
It would be like telling a parent whose child's life was heroically saved to tell the "full message" of their gratitude.
Maybe even more accurately, imagine the man who carelessly and accidentally shot a hunting buddy's young son. When the boy's life was in the balance, he died a thousand deaths replaying the incident in his head, knowing that his folly caused such tragedy, wondering if his friend could ever forgive him, praying non-stop that this would not end in death. Ask this man to tell the "full message" of his new life after the doctor comes out and informs him that "the boy will be perfectly fine," followed by the dad coming out with a loving, forgiving embrace.
The "full message" of this new life we have because of Christ's resurrection will never be fully told by any human being's lips. It is far too great.
"At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people." - Acts 5:21
I too have been busted out of jail. And I will spend the rest of my days learning and telling people the full message of this new life. And like the apostles...I'll probably just begin.