334 SE Tecumseh Road  P.O. Box 5  Tecumseh, Kansas 66542  (785) 379-5005  Fax - (785) 379-5061

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[Un]Fit to be called an ApostIe 1 Corinthians 15:1-11  It impresses me when I see or hear of persons so committed to the practice of their faith that they pray five times each day. It impresses me that persons have such discipline, and such commitment to their God. It impresses me to know of persons who, year after year, faithfully and diligently observe the rites and rituals of the Passover. I admit to experiencing feelings of envy, because I fall short of that discipline, that commitment, and I want to do more and to do better. I want to be a fit apostle.  Writing to his good friends in Corinth, Paul makes this confession: …I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. (15:9) If Paul is the least of them, and if Paul is unfit to be called an apostle, where does that put you and me? I’d rather not have to answer that question, to be candid with you. However, Paul continues: But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me has not been in vain.” (15:10)  This is the day of Resurrection. Christ has risen! Christ has risen, indeed. Together, we celebrate that which is at the very core of our faith, that which is the very essence of who we are as the resurrection people. We are not among the people to whom the resurrected Christ appeared in person, but most assuredly we are among the people for whom Christ was resurrected. You, and me, who along with Paul fall short of what we can be. You, and me, who along with Paul are oft unfit to be called apostles, or disciples. You, and me, who oft lack the discipline and the commitment we are asked to make.  We are the resurrection people only by virtue of the grace of God.  Paul says that he “worked harder than any of [the apostles]”, but even so, it was only the grace of God that enabled him to do so. We are the people who live the resurrection. It is up to us to commit ourselves as fully as we are able, and to be those disciples spreading the news that Christ died for us, and was raised from the dead for us! Glory to God. Let us soar now where Christ has led, fully equipped and fit to be Christ’s apostles! AMEN.  - Pastor Piet - Easter Sunday, April 16, 2006