We are in our second week of the Easter season. And this is as good a time as any to remind us of the Gospel - Christ is Risen.

The Gospel is not just that God exists.

The Gospel is not just that God loves us.

The Gospel is not just that our sins are forgiven.

The Gospel is not just that Jesus saves us from Hell.  

Yes… all these things are what we proclaim to the world; and teach. But there is something that comes even before all these teachings. And that something is this - Christ is Risen. Everything hinges on this one thing - did Jesus conquer the grave? Was Jesus raised from the dead? Was his life affirmed as the indestructible life? This is why Paul would say - if Jesus is not raised, then our entire ministry and existence is in vain.

“And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:14 ESV)

We are often focused on the benefits that Christ gives to us. He loves us. He gives us peace. He forgives us of our sins. He helps us in our time of need. And let’s be quite clear - He does all these things for us. But before we can speak about the ‘benefits of Christ’ or the blessings of Christ that are accrued to us through Christ - we must be clear about the Gospel. And the Gospel is no more or less, centered on the Person of Jesus - as the Risen One.

Listen to how Paul speaks about the Gospel in 1 Corinthians 15.

“Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.”

(1 Corinthians 15:1–8 ESV)

He appeared… He appeared… He appeared…

He is alive. He is risen. And if He is Risen and Alive, then He is also Present to us. And this is the KEY point. He is present to us. He has promised never to leave us nor forsake us…

This is why it is vital for us to seek His Presence. It is so common for Christians to REDUCE the Gospel to the Benefits that Christ gives to us. We make it all about us. All about what we need or what we want. We make God in our own image. It is not that God doesn’t want to bless us… but that we need to learn to put Him first.

As we step out of LENT, and into the EASTER season, let’s do all it takes to learn to be in His Presence. Christ is Risen; and we are invited to be raised with Him. Seek the things that are above! In all things, make Him your Centre.