. . . if Christ is not . . . if Christ is not risen, your faith is risen, your faith is

futile; you are still in futile; you are still in your sins! If in this life your sins! If in this life only we have hope in only we have hope in Christ, we are of all Christ, we are of all

men the most pitiable. men the most pitiable. But now Christ is risen But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has from the dead, and has become the firstfruits become the firstfruits

of those who have fallen of those who have fallen asleep. asleep.

1 Cor. 15:17,19,201 Cor. 15:17,19,20

Come, let us return to the Lord. Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces but he will He has torn us to pieces but he will

heal us; he has injured us but he heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. After two will bind up our wounds. After two days he will revive us; on the third days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may day he will restore us, that we may

live in his presencelive in his presence Hosea 6:1,2Hosea 6:1,2

“It is a bad world, an incredibly bad world. But I

have discovered in the midst of it a quiet and good people who have learned the great

secret of life. They have found a joy and wisdom which is a thousand times better than any of the pleasures of our

sinful life.

. . . They are despised and persecuted, but they care not.

They are masters of their souls. They have overcome the world. These people are

Christians. . . and I am one of them.”

Cyprian ~ 3rd Century, A.D.

Where do wars and fights Where do wars and fights come from among you? come from among you? Do they not come from Do they not come from

your desires for pleasure your desires for pleasure that war in your that war in your

members? You lust and members? You lust and do not have. You murder do not have. You murder

and covet and cannot and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. obtain. You fight and war.

James 4:1-3James 4:1-3

. . . if Christ is not . . . if Christ is not risen, your faith is risen, your faith is

futile; you are still in futile; you are still in your sins! If in this life your sins! If in this life only we have hope in only we have hope in Christ, we are of all Christ, we are of all

men the most pitiable. men the most pitiable. But now Christ is risen But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has from the dead, and has become the firstfruits become the firstfruits

of those who have fallen of those who have fallen asleep. asleep.

1 Cor. 15:17,19,201 Cor. 15:17,19,20