Conference 2026 July 1st-6th

Laurelville Church Center

Mount Pleasant, PA

Register for Conference, Children’s Conference, or YCON and make your reservations for lodging, and meals.

"Jesus and the CGBCI"

PASTOR IKE GRAHAM

The Resurrection

Luke 24:13-53

Jesus is alive! He was actually dead. Even the American Scientific Journal admits this. We have numerous written records. We have more written records of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection than we do for other historical events taught in our schools! The tomb was empty. Can I add to that? It’s still empty! Moreover, there were many eyewitnesses. First Corinthians 15:6 says that there were over 500 eyewitnesses. Jesus is alive! However, there are still people today, even Christians who have doubts and lack devotion to the living Lord Jesus Christ. They are like the 2 men who met the risen Christ on the road to Emmaus. So, for this upcoming Resurrection Sunday, take a long, hard look at Luke 24:13-53.

In this passage, the Lord Jesus Himself does not make Himself known to Cleopas and the other man until He has spent a lengthy period of time explaining the Old Testament to them. Now, for us, the question is “Why?” Why go to such extremes when all you have to do is show them that you are resurrected? It is because Jesus knows that a vibrant, dynamic faith does not rest on what we see, but on the word of God (2 Cor. 5:7). So, He takes them through the entire Old Testament to explain to them, “…the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures” (Luke 24:27). After all, if Jesus had said, “Men, look! It’s Me! They would have been overjoyed! They would have said, “Wow, praise God!” Then, if Jesus had explained to them from the Old Testament, they would have said, “Uh huh. I see. I get it.” There would not have been much reflection on the truth of the written word because they would have simply received it. By taking this approach, Jesus grounds them thoroughly in the word of God. He opens their minds to understand (v. 32) and in the process creates in them strong motivation to believe the Bible and to hunger for its truth. That’s what God wants for all of us. This is why there are so many statements about the need for “sound doctrine;” or “healthy teaching” or “healthy words.” These are words which give health and spiritual strength. Think about this. Reflect on this. Were they believers? Yes. Then what was their problem? They were confused about the meaning of the Old Testament and Jesus. Brethren, this is why we have Bible classes. This is why we have a school of theology. Wrong beliefs lead to wrong living. Be sure that you have a good, correct understanding of the Bible. Then, you will be able to “sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame” (1 Peter 3:15-16).

Join us in July of this year to participate in the instructions which we have received from Jesus Himself.

We meet for His glory and for the good of His people. Lord willing, see you there!