Apr 30: Insight Post by Rusty Coram

  -   April 30, 2025

Hope in the Midst of Doubt: When the women arrived at the empty tomb, they were initially confused and afraid. However, the angels reminded them of Jesus’ promise to rise again. This teaches us that in times of doubt or fear, we can hold onto the hope of Christ’s promises.

Wednesday Verse

Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Hebrews 10:23 (NLT)

Wednesday Questions

When I face uncertainty or doubt, how can I cling to the hope that Jesus’ resurrection brings? How can I trust in God’s promises during difficult times?

Wednesday Insight Post
by Rusty Coram

Recently, New Hope marked our 33rd anniversary, but since we started our church on an Easter Sunday, we generally have not focused much attention on it. Jesus’ resurrection is the most significant event in human history. When Jesus rose, it was proof positive that He was God and that He had accomplished providing forgiveness of sin for all who would accept Him as their savior and leader. This is the bedrock foundation of our faith, that God came to rescue us, took the penalty for our sin, and offers us a new life.

“But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, ⁵ that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)”  Ephesians 2:4–5 (NLT)

I hope you will join me in keeping this truth in mind so that we never take for granted the enormous gift this new life we have is!

Many respect Jesus as a teacher and social activist, but will not accept the resurrection or His identity as God. To them, the miracles and supernatural occurrences in the Bible are evidence of uneducated, hopeful thinking, or myths. I once was in this camp and understand it. It is easy to land here if you don’t spend much time examining the facts. But when you look closely at the evidence – eyewitnesses of impeccable character, hundreds of people seeing Him at the same time (1 Corinthians 15:6) and the movement that started and has continued to change lives, it is hard to explain otherwise.

Jesus lived an admirable life in many ways, but the one thing that stands out above all is that He willingly sacrificed His life to give us the chance to be forgiven and adopted into His family. Any thoughts about Him that leave this out just aren’t adequate.

Speaking boldly to the very crowd that earlier supported crucifying Jesus, Peter says:

“God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this.³⁶ “So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!” ³⁷ Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” ³⁸ Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:32, 36-38 (NLT)

God is so good!

Rusty Coram
Senior Pastor

New Hope Church
Lorton, Virginia
www.newhope.org