You probably do not remember the name Nikolai Ivanovich Bukharin. During his
day he was as powerful a man as there was on earth. A Russian Communist
leader he took part in the Bolshevik Revolution 1917, was editor of the
Soviet newspaper Pravda (which by the way means truth), and was a full
member of the Politburo. His works on economics and political science are
still read today. There is a story told about a journey he took from Moscow
to Kiev in 1930 to address a huge assembly on the subject of atheism.
Addressing the crowd he aimed his heavy artillery at Christianity hurling
insult, argument, and proof against it.
An hour later he was finished. He looked out at what seemed to be the
smoldering ashes of men's faith. "Are there any questions?" Bukharin
demanded. Deafening silence filled the auditorium but then one man
approached the platform and mounted the lectern standing near the communist
leader. He surveyed the crowd first to the left then to the right. Finally
he shouted the ancient greeting known well in the Russian Orthodox Church:
"CHRIST IS RISEN!" En masse the crowd arose as one man and the response came
crashing like the sound of thunder: "HE IS RISEN INDEED!"
I say to you this morning: CHRIST IS RISEN! (congregational response should
be: HE IS RISEN INDEED!). I am convinced! I have faith that Christ was dead
and he was buried. That I believe. But, this too I accept as true: He rose
from the dead and will come again in glory.
This is Easter. And to stand here on this day in this pulpit and proclaim
this word. . . I cannot begin to tell you how this defines all that I am.
But, you will say to me, how do you know that the resurrection is real?
How do you know that it is really valid?
1. I believe because somebody told me about the resurrection.
2. I believe because the resurrection has stood the test of time.
3. I believe in the resurrection because I have experienced it.
The
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