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Easter Has Come And Gone – Now What

Posted on May 8, 2019 in Devotions, General |

Easter Sunday has come and gone…Now what? If the resurrection is merely something we confess, celebrate, and sing about on Easter Sunday, but don’t live out each and every day, then everything we did at church on Easter was a complete waste of time. I believe in the resurrection because I believe I have encountered the resurrected Christ in my own life. None of us walking the Earth today was there the day Jesus walked out of the tomb. We didn’t get to stand beside Thomas and put our fingers through the nail marks in Jesus’ hands. We all missed out on that wonderful post-Easter breakfast with Jesus and the disciples on the seashore. And, of course, neither science nor archaeology will ever confirm the reality of the resurrection. So, the only “proof” we have that what we say happened actually happened is the way we live in this post-resurrection world. That is to say, the only way we can claim that the resurrection really happened is if it is still really happening in and through us. Do we live like the kingdom of God really is dawning? Are our lives marked by the love, grace, forgiveness, mercy and compassion of the resurrection? When people see us do they see the resurrected Christ living through us? Because if they don’t, if our lives bear no marks of the resurrection, then there is no proof that the resurrection ever happened. Or worse, if our lives bear no marks of the resurrection, then we deny the resurrection with our lives. In other words, if we don’t live out the resurrected life, then every song we sang was a waste of breath. Every cry of hallelujah was hollow. Every sermon just empty words. And every minute we spent in church celebrating was a waste of time. But if we really believe that Easter was a day worth celebrating. If we really believe in a world being made new. If we really believe in a resurrected Jesus, Then we must live like we believe! We must live like the tomb really is empty! We must live like Jesus really is alive! And we must live like the world really is being made new! Otherwise, Easter Sunday is just an excuse to get dressed up and buy lots of candy. Now bring on Spring and lets continue to celebrate a risen Savior! He’ll still be alive tomorrow!

Pastor Ray

Easter Everyday

Posted on Apr 9, 2019 in General |

Easter Everyday

The month of April reminds us that Easter is more than just one day. Easter is an “every Sunday” celebration during which we come together to recognize and receive the gift of the cross and resurrection of Jesus—the forgiveness of sins and an eternity with God in Heaven. Easter is also an “every day” celebration in which we live each day trusting in God through Christ, knowing that Jesus is “the resurrection and the life” (Jn 11:25) for us.

So, what do we do now as we go forth from the empty tomb? Let us follow the example of the first witnesses of the empty tomb. After the two angels reminded Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women that Jesus had risen, Luke tells us that “they remembered the words, and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest” (Lk 24:8-9). They went forth from the tomb changed by the resurrection of Jesus. They went forth from the tomb to bring an “every day” witness of God’s power over Sin, death, Hell, and Satan himself. So where do we go once, we leave the empty tomb? Let us follow the example of Jesus’ first disciples. After Jesus walked through locked doors to appear to the eleven disciples and to show himself to Thomas, seven of the eleven disciples went back to their fishing business (Jn 21:1-14). They went back to their vocations or stations in life and took the witness of the resurrection with them. They lived in the joy of the resurrection of Jesus while carrying out the daily, ordinary labor and responsibilities given to them. Like the women at the empty tomb and the eleven disciples, we are “every day” witnesses and participants in the resurrection of Jesus. We believe and are baptized. We have the hope of eternal life. We have the joy of the resurrection living inside of us. Also, like the women at the empty tomb and the eleven disciples, we have vocations or responsibilities in life that God has given to us as gifts. Most of us are not fishermen, but all of us have one or more of these callings: father, husband, mother, wife, son, daughter, brother, sister, grandparent, employee, retiree, friend, and neighbor. Each of these callings comes with a set of duties and responsibilities. As Christians, by God’s grace we wrap the daily duties and responsibilities of our vocations in the joy, love, peace, and forgiveness of Christ. And, more than likely, others will take notice and God will bless your faithful work by giving you opportunities to “tell all these things to all the rest” (Lk 24:9). Enjoy Easter!!! Resurrection Sunday gives us the hope of eternal life. Don’t wait for one Sunday in April to celebrate but live a life of celebration because Jesus is alive for evermore.

In Jesus Name, We Press On:

Pastor Ray