He is Risen indeed!!!

22 Apr He is Risen indeed!!!

Happy Easter  y’all!

Yep…it’s not a day…it’s a lifestyle! Don’t let the public holidays this week lull you into thinking that all the excitement is over…Jesus is still risen & ruling & IS for all eternity.

My Southern black church colleagues used to preach about “the great gettin’ up morning” when Christ’s resurrection would be completed in us…and we too would experience our own Easter “gettin’ up.” I thought about that this week when I read: “Our bodies were made for the Lord, and the Lord cares about our bodies. And God will raise us from the dead by his power, just as he raised our Lord from the dead.” – 1 Corinthians 6:13b-14

Think about that! Jesus’ work in you isn’t finished until he raises you to life with him forever. Won’t that be a great morning!?!!?

Until then we’ve got work to do making sure everyone we know knows Jesus intends that for them too. The only question…who doesn’t know yet? Oh…and…When are you going to tell them? Ok, that’s two questions. But you get the point. He’s still crafting your heart into his likeness. Don’t get frustrated or weary…just keep giving Jesus the time every day he needs to work in you & then continue to be obedient to the work he gives you to do in his name.

In the meantime…a New worship & teaching series kicks off this Sunday, the 27^th of April. Identity Check

• 100 points of ID…positive proof of identity. It matters that the picture matches the reality. As followers of the risen Jesus, our lives are to match the new reality of death’s defeat and Christ’s victory in us. Does yours? Are you who you say you are? Could you be identified as a follower of Jesus? Do your daily choices show that his way is your way? Join us as we learn to follow Jesus, led by the Spirit into his likeness, so that the world around us can experience his new life for itself.

This one’s going to challenge you & offer real insight for those who do not yet trust Jesus for their “gettin’ up.” Back in the day, the question used to be, “If you were arrested for being a follower of Jesus, would there be enough evidence to convict you? What would you offer as evidence of your ‘guilt’?” Every week we’ll examine a different place in our hearts where Jesus seeks to transform our likeness to the old Adam into a likeness to the risen Jesus Christ. We’ll ask some hard questions & offer some powerful assurance & sustaining hope in response. You need to be here every week & invite those who are not yet convinced of the claims of Jesus…go on…they’ll thank you for it.

Speaking of “Thank you”…BIG BIG THANKS to everyone who pitched in to help out over Holy Week. I say it not nearly often enough…we can’t be the fellowship of disciples we’re called to be if only a few put their hands up when workload gets heavy. So when a week filled with worship confronts us, what a joy to see so many engaged hearts & hands! Thank you!

See y’all Sunday! I’m looking forward to seeing the building full to capacity like it was this week…you know what that means…? Of course you do!

Peace

John