It is Easter Week! Yesterday in worship we answered question two of three in our series 'III.' 'My God why have you forsaken me?' Our sin demanded the sacrifice of God's Son, Jesus. Jesus paid our debt in full and now we are called into His life. Yesterday, was a beautiful celebration of grace as we came to the cross, came to the table and celebrated the abundant life we have in Christ. I love worshiping God! I really love worshiping God at Emmanuel! I love that we get to laugh, sing, cry, pray, grow, live life, and just enjoy God together! He moves in powerful ways here all the time...I'm still singing "You're worthy. You're worthy. You're worthy. You're worthy to be praised forever and a day!"
This week students are on spring break (as I came into church this morning I was greeted by a ton of students who were here all night sleeping outside in cardboard boxes for Interrupted) and many of you will take some time out to relax. Some of you will keep working like every other week. This week we want to take time as a church and be intentional about remembering. Let's remember who God is...what He has done...His incredible love...His indescribable mercy...His unshakable power...the beautiful cross...the empty tomb...let's remember.
At the close of worship yesterday we challenged everyone to take time to remember the Easter story...the story that changes our lives, not just one day a year, but every day of the year! Parents read the story with your kids. Explain to them why Jesus had to die...and why He was willing to do it. Teach your families the Gospel. Let's be reminded just how good He is! Below is a list of daily readings that will take you from the Triumphal Entry, to the cross, to the the empty tomb. Read these, talk about them, and come ready Easter Sunday to celebrate our Risen King
Monday Mark 11:1-25
Tuesday Mark 11:27-33, 12:28-54
Wednesday Mark 14:1-26
Thursday Mark 14:27-72
Friday Mark 15:1-41
Saturday Mark 15:1-47
Sunday Mark 16:1-16
The empty grave is singing out its shouting out...He is alive! He is alive! And we are free!
Monday, March 29, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Can we just take a moment and celebrate some big wins going on right now in the life of our church....?
Last Sunday, 9 people let the world know that they are on the journey of faith and are committed followers of Christ as they plunged the baptismal waters. The old person is dead, now alive in Christ.
We saw such a beautiful picture of how God's love works, as the Stapp family stood before the church and dedicated their newly adopted (and so ridiculously cute) daughter, Eliana. If you weren't there, get Joe to tell you the story. I think the whole church was in tears. God's grace is so stunning!
Life change is happening. We have gotten some amazing stories back of how God is changing people's lives. One story in particular someone shared was how coming to EBC was the first time they had ever truly understood God's love and the truth of the Gospel. How cool is that?
I had the chance to walk around the campus last night and snap some pictures of ministry in action. It was a beautiful thing. I saw some preschoolers super-engaged in learning Bible stories. I aw our elementary Puggles praying together. Our students were being taught Christian worldview and the truth of God's Word. A group of men gathered together for accountability, fellowship, and time in the Word. Small groups off campus....and tons of volunteers here on campus seeing that it all gets done. What a beautiful picture of the Body of Christ at work.
We finished up our series Great Expectations with a band. Here are the truths we are walking away with...let's live them out. Our faith isn't something we talk about. It is something we live. Faith it!
Learn to Trust - God turns fear into Faith
Look up to Worship - God turns Pride into Worship
Love God more - God turns Lust into Love
Leave history where it belongs - God transforms guilt with truth
Let go, because Jesus did - God turns unforgiveness into grace-full forgiveness
Learn to wait - God turns our impatience into trust, trust in His perfect timing and perfect plan.
Let's walk in these truths, living by faith, and showing that our God truly is greater!
In grace and for glory...
Last Sunday, 9 people let the world know that they are on the journey of faith and are committed followers of Christ as they plunged the baptismal waters. The old person is dead, now alive in Christ.
We saw such a beautiful picture of how God's love works, as the Stapp family stood before the church and dedicated their newly adopted (and so ridiculously cute) daughter, Eliana. If you weren't there, get Joe to tell you the story. I think the whole church was in tears. God's grace is so stunning!
Life change is happening. We have gotten some amazing stories back of how God is changing people's lives. One story in particular someone shared was how coming to EBC was the first time they had ever truly understood God's love and the truth of the Gospel. How cool is that?
I had the chance to walk around the campus last night and snap some pictures of ministry in action. It was a beautiful thing. I saw some preschoolers super-engaged in learning Bible stories. I aw our elementary Puggles praying together. Our students were being taught Christian worldview and the truth of God's Word. A group of men gathered together for accountability, fellowship, and time in the Word. Small groups off campus....and tons of volunteers here on campus seeing that it all gets done. What a beautiful picture of the Body of Christ at work.
We finished up our series Great Expectations with a band. Here are the truths we are walking away with...let's live them out. Our faith isn't something we talk about. It is something we live. Faith it!
Learn to Trust - God turns fear into Faith
Look up to Worship - God turns Pride into Worship
Love God more - God turns Lust into Love
Leave history where it belongs - God transforms guilt with truth
Let go, because Jesus did - God turns unforgiveness into grace-full forgiveness
Learn to wait - God turns our impatience into trust, trust in His perfect timing and perfect plan.
Let's walk in these truths, living by faith, and showing that our God truly is greater!
In grace and for glory...
Monday, March 01, 2010
I am not sure who said the following, but it is an awesome statement. 'The cross is the great equalizer of all men.' I'm not sure if that is a direct quote or a paraphrase. I just know I've heard it, and I can't take credit for it. But man, is it ever true. No matter age, stage, economic status, race, nationality, intelligence...we are all on equal ground at the cross.
This Sunday was challenging. I know it was hard for many. I think it is sometimes easier to understand the truth of our forgiveness of sin in Christ than it is to forgive others. There were some great moments in worship yesterday that I think we need to remember as we journey on the road of forgiveness and being conformed to the image of our Savior:
- How we can look at the cross and see our Savior and His blood shed for our sin, and then turn and look at our neighbor, friend, or enemy with any kind of bitterness or unforgiveness?
- We never quite as much like Christ as when we forgive.
- Our forgiveness of others does not condone their actions, rather it releases us to the life God is calling us to.
- Our command to forgive is not contingent upon someone else's apology or change of behavior.
- Bitterness only gives the illusion of control. We think we are making people 'pay' for what they have done by harboring bitterness. Truthfully, we are only making ourselves pay by forfeiting the peace God gives and failing to forgive for His glory.
- It glorifies God when we forgive. Our forgiveness toward others is an act of worship and demonstrates that we truly comprehend the message of the Gospel. We can't forgive others unless we understand that we are forgiven in Christ.
Lyrics to one of the songs we sang: "I can forgive as I've been forgiven/show the mercy that is shown me/not just for my sake/but for Your glory/sets me free/now I'm free.
Our memory verses this week: Colossians 3:12-13
Therefore as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
We have been shown incredibly mercy. Mercy and grace that we didn't deserve. Let's not delay in showing others this same mercy and grace. It could be the thing that God uses to bring them to Himself.
This Sunday was challenging. I know it was hard for many. I think it is sometimes easier to understand the truth of our forgiveness of sin in Christ than it is to forgive others. There were some great moments in worship yesterday that I think we need to remember as we journey on the road of forgiveness and being conformed to the image of our Savior:
- How we can look at the cross and see our Savior and His blood shed for our sin, and then turn and look at our neighbor, friend, or enemy with any kind of bitterness or unforgiveness?
- We never quite as much like Christ as when we forgive.
- Our forgiveness of others does not condone their actions, rather it releases us to the life God is calling us to.
- Our command to forgive is not contingent upon someone else's apology or change of behavior.
- Bitterness only gives the illusion of control. We think we are making people 'pay' for what they have done by harboring bitterness. Truthfully, we are only making ourselves pay by forfeiting the peace God gives and failing to forgive for His glory.
- It glorifies God when we forgive. Our forgiveness toward others is an act of worship and demonstrates that we truly comprehend the message of the Gospel. We can't forgive others unless we understand that we are forgiven in Christ.
Lyrics to one of the songs we sang: "I can forgive as I've been forgiven/show the mercy that is shown me/not just for my sake/but for Your glory/sets me free/now I'm free.
Our memory verses this week: Colossians 3:12-13
Therefore as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
We have been shown incredibly mercy. Mercy and grace that we didn't deserve. Let's not delay in showing others this same mercy and grace. It could be the thing that God uses to bring them to Himself.
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