The Story of the Kingdom of God: A People

God is always the same, but he is always moving, too. God started our redemption story by calling Abram and telling him to move. Will you join the movement of God?

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Easter Sunday Message: The Beginning

This Easter, to understand what the resurrection of Jesus really means, we went back to the beginning. We were created with an identity and a mission. These were marred by sin, but they are restored in Jesus.

The Story of the Kingdom of God, part 1: The Beginning

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Holy Week Prayer Guide: Resurrection Sunday

Easter Sunday: Alive

Scripture: Luke 24:1-12, 36-49

Key verse: Luke 24:5-6— “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!”

Why is Easter, specifically the resurrection of Jesus, so important to Christians? The church was born and grew on the news of an event: Jesus of Nazareth, great teacher, prophet, and worker of miracles, had been executed by the Romans at the request of the Jewish leaders. He died, but he rose to life again! Hundreds of people saw Jesus alive. Many were killed for their testimony. No one would deny what they had seen, nor would they stop spreading the news.

Many men exalted themselves during the Roman occupation of Judea, gathering a following as the long-awaited Messiah. Many of these messiahs died on crosses, but only Jesus rose from the dead. The resurrection proved that Jesus alone is the Messiah, or Christ. His claim to be the Son of God was blasphemy, unless it was true. And the resurrection proved God’s approval of his claims.

Only Jesus lived a sinless life, defeating Satan and every temptation of the flesh. Only Jesus died a completely innocent death, allowing him to bear sin for us. And only Jesus conquered death, so only Jesus has the power to deliver you from sin in this life, and from death into eternal life.

Only Jesus is great enough to command our worship. Only Jesus has the power to save. And only Jesus loves you enough to pass through hell so that you might never taste the sting of death. You are safe in his hands. Trust him. Love him in return. Worship him.

The Bible says Jesus gave his life so he could have a people who are his very own. This people is called the church. You love Jesus by loving his church. You experience his life by living where he lives, among his people. He invites you to be alive with him. 

Will you accept that invitation?

Prayer:

Jesus, thank you for giving your life for me.

I believe that you rose again and are alive today. Please fill me with your life.

My only hope is you, Lord Jesus. I trust you with my life today—past, present and future.

Seal me with your Holy Spirit so that I might live for you from this day on.

Thank you, Jesus. Amen.

Holy Week Prayer Guide: Saturday

Saturday: False Defeat

Scripture: Luke 23:44-56

Key verse: Luke 23:48—“When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away.”

A profound disciple of Jesus once said, “If you follow Jesus long enough, he’s going to disappoint you.” The ladies who followed him to his tomb found this statement to be true as they prepared his burial spices. You can imagine their feelings all day Saturday as they sat in confusion, grief, and fear. All that they had hoped for in Jesus seemed lost. They were indeed disappointed in Jesus, but only because they didn’t understand the whole story.

Has God ever disappointed you? Have you ever placed your hope in a prayer that went unanswered? Are you stuck in a life situation that seems hopeless while God seems silent? Remember in that time that, like the women who helped bury Jesus, you don’t know the ending to the story.

There’s a t-shirt that says: “Spoiler Alert: The Tomb Is Empty.” Today, we benefit from the knowledge that Jesus did not remain in the grave. Instead, he defeated death, rose to life, and surprised these women with a new hope that surpassed all their previous dreams of what could be.

We know this ending, and yet we still lose heart. But we can trust God today that the ending he has prepared for us is better even than our hopes. Will you choose to trust God with whatever you face today?

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank you that the tomb was not the end of Jesus’ story.

I believe that the troubles I face right now are not the end of my story, either.

I place my day and my life in your loving hands, trusting that you have good planned for me.

Thank you for the hope of the empty tomb, Father. Amen.

Holy Week Prayer Guide: Good Friday

Friday: Three Crosses

Scripture: Luke 23:13-46

Key verse: Luke 23:42—“Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”.”

Holy Week Prayer Guide: Thursday

Thursday: The Night Before

Scripture: Mark 14:22-42

Key verse: Mark 14:38— “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

Holy Week Prayer Guide: Wednesday

Wednesday: Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus

Scripture: Matthew 26:14-16, Luke 22:1-6

Key verse: Matthew 26:15— “[Judas] asked, ‘What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?’ So they counted out for him thirty silver coins.”