April 13, 2023

Dear Central Church,
 
Last week we gathered in worship and proclaimed good news: He is risen…He is risen, indeed! What a joy it is to be living in the light of Christ’s resurrection.
 
As we journey together in this season I would remind us that we cannot move forward as if nothing has changed. In our preaching time over the next two weeks, I want us to think about the resurrection appearances of Jesus. In one of those stories, we see a group of disciples that were willing to go back to the status quo: “I’m going fishing.”
 
Going back to the way things were before is not an option. Christ has been raised and this changes everything. In this season of Easter, let’s ask ourselves the question, “Now what?” We have the opportunity to walk with the resurrected Christ and his presence makes all the difference in our lives and in our ministry as a church.
 
Here are some questions I want us to think about this Easter season:
 

• Who do I know that needs to have a life-changing encounter with the resurrected Jesus?

• How do I need to arrange my weekly rhythms so that God can use me to be a conduit of his love for the world?

• Does my regular worship reflect the joy of knowing this resurrected Jesus?

• How does Christ’s victory over sin, death, hell, and the grave shape my perspective and engagement with culture?

• What area(s) of my life needs to die with Christ so that I might experience more deeply His resurrection power?

 
He is risen…what now, Central Church? Let’s start with this: Easter is the celebration of our salvation, but it is also our commissioning to tell the world this good news in all we say and do. What God has done IN us, he wants to do for others THROUGH us. See you Sunday! 
 
Until He’s Finished,
Pastor Mark