We need HOPE more than ever before. We long for a restoration of DREAMS. We crave a sense of PEACE and HEALING in our lives and in our world. The hopelessness and desolation of 2020 is not the end of our story. In fact, Easter teaches us that light breaks through the darkness. Easter teaches us that miracles are real!
ACT 1: DEATH
Here's a shocking statistic for you: Right now, where you live, the death rate is stuck at 100%. That's right. At some point or another, each of us will take our last breath. While we don't like to dwell on it, God's word is clear: "People are destined to die once, and after that to face judgement..." (Hebrews 9:27).
Death is actually where the Easter story begins. Jesus of Nazareth died at the age of 33 years old through one of the most excruciating deaths in history: Death on a Roman Cross. What would typically be the end of the story, at Easter, becomes the beginning. Easter marks a turning point. Easter is God's promise of new life. Resurrection life. A fresh start.
ACT 2: RESURRECTION
Not a lot of people know this, but the tomb where Jesus was buried wasn't located in a cemetery. It was actually in a garden. When you think of a garden, what comes to mind? Images of bright colored flowers and greenery springing forth with new life? Likewise, in God's greenhouse, death is just the beginning. At Easter, death becomes a doorway to new, resurrection life.
Since Jesus conquered death by the power of God, that means new life is possible for anyone who believes. Think about it like gardening: When you bury a seed in the ground, that's when it's new life begins. 1 Corinthians 15:42-43 says this:
"It is the same way with the resurrection of the dead. Our earthly bodies are planted in the ground when we die, but they will be raised to live forever. Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength."
You see, just as small seeds sprout up and bloom, our bodies will be raised in strength and glory through the power of Christ's resurrection. When you put your faith in Jesus' death and resurrection, you receive forgiveness of sins...the hope of Heaven...and the guarantee of a resurrection body: Whole and healed and glorified! Just like the grave couldn't contain Jesus, it can't contain you either. Dry, dead bones come to life at Easter. This is the RATTLE of Jesus' resurrection power!
ACT 3: AFTERMATH
Thanks to what Jesus did for us, resurrection is just the beginning. We have new lives to live in light of what Christ has done for us. Acts 1:8 tells us that the Holy Spirit is the empowering presence of Jesus. The Holy Spirit is alive and at work in us: Transforming us from the inside out! Truly, Jesus didn't return to Heaven and leave us to fend for ourselves. No, He gave us the gift of His Spirit!
So how do you receive the resurrection power that comes from God’s free gift of grace? You can’t earn it…and we don’t deserve it! Out of deep love, God offers salvation to us as a free gift-- and as a result, he puts His Holy Spirit in us to live for Him today.
As a church, we’d love to come alongside you on your journey of transformation to help you start walking with Jesus every day. If you want to put your trust in Jesus, text "Journey With Jesus" to 94090 and our Liquid Church staff will follow-up with you personally to walk alongside you and share resources to help you in your journey. Christ is ALIVE and there is no time like the present to live the resurrection life God has for you!
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Want more Easter content? Here are some additional Liquid Church resources: