April Tie Column

From the Pastor’s Desk

"Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask." Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." Martha answered, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:21-26)

On April 4th we will celebrate Easter. Chocolate Easter Bunnies, Easter eggs, and colorful Easter baskets will lift our spirits. Family and friends will gather for a festive meal. And we will wear our finest clothes to church. Easter is a wonderful time especially since it falls in the spring with the blooming of flowers and the time of planting on our farms.

But the most important thing about Easter is not the chocolate candy and colored eggs. The most important thing about Easter is the question Jesus asks, “Do you believe?” Do you believe in Jesus? This is the central question at Easter. The good news of Easter is that if you truly believe in Jesus you will live forever. So there is a lot at stake this Easter: the blessing of eternal life.

In order to believe in Jesus we must have evidence. We have to see the documents and hear from the witnesses. That is what we do at church on Sunday mornings. We look at the documents and hear from the witnesses as recorded for us in the Bible. As we do this the Holy Spirit acts upon to bring us the gift of belief and with it the promise of eternal life.

So I urge you to come to church this Easter. We will be gathering at Cypress Park at 6:30 AM, Beaver Dam at 9:30 and Pitts Creek at 11:00. Bring your friends and families. Listen as the evidence for Jesus is presented. Experience for yourself the power of the Holy Spirit. And come to belief in Jesus Christ which leads to life eternal.

Blessings,

Pastor Jeff Howard