As usual there has been something of a fuss made of an organisation taking the word Easter off their eggs. I have to say something like that just doesn't bother me. The sooner we wake up and realise that we live in a post Christian culture the better. Christianity is an increasingly small part of our nations thinking, it plays little part in moulding national policies and laws or in people's everyday actions. So why does this sort of thing surprise us? Why do people protest this?
What is the correct reaction? Easter gives us a prime opportunity to tell people the gospel, not moan about the word being removed by a secular organisation from their publicity or products. Easter is good news to tell people, yet if that isn't know or realised then surely that is our fault for not making it known. Surely this just shows us again the scale of the need for us to go and tell people all about the great news Easter marks.
The result of Jesus resurrection was a spirit filled, passionate and galvanised community that revolutionised the world as they told everyone the good news of Jesus and the redemption now available in him. Sadly we seem to be more interested in writing a letter of complaint than talking about Jesus to our neighbours or our community. Do we get as het up about people's eternal destiny as about Cadbury's packaging? Someone is unlikely to buy a chocolate egg see the world Easter and drop to their knees in repentance in an aisle in ASDA. In fact when scouring my Bible I can't find that evangelisation strategy in there. And yet, again and again, in scripture when a friend, or even a stranger, in love shares the gospel with someone they turn to Christ. Perhaps we ought to redirect our efforts.
While I'm here let me mention another bug bear of mine. Why, oh why, do christian organisations put conferences on during Easter? Seriously? Why not use a half term? As far as I'm aware, unless I'm missing something, there are no obvious evangelism opportunities in October or February and May half term. But Easter. Easter is a time when we ought to be telling friends, family, neighbours all about Jesus. When local churches ought to be on mission in their communities, inviting friends, family and neighbours to a service, making the most of every opportunity. And yet this is when thousands of Christians leave their home church and gather in holiday centres away from those who need the gospel. (I know the teaching helps, I know the arguments for such conferences, it's the timing I'm bemoaning.)
I wonder is it just Cadbury's who are missing the good news of what Easter is all about?
Showing posts with label Easter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Easter. Show all posts
Tuesday, 4 April 2017
Monday, 13 April 2015
Why inviting people to church works.
As a church we're not flush with cash so any promotion of events we do tends to be low key, a few posters and some invitations for our folks to give to friends, neighbours and family. Occasionally we'll leaflet drop the area we consider our parish, but that rarely seems to get results. So much so that we didn't even do it for our Easter Service this year.
Yet for our Easter service we had over 60 visitors from the community we serve. Visitors outnumbered regular church family which was a real answer to prayer. Sunday School jumped from about 30 to 60+ and lots of families came to church for the first time and others returned having been at Christmas.
Why? God works, first and foremost it was obviously God at work bringing people in. But how did God work? God worked through his people committed to, embedded in and caring for their community inviting people from that community to come to church. The community see that the church is for them, both in terms of loving them well and welcoming them if they come along. That melts away some of the barriers in terms of getting through the door. The community have also experienced that the church loves their families, of all ages.
It wasn't a high glamour event, we don't really do those. It was a simple Easter service followed by an Easter Egg hunt, followed by a BBQ. Some families couldn't stay for the egg hunt and BBQ but came for the service anyway - which was a huge encouragement. Others came and stayed for all of it.
Our prayer is that God is just beginning his work in the hearts and minds of these people. But the lesson we've learnt is simple and in many ways not unexpected. God works through his people building relationships, caring for, and inviting others to come and see his goodness which they've glimpsed in his people. A people not perfect but trying to relate to one another by grace as they live assured of God's love in Christ, praying for him to bring others to know that love and grace.
Yet for our Easter service we had over 60 visitors from the community we serve. Visitors outnumbered regular church family which was a real answer to prayer. Sunday School jumped from about 30 to 60+ and lots of families came to church for the first time and others returned having been at Christmas.
Why? God works, first and foremost it was obviously God at work bringing people in. But how did God work? God worked through his people committed to, embedded in and caring for their community inviting people from that community to come to church. The community see that the church is for them, both in terms of loving them well and welcoming them if they come along. That melts away some of the barriers in terms of getting through the door. The community have also experienced that the church loves their families, of all ages.
It wasn't a high glamour event, we don't really do those. It was a simple Easter service followed by an Easter Egg hunt, followed by a BBQ. Some families couldn't stay for the egg hunt and BBQ but came for the service anyway - which was a huge encouragement. Others came and stayed for all of it.
Our prayer is that God is just beginning his work in the hearts and minds of these people. But the lesson we've learnt is simple and in many ways not unexpected. God works through his people building relationships, caring for, and inviting others to come and see his goodness which they've glimpsed in his people. A people not perfect but trying to relate to one another by grace as they live assured of God's love in Christ, praying for him to bring others to know that love and grace.
Wednesday, 30 March 2011
Tuesday, 22 March 2011
Easter Uncertainty
What is a Christian response to Easter? How should we feel about it and react to it? Are we to react differently to Good Friday than Easter Sunday?
At Christmas everyone is talking about it for weeks beforehand, there are the obligatory nativity's, there are Christmas meals and parties and the likes plus all the excitement of presents, trees, crackers and the like. Its easy for us to get excited about Christmas because the world is excited about Christmas! Though we would maintain we are celebrating differently.
But what about Easter? Do we have Easter traditions? Do we throw Easter Parties? How should we react? In the New Testament Easter is looked back upon seriously but with celebration. Take Acts 2:22f
“Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. David said about him:
“‘I saw the Lord always before me.
Because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest in hope,
because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
you will not let your holy one see decay.
You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence.’
“Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said,
“‘The Lord said to my Lord:
“Sit at my right hand
until I make your enemies
a footstool for your feet.”’
“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”
When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
Peter proclaims Easter as victorious, it is not the day of the defeated but a celebration of victory. Yes it shows us the seriousness of sin as Christ dies for our rebellion - but the joy is that Christ is dying for our rebellion and Easter assures us that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified both Lord and Messiah. Praise the Lord, Hallelujah!
Easter is a time for Christians to be party people, are we?
At Christmas everyone is talking about it for weeks beforehand, there are the obligatory nativity's, there are Christmas meals and parties and the likes plus all the excitement of presents, trees, crackers and the like. Its easy for us to get excited about Christmas because the world is excited about Christmas! Though we would maintain we are celebrating differently.
But what about Easter? Do we have Easter traditions? Do we throw Easter Parties? How should we react? In the New Testament Easter is looked back upon seriously but with celebration. Take Acts 2:22f
“Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. David said about him:
“‘I saw the Lord always before me.
Because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest in hope,
because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
you will not let your holy one see decay.
You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence.’
“Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said,
“‘The Lord said to my Lord:
“Sit at my right hand
until I make your enemies
a footstool for your feet.”’
“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”
When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
Peter proclaims Easter as victorious, it is not the day of the defeated but a celebration of victory. Yes it shows us the seriousness of sin as Christ dies for our rebellion - but the joy is that Christ is dying for our rebellion and Easter assures us that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified both Lord and Messiah. Praise the Lord, Hallelujah!
Easter is a time for Christians to be party people, are we?
Tuesday, 6 April 2010
A fantastic Easter Sunday
How exciting was your Easter Sunday, we had a great day. In the morning we had our hearts set on fire again as we looked at Luke 24 you can listen to the MP3 here www.graceinthecommunity.org by clicking on the What's new link. It was great to see again how Jesus teaches scripture to reignite the embers of the disciples dying hopes and how we are to apply that in encouraging each other and witnessing to others that Jesus is the Christ and he is risen.
Then in the afternoon we had the joy as a church of baptising 3 ladies all from different backgrounds but with Christ as their Saviour and Lord. It was a first for us as we did the baptism outdoors in someones back garden using a fantastic portable baptismal tank - it was a great evangelistic opportunity. Praise God for his grace and mercy to us in Jesus.
Then in the afternoon we had the joy as a church of baptising 3 ladies all from different backgrounds but with Christ as their Saviour and Lord. It was a first for us as we did the baptism outdoors in someones back garden using a fantastic portable baptismal tank - it was a great evangelistic opportunity. Praise God for his grace and mercy to us in Jesus.
Sunday, 12 April 2009
Redemption - can you earn it?
Events in Doncaster this week have shocked the nation, how can two pre-teen boys have acted in such a way. To attack, rob, beat and stab two boys for a poultry sum of money. It has prompted various responses but one has been to ask what made them do it? Is it a result of societies failings or the parents or are these boys just evil?
Behind it all is this question; what is right and what is wrong and who decides? I want to just explore that idea this morning.
Imagine morality as being on a scale like a ladder. At the top is God because he is perfect. I guess you’d put Mother Teresa somewhere near the top, maybe a couple of rungs down. And at the bottom you’d have serials killers and the like. I wonder where you’d put yourself? Where is the cut off point on that scale for heaven? How do you bridge the gap?
The film Seven Pounds explores just such an idea and I’m afraid I’m going to spoil it for you. The films is all about redemption. Tim (Will Smiths character) was involved in a car crash that he caused by using his mobile phone whilst driving, as a result 6 strangers and his fiancée were killed. Where would you put him on the morality ladder?
In the film you see him desperately trying to redeem his mistake. First he gives a lung lobe to his brother, then he donates part of his liver, a kidney and his bone marrow. Then he gives his house to an abused woman and her children so they can escape her abuser. Where would you put him now?
Finally he kills himself but in a way that preserves his heart and eyes so they can be donated, and in the process he saves Emily’s life. The big question have his 7 acts of kindness redeemed him? Has it been enough? Where would you put him now on the morality ladder?
It’s an interesting question what does it take to earn redemption?
The Bible is also concerned with that same idea of redemption. It tells us that the standard is not Mother Teresa, its not Ben Thomas, it’s not me, the gospels show us it is Jesus – and the standard is perfection.
But the amazing thing about Easter is that Jesus the innocent dies a guilty man, not before the Roman courts who declare him innocent, but before God. On the cross Jesus is accused, tried and convicted by God of sin and he experiences judgement for it.
The big question at Easter is why does Jesus die like that? The answer is given by Peter who write: For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. He dies to provide redemption, not for himself but for us. Jesus dies on the cross to close the morality gap between us and God once and for all. He dies cut off from God so we can be credited with his perfect standing with God if we will trust in him. And it doesn’t matter where you start from on the morality ladder, his death can bring us to God.
In the film Tim will only give his gifts to good people, people who deserve it. But God loved us so much that from eternity he planned and Jesus was willing to die for us to close the morality gap. That verse tells us it was not for those who deserved it but those who didn’t – to bring the unrighteous to God.
Can I ask you this morning what is your plan to close the morality gap? And there is a gap whether you are a good nice person like Peter was, or whether you have lead the worst most chequered life because the standard is perfection. Imagine for a minute that on a memory stick I have a video of your life this week, when I plug it in we would all sit and watch it, but it isn’t just your actions but your thoughts and desires too. Where would we put you on the morality ladder?
The only way that works is by trusting in Jesus death for you. It is what makes Christianity unique, it doesn’t call you to do loads of things to earn salvation but to trust in the one who has done it for you.
Behind it all is this question; what is right and what is wrong and who decides? I want to just explore that idea this morning.
Imagine morality as being on a scale like a ladder. At the top is God because he is perfect. I guess you’d put Mother Teresa somewhere near the top, maybe a couple of rungs down. And at the bottom you’d have serials killers and the like. I wonder where you’d put yourself? Where is the cut off point on that scale for heaven? How do you bridge the gap?
The film Seven Pounds explores just such an idea and I’m afraid I’m going to spoil it for you. The films is all about redemption. Tim (Will Smiths character) was involved in a car crash that he caused by using his mobile phone whilst driving, as a result 6 strangers and his fiancée were killed. Where would you put him on the morality ladder?
In the film you see him desperately trying to redeem his mistake. First he gives a lung lobe to his brother, then he donates part of his liver, a kidney and his bone marrow. Then he gives his house to an abused woman and her children so they can escape her abuser. Where would you put him now?
Finally he kills himself but in a way that preserves his heart and eyes so they can be donated, and in the process he saves Emily’s life. The big question have his 7 acts of kindness redeemed him? Has it been enough? Where would you put him now on the morality ladder?
It’s an interesting question what does it take to earn redemption?
The Bible is also concerned with that same idea of redemption. It tells us that the standard is not Mother Teresa, its not Ben Thomas, it’s not me, the gospels show us it is Jesus – and the standard is perfection.
But the amazing thing about Easter is that Jesus the innocent dies a guilty man, not before the Roman courts who declare him innocent, but before God. On the cross Jesus is accused, tried and convicted by God of sin and he experiences judgement for it.
The big question at Easter is why does Jesus die like that? The answer is given by Peter who write: For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. He dies to provide redemption, not for himself but for us. Jesus dies on the cross to close the morality gap between us and God once and for all. He dies cut off from God so we can be credited with his perfect standing with God if we will trust in him. And it doesn’t matter where you start from on the morality ladder, his death can bring us to God.
In the film Tim will only give his gifts to good people, people who deserve it. But God loved us so much that from eternity he planned and Jesus was willing to die for us to close the morality gap. That verse tells us it was not for those who deserved it but those who didn’t – to bring the unrighteous to God.
Can I ask you this morning what is your plan to close the morality gap? And there is a gap whether you are a good nice person like Peter was, or whether you have lead the worst most chequered life because the standard is perfection. Imagine for a minute that on a memory stick I have a video of your life this week, when I plug it in we would all sit and watch it, but it isn’t just your actions but your thoughts and desires too. Where would we put you on the morality ladder?
The only way that works is by trusting in Jesus death for you. It is what makes Christianity unique, it doesn’t call you to do loads of things to earn salvation but to trust in the one who has done it for you.
Tuesday, 13 January 2009
Lent
We were asked if we would do something on Lent at a school assembly and it got me thinking about the concept of Lent. It seems the idea behind Lent has gotten somewhat lost along the way.I wondered now if it would be better for us to take up something extra rather than giving something up. One of the most popular misconceptions about Christians is that they are dour and dull and that becoming a Christian would mean giving up on so much of life, on so much of what I enjoy.
My hunch is that Lent simply fuels such wrong beliefs as lots of people give up chocolate or sweet things. Instead why not use it to focus on Easter. Come up with a forty day reading programme and instead of giving up for Lent why not take up an (or an extra) quiet time for the forty days of Lent. In that time it would be easily possible to read all the gospel accounts of the passion week and some of the Old Testament background to them.
Or why not take up serving the community you live among. Think of something small you can do every day to share with those you work or live among the love of God that Easter is all about. Take cakes into work, offer to make the coffee, whatever, find a way to serve for Lent.
Easter is all about Jesus willing sacrifice for us, to save us from God's righteous anger and judgement and restore us to right relationship with our loving heavenly Father. The question is how at Lent am I going to show that to those around me, how am I going to prepare myself for remembering and celebrating his death and resurrection.
Wednesday, 24 December 2008
The Three Trees
This is one of those stories that I read with my children and love.
Once upon a mountain top, three little trees stood and dreamed of what they wanted to become when they grew up.
The first little tree looked up at the stars and said: "I want to hold treasure. I want to be covered with gold and filled with precious stones. I'll be the most beautiful treasure chest in the world!".
The second little tree looked out at the small stream trickling by on its way to the ocean. "I want to be traveling mighty waters and carrying powerful kings. I'll be the strongest ship in the world!".
The third little tree looked down into the valley below where busy men and women worked in a busy town. "I don't want to leave the mountain top at all. I want to grow so tall that when people stop to look at me, they'll raise their eyes to heaven and think of God. I will be the tallest tree in the world."
Years passed. The rain came, the sun shone, and the little trees grew tall. One day three woodcutters climbed the mountain.
The first woodcutter looked at the first tree and said, "This tree is beautiful. It is perfect for me." With a swoop of his shining axe, the first tree fell. "Now I shall be made into a beautiful chest, I shall hold wonderful treasure!", the first tree said.
The second woodcutter looked at the second tree and said, "This tree is strong. It is perfect for me." With a swoop of his shining axe, the second tree fell. "Now I shall sail mighty waters!" thought the second tree. "I shall be a strong ship for mighty kings!"
The third tree felt her heart sink when the last woodcutter looked her way. She stood straight and tall and pointed bravely to heaven. But the woodcutter never even looked up. "Any kind of tree will do for me" he muttered. With a swoop of his shining axe, the third tree fell.
The first tree rejoiced when the woodcutter brought her to a carpenter's shop. But the carpenter fashioned the tree into a feedbox for the animals. The once beautiful tree was not covered with gold, and not filled with treasure. She was coated with saw dust and filled with hay for hungry farm animals.
The second tree smiled when the woodcuter took her to a shipyard, but no mighty sailing ship was made that day. Instead the once strong tree was hammered and sawed into a simple fishing boat. She was too small and too weak to sail to an ocean, or even a river, instead she was taken to a little lake.
The third tree was confused when the woodcutter cut her into strong beams and left her in a lumberyard. "What happened?" the once tall tree wondered. "All I ever wanted was to stay on the mountain top and point to God..."
Many many days and nights passed. The three trees nearly forgot their dreams.
But, one night, a golden starlight poured over the first tree as a young woman placed her newborn baby in the feedbox. "I wish I could make a cradle for him.", her husband whispered. The mother squeezed his hand and smiled as the starlight shone on the smooth and sturdy wood. "This manger is beautiful." she said. And suddenly the first tree knew he was holding the greatest treasure in the world.
One evening a tired traveler and his friends crowded into the old fishing boat. The traveler fell asleep as the second tree quietly sailed out into the lake. Soon a thundering and thrashing storm arose. The little tree shuddered. She knew that she did not have the strength to carry so many passengers safely through with the wind and the rain. The tired man awakened. He stood up, stretched out his hand, and said, "Peace." The storm stopped as quickly as it had begun. And suddenly the second tree knew he was carrying the King of heaven and earth.
One Friday morning, the third tree was startled when her beams were yanked from the forgotten woodpile. She flinched as she was carried through an angry jeering crowd. She shuddered when soldiers nailed a man's hands to her. She felt ugly and harsh and cruel.
But, on Sunday morning, when the sun rose and the earth trembled with joy beneath her, the third tree knew that God's love had changed everything. It had made the third tree strong. And everytime people thought of the third tree, they would think of God. That was better than being the tallest tree in the world.
Author: Unknown
Once upon a mountain top, three little trees stood and dreamed of what they wanted to become when they grew up.
The first little tree looked up at the stars and said: "I want to hold treasure. I want to be covered with gold and filled with precious stones. I'll be the most beautiful treasure chest in the world!".
The second little tree looked out at the small stream trickling by on its way to the ocean. "I want to be traveling mighty waters and carrying powerful kings. I'll be the strongest ship in the world!".
The third little tree looked down into the valley below where busy men and women worked in a busy town. "I don't want to leave the mountain top at all. I want to grow so tall that when people stop to look at me, they'll raise their eyes to heaven and think of God. I will be the tallest tree in the world."
Years passed. The rain came, the sun shone, and the little trees grew tall. One day three woodcutters climbed the mountain.
The first woodcutter looked at the first tree and said, "This tree is beautiful. It is perfect for me." With a swoop of his shining axe, the first tree fell. "Now I shall be made into a beautiful chest, I shall hold wonderful treasure!", the first tree said.
The second woodcutter looked at the second tree and said, "This tree is strong. It is perfect for me." With a swoop of his shining axe, the second tree fell. "Now I shall sail mighty waters!" thought the second tree. "I shall be a strong ship for mighty kings!"
The third tree felt her heart sink when the last woodcutter looked her way. She stood straight and tall and pointed bravely to heaven. But the woodcutter never even looked up. "Any kind of tree will do for me" he muttered. With a swoop of his shining axe, the third tree fell.
The first tree rejoiced when the woodcutter brought her to a carpenter's shop. But the carpenter fashioned the tree into a feedbox for the animals. The once beautiful tree was not covered with gold, and not filled with treasure. She was coated with saw dust and filled with hay for hungry farm animals.
The second tree smiled when the woodcuter took her to a shipyard, but no mighty sailing ship was made that day. Instead the once strong tree was hammered and sawed into a simple fishing boat. She was too small and too weak to sail to an ocean, or even a river, instead she was taken to a little lake.
The third tree was confused when the woodcutter cut her into strong beams and left her in a lumberyard. "What happened?" the once tall tree wondered. "All I ever wanted was to stay on the mountain top and point to God..."
Many many days and nights passed. The three trees nearly forgot their dreams.
But, one night, a golden starlight poured over the first tree as a young woman placed her newborn baby in the feedbox. "I wish I could make a cradle for him.", her husband whispered. The mother squeezed his hand and smiled as the starlight shone on the smooth and sturdy wood. "This manger is beautiful." she said. And suddenly the first tree knew he was holding the greatest treasure in the world.
One evening a tired traveler and his friends crowded into the old fishing boat. The traveler fell asleep as the second tree quietly sailed out into the lake. Soon a thundering and thrashing storm arose. The little tree shuddered. She knew that she did not have the strength to carry so many passengers safely through with the wind and the rain. The tired man awakened. He stood up, stretched out his hand, and said, "Peace." The storm stopped as quickly as it had begun. And suddenly the second tree knew he was carrying the King of heaven and earth.
One Friday morning, the third tree was startled when her beams were yanked from the forgotten woodpile. She flinched as she was carried through an angry jeering crowd. She shuddered when soldiers nailed a man's hands to her. She felt ugly and harsh and cruel.
But, on Sunday morning, when the sun rose and the earth trembled with joy beneath her, the third tree knew that God's love had changed everything. It had made the third tree strong. And everytime people thought of the third tree, they would think of God. That was better than being the tallest tree in the world.
Author: Unknown
Wednesday, 19 March 2008
Easter Egg
I wonder how you think of Easter? It was great today to go into a school to do an easter assembly, to be able to share the gospel with 200 kids and their teachers. However, I also had a first - I was asked to be the judge of the decorate an Easter egg competition.
The thing that struck me was that all of the kids had taken a lot of time over these eggtravaganza's (sorry a poor yoke!). But what struck me more was that quite a few were about the real Easter Story. There was one of the garden with the egg as the stone over the tomb, there was another with the egg on a donkey and part of the Easter story written out and so on.
It was great to look at them and then go on to explain what happened at the cross and to try and get them to think about Easter eggs differently. The foil is shiny like a crown and reminds us Jesus was God's kings, the chocolate that Jesus came to earth, the egg has to be broken just like Jesus body and the egg is empty just like the tomb.
We must take every opportunity to explain the gospel and what a great opportunity Easter brings.
The thing that struck me was that all of the kids had taken a lot of time over these eggtravaganza's (sorry a poor yoke!). But what struck me more was that quite a few were about the real Easter Story. There was one of the garden with the egg as the stone over the tomb, there was another with the egg on a donkey and part of the Easter story written out and so on.
It was great to look at them and then go on to explain what happened at the cross and to try and get them to think about Easter eggs differently. The foil is shiny like a crown and reminds us Jesus was God's kings, the chocolate that Jesus came to earth, the egg has to be broken just like Jesus body and the egg is empty just like the tomb.
We must take every opportunity to explain the gospel and what a great opportunity Easter brings.
Monday, 10 March 2008
Engaging at Easter
We always seem to take Christmas as being the time to share the gospel with our friends and it feels a little like Easter is the poor relative in that regard. But isn't Easter in many ways the better opportunity.
Why do I say that? Because actually it confronts us with our sin and forces us to work out exactly who the baby in the manger claims to be. The baby is quite safe and cuddle, but the battered, bloodied, and beaten man on the cross confronts us with rebellion against God.
Christmas is a manically busy time of year, but Easter seems to be a little calmer with more time for reflection. Ask people what Christmas is about and they can usually tell you, ask them about Easter and actually I think there is more that they are unaware of.
I'm not saying don't make much of Christmas, but make more of Easter. Easter confronts people with the man on a cross and the question who is he, and if he is the Messiah why is he hanging there? It confronts us with the awful bill for our rebellion and gives us stark choices to make about what we will do with such a sacrifice.
Will you use Easter this year? Will you have tracts ready to give out? Are you ready to engage with friends, family and work colleagues?
Why do I say that? Because actually it confronts us with our sin and forces us to work out exactly who the baby in the manger claims to be. The baby is quite safe and cuddle, but the battered, bloodied, and beaten man on the cross confronts us with rebellion against God.
Christmas is a manically busy time of year, but Easter seems to be a little calmer with more time for reflection. Ask people what Christmas is about and they can usually tell you, ask them about Easter and actually I think there is more that they are unaware of.
I'm not saying don't make much of Christmas, but make more of Easter. Easter confronts people with the man on a cross and the question who is he, and if he is the Messiah why is he hanging there? It confronts us with the awful bill for our rebellion and gives us stark choices to make about what we will do with such a sacrifice.
Will you use Easter this year? Will you have tracts ready to give out? Are you ready to engage with friends, family and work colleagues?
Sunday, 8 April 2007
Happy Easter
Christ is risen - that is the traditional greeting that was said in Churches this morning, as we remember the fantastic news that having died for our sins on the cross, God the Father raised Jesus back to life because death could not hold him and God's anger against sin had been poured out upon Jesus and he had exhausted it.
Christ is risen - it is a three word phrase laden with meaning. It means death is defeated, it means that the wages of my sin are paid for in full, it means I am brought into relationship with God, it means I am viewed by a just and Holy God as his child credited with Christ's perfect record, it means I have a future to look forward to and live in the light of.
Christ is risen - the first fruits as the New Testament writers call him, the trailblazer whose resurrection to life will be the experience of all those who trust in him for salvation, who call him Lord and saviour.
Christ is risen - the just anger of a holy God against our, my, rebellion is paid for in full and I am free of its guilt and burden.
Christ is risen - it is a three word phrase laden with meaning. It means death is defeated, it means that the wages of my sin are paid for in full, it means I am brought into relationship with God, it means I am viewed by a just and Holy God as his child credited with Christ's perfect record, it means I have a future to look forward to and live in the light of.
Christ is risen - the first fruits as the New Testament writers call him, the trailblazer whose resurrection to life will be the experience of all those who trust in him for salvation, who call him Lord and saviour.
Christ is risen - the just anger of a holy God against our, my, rebellion is paid for in full and I am free of its guilt and burden.
Monday, 2 April 2007
The Easter Bunny
I wonder if you remember ghostbusters? You will if you are of a certain generation. It ended with the team battling the giant Marshmallow man - Ray's first thought and a humorous way of meeting out destruction to the world.
I have my very own marshmallow man fear at the moment, but it isn't a giant sugar confectionery foe fit for roasting over a roaring fire, it is the ever growing Easter Bunny. In our commercially aware culture retailers are seizing upon Easter as another way to increase sales - in between Valentines Day and our Summer holidays - and put pressure on us to spend, spend, spend. Easter cards are now in the shops and we are encouraged to remind someone that you are thinking of them, oceans of chocolate is setting as I speak and being ferried up and down the country, Easter presents are beginning to appear complete with Easter chick, rabbit and lamb wrapping paper.
And in all the commercialism where is the actual symbol of Easter? The rabbit has, or is beginning to, dwarfed the cross.
No, I'm not turning into scrooge (well not over Easter anyway), sat chuntering humbug over my keyboard as I type, but just as the commercialisation of Christmas has divorced it from its true meaning so I fear the Easter bunny is set to displace the cross and the empty tomb at Easter.
Easter is the most amazing opportunity to share the gospel with those around us. It is a time to remember the great news. "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the scriptures, and after that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve..." (1 Corinthian 15:3-5).
That is what Easter is all about, remove the cross and resurrection from Easter and there is no reason to celebrate. God in his love sent his only Son to pay the penalty for our sin and to enable us to enter into relationship with God, to look forward to life without the wages of our rebellion - death - dominating our landscape, and all because God sent his Son who willingly goes to the cross in my place. And 3 days later the tomb was empty, Christ was alive again and was seen by many witnesses, as he rose again death and sin were defeated for those who trust in him, because his resurrection declares it is paid for, it is accomplished, it is finished. God now views me as his perfect Son in Christ and I can live now in light of that reality.
How should Christians respond to the rampant commercialisation of Easter - oppose the bunny! Declare the cross. The challenge is to convey the true message to our children, our neighbours, our family, our friends. It may not be popular but surely at Easter more than at any other time the love of Christ must compel us to witness to him. To give a gospel rather than an Easter card, to give a tract rather than chocolate, to speak of Jesus Christ rather than the Easter Bunny!
I have my very own marshmallow man fear at the moment, but it isn't a giant sugar confectionery foe fit for roasting over a roaring fire, it is the ever growing Easter Bunny. In our commercially aware culture retailers are seizing upon Easter as another way to increase sales - in between Valentines Day and our Summer holidays - and put pressure on us to spend, spend, spend. Easter cards are now in the shops and we are encouraged to remind someone that you are thinking of them, oceans of chocolate is setting as I speak and being ferried up and down the country, Easter presents are beginning to appear complete with Easter chick, rabbit and lamb wrapping paper.
And in all the commercialism where is the actual symbol of Easter? The rabbit has, or is beginning to, dwarfed the cross.
No, I'm not turning into scrooge (well not over Easter anyway), sat chuntering humbug over my keyboard as I type, but just as the commercialisation of Christmas has divorced it from its true meaning so I fear the Easter bunny is set to displace the cross and the empty tomb at Easter.
Easter is the most amazing opportunity to share the gospel with those around us. It is a time to remember the great news. "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the scriptures, and after that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve..." (1 Corinthian 15:3-5).
That is what Easter is all about, remove the cross and resurrection from Easter and there is no reason to celebrate. God in his love sent his only Son to pay the penalty for our sin and to enable us to enter into relationship with God, to look forward to life without the wages of our rebellion - death - dominating our landscape, and all because God sent his Son who willingly goes to the cross in my place. And 3 days later the tomb was empty, Christ was alive again and was seen by many witnesses, as he rose again death and sin were defeated for those who trust in him, because his resurrection declares it is paid for, it is accomplished, it is finished. God now views me as his perfect Son in Christ and I can live now in light of that reality.How should Christians respond to the rampant commercialisation of Easter - oppose the bunny! Declare the cross. The challenge is to convey the true message to our children, our neighbours, our family, our friends. It may not be popular but surely at Easter more than at any other time the love of Christ must compel us to witness to him. To give a gospel rather than an Easter card, to give a tract rather than chocolate, to speak of Jesus Christ rather than the Easter Bunny!
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