Mark Your Calendar: Without the resurrection, our faith and all of our hopes are vanities (1 Corinthians 15:14). The church refers to the annual celebration of this event as Easter or Resurrection Sunday. It will be April 4th this year. We are four weeks out. It is a great time to remember why we exist. We exist because Jesus rose from the dead! For what purpose do we exist? We, as a church, exist to gather and perfect the saints.

Gathering: As the world is a bit more aware of Christ, due to the holiday, let us be wise in focusing upon the resurrection of Jesus. Providentially, God may lead us to more organic conversations about the gospel during this season. We should be aware of those evangelistic possibilities. Many believers in this season are disconnected and could greatly benefit from our fellowship.

Perfecting: Let’s discuss ways to celebrate our greatest news and grow in sanctification. Jesus died for sins. How then can we who died to sin still live in it (Romans 6:2)? Sanctification, our dying to sin and rising to new life in Christ, is a way each believer can participate in God’s work of grace in our lives. This Sunday, Ryan and Justin will be encouraging everyone to brainstorm about significant ways that we as individuals, families, and a church can appropriately celebrate and proclaim the resurrection of the Lord Jesus from the dead. He is Risen! He is now ruling and dispensing the blessings of our union with Him upon us.

Pray: As always, I humbly and urgently ask you to pray for your pastor that I may do the work of an evangelist, shelpherd, and friend to all whom the Lord entrusts to our church. I greatly anticipate what God will do in and through our ministry this month!

We all were straying like sheep but have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls (1 Peter 2:25).

Justin