For most United States churches this Sunday will mark two years since its last Easter celebration. Think about it, there are new believers who have yet to gather with other Christians on Easter Sunday. There are children who were toddlers the last time the church came together on Easter Sunday. Now a little older, these four and five-year-olds will learn from their parents, pastors, and Sunday School teachers initial lessons on the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.
With them, we will celebrate the most important truth of our Christian faith, “I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades” (Revelation 1:18).
The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the pinnacle event and doctrine that sets apart Christianity from all other religions. The resurrection transforms the disciples from scattered and devastated companions to unified and courageous ambassadors. The resurrection is the theme of their preaching in the book of Acts. They fearlessly announce the fact of Jesus’s resurrection and both the manner and the cause of his death (Acts 2:24). There is no hesitation in public gatherings (Acts 17:16–34), private conversations (8:26-40), and legal proceedings (Acts 4:1-22; 6:8-15) to declare the living Jesus.
From its beginning in Acts 2, the church has gathered on the first day of the week, the day of our Lord’s resurrection, to celebrate his victory over sin, death, and the grave. Over the centuries, the Christian church has set aside one Sunday a year for heightened reflection and celebration, the day we know as Easter.
Gather Easter Sunday with the church. I shouldn’t have to say this, but I must encourage the church together on the Lord’s Day. Overcome calendar challenges, reject entertainment options, and deny recreation activities. Choose to worship with others who love the living Jesus like you do.
Prepare your children for the significance of Easter Sunday. Teach your children the significance of Easter Sunday. Help them understand why this Sunday is different than the Sunday before or the Sunday after. When you help with the pretty dresses, clip-on ties, and shiny shoes, talk about Jesus. Tell them the resurrection story and why we make a big deal out of easter. Help them know that candy and eating at grandma’s are not the highlight of the day. The highlight of the day is hearing again the bold proclamation that Jesus died and is alive again.
Seize the evangelistic opportunity of Easter Sunday. I have no studies to back up my theory, but I suspect if you invite an unbelieving friend to an Easter worship service with the church, there is a strong chance they will come. They probably haven’t been to a church gathering in at least one year and maybe many more. The Sunday sermon will center on who Jesus is, what he did on the cross, and the victory he won over sin, death, and the grave. I tell my children all the time, “Don’t say no for people.” Don’t say no for your friend or family member by not extending an invitation to come hear about Jesus.
He lives! By God’s grace Christians will meet this Sunday, Easter Sunday, in worship of the resurrected Jesus.
As always, I welcome your comments and any suggestions you might have for an upcoming Lunchtime Musing.
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Mike VerWay
Pastor for Preaching & Vision