EASTER 2012

Easter is special for everyone.  Even unbelieving friends and neighbors treat this Sunday with some respect.  Obviously they don't hold it as special as those of us in Christ, but they still know it is a day of life and love.  You may even be able to see them pick up a Bible or visit a church on this one Sunday of the year.  I think most churches would say Easter is a day they expect the pews to be packed.  I think this is a great thing.  The message a pastor should put out for his congregation every week, and tomorrow for sure, is one that is for everyone, a true complete message of Grace Alone.  It is the story of the gospel.  Easter Sunday brings a feeling of "Wow, this is real."  Had Jesus lived His perfect life of obedience, bravely and willingly died on the Cross, but failed to roll the stone away and rise (Luke 24:2), there would be no HOPE in the good news of the gospel (Romans 15:4). 
It would fail to be the gospel if any one of these three parts were left off.  So as we celebrate the GOOD NEWS this weekend, remember that Easter is the culmination of the fullness and completeness of the Gospel of grace.  Jesus perfectly obeyed God's Law for us.  He then willingly and intentionally walked the hill of Calvary and put up His life for a ransom for many (Matt. 20:28).  Then, on the third day, Jesus defeated the grave, death, and the bondage of sin over us by RAISING us to new life IN HIM.  This means we are now eternally His and He is our mediator and righteousness at the right hand of the Father (Acts 2:32-33).  Now we can say "To live is Christ and to die is gain! -Phil. 1:21" and "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? -1 Cor. 15:55).
Remember this everyday, not just this weekend.  It is the only way we can love the Lord our God with all of our heart/soul/mind/strength and love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:28-34).  When you forget and fail to do it (and you will), remember that His grace is enough and you are still loved more than you can imagine.  Those constant reminders give us the freedom needed to fight the good fight free from the bondage of sin.  His Holy Spirit does not convict to guilt and shame, He convicts to make us RUN to JESUS' finished work.  He is Risen! It Is Finished! (John 19:30) Hallelujah, What a Savior!  Amen.