Preparing for Easter: “Not 1,000 Things”

I’m reading through the portion of the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) that tell the story of the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus and his subsequent resurrection, in preparation for Easter.  I’m also dipping into Acts to see the explosion that happened as the Apostles began to testify to the resurrection of Jesus.

You don’t need to know 1,000 things about Christianity.  You don’t need to know 100.  You don’t need to know 10.

Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15 what is of “first importance”, he broke it down like this:

“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received:  that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve….“

You don’t need to know 1,000 things, but you do need to know and believe the inexhaustible greatness of a very few things…Easter things, namely, Jesus Christ and him crucified, buried, risen, exalted, and returning.

If in fact Jesus Christ rose from the dead…think about that…that changes EVERYTHING.

I’m thinking you probably don’t know anybody else who’s done that!

The historical fact of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead immediately resulted in the powerful explosion of a vibrant community of followers of Jesus who were willing to die for their testimony concerning Christ.  The story depended on the account of female witnesses which would not have carried great weight in those days (sorry ladies…).  No, the body wasn’t stolen.  No, the disciples didn’t make it up.  Jesus came back to life, appeared multiple times to multiple people in a resurrected body (the kind where you can walk through walls but still eat food???  Yes, it’s amazing.)

Following Jesus resurrection and ascension to heaven came the powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit.  The Church was born as a result of the Spirit-empowered preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the proclamation of His substitutionary death on the Cross and resurrection from the dead.

Not 1,000 things.

Luke, in Acts 4:33 states it like this:

“And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.”

That’s incredible.  Not 1,000 things.

Dear friend, get somewhere where you can hear the Gospel this Easter, hear someone proclaim it again, without apology, and come under the powerful grace of the testimony of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.

Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ, rose from the dead on the third day.

That (not 1,000 things…) changes everything.

Is there a “gospel” for lost church kids?

Lately the Lord has given me several incredible opportunities to sit down with early 20-somethings, struggling with consequences of sin and dumb life choices, feeling lost in life, wanting to re-connect with me, and more amazingly, with God.

Lost church kids.  Is there a “gospel” for lost church kids?

I’m so glad to know…there is Good News for that conversation.

I’m always reminded of the power of the Gospel in those meetings…in my own life and in the hope for the one feeling lost.

I’m reminded that until we see sin for the lie that it is…we will keep believing in the false promises of the false gods of this world and of our own making.

Empty idols, speechless –  yet they speak so strongly, enticing hungry souls who fail to realize the chocolate covered crap until they’ve already swallowed several bites.  Lifeless idols, who have enough strength to enslave us and laugh as the mask comes off and Mr. Fun Time is nowhere to be seen.

Being a slave to sin is real.  And it sucks.  Deliverance seems impossible and a million miles away.  I’ll never change.  I’ve blown it.  And for those who have been raised in “the church” or in proximity to some version of Christianity…the guilt and condemnation are intensified.  That was me too.  And you realize, “I’m the worst kind.  I knew and I still ran my own way.”

Is there grace for people like that?

My goodness, YES.  Grace is FOR people like that.  Like some of you.  Like me.  I wouldn’t be here writing this if that wasn’t true.  Trust me.

There’s something so powerful about looking someone in the eye who’s wondering if there’s grace enough for them, if change is possible, if there’s a way back to God…and being able to say with full conviction as eyes fill with tears, something like this…

“I’m really glad you called…If you’re sincere in your heart and you cry out to God, His full resources will thunder from heaven.  He’ll be pissed, He’ll be angry, and He’ll come…against your enemies.  He can scatter your enemies and save you.  You have a Savior in Jesus.  The Cross is for you.  All your sin, all your stupidity, nailed to Jesus.  If you’re experiencing a war within and you want God to win in your life…it can happen.  God hates your enemies more than you do.  Take steps.  Fight.  Be done with sin.  You’ve spent enough time going down that road.  Sure some will think it strange that you don’t join them in it anymore.  But would you rather please them and remain a slave, or please God and be free?  The old sinful you can die, and a new you can live.  You’ll never regret it.  How can I help?”

Grace, grace, grace.  Grace changes everything.  Holding out Christ to lost and searching and stumbling souls is like inviting people to step into Indescribable Joy.  If I could pull you in with me I would.  You won’t believe it!

Pure.  Joy.  Free.  Real.  Jesus.

Yes, you’re bankrupt…but you can come anyway.  Jesus paid it all.  ALL.

Go grab your old Bible, blow the dust off it, and start reading.  Seriously.  It’s there.  Keep reading, keep looking, keep searching.  Don’t stop.  Fight.  Don’t try to go it alone…call, text, connect with a community of believers, a church.  Find a church that preaches the straight, pure, beautiful Gospel of Grace…not week, limp, cheap grace.  Grace, blood-earnest, truth-telling, sin-blasting, life-n-death call to repentance, back to the Cross again and again, grace.  No games, no “emerging” theology.  Gospel.  Jesus.  Cross.  Grace.

Yes, there is a gospel for lost church kids.  Praise the Lord, there is a Gospel.  One and the same.