Hardwick
It’s Passion Week. Good Friday and Easter offer followers of Jesus Christ a great opportunity for ministry, reflection and celebration.
Seasons like this are always tricky for church leaders. We’re excited about the celebration of the cross and the empty tomb, but we also feel the pressure of additional ministry events, opportunities and adjusted schedules.
And of course, we want our Easter sermons to be the best, most creative, most powerful sermons we’ve ever preached. In all we do, we want it all to be perfect for church members and guests, and most importantly we want to see people come to saving faith in Jesus Christ.
Unfortunately, the weight of it all can make it easy for ministers and church leaders to miss the celebration and victory of Easter. Here are four reasons church leaders can be encouraged because of Jesus’ resurrection:
- Our sins are forgiven. Paul reminds us that of first importance for the believer is that Christ died and was raised according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
Jesus died as an atonement for our sin and rose from the dead to conquer sin and death that we might live. Church leader, as you lead and preach through this most glorious week, take time to reflect on this truth for yourself. Before we preach this gospel to others, preach — and rest in — this gospel ourselves.
- Our preaching is not in vain. Paul writes that if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is in vain (I Corinthians 15:14), but then affirms, “Christ has been raised from the dead” (15:20).
Sermon prep at Christmas and Easter can be challenging because we think, “They’ve heard this 100 times.” While that might be true, it doesn’t mean we have to unnecessarily stress over what to preach or how to preach it.
Preach the gospel of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection with all the clarity, conviction and creativity you can in the power of the Holy Spirit!
- Our hope is eternal. Death is not the end. It seems we experience several deaths in our congregation every year leading into Easter. It’s happened again this year.
Yet what an assurance that our funeral messages ring with the truth that death has lost its sting through Christ (I Corinthians 15:54-56). His resurrection is a healing balm for families of lost loved ones as we minister to those in grief. We truly do not grieve or serve as those who have no hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13).
- Our ministries matter. Paul concludes 1 Corinthians 15 with the bold declaration of assurance and purpose: “You know your labor for the Lord is not in vain.” You can always tell Easter is approaching because the enemy’s attempts to disrupt and distract ramp up. As we navigate spiritual battles, stay mentally and spiritually focused.
The Resurrection reminds us the enemy has no authority over our churches or our ministries. He is defeated! So, pastor, press on leading, preaching, equipping and casting vision for people to join in God’s mission. As your preaching is not in vain, neither is your leadership as you serve our Risen Lord.
The Resurrection changes everything. Church leaders, I pray you too will celebrate and rest in the Resurrection of Jesus. And I pray your churches will experience a powerful movement of the Holy Spirit as together we proclaim this Good News across Tennessee and beyond this Easter!
Because of the Resurrection … let’s go! B&R
