One Simple Truth

For what I received, I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to Scriptures... (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)

Sometimes I overcomplicate things, but really being a preacher is simple: You just have to let people know a simple truth. Jesus died. For our sins. According to Scriptures. He was raised from the dead.

Jesus really died--the crucifixion is something that happened, and it happened for us. What an act of love! What a way of showing that God is willing to do anything, absolutely anything, to bring us back to where we need to be!

Jesus really died for our sins. It's not just a historical action, it's something that brings us forgiveness and healing, hope and peace, for 2000 years and forever. People have spent a lot of time arguing about evil, worrying about evil, fighting about evil. Jesus died and rose to set the world free from evil.

Jesus died and rose to set the world free from evil

Jesus was raised. That's why we worship him as our living Lord. That's why we have hope even when our loved ones die. That's why we have newness of life, closeness to God, and a vision for a world where God is making all things new. Because God in Jesus overcame the power of death and began a resurrection that can spread to everyone, everywhere.

That's it. That's what Christianity is all about. We read the Scriptures to learn more about how to join Jesus in his death and resurrection. We gather together to help each other join Jesus in his death and resurrection. We are baptized into Jesus' death and resurrection. We take communion to share in his death and resurrection. And once a year, around Easter, the calendar reminds us to focus once more on Palm Sunday (when Jesus went toward his death), Maundy Thursday (when Jesus grieved his coming death), Good Friday (when evil people put Jesus to death), and of course Easter itself (when Jesus was raised from the dead).

Wherever you are, I pray that you have lots of opportunities to reflect on the simple truth. At Laughlintown Christian Church.

• This Sunday (April 5) we are having our a special 10 a.m. Easter service. For those who get up early, there's also a Sonrise Service at 6:30 a.m. that we'll be joining on the Diamond.

• Wednesday Bible Study starts up again on April 8, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Come learn about God's wisdom in a changing world.

• Next Sunday (April 12) we are continuing our weekly worship looking at Jesus Rose: Now What? There will be a breakfast that Sunday at 9 a.m. for anyone who wants to come early! And in the evening our monthly youth activities will begin at 6 p.m.

Jesus brings us all together. If you aren't already included in another fellowship of believers, I invite you to come and be included here!

--Jonathan