A Message for Easter! by Dr. Jack R. Rothenberger, Executive Minister

Dear Friends,
    The message of Easter is for everyone! Jesus said: "I am the resurrection and the life; he that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. Whoever lives and believes in me shall never die."
Often it is true that some people do by nature what others struggle for a lifetime to achieve. Perhaps it's talent, perhaps genius, or perhaps simply the result of finding what you're good at and then doing it. It is obvious that some people excel while others remain mediocre. Not all of us have equal talents. Some of us, with the help of God, can accomplish great and lasting victories for Christ and His Church.
    Certainly this was true of the Apostle Paul. He seemed destined to be an "over-achiever." He threw himself into whatever he was trying to do. As a persecutor of the early church he was determined to hunt down Christians and discourage the expansion of that new movement. Then, as a new convert to the Christian Way of Life, on his first missionary journey his zeal for excellence came to the forefront in his preaching and writing. He had a God-given talent for preaching the message of the Gospel he once despised.
    In Acts 13, Paul's first recorded sermon expresses the central fact of the Gospel - the resurrection of Jesus.
    His first point is the graciousness of the love of God. In verse 23, Paul said: "God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus as He promised. "
    His second point is the sinfulness of humankind. What did the world do when God's gracious act of love in Jesus came? Paul says: "Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence they asked Pilate to have him executed - and they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. " (13:29) "In condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. " (13:27b)
    The conclusion of Paul's sermon sounds the victory cheer of Easter. Paul speaks of a power that will not suffer defeat. When Paul says: "But God raised him from the dead, " his words have application to very dark circumstance that we can experience. This power of the resurrection is transferable to every believer. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is able to part our sins as far as the East is from the West. That same power is able to insure our resurrection as well.
    The resurrection of Jesus is not merely a first century phenomenon. It is for you and me today, and for all who come after us. Thank God for this Good News by participating in our Lenten program and Easter celebrations as listed in this newsletter. But, even more, by faith lived within the power of the resurrection every day.

May God strengthen your faith.

Jack R. Rothenberger, Executive Minister

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