Easter is early this year. We will be celebrating it on the last day of March. Of the many holidays (holy-days) that appear on our calendar, this is the supreme event for followers of Christ. This is the World Cup of Christian holidays. And yet … it often isn’t celebrated by Christians in that manner. Christmas is the king of holidays for most Christians in our North American culture. Why is that?
We need to own up to a consumerism that can corrupt and co-opt our walk with Christ. There is a degree of self-interest that enjoys a baby born in a manger more than a death and resurrection. The gift-giving theme of Christmas is far more marketable than the self-sacrificing death of Good Friday. How much of this consumer mentality actually causes us to celebrate Christmas over Easter?
Christmas is comparatively nothing without Easter. Jesus knew He was born to die for us. Christmas without Easter is like any other visit by royalty — brief and exciting but without lasting merit. Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection are at the heart of Christianity. Paul preached Christ and Him crucified (1 Cor. 1:23, 2:2). Paul knew that all of life revolved around being crucified with Christ and Christ living through him (Gal. 2:20; Phil. 3:10).
I pray that by the end of March, we will be celebrating Easter like never before — not with a new consumerism but with a new heart. I pray we will be able to separate the consumeristic influence of the world from our Christianity. I look forward to a passionate pursuit of God that would reveal Christ’s Passion to those around us. I’m excited to see the stone of consumerism rolled away from our lives and Jesus breaking forth.
Journeying with you,
Pastor Merril
Thoughts from Freedom Centre Church's pastoral staff to encourage and/or challenge you.
Thursday 28 February 2013
February 2013 - Unity
As I was pondering about my pondering … that is what I do when I work on these :) … I couldn’t get my mind off of the informational meeting we had on January 20th to discuss the finances. I must admit that what you (this church, this body) displayed at the meeting was amazing and inspiring. More was accomplished in that meeting than is represented by the offering from that morning and the Sunday following. You showed such great unity of faith and purpose—more than I have ever seen here in the more than thirteen years that I have been part of this body. True unity as a body a significant key to seeing God’s blessing, provision, power and glory at the Freedom Centre. Look at some Scriptures: (all from the NKJV with my underlining)
It is vital as we move forward that we keep this unity. I know that God this is important to God and that He is watching over it. Much of Paul’s motivation in writing his first letter to the Corinthians is rooted in dealing with dishonour and disunity. Following close after the quote above from the end of Acts 4, we read at the beginning of Acts 5 how God dealt with those who would bring dishonour and disunity at the crucial moment where His blessing, provision, power and glory were being released in the church.
God is doing a great work here. We are moving into more things that have never fully come to pass at the Freedom Centre. As we advance, let us be careful about unity, just as Paul wrote:
Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. (Ephesians 4:1-3, NLT)
Journeying with you, Pastor Merril
- Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brethren to dwell together in unity!
…
For there the Lord commanded the blessing—
Life forevermore. (Psalm 133) - Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need. (Acts 4:32-35)
- I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. (John 17:20-23 — Jesus praying)
It is vital as we move forward that we keep this unity. I know that God this is important to God and that He is watching over it. Much of Paul’s motivation in writing his first letter to the Corinthians is rooted in dealing with dishonour and disunity. Following close after the quote above from the end of Acts 4, we read at the beginning of Acts 5 how God dealt with those who would bring dishonour and disunity at the crucial moment where His blessing, provision, power and glory were being released in the church.
God is doing a great work here. We are moving into more things that have never fully come to pass at the Freedom Centre. As we advance, let us be careful about unity, just as Paul wrote:
Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. (Ephesians 4:1-3, NLT)
Journeying with you, Pastor Merril
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