Mark 16:1-8

Read Mark 16:1-8.

1.  God will make a way for you to make a way to go your way and tell everyone.  Notice what He will do and what He wants you to do.

2.  God meets your need before you become aware of it.  The stone was rolled away before the women even thought about how to deal with it.

3.  Get to Jesus early in the morning.  Start your day right.

4.  When it comes to the Resurrection, you have access to more than you think.  The women intended to anoint a dead man.  You could say they were going to pay their respects, doing what they could as they grieved.  They weren't prepared to see and hear an angel. They didn't anticipate an empty tomb with the stone rolled away.  Easter is an opportune time to ask Jesus to enlarge your capacity to realize His greatness.

Quote By A. W. Tozer

"I cannot give in to the devil's principal, deceitful tactic which makes so many Christians satisfied with an 'Easter celebration' instead of experiencing the power of Christ's resurrection.  It is the devil's business to keep  Christians mourning and weeping with pity beside the cross instead of demonstrating that Jesus Christ is risen indeed."

Tozer, A. W.  "Easter And Missions."  Mornings With Tozer.  Chicago, IL:  Wing Spread Publishers, 2008.  Entry for April 8.

Jesus Turned Them (Jn. 20:1-29)

Read John 20:1-29.

1.  Mary - Jesus turned her weeping into worship.

2.  Peter & John - Jesus turned their routine (20:10) into rejoicing.

3.  Thomas - Jesus turned Thomas' obstinacy into opportunity.

What a difference the Resurrection makes!  What a difference an encounter with Jesus makes! Jesus knows where you're at, what you're going through and how to convince you that He is both real and alive.  From an honest, sincere heart, would you invite Him:  "Jesus, please encounter me and change me."  He will take you up on that offer,

Mary, Peter and John's Responses To Jesus' Empty Tomb (Jn. 20:1-10)

Read John 20:1-10.

1.  Mary, the rationalist, was quick to assume another explanation.  She deferred to logic.

2.  Peter, the agnostic, was slow to declare his stance.  He saw, he evaluated, but the text does not say that he believed yet.  He deferred to indecision.

3.  John, the beloved disciple, was quick to believe limited evidence.  He didn't understand what Jesus' rising from the dead meant, let alone how it happened (Jn. 20:9), but he believed nonetheless. John deferred to faith.

Outline of John Chapter 20

Read John chapter 20.

1.  People encountered, on their initiative, an empty tomb (20:1-10).

2.  People encountered, on Jesus' initiative, a risen Savior (20:11-29).

3.  People encountered, on the Holy Spirit's initiative, many other signs (20:30-31).

Easter Opportunity (Mt. 28:1-10)

photo: http://tinyurl.com/znv5aok

Perhaps file this away for next Easter.

1.  The opportunity to investigate the vast evidence (28:5-6).
2.  The opportunity to communicate the good news (28:7).
3.  The opportunity to encounter the risen Christ (28:9).  Encounter Him and worship Him.  You can encounter Him because He took the initiative to encounter you.

The Easter Beatitude (Jn. 20:29)

Oh, the blessedness of belief that doesn't require sight!

It's not that there is no proof, no evidence.  Should you study it honestly, it will lead you to the conclusion that Christ has risen.

Thomas had been with Jesus.  He knew Him.  At least he should've known Him.  Thomas spent a bit over 3 years with the other disciples.  He should've known that they wouldn't jest about something this serious and sensitive.  And why would Mary lie too?

Still, Thomas needed more.  How marvelous of Jesus not to write off Thomas!  It's as if Jesus said, "Thomas, if this is what it takes, okay."  What love!

Jesus preferred, however, belief that didn't require sight.  That is still His way (Heb. 11:1).

So what is it you need to trust God for?  Maybe your thing isn't doubting the Resurrection.  What other doctrine are you struggling with?  What promise of God hasn't come to pass yet and the delay is driving you nuts?  What pleases God is trust, not stipulations or fleeces or "bargains."

My Thoughts Inexactly (02/27/16)

NOTES

1. Today's subject is "fishing" - getting ready to maximize the season between Palm Sunday and Pentecost Sunday.  This episode is more of a pep talk than a nuts-and-bolts guide.
2. Just a reminder that Easter is four weeks from tomorrow.  I hope you've already started praying and planning.
3. Don't hesitate to go where the fish are, but realize that, this time of year, many "fish" will come to you.  Be ready for them.
4. Don't dread this busy time.  Sure, it takes a lot out of you, but the reward will be worth it.  Get excited about this most opportune time!

Apollo On My Mind (02/18/16)

You are welcome to join us at Apollo Assembly of God.

Child care will be provided Easter Sunday.

To My Discouraged Pastor Friend

Discouraged pastor, I've been where you are right now.  I've been there often. 

It's the day after Easter.  You've heard one pastor friend (or church) after another share exciting reports from Easter.  With e-mail, Facebook, Twitter and such, how could you not?  Attendance was up, guest count was high, the offering was exceptional, people were saved.  You're happy for your fellow pastors.  You sincerely are.  You had tears in your eyes when you read about those who were saved.  You know better than to not celebrate a kingdom win.

Today you're discouraged because you didn't see the results you wanted.  My friend you prayed just as long, planned just as diligently, worked just as hard as others.  You did many of the same things.  You sang many of the same songs.  You preached a conservative Easter message from one of the classic passages.  Other pastors and churches prospered.  It appears you didn't.

My discouraged pastor friend, I know that feeling well.  That's what I battled for six consecutive Easters. This year things were different.  I'll leave it at that.  I want you to know I've prayed for you today.  You're God's servant.  He loves you.  You pleased Him yesterday with your effort.  Please know that He hasn't abandoned you.  He's not disappointed in you.  All He wants is for you to remain faithful.

Easter Sunday Recap

• With anointing and sincerity the children sang, "Christ the Lord Is Risen Today."  This song was responsible for the presence of several parents who don't normally attend.
• According to the children's church leader, there were "at least 18" kids in children's church.  When is the last time that happened?  Wow!
• The exact number in attendance was 76 (no exaggeration or rounding it off).  That's more than double our normal, average attendance.  Prayer was answered.  Extending invitations paid off.
• We reached our goal of raising $1,000 for disaster relief in Japan.  We are partnering with Convoy of Hope.

Thank you to all our guests.  There are many good, Bible-believing churches you could've attended.  We're grateful you chose Lockport Assembly of God.  Please join us again as your schedule permits.

Final Preparations

Easter is tomorrow! (Just in case there is one person who might not have heard.)

Have you completed final preparations? There is personal preparation and procedural preparation.

• Are there any last minute invitations to be extended?
• Is the church lawn mowed?
• Do you have enough bulletins and response cards?
• Have you prayed for people to surrender their lives to Jesus?

Please be on time tomorrow. Come prayed up, ready to worship and expecting great things. Please leave the back two rows for the guests. Thanks.

Easter Invitations Are Ready

The invitations are printed on 4x6 postcards. I am asking every family unit at L.A.G. to distribute at least 5 invitations. You can hand them to people. If you're more comfortable mailing the invitations, you can do that. Invitations will be available tomorrow.

Easter is only three weeks away! Don't wait until the last minute to distribute or mail your invitations.

Our approach is simple. We're not asking people if they're going to church on Easter. We're assuming they are. We're assuming some of them will attend L.A.G. this Easter.

Easter Is Only Seven Weeks Away

It's probably too early to hand someone a written invitation to be your guest for Easter service. It is not too early to begin thinking about whom to invite. It is not too early to begin praying for those you intend to invite.