Love From Your Pastor

Greetings Brothers and Sisters of FBC!

“It’s Friday… But Sunday’s a comin’!”  I heard part of a great sermon earlier this week, and that was the often-repeated statement.  What is it about “Good Friday” that makes it “Good”?  As we reflect on our Savior’s bloody and humiliating death for us, we must come to grips with the purpose and the results of His death on the cross.
Some of us are using the same Bible reading plan this year, and the last two days we’ve been reading the first 7 chapters of Leviticus.  A number of different offerings under the old covenant are described, including the sin offering (chs. 4-5).  Listen the the Gospel Transformation Bible note on this passage: “The Bible often uses the metaphor of impurity to describe sin.  It is a metaphor we can identify with: sin often makes us feel dirty (Ps. 51:2).  For the Israelites, their sin defiled both themselves and the Lord’s holy dwelling place in their midst.  Because of His great purity, the Lord could not allow such defilement to remain in His holy camp.  But because of His great mercy, He provided a way for the Israelites to remove this impurity: the sin offering, in which the lifeblood of an animal without blemish ransomed sinners from the Lord’s just punishment and cleansed the defilement of their sin.  The sin offering prefigured for God’s people the mercy we see in a far greater way in Jesus’ sacrificial death.  This was the ultimate sin offering (Rom. 8:3; Heb. 1:3; 13:11-12), and it was great enough to cleanse all our sins (Heb. 9:28; 10:10, 12, 14; 1 John 1:9).  Because of this, we can boldly draw near to God, knowing that because of Jesus’ sacrifice we are fully cleansed of all sin and impurity and therefore fully accepted by the Father (Heb. 10:19-22).”  Amen!  What a great truth.  Jesus has become our sin offering, once and for all!  I’d encourage you to read again Mark 15:21-39 on this Good Friday, and reflect on the subsitutionary suffering of Jesus Christ on our behalf.  Also, consider how significant it is that the curtain in the temple was torn in two, top to bottom.
Like I said, it’s Friday.  But Sunday’s coming!  I will be preaching on Mark 16:1-8, a message entitled, “RISEN!”  I think it will help to prepare for Sunday by reading the crucifixion passage in Mark 15, and trying to really enter into the emotions of the event.  What were the disciples feeling at this time?  How did Peter feel?  What about the numerous women mentioned?  Let the story of the cross cause you to grieve over the sin that led to His death.  Then as you prepare for Sunday, reflect on the incredible swing of emotions in the other direction.  How did finding Christ risen affect the women who first saw Him?  How did the disciples change in what they thought and felt?  What about Peter?
Let’s also make a special effort to welcome guests who come to our “house” this Sunday.  Let’s demonstrate cheerful and kind hospitality to everyone who comes through our doors.  Let’s be praying for the hearts of those who don’t yet truly know Christ as Lord and Savior.  Be praying for the people you have invited.  Pray for the music and the message to be used by God to touch hearts.  Remind people you are inviting that there is going to be a time of refreshments at 10am, followed by the worship at 10:30.  Encourage guests to join with us in the food and fellowship before the service.  Try to meet someone new.  Introduce yourself and try to learn their name.  Please consider sitting toward the front of the sanctuary, and moving in to the middle of the rows, so we can leave plenty of seating in the back and on the aisles.  Consider parking a little farther away than you normally would so guests can have the closer parking.  May the Lord use us as His instrument to bring new life into the hearts of people as we celebrate our RISEN Savior this Sunday!
Also, don’t forget the sunrise service up on buttercup hill at 6:30am.  Join many from the community to get an early start, just as the women did “when the sun had risen” (Mark 16:2).
It’s Friday… But Sunday’s coming!!!  Looking forward to our celebration.  “He is Risen.  He is Risen indeed!”
Love From Your Pastor,
Michael