Have a Triumphant Easter!

It has been said that familiarity breeds contempt. While we would never associate such a strong metaphor with our view of Easter, many times we as Christians are caught up in the holiday, but forget the essence of why Christ died for us.

Paul the Apostle gives insight on a powerful way to experience a triumphant Easter in Philippians 3:10:

"That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;"

1. "That I may know him..."

So many times we desire the power that comes from Christ's resurrection, but we are not willing to put forth the effort to know Him.

We know Jesus by His Commands. (See John 14:21.)

2. "and the power of his resurrection..."

Christ redeemed us when we accepted His gift of Salvation. Now the power that is in Him, through His resurrection, is freely given to us.

We experience power by living out His commands. (See Romans 1:16.)

3. "and the fellowship of his sufferings..."

Christ suffered to bring us to Himself.

We have "birth travail" in disciple-making. (See Galatians 4:19.)

4. "being made conformable unto his death..."

Christ gave up His life willingly to bring about reconciliation between us and God.

We die to self so others can know more about life. (See II Corinthians 4:12.)

"For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. [Because he gives us the power of grace to keep them] For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” (I John 5:3–4) “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word [Rhema] of God” (Romans 10:17).

Next week we will be unveiling an exciting new chapter in achieving these goals through the introduction of Embassy Institute at our Big Sandy Regional Conference. I am thrilled at the powerful new material and resources that will be given and I look forward to seeing you!

Through Christ our risen Lord,

Bill Gothard