Easter Sunday Funday

Well Hoppy Easter everybody! If you think that is a typo then you obviously don't have a sense of humor like I do. Or maybe I am just a complete doofus (just asked my brother how to spell doofus so that gives you a better idea on how to answer that question). I ate three bagels this morning so there is that. Eating habits are pretty solid I think. Did I mention I am currently listening to the David Crowder Christmas album? It's April. Alright I moved rooms. Now sitting on a couch. Yes Andrew Couch is sitting on a couch. So how was your Easter Sunday so far everyone? I realize that this is a rhetorical question as I am typing words onto a website and not in an actual conversation. I'll be right back, going to grab some jelly beans.Okay I am back. SO GOOD. Anyway, let's get to what really matters. Jesus. Today is Easter. What does that mean? That means that Jesus Christ, rose from the dead. Paul said that if Christ did not rise from the dead than we have wasted our lives. The cross and the resurrection of Jesus Christ are the two cohesive events that define our faith as followers in Christ. I am going to kind of piggy back off of what my pastor Louie Giglio talked about today at our Easter Sunday gathering by simply using the same section of scripture. I was going to basically just give you some notes from todays sermon but I won't be doing that because God is telling me write something else. Well first, I just want to take a second and say that I am so grateful to God for creating the situations in my life in which I would end up at my home Passion City Church. I absolutely adore serving as a Door Holder and being a part of the choir. It is truly my home and where I belong. Back to scripture. "For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also. For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me. Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed." 1 Corinthians 15:3-10Now let's dissect this a little bit. First of all, Jesus specifically stayed on this Earth for 40 days after His resurrection to go and tell others that He was alive. He didn't just show a few people either. It says that after He talked to the twelve disciples, He saw and spoke to over 500 people. He wasn't trying to keep this a secret. Jesus is pursuing you. He wasn't trying to keep the fact that He had DEFEATED DEATH a secret. Jesus had specifically designed to tell over 500 people about what had happened and show them that He lives and show them the scars. Jesus chose the disciples for a reason. It is no coincidence that they were just so willing to go. Jesus chose them. "Follow me." He said to them. Now I want to specifically look at verses 9 and 10. Paul says that he was the last person that Jesus talked to before He ascended back into heaven. And what does Paul have to say about that? "Hahaha Jesus chose me. I am better than you all." How about, "I guess He saved the best for last." No. Paul says, "I am the least of the apostles and not even fit to be called one. BUT BY THE GRACE OF GOD I AM WHAT I AM." Are you serious? Giving all the credit to God? Come on Paul you had to have done something right to deserve this right? Wrong. Paul, just like the rest of us had not done anything extra special to earn the love of Jesus. This is what we call "unconditional acceptance". Jesus Christ chose Paul. A man who regularly persecuted Christians. He hated the church and wanted absolutely nothing to do with Jesus and yet he was chosen to lead a ministry to make the name of Jesus famous and to help build the bride of Christ that is the church. Paul then goes on to say that God's election of Him would not prove to be vain. He references this fact again in Philippians 2:16 "Holding fast the word of life so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain." God's grace to Paul would not go to waste. Paul got to work. He worked harder and did more teaching on our savior Jesus Christ than anyone else who followed Him. And again, Paul makes it clear that it was only because of Christ working in him that he was able to carry out the ministry of Jesus as effectively as he did. 

What I take from this is a call. What are we doing with our time here on Earth. Our lives is described as flash. Over before you know it. God has a purpose for all of us. Will you be like Paul? Dedicating your life to Jesus? I am not saying that everyone who follows Jesus has to be a pastor or a theologian like John Piper. We aren't all gifted the same way. I am saying that God is calling you to do "immeasurably more" in Christ. No matter what you are being called to by God, you do it and you do it with your highest efforts. Look at 2 Peter. 

"Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control,perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, theyrender you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For hewho lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosingyou; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble ; for in this way the entranceinto the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you." 2 Peter 1:5-11

Do not waste your time here on Earth. Celebrate that He died so that we may live and that He is risen every single day of your life. Make every effort to not only better your own knowledge and understanding but as Matthew 28:19 says, "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit." Do what God calls you to do and glorify Him in the highest in whatever that may be.

P.S. I use NAS translation for all scriptures posted unless stated otherwise. 

P.P.S. Happy Easter!