REVved - EASTER 2008 - "March Gladness"

“March Gladness!”  <—I borrowed this edited version of the NCAA basketball phrase (“March Madness”) to sum up the joyful celebration of Easter at FBC this year.  Of course, I didn’t overlook the traditional greeting and response – we used it all morning in church. “Christ is risen!  He is risen indeed” 

I was so excited about Easter that I couldn’t get to sleep last night.  I knew I had to get to bed early because the alarm was set for 4:30 am, but I didn’t feel sleepy…at all.  I think the last time I saw on my digital alarm was 12:34 am.  Jan popped up around 3:30.  I stirred after 4:30.  We were ready to leave the house around 5:30 and arrived at FBC a little after 6:00. As we were leaving our moonlit neighborhood, I noticed by all the darkened houses that we were the only ones up and gently graced the neighborhood with a few light horn taps, to the tune of “Christ the Lord is Risen Today!” 

Our first service (of four) was at 6:30 am.  You should have seen the choir and musicians when we arrived.  They were still making some final adjustments to their music, but they looked great and sounded fantastic - the energy in the room was palpable.  They stayed for all of the services and our Director of Worship, Daniel Sesay, was in rare form.  I was amazed by the energy of our musicians throughout the morning.  Easter music is sublime!  Our song list this morning included, Rejoice the Lord is King(prelude), Shout for Joy (powerful starting song), He Loved Me With a Cross (featuring a moving solo part), My Redeemer Lives (this was the one that had our African worship leader moving and dancing!), Christ the Lord is Risen Today, Christ Arose (an engaging combination of the traditional version with some contemporary additions), and Because He Lives.  I am deeply grateful to our musicians for offering these fresh elements to our worship today.  People loved it!  We also utilized a 2 minute video clip titled, “Easter Office” – a short look at how many people have no idea what Easter really means.

I preached from I Corinthians 15:12–20 – “Don’t Cave In On the Resurrection”  As I’ve done for 23 years at FBC, at the end of each service I invited people to put their faith in Christ.  18 raised a hand indicating they wanted to trust in Jesus today – that I know of.  This is the highlight for me – transformed lives!  As I led them in a prayer of faith, my heart surged with joy.  There is a lot of talk, and even some debate, in the evangelical church today about helping believers grow and mature in Christ.  How do we disciple people?  I know for sure how it starts = STEP 1 – Conversion!  God provided a joyful harvest for us this morning.

While I have to admit that I’m feeling exhausted tonight (I’m not as young as I used to be!), my heart is overflowing with joy.  Or should I say, “March Gladness?” 

Comments

[Anna Thorne]

I'm so glad we were able to be there today...I was browsing AOL now that I'm back at school, and saw the linked blog article--it was basically your sermon in a nutshell. Well, the main idea anyway. :) Hope you both sleep well tonight, you deserve it!
http://news.aol.com/newsbloggers/2008/03/21/did-the-resurrection-actually-happen/

[Sandy]

MHR,
Today couldn't have been better...all four of us worshipping together on Easter Sunday.:-) Adam made the comment that he really likes Daniel's worship style...I couldn't agree more!! :-) Your message was, as usual, powerful!! As I sat and listened, my heart rejoiced in knowing that for the past 19 years we've had the privilege of sitting under your teaching. The fundamentals of our faith are indeed being threatened and challenged within the church of Jesus Christ today...the bodily resurrection being one of those. We must "run the race with endurance" and never stop proclaiming the wondrous truths of God's Word, despite how unpopular that becomes. Rejoicing with you and Mrs. Rev over the 18 souls that are now "heaven-bound."