Why We Celebrate Easter

Easter is when we celebrate the Gospel, or "good news" of Jesus Christ. This Gospel is all about one man and his brazen claim in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the father except through me."

As those separated from God the Father by our sins, our only hope is in Jesus, who promises to take the penalty of our sin upon Himself allowing us to stand faultless before God on Judgement Day.

Jesus was born miraculously some 2000 years ago in Bethlehem to a peasant girl and her soon to-be husband, Joseph. He grew and worked as a carpenter and at 30 years of age began a preaching and teaching ministry that spanned 3 years. His central message was that of grace and mercy. He accepted those rejected by society. He taught of a kingdom not of this world. He loved the unlovable. Prostitutes and sinners called him friend. He subtly claimed to be the long awaited Messiah of the Jews and to be God in the flesh. The religious people of the day rejected Jesus' claims and sought to arrest and ultimately kill him. They succeeded, not knowing that it was God's plan all along.

Jesus was crucified on a cross as a common criminal even though He had done nothing to deserve such a fate. His birth, life, and death fulfilled prophecy after prophecy from the Old Testament scriptures. It was as if this amazing, redemption story had been written from creation and was playing out before our eyes.

Jesus was buried by friends in a borrowed tomb. Guards were placed at the mouth of the tomb along with an immovable stone to assume no one stole his body. Yet, after 3 days when some women went to visit the burial site, He was nowhere to be found. Jesus had risen from the dead just as he had said he would do. He appeared to his followers over the period of 50 days until He was taken up by His father into heaven in front of many eyewitnesses.

The Church began as thousands heard the first Gospel sermon preached by Peter on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2). His message? Simply hear the story, believe it, repent of sin, and be baptized into the name of Jesus. This Gospel message began to spread like wildfire and no one could deny it.

Today, that same message of salvation through Jesus is still preached by those who call themselves "Christians."

This incredible story is the foundation of our faith. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians, "For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures." 1 Corinthians 15:3,4

Why are we doing all this?

Busy in the office

It was about 2 months ago as I was sitting at my desk in the church office with piles of work yet to be touched, the church calendar church full of activities, and deadlines looming, that I stopped to think and ask myself a vital question. "Why are we doing all this?" Not, "Should we be doing all this" but seriously, "Why?"

What should the focus of the church be and is that indeed the heart of what we do? KCC offers so many events - what is the central theme of our events? The church calendar contains an endless cycle of activities...what is the primary purpose of all those activities?

Rick Warren in his book "The Purpose Driven Life" said it well when he began the first page by saying, "It isn't about me." So who is it about?!

Then it hit me! It was my "duh" moment. It's all about JESUS. It has to be about JESUS. But is it?

Who is our focus?

Is everything we do as a church about JESUS? Personally, does my life revolve around JESUS? Is JESUS the filter through which I process my day? I knew for me, it wasn't always the case. So to that end, I began a search for some resources to assist me to reclaim my focus.

Three resources I found helpful:

• It's all about Jesus sermon series by Mark Driscoll
• Jesus: Pure and Simple & Message by Wayne Cordeiro
• Jesus: A Theography by Leonard Sweet & Frank Viola

I've started my journey with Jesus: A Theography. The book details the existence of JESUS from before time began to eternity. I've always known JESUS was involved somewhat in all of history, but never knew to what extent He was part of all that God was doing! Here are just a couple thoughts from the book.

JESUS was with God in the beginning. John 15:7

JESUS by Akiane

JESUS is the thread that runs through the entire Old Testament of the Bible. John 5:39
JESUS in creation

• Day One: His Birth
• Day Two: His Death
• Day Three: His Resurrection
• Day Four: His Ascension
• Day Five: His Indwelling Life
• Day Six: His Rule
• Day Seven: His Rest

The rest of the Biblical story of God's attempt to redeem humanity is that God tried many methods, but none seemed to work. He tried a flood, a covenant, a king, a priest, a prophet. Finally, God stepped in. He sent His own Son, the second Adam.

It's all about JESUS. It's all about His reign, His kingdom, His plan. My prayer for you this year is that your focus will be on JESUS, the one who said, "No one comes to the Father except by me."

If you do not have a relationship with JESUS, haven't confessed your faith in Him, or been baptized into Him, we would love to talk to you about it and help you in your walk! Call, Email, or visit the church office to set up a time to meet!

"Not a Fan" Q&A

Sunday at KCC will be the last week of the current sermon series "Not a Fan." Instead of a sermon this week, we're inviting Dan Johnson, Tim Severance, and Dylan Frashier to answer questions regarding "Not a Fan: Becoming a completely committed follower of Jesus."  Questions can be submitted via Facebook, email, and texting.

We would also like to hear your story! If hearing the messages or reading the book, Not a Fan and the scriptures that go along with it, has encouraged you to move from fan to follower, we want to hear about it! Tell us your story to share and encourage others.

We'll be taking text questions on Sunday morning during both services, but you don't have to wait until then to submit your question or share your story.

Submit us your "Not a Fan" question and/or story now.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kccwired
Email: notafan@kccwired.com
Text: 231-715-1259

Please note that questions will be addressed on Sunday, November 11th during the 8:30 & 11:00 am worship services at the Kalkaska Church of Christ. All questions may not be read and answered due to time constraints.

Primary Task

Paul said in Acts, "...my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace." Acts 20:24

What is the primary task of a believer in Jesus Christ? 

• Raise a family?
• Help fellow man?
• Community involvement?
• Increased Biblical knowledge?

While all of these tasks are important, and even Biblical, they are not intended to be a Christian's primary task on this earth. Paul says he was given his primary task of "testifying to the good news of God's grace." Let's break this down into three parts.

1. Christians are called to testify - Testify means "to bear witness to." You are to tell others why you act the way you do. Do you pray? Why? Do you read the Bible? Why? Do you attend church on Sunday? Why? No one can testify in your place. You are the only one who can bear witness to what you believe and how you live your life. It's up to you to tell people why you do what you do.
2. Christians testify the "good news" - Talking about the local news, sports, politics, etc are all good, but  Christ followers are called to share the good news of Jesus i.e. the death, burial, and resurrection with the promise of forgiveness.
3. Christians share God's grace - This grace stems from the fact that Jesus Christ did rise from the dead, return to the Father and is now interceding for those who will believe and follow Him. 

There is a myriad of activities available to participate in each day of life. Simply staying busy with "church" activities, isn't necessarily completing the primary task Christ has given Christians. The Christian's primary task is clear. Letting people know Jesus Christ has made a difference in our lives and He desires to do the same for them.

From Fan to Follower

"If any man would come after me, he must deny himself, take us his cross daily and follow me." 
Luke 9:23 NIV

I'm excited about an upcoming sermon series at KCC called "Not a Fan." It's based on a book by the same name by Kyle Idleman, teaching pastor at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky. If you want to get a head start and read the book, pick up a copy of "Not a Fan" in the church lobby. The series will begin on October 7th and run 6 weeks with some special speakers weighing in on the subject matter. 

When I first heard the title, I was confused. Being a "fan" of a sport, person, or place is a good thing, isn't it? Isn't the goal of every high school, college, and professional sports program to put as many fans in the stands as possible? Aren't "fans" the crazy people who tailgate prior to the game, paint their faces team colors, and scream their lungs out cheering on their favorite team? What boldness, pride, and commitment they possess! 

Yet, I knew I was missing something in just being a "fan." My initial question was: "If I'm not called to be a fan, what am I called to be?" The answer is: a follower. A completely committed follower. Which is quite a contrast from a fan. To better understand it, we might want to say, a player. The contrast between a fan and a player makes the title clearer. 

Instead of sitting in the stands, we need to be on the field. Instead of just yelling at the refs, we need to be calling the plays. Instead of just painting our faces, we need to be wearing the uniform. Instead of just coming to the game, we need to be at the practice. Instead of just watching once a week, we need to be involved every day.

Through the upcoming series, "Not a Fan," you will be called to take Him seriously when he says "deny yourself," learning what it means to "take up your cross," and being challenged to become a fully committed follower of Jesus Christ. You won't want to miss it!

Waves

"But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed." Luke 5:16

Our family recently took a week off. We didn't plan to go anywhere, but wanted to have the flexibility to take "day trips" in the area. One day of our staycation we drove up to the shore of Lake Michigan in Eastport to enjoy the beach and take in a sunset. As I relaxed under an umbrella in my beach chair I observed our kids trying to body surf in the waves. They would continuously rise and break until arriving at the beach like a spilled can of Sprite. The children would see a wave coming, turn towards the shore, and try to let it carry them along in the water. No sooner had it passed them than another wave was upon them ready to repeat the trip.

Watching the waves endlessly propel the kids leads me to think of many of our schedules. Seems we are just wrapping up one project, event, or activity and another one is right there behind it ready to lift us and carry us along with it. Just like the waves on the lake there seems to be no break from the never-ending parade of activities. With the waves of activities, it can be very difficult to find time for a break. 

The Bible tells us that Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Sometimes he would go up a mountain. Other times he would walk through a garden. But He made a habit of taking time for rest and restoration. And if the Son of God needed to take time away from the busyness of life, how much more should we? 

Here are 5 tips to help you stop the waves and create a lonely place for yourself to recharge and reconnect with God.

• Unplug. Disconnect from the technology. Turn off your cell phone. Turn off the television. Turn off the radio. They'll leave a message. Relax. 
• Mobilize. Go for a walk, take a jog, or go for a drive. Do something that involves your whole body. Jesus hiked up mountains when he took quiet time. Move that body!
• Make Time Stand Still. Ignore the clock. This may not be possible every time you take quiet time with God, but when it is, leave your watch at home. Let yourself know, "This isn't timed."
• Brain Dump. How do you do that?! Take a note pad and as things pop in your head that you need to do, jot them down. That allows your mind to let them go. You won't forget them. They are written down. Tell your mind "it's okay" to release your "To Do list" for a later time. 
• Reconnect. After you've unplugged, got moving, stopped worrying about the clock, and cleared out your mind, then reconnect with God, your father. Pray out loud to Him. Read scriptures. Memorize verses. 

Interestingly, once the sun set over Lake Michigan, the waves subsided. It seems even the lake was taking a rest from it's busy churning and tossing of the day. All of God's creation was made to take a break from time to time. When will you take yours?

Churches Change

"We used to have a bell that called folks to church, now we have atomic clocks.

We used to have alters, now we have a stage.

We used to have stained glass windows, now we have none.

We used to have a choir, now a praise band.

We used to sing out of hymnals, now we sing words off a screen.

We used to have pews, now we sit on chairs.

But we still come to worship the Lord until its time for us to go or He comes. I'm old!"
- Janet Severance

Recently my wife and I went through our children's rooms and cleaned them out. They don't listen to the Baby Einstein CDs anymore. They stopped reading the board books long ago. We donated many toys to Goodwill because the kids have long since stopped playing with them. Their interests have changed. They have moved on from infant and toddler toys to fascination with Pokemon, Beyblades, Our Generation dolls, and the iPad. While it's difficult to throw away sentimental memories from their childhood, it's also healthy. They need to let go of the old to make room for the new. It's time for a change.

Life is packed with change. You really can't escape it. Our culture has changed. Remember these changes?

Word Processors replace typewriters. Computers replace Word Processors. Laptops replace desktop computers.  Netbooks replace laptops. And now Tablet Computers are replacing Netbooks.

Letters replace telegraph .Email replace letters. Instant messaging replace email. and now Texting, Facebook, and Tweeting are replacing instant messaging.

78's replaced the 8-Track. 33's & 45's replaced 78's. Cassette tapes replaced records. Cd's replaced cassettes. Digital tracks are now replacing Cd's.

Churches must also change with culture to remain relevant to the society in which it finds itself. Paul wrote to the Corinthians "I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings." (1 Corinthians 9:22,23) "Becoming all things" in Paul's day refers to becoming like a Jew or living like one under the Old Testament law to win the Jews to Christ. It refers to becoming like one not having the Old Testament law, so as to win those not under the law. It refers to becoming weak in understanding spiritual concepts, so as to win those people to the Lord.

How does this look today? Paul seemed to be advocating removing barriers to people's understanding of Christ. He became open-minded and associated with those he wanted to reach. Much like Jesus did when he spent time with tax collectors, sinners, and prostitutes. Paul became like the people he wanted to talk to in order to break down walls and build a bridge of communication.

Our church may embrace new methods, new strategies, or new approaches to reach younger generations. Our church may look different, act different, or think different from years past. Yet we do not compromise nor alter the Gospel message. We simply are seeking that bridge of communication in order to speak into people's lives today. A performance stage. A worship band. A video screen. All are tools to become more like the culture in which we live, striving to reach those who have yet to come to faith in Jesus Christ.