How to prepare for Easter Sunday:
1. Pray
Pray that God will work in your heart and the hearts of those who come on Easter Sunday. Most people who will come as first time guests have great needs and problems in their life. They are looking for answers, and they are looking for hope. Pray that they will find THE answer in Jesus Christ. God works when we pray, and place our dependence on Him. Pray for a specific person/family to come with you to church!
2. Attend
Make sure that you will be there on Easter Sunday. The Devil will do everything in his power to make sure that roadblocks are placed in your path on Easter Weekend. The kids will get sick, family will want you to spend time with them during church, you will feel tired, and anything that can go wrong will! When we commit to something, it means we have to say "no" to a lot of other things. If you do not attend church, I would challenge you to commit to coming Easter Sunday to First Baptist.
3. Serve
Get involved at church on Easter Sunday! Volunteer to be a greeter, help in the nursery, help with the Easter Egg Hunt for the kids. Find something to do to be a part of the service. Go out of your comfort zone to be a blessing to others.
4. Invite
There are people in your neighborhood, or at your work, or at your school, who would come as your guest, if you would simply invite them! One statistic I read recently, said that over 80% of unchurched said they would attend if invited by a friend or family member! I read another statistic the same day that said that only 2% of church members have ever once invited someone! This is the easiest and best time of the year to invite guests. One simple invitation could be life-changing for someone!
5. Celebrate
Remember why we are celebrating! We as Christians serve a Risen Savior who is alive. Last year, a certain cult group left an invitation on my door to come celebrate Christ's death. I understand how important Christ's atoning death on the cross is, but I'm not celebrating the fact that Jesus died...I'm celebrating that Jesus is alive! He defeated death, proving He is God.
There are thousands of graves all around the world that are famous because of what is inside them, but the grave of Christ is the only one in the world that is famous because what is not inside!
Hope to see you on Easter Sunday!
Pastor Joel
