Easter lilies adorned the altar as we gathered to worship and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter morning. Wayne Johnson opened our service with prayer and welcomed many visitors. Darlene Mitchell and Korbin White were celebrating birthdays. The ladies wore their Easter bonnets and the kids enjoyed an Easter egg hunt after the service. Special prayers were requested for Mertie Harmon, Jerry Abercrombie and Roxanne.
Linda Abercrombie shared the devotional "It Is Finished," about living your story in the middle with the end in sight. The beginning and the end are happy times in the Bible. Genesis talks about God's creations and Revelation talks about a world without end. But in the middle there were battles, confusion and may ups and downs just like in the middle of life. We start in the middle where God has placed us and face life's ups and downs, joys and sorrows. But just as Jesus said on the cross, "It is finished," we must live with the end in sight for as Christians, the end will come out good.
As everyone received a cross token, Kitty shared the meaning of the cross at this time of the year and in our lives. Becky Johnson and Karen Gardner led the congregational hymns, "Christ Arose" and "He Lives" and we enjoyed special music from Jerry and Linda Abercrombie and Karen, who sang songs about the sacrifice Jesus Christ made for us. Rick Lett asked God's blessing upon the offertory and he and Tyrel Lett served as ushers.
Our pastor, Brother Mark Hall, shared why we celebrate Easter in the children's sermon and read I Thessalonians 4:13. He talked about having good friends and seeing Jesus and our friends and family that have passed on to Heaven again one of these days.
Scripture for Brother Mark's Easter message was from Matthew 26:36-56 and was titled "What If There Had Been No Easter?" He began by telling us that we waste a lot of time in life wondering "what if." "We make little choices and decisions in life and then wonder 'what if.' The world is full of 'what if' and in one minute things can change. Jesus chose the cross. What if he hadn't? He was crucified, died and rose to conquer sin and death."
Brother Mark talked about six tragic things that would have happened if Jesus Christ hadn't chosen the cross, died and risen from the grave and there was no Easter.
When talking about those six things - if there were no Easter, Brother Mark referred to I Corinthians 15:12-19 and said, "First, preaching would be pointless. There would be nothing to preach about and no hope." Verse 14 says 'And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.'
"Second, our faith would be foolish." Verse 15 says 'Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up-if in fact the dead do not rise.' Brother Mark also referred to Romans 1:1-5.
"Third, if there were no Easter, the disciples would be deceivers. They would be false witnesses." Verses 16-17 says 'For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!'
The fourth thing that would happen if there were no Easter is that sin would be sorrow. Brother Mark said, "We are all sinners. If there were no Easter, there would be no hope for forgiveness of our sins." Romans 6:22 tells us 'But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.'
Fifth, death would have dominion. Brother Mark said, "We now have victory over death and we will see our loved ones again."
And the sixth tragic thing if there were no Easter is that the future would be fearful. I Corinthians 15:19 tells us that there is hope after life because we have hope in Jesus Christ.
In closing, Brother0 Mark said, "We have hope because there is an Easter. He came into this world as a baby, was crucified, died and arose. There is only one thing left and that is for Him to come back. Are you ready? You won't have time to wonder 'what if' when Jesus comes. Ask forgiveness and accept Jesus Christ as your savior now. Just being good won't get you into Heaven. You get to Heaven through God's way of being saved. There are no 'what if's'." Brother Mark referred to Romans 10:9-13 that tells of God's way of being saved.
Our hymn of invitation was "Because He Lives" and Wayne Holly gave the benediction.
We invite you to worship with us at Mill Creek Baptist Church on Sunday mornings at 11 a.m. Sunday School begins at 10 a.m. Everyone is welcome.
Religion on 04/20/2017