JOHN SHIRK – This week’s Light Reflections examine some of the bright spots in the book of Acts when God was on the move in the hearts of people.
One of those places was Acts chapter 4, as Peter and John, two followers of Jesus, were speaking to the people. Verse 2 tells us that the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. Some of the religious leaders seized Peter and John and put them in jail the next day. But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.
Through changing times and the current issues that the church is compelled to address, we are wise to stay focused on the meaning of Jesus’ death and resurrection. That is where our ultimate hope is found. That is where the battle was won for those who would believe in Christ. Those moments in history draw us to Jesus as forgiver of our sins and the source of our salvation. The message of the cross and the empty grave remind us of the victory that we have in Jesus over our greatest adversaries.
This Light Reflection inspires us to remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, and share that message with others in the Year to Shine.
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Matthew 28:9.
After Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to the tomb of Jesus, they encountered an angel who announced that Jesus was not in the tomb and had risen from the dead. He sent them on their way to tell this good news to the disciples of Jesus.
As they hurried away from the tomb, suddenly Jesus met them, saying “Greetings.” They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.
Jesus was glorified at His resurrection. There was a pattern here. The eyewitnesses to the resurrection of Jesus would worship Him, and then Jesus would tell them to spread the good news of His resurrection.
This is the calling of His followers today-to worship Jesus and be a light that tells other people that He is alive and able to save us from sin.
This Light Reflection inspires us to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus with faith, worship, and testimony in the Year to Shine.
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from Psalm 16:9 to 11.
David wrote, “My heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay. You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”
David saw hope beyond the grave because of this prophetic truth. God’s faithful one would not see decay. This prophecy came to light when Jesus rose from the dead.
On the day of Pentecost, Peter referred to this Psalm to apply it to Jesus. Acts 2:31 says, “Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it.” Our hope for life beyond the grave flows from the reality that Jesus rose from the dead.
This Light Reflection inspires us to rejoice in Jesus as our living hope in the Year to Shine.
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on the testimony of Jesus’ disciples to His resurrection.
In John 20:25, the disciples told Thomas, who had not yet seen Jesus alive, “We have seen the Lord.”
One of the compelling pieces of evidence that Jesus rose from the dead is found in the Bible. There were witnesses, and those witnesses were the disciples of Jesus.
Tim Keller explains why this is significant in his book “The Reason for God.” “Virtually all the apostles and early Christian leaders died for their faith, and it is hard to believe that this kind of powerful self-sacrifice would be done to support a hoax.”
Even though Thomas did not initially believe this report, he too would be convinced after seeing Jesus with his own eyes one week later.
Focusing on the resurrection of Jesus from the dead gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on John 20, verse 1.
“Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.”
Peter Marshall is quoted as saying, “The stone was rolled away from the door, not to permit Christ to come out, but to enable the disciples to go in.”
What did they find when they went into the tomb? Peter and another disciple saw strips of linen lying there and the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. But there was no body. John 20, verse 8 records that the disciple who reached the tomb first saw and believed when he went inside. The biggest piece of evidence to make the case for the resurrection of Jesus was what was missing at the tomb of Jesus when the stone was rolled away. Jesus’ body was missing, but He later appeared to His disciples alive. Jesus told His followers in John 14:19, “Because I live, you also will live.”
Jesus is our source of Good News, leading us to a place of faith and resurrection hope in the Year of Vision.
This morning we are celebrating Resurrection Day with a themed playlist! See the lineup below, including “Jesus Paid It All” by Kim Walker-Smith, “King of Kings” by Hillsong Worship, “Living Hope” from Phil Wickham, “Death Was Arrested” by Seth Condrey, “Resurrection Day” by Rend Collective and more.
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on the Father’s will.
Jesus said in John 6:40, “For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”
The Bible tells us that salvation is found in no one else. Jesus is the name given to mankind by which we must be saved. He is God’s precious gift from heaven. As we look to Jesus with a believing heart, He will be our source of righteousness and salvation. He will be our source of peace in times of conflict; He will be our source of confidence in times of crisis.
Focusing on Jesus as the reason for our hope gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Wisdom from the Red Letters is found in Revelation 1:18.
Jesus said to the Apostle John, “I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”
The resurrection of Jesus means that His followers live by faith in a Risen Savior, NOT a dead Christ.
His resurrection means that we can live in relationship with Him today. His word is living and active to guide us in the truth of God’s plan. He is alive and available to hear our prayers.
His resurrection also means that our faith overflows with hope, because Jesus has released His followers from the power of death and hell.
The words of Jesus inspire us to celebrate the miracle of the resurrection in the Year of Redemption.
Word Worship Team gathered information from national worship leader surveys, CCLI, and PlanningCenterOnline to create a list of the top songs for Easter 2019.
Click on the songs above to find lyrics and resource links to lead them in your church. Click below to listen through the top 10 songs as well as some other favorites.
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Eye on Integrity is based on Romans 10:9.
“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
The Gospel is the good news of what Jesus did for us when He went to the cross and rose from the dead three days later. This is the defining moment in history that gives us hope. No longer will God hold our sins against us if our faith is in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
Our failures are not fatal. Our faith is not futile. Death is not final. The resurrection of Jesus was a game-changer. His grace freely given is a life-changer.
Walking by faith in the resurrected Christ is a virtue to embrace for our lives in the Year of Integrity.
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Trust, today’s Focus on God examines His good news.
According to Acts 13:32 and 33, God’s good news is linked to the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
“We tell you the good news: What God promised our ancestors, he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus.”
Without the empty grave, the Christian faith would collapse. But since Jesus did rise from the dead, we have a living hope by believing in the name of Jesus Christ. We have the gift of His grace, the forgiveness of sins, peace with God, and an inheritance in God’s kingdom that can never perish, spoil, or fade.
The good news of Jesus is a reason to trust in God for today and forever.
