Happy Easter! Now What?

This week the History Channel, Biography, and Discovery all had material on the historical Jesus. Today, in church, AbundantHope in Downey , Ca., our Easter Cantata found Him! People were touched and a overhead presentation showing scenes of Jesus of Nazareth helped us all focus on the Cantata meaning as well as the pastor's forthcoming message. For our church, there is now the ongoing attempt at mininstry, finding the lost who will not or have not taken Jesus' challenge to accept love, grace, salvation, forgiveness to begin a new life while on earth to serve humanity as we serve God. We sent out 5000 brochures. There were really about 7 newcomers. But, the church was filled with families, relatives, friends of church goers. Kids abounded. You could see the faces, feel the reaching out. Only God's Sprit can draw people while at the same time, the individual churches, and members-attenders must reach out to other via their own experience with the Living Lord.It is an old, old story and no gimmicks really save people. Jesus' blood sacrifice 2000 years ago saves people not only from their sins but death, hell and separation from heavn. So what now? Well, personally I don't know. God will have to direct the new young evangelist who is now senior pastor. We all await that direction. As the old pastor, I do too. This is a great day but the battle and war against sin, horror, death, evil and Satan go on and on. We have the Commander in Chief though who can lead the church militant. We will still have to do good, fight evil, stand up for righteousness. We will still have to vote, stand for truth and justice. We may have to get our hands dirty before Jesus comes again. But, that is OK. He will clean us and others up just as He has done for 2000 years.