The biggest day of the year for many churches is Easter. At our church, we plan and plan to have a great event. We send out invitations, advertise on the radio, prepare a great worship time, and have hundreds of Easter eggs ready for a big hunt for the children. I know we will have many returning church attenders and dozens of first time visitors. So, I really try to make the sermon my best of the year.
So now that Easter’s over, what do we do? How do you follow a great Easter? I discovered two practical ideas from the first Easter in the Gospel of Matthew. Immediately following the resurrection of Jesus, we find three groups of people mentioned: the Women, the Soldiers & the Disciples.
The Women – sent to the disciples
Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me. (Matthew 28:10)
The Soldiers – told the religious leaders about the resurrection
…some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. (Matthew 28:11)
The Disciples – sent into the world to teach the Gospel
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:18-20)
These three groups had one thing in common. They told the truth of what they knew about Jesus. So, I think we can follow up Easter with two actions.
1. GO TELL THE TRUTHS OF JESUS.
After Easter we need to tell the truths of Jesus. The women told the disciples and the guards reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. They reported the truth of what had happened. We need to report the truth, especially the truth of scripture.
We need to repeat the truths of scripture everywhere we go! Scripture is truth. If there is anything we can believe today, it’s the Bible! If you want to quote someone, then quote God! Most people can’t argue with scripture. No one can win against God!
There is absolutely something powerful about the truth of God’s Word! Jesus said, “Heaven and will pass away but my words will never pass away.” (Mark 13:31)
2. GO TELL THE TRUTH ABOUT JESUS.
After Easter, we need to make disciples. We need to convince people that Jesus is the only Savior of the world and their only hope for salvation.
Telling people about Christ is much like going fishing. Jesus said, “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19)
What happens when you have fished and fished and never caught anything? You get tired of it. I think this happens in witnessing to people about Christ. After a period of no interest, we can begin to lose our interest in going fishing for men.
But there is something else about fishing. Those who catch the most, fish the most. The same principle applies to winning people to Christ. If we don’t work at it then how do we expect to win people to Christ!?
When is the last time you personally led another person to Jesus Christ?’
When is the last time you tried?
Take this time following Easter to tell the ‘truths of Jesus‘ and tell the ‘truth about Jesus.’