Larry and I love the Easter season! Not only because it is the time that we remember the death of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and celebrate His resurrection, but also, because it was during the Easter season that both Larry's family (the Lundstroms) and my family (the Brooks) passed from death to life as we came to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ! We pray during this Holy Week that you take the time not to just prepare Easter baskets and an Easter meal, but to remember and give thanks for the most priceless gift the Lord gave---Himself---so that we could have eternity spent with Him!
We hope you are encouraged by this article that is in our April newsletter ---The Points of the Cross. Also, after the article, we have a recent COFFEE & CONNECT LIVE video where special guest, Dr. Bose Mikkilineni shares his testimony of going from death to life and how the Gospel changed every thing!
Points of the Cross
An easy Gospel---that is the desire of many today. They want an ear-tickling message that is not too convicting and not too convincing because the alternative would demand a lifestyle change and total commitment.
The Easter Story was not an easy Gospel story. It wasn’t easy to be falsely accused. It wasn’t an easy road to carry the heavy cross. It wasn’t a simple crucifixion without pain. The nails that were driven into flesh were not painless nails. It was not an easy, simple, painless death! Yet…Jesus was willing to endure through to the end because He had an eternal purpose for you and me.
I like what Dyson Hague said, “No minister of Christ has the right to smooth off the corners of the cross.” He continues, “There are eight corners of the cross we dare not smooth off.” It is imperative that as ministers of the Gospel, we keep the Gospel true and authentic not taking the easy route. Let me share the “points of the cross”.
The first corner is sin. To dismiss sin is to dismiss what the cross is all about. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”
The second corner is repentance. This was the first word in Jesus’ preaching. Jesus didn’t say, “Be good and saved…” , “Do good works and you’ll be saved…, “ “Tithe and you are saved…,” or “Go to church and that will save you.” What the Bible does say is Luke 13:3 says, “I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”
The third corner is confession. It is imperative to confess to God. Romans 10:9 states, “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
The fourth corner is self-denial. Ouch! That is a difficult one in today’s world where everything seemingly wants to revolve around us. We are to deny ourselves—not indulge ourselves. Matthew 16:24 is very clear, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
Discipline is the fifth corner of the cross. How can we be true disciples without discipline? “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15
The sixth corner is holiness. Psalm 19:14 proclaims, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, oh Lord, My Strength and Redeemer.” Purity in deed and thought is an absolute requisite to seeing God!
The seventh corner is stewardship. Jesus preached about man and his money more than any other topic. “But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33
The eighth corner is humility. 2 Peter 5:5-6 says, “…for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.” Pride caused Satan’s fall from heaven, and may keep more people out of heaven than any other thing.
The cross was designed to cause Jesus pain. Someone said, “We might be able to afford padded pews in the church, but we cannot afford to have a padded cross.” Jesus didn’t promise a painless life, but we are promised a painless eternity if we make Him Lord of our lives and follow Him. What joyous hope is offered to those who grasp the true Easter story---a story for today and every day to come---we are lost, Jesus provided the rescue through the cross, and it is our choice to reach out and embrace the work of the cross which provides eternity with Him!
Gloria
RECIPE
Orange Rolls
This is a scrumptious recipe my mom used to make. These would be a tasty Easter treat.
ROLLS:
1 pkg yeast in 1/4 cup water
1 tsp salt
2 eggs
1/2 cup sour cream
6 Tbsp butter, melted
3 cups flour
FILLING:
3/4 cup sugar
1 cup coconut
2 Tbsp grated orange
ICING:
3/4 cup sugar
2 Tbsp orange juice
1/2 cup sour cream
Beat the roll ingredients together and knead. Let rise for two hours. Roll out to 12"x 12". Brush with melted butter. Mix together the filling ingredients and spring over dough. Roll dough up and cut into rolls. Let rise. Bake 25-30 minutes at 350 degrees. To put icing on the rolls---combine the icing ingredients into a saucepan. Boil until it thickens. Pour over rolls and then sprinkle 1 cup coconut on them.