New Life in Jesus
I have been so encouraged by the life of our church over recent weeks.
The worship has been vibrant with lots of free participation, and we’ve
seen nearly 40 people involved in the Freedom in Christ courses. These
have been bearing fruit in people’s lives and I’m sure that has been
spilling over into our gatherings.
It was great to welcome seven new members in March and to see these
lovely people getting more involved in various aspects of our life as a
church family. There has been a hunger for the scriptures at Bible Bite
as we have been journeying through Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. There
have been lots of other good things going on - and I’m not able to share
in all of them. You all have stories to tell and encouragement to share,
I’m sure. God is good and is at work among us in various exciting ways.
His Spirit is moving!
As the celebrations of Jesus’ death and resurrection approach, we enter
at time of rich opportunity to share the good news with people around
us. This glorious message of forgiveness and eternal life is surely
unmatched by anything the world can offer - even the largest lottery
win!
Paul declares it so well to the people of Corinth - “anyone
who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a
new life has begun!”
(2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT). As we put our faith in what God has done
through the cross and empty tomb, we are given this amazing gift of a
whole new life.
The old ways can be properly dead and buried with Jesus - he took all
our sins upon himself as he died that sacrificial death, and he took all
that rubbish to the grave. God raised him from the dead and so broke the
power of sin, death and evil. For all who believe, there is a free gift
on offer of salvation and new life.
Paul puts it like this in Romans 10 - “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.”
Jesus said to Martha at her brother’s graveside - “‘I
am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live,
even though they die; and
whoever lives by believing in me will never die.”
(John 11:25-26). What an amazing claim!
It all seems pretty unbelievable - but that is why Christianity is so
worth embracing. It is a life-changing decision to believe that these
extraordinary events are true and to become a follower of Jesus. It is
the very best choice you’ll ever make, and it seals your destiny. He
promises to be your forever friend, even into eternity.
Please join us for our
Easter celebrations and discover this new life in Jesus. If you know
this good news already, then please consider inviting a friend or two to
come along to share in our various gatherings. There is something for
everyone; see on the next pages.
With love and best wishes
in the name of the Risen King,
Blessings
