Crossing Over From Death Into Life...

Happy Easter everyone!

We got off to a great start last night. Having one under our belts feels really good. To have a thousand people come to an Easter Service on Good Friday is amazing. It went really well. We have such an amazing team.

Let me share a great note I already received from someone about the service:

“I knew it would be good - you know - for all those people that would be attending for their 1st of 2 times a year. I knew it would be good for those seeking Him, especially at this time of year, especially with the world as it is. BUT...I had no idea it would be so good for me!!! I already know my Lord and Savior, I already know the real reason for the season, I already have an exit strategy, I already know about the bridge! BUT...you hit the sweet spot better than ever before!! It was like hearing it for the first time and it was crystal clear!! From the awesome music and thought-provoking drama, to your sermon with its abundant scriptures and illuminating illustrations (hanging the ladder on the cross, oh my!!) (ER...I don't watch that show anymore because it always made me cry - guess it still does!) and, of course, THE BRIDGE!!!!!!!!!!!!! Beautiful! Powerful! Perfect!! And THEN you let us walk across it!!!!! I hate bridges! I avoid them at all costs! If forced to go over, I hold my breath for fear of falling through! Tonight, I loved a bridge!! It was the greatest stroll my husband and I have ever taken together. They were the most meaningful steps I have EVER taken. AND then...after getting to the end and turning around and seeing ALL those people walking across that bridge...oh! I saw them getting on to the bridge and I wondered just how long it would be until my turn. Seeing them walking to the end after I had already gotten there...UNBELIEVABLE!!! They were glowing under the lights!!!!!!!!!!!!”

It is a great service. We still have room at all of our services...if you have someone who needs Jesus this weekend, INVITE THEM. (Saturday at 4:00 and 6:00 PM and Sunday at 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, and Noon!)

I love the way the Message paraphrase describes this great passage from 1 Cor 15 –

“If corpses can't be raised, then Christ wasn't, because he was indeed dead. And if Christ weren't raised, then all you're doing is wandering about in the dark, as lost as ever. It's even worse for those who died hoping in Christ and resurrection, because they're already in their graves. If all we get out of Christ is a little inspiration for a few short years, we're a pretty sorry lot. But the truth is that Christ has been raised up, the first in a long legacy of those who are going to leave the cemeteries." 1 Corinthians 15:16-20

We’re all headed out. Exit strategy or not. I am praying that your weekend will be filled with the joy and hope of the fact that we are going to be leaving the cemetery and headed HOME.

Please pray for the rest of the services – one down, five to go. Just pray for strength and stamina for the team. That I don’t fall off the ladder (although that would make for an appropriate illustration :-)

We have so many people working so hard to make this weekend work. Last night at least 400 people walked across the bridge. I know that for some of them it was the first step of their faith journey. I know there will be people in heaven who will come up to us and say ‘I walked across the bridge at Parkview, and now I’m here!”

That’s March Madness baby!

Tim

Comments

[Rosemary Douglas]

My sister and her husband walked across the bridge with me--and want to come back next weekend! Praise God--and thanks, Tim, for a wonderful, powerful sermon!