Fully Alive In Christ!

Since the story of Jesus' death and resurrection is such a pivotal part of re-writing our own lives' stories, I thought I'd take a moment to re-tell it in light of the hope He gives us all.

Two millennia ago, the pinnacle event of our universe happened.

It was not a eureka moment made by an inventor or a cosmic collision in outer space. It was much, much more significant.

Thousands of years came and went.

The dreaded power of sin's cursed sorrow coursed through children's veins of Adam. Unrelenting.

But those souls were not unnoticed. God had an answer. He gave us Word.

God set in motion His plan to redeem mankind from the fall and lift him to unimaginable Heavenly heights. But how?

God came. Not just to survey the scene but to give Himself as the ransom, the payment, the substitute. God would die in the place of people. How's that for love?

And then He came. Not with a crown or a scepter, but with hope and power that could cleanse--even a leper.

Rejected, Jesus was whipped. Beaten. Bruised. Pierced. Shredded. What could be worse?

The cup the Savior drank was mingled with the anger of the Holiest. The weight of sin tested Him.

The very fiends of Hell were loosed to strike their furious darts on the Son of God as the Father attested to the sacrifice.

It was a dark, dark day. The sun refused to shine, and the gloom seemed to win. Would evil triumph? Is fear the new norm?

Watch there the Lamb on the cross. Perfect. Submissive. Holy blood raced from His loving heart and showed us the color of mercy and grace.

In a Divine display, Messiah pressed His body high to fill His lungs and exhail an auditor's declaration--"It is finished"--and then He gave up the ghost.

Was that the end? How do we know His Word was true? Was the sin-debt canceled, paid in full? Would there be a sign, or was it all a farce so cruel?

Time after was agonizing. Hope was gone. One. Two. Three days passed. Was the world, was our race truly, absolutely loved and touched by God? Would God even give us an answer?

With a burst of the Creator's light, the Word made flesh, re-dwelt with us. Heart beat. Lungs breathe. Death's age-old, powerful grip thrust aside. Corruption flee. Eyes open.

Up. Up and out! The Savior became the Sunrise, the beam of hope cast, and the world would never be the same.

Jesus rose. The Answer of God's Hope came. He is fully alive!

ODBC Easter Weekend Service Schedule:
"Good Friday" Service: April 7, 7pm (Lord's Supper will be observed in the context of the "Last Supper" and Passover.)
Sunday School/Small Groups: April 9, 9:30am (Classes available for all ages.)
Easter Sunday Celebration Service: April 9, 10:30am (Children will have have a "glow-in-the-dark" egg hunt during the kids' service.)
Preschool care is available.

I look forward to celebrating Easter with many guests and our church family this weekend. Easter Sunday at 10:30am, we will see that Jesus is "Fully Alive" and how you, me, all of us, can be fully alive in Him. Jesus is the only hope you and I truly need.

This year's Easter offering is going to help us with two things. First, we want to add a sidewalk to make access to the new Family Life and Education Center (FLEC) easier for families (this project is about $4,000). Second, we hope to add welcoming connection spaces in the foyer (this will be done in phases and estimates for the total project are about $85,000 for flooring, furniture, and equipment). If God moves on your heart to give, you can do so at a service, by texting an amount to +12252404679, using our app (domain: opendoor), or by going online (give.odbc-church.com).

I have enjoyed the year so far as we've prioritized bringing hope to others. If you have hope in the Lord, you know it changes everything. Let's keep growing in hope and sharing it!

Two weeks out, be sure to sign up for the Financial Management Weekend we'll be hosting at Open Door, Saturday and Sunday, April 22-23, with Nate Skelly. No matter your level of financial prowess, you will learn something, and it will be very helpful.

May you be blessed in Christ,
Pastor Dennis Schaffer

Visit the rest of our site at opendooronline.com for more info about what God is doing at Open Door and how you can be a part of it!