coppertone
Active Expediter
This Sunday is Palm Sunday. Next Sunday, Easter. As Holy Week approaches, may we contemplate the reason for the season and I hope these words renew your fai
th and your spirits.
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK
God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
The film, Saving Private Ryan, tells the gripping story of a World War II rescue squad sent to bring a soldier out of harm's way. One by one the squad members are killed; each person sacrificed for the life of Private James Ryan. Finally, mortally wounded and near death, the squad leader calls young James close and simply say "Earn this." Men gave their lives to save Private Ryan, and he needed to embrace the sense of indebtedness and obligation such sacrifice should produce. Ryan owed his life to those who rescued him.
In a similar way, Holy Week is the gripping story of Almighty God sending his Son to bring you out of harm's way. On Good Friday, Jesus is killed, sacrificed for your sins and iniquities. However, Christ's death on the cross and the forgiveness he brings is not an item you can earn. Instead it comes to you as a wonderful gift of God's love. God demonstrates his love by His Son dying on the cross to forgive your sin and raising him up from the grave to give you eternal life. Your salvation is God's gift and you do not earn it by your works.
However, you do owe Jesus your life. You are indebted to him for rescuing you and you have the obligation to share his love and his story with everyone you know so they too can be saved.
GOD BLESS, AND HAPPY EASTER!
th and your spirits.
FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK
God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
The film, Saving Private Ryan, tells the gripping story of a World War II rescue squad sent to bring a soldier out of harm's way. One by one the squad members are killed; each person sacrificed for the life of Private James Ryan. Finally, mortally wounded and near death, the squad leader calls young James close and simply say "Earn this." Men gave their lives to save Private Ryan, and he needed to embrace the sense of indebtedness and obligation such sacrifice should produce. Ryan owed his life to those who rescued him.
In a similar way, Holy Week is the gripping story of Almighty God sending his Son to bring you out of harm's way. On Good Friday, Jesus is killed, sacrificed for your sins and iniquities. However, Christ's death on the cross and the forgiveness he brings is not an item you can earn. Instead it comes to you as a wonderful gift of God's love. God demonstrates his love by His Son dying on the cross to forgive your sin and raising him up from the grave to give you eternal life. Your salvation is God's gift and you do not earn it by your works.
However, you do owe Jesus your life. You are indebted to him for rescuing you and you have the obligation to share his love and his story with everyone you know so they too can be saved.
GOD BLESS, AND HAPPY EASTER!
