The Pastor’s Piece
FCFI
April 2, 2023

As a child, my parents rarely missed taking me and my siblings to church on Sunday morning. By rarely, I mean, I don’t recall ever missing a single Sunday. We always dressed up in our Sunday best which meant our shoes were polished on Saturday night, mom laid out our clothes for Sunday morning, and after chores, we jumped into our best duds and rushed off to church in our family station wagon with dad behind the wheel. On Easter, we dressed just a little nicer with perhaps a new pair of socks or a necktie. There’s a family at Martintown who has two little boys and a little girl. I’m not sure if it’s their mom or dad who dresses the boys, but they wear their little suspenders and neckties all the time and are as handsome as can be. The little girl is always dressed in ribbons and bows and looks like a little angel. At our church, we have just about every form of attire on Sunday – from what looks like pajamas (it’s hard to tell these days), to blue jeans, to suits and ties and long formal dresses to everything in between. Just come as you are, we say, and you’ll be right at home.
I call Easter Sunday our Super Sunday! And if the truth be told, the original Super Sunday was that first Resurrection Morning outside of Jerusalem when our Lord rose from the dead. Nothing has been the same since.
The resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ is not just a feature of Christianity, it is the main event. The whole purpose of God in creating and redeeming His people is to raise them to eternal glory so that they can worship Him forever. That is the point of redemption – to be raised to eternal glory in not only glorified spirits, but glorified bodies. Our resurrection is secured by the power of God – the power of Christ demonstrated in His resurrection. Because He lives, we will live.

The resurrection is not only a demonstration of power, it is also the acceptance of His offering, because God was satisfied with the sacrifice Jesus offered for the sins of His people. God raised Him from the dead, accepting His work on the cross. Jesus said, “It is finished!” And God was satisfied and He raised Him, and He ascended to eternal glory and sat down at the right hand of God to intercede for His people and bring them all into eternal glory spiritually and in resurrected form.
The resurrection is the greatest event in history – period. All of history hinges on it. It is the most significant expression of the power of God on behalf of believers. It is the cornerstone of Christianity. We are saved to be raised from the dead, and into heaven we go forever in that resurrected form. The purpose of salvation is to resurrect people.
Because Christ conquered death, because He conquered sin, we will be raised to dwell with Him forever. How important is this? Romans 10:9-10, “If you confess Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Before His death and resurrection, Jesus warned His disciples that many people think they’re saved, but in reality, God doesn’t know them, (Matthew 7:21-23). He also said that those who love Him will keep His commandments, (John 16:15). The Apostle Paul said if you’re not sure you’re saved, then you need to examine your life to see if there is any evidence of you being saved, (2 Corinthians 13:5). And, in Matthew 7:20, Jesus said one will be recognized as a true child of God by the fruit in their lives.
With all the family gatherings, early church, late church, ham dinners, Easter baskets, Easter egg hunts, fake green grass in those baskets, the pink, squishy marshmallow candy treats, the Rice Krispy squares, the excitement and laughter of the children – Here’s to hoping you all have a great Easter Sunday. If you don’t have a church to go to, or you want to try something new, here’s your official invitation – take the scenic drive to Martintown, Wisconsin and attend one of our services at 6:30; 8:00; or 10:30 a.m. (You can find us on the web).

May you know and experience the peace of God in your soul this Easter season. God’s best to you all.
(Kevin Cernek is Lead Pastor of Martintown Community Church in Martintown, Wisconsin).