April 2016
Happy Easter! Ask,Seek, and Find!
As we just celebrated the Passion Week with the wonderful day of Easter we can shout “HE IS RISEN! HALLELUJAH! It is the reason we are Christians today. I ask you to consider the following as you continue to serve The LORD.
The Easter Season, also known as the Great Fifty Days, begins at sunset Easter Eve and continues through the Day of Pentecost. It is the most joyous and celebrative season of the Christian year. It focuses on Christ's resurrection and ascension and on the givings of the Holy Spirit on the first Easter (John 20:22-23) and the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2).
Easter (Paschal) Vigil has both historic and symbolic roots in the Jewish Passover. That is why so many images are from the Old Testament and why so many analogies are experienced in Christ. In this service we experience the passage from slavery to freedom, from sin to salvation, from death to life. (United Methodist Book of Worship p.368-69).
Something we, as a Christian, look forward to each year is the "Passion Week" beginning with Palm Sunday. Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Followed by His arrest, trial, judgment, flogging, crucifixion and burial. One of the greatest joys we can know is the Resurrection power of Christ from the physical death. Jesus conquers death and rises from the tomb. Appears to mankind and fulfills The Word of God. That on the third day He would be raised from the dead. He Has Risen! Hallelujah!
I would like to share Jesus’ words from Luke 11:9-13, 9 "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 11 If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!"
Jesus speaking to the disciples tries to help them to understand what is the process of receiving the best thing Jesus ever did for us. He conquered the grave. Oh death, where is your sting?
As He wants us to understand the process of receiving the most precious gift of the HOLY SPIRIT! Therefore, He gives us this parable above. Our Heavenly Father giving us the POWER to live out HOLY lives. God expects us to be HOLY, for HE is HOLY. We first need to examine our hearts and desire heart purity. As we seek out the Holiness of God we will then learn how to ASK HIM for the blessings from above. Moreover, we must desire what HE has for us. Much like a marriage it is not about duty it is about mutual desire. Consequently, HE comes only when HE is desired, when HE is wanted, and sought out. HE comes to us only when we sincerely SEEK HIM! It is out of the desire of wanting more of HIM rather than anything this world has to offer.
I thank the LORD HE has given us the HOLY SPIRIT to live with us, in us, and to empower us to live a victorious life. Honoring HIS HOLY NAME. The beauty of Easter is the Resurrection Power over Death and the grave. Our FATHER has given us the best gift a child could ever want for. So, I pray you will ASK, SEEK AND FIND this most precious gift. Have a great month of ministry!
In Christ Jesus, Bro. Tony Antonelli