The Invitation and Challenge of the Risen Jesus

Pastor Mike McCoy, Vineyard Christian Fellowship (Concord)

Every Easter Sunday, we would go to my motherinlaw’s house for dinner. Upon arriving, Margie would call out to us, “HE is risen!” Our expected and joyfully given response would be, “HE is risen indeed!” This ancient call and response is being uttered throughout the world today by those who follow the risen Lord and King – Jesus of Nazareth. In the reality of this proclamation lie the invitation and the challenge of the risen Jesus.

Life and Death

Romans 8:10-11 But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through [...]

Peter’s Pathetic Performance

Doug Stevens, Executive Director, The Renewal Project

Peter is so transparently human. We don’t know whether to laugh at him, banish him as an embarrassment or just enjoy his childlike antics. He’s always impulsively asking questions, making presumptuous demands or promising the moon. His heart seems to be right, but his character is appallingly weak. His follow-through is just atrocious.

Honest to Jesus or Corporate Bluff

Pastor Art Barrett, New Life Christian Fellowship (Concord)

The challenge is to be honestly there with the Twelve and hear Him say, “One of you will betray Me.” You are there. You don’t know precisely to what He is referring, but you know you are guilty enough. You know at some level you have betrayed Him. You have not believed, not enough, not the way He believes. He says, “If you believe if you have faith you can move mountains.”

Giving Back to God

Pastor Russ Belmont, Calvary Baptist Church (Concord)

God provides everything needed to produce good fruit. Look at the vineyard the landowner (God) prepares for the tenant farmer: he provides protection, production equipment and security to produce good fruit. It is comforting to know that God has a plan and purpose for our lives.

By Whose Authority?

Pastor Kevin Murphy, Saint Matthew Lutheran Church (Walnut Creek)

As Jesus’ Passion rapidly approaches, this scene becomes all the more important because we see all three factions, which made up the Jewish ruling Council coming to Jesus to ask him the “authority question.” They are asking the question because there is no greater authority than their own, and they have not authorized Jesus to do what he is doing, especially healing on the Sabbath – their primary concern!

Real Faith, Real Conversation

Pastor Jim Shields, Sanctuary (Concord)

It’s easy for Jesus to say, “Have faith in God.” He and the Father are one. In the most real sense, He is God. Of course, we are supposed to have faith in God. And I do.

How the Tables Have Turned!

Rev. M. Sylvia O. Vásquez, Rector, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (Walnut Creek)

The image of Jesus weeping for Jerusalem is so compelling. The Prince of Peace is exhorting us to change “business as usual.” He tells us that if we would only read the signs we would save ourselves from destruction. He says that his house (referring to the Temple) is a house of prayer, but the ambience of the Temple has lost its focus, the mission of the Temple is obscured by all the surrounding activity.

Healed by Faith

Dr. Dan Helix, Senior Pastor, Awakenings Christian Church (Concord)

Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” Wow, do you get that? He stops for the lowliest of all of us, a beggar, one who was helpless. How often have we felt that same way when life’s challenges are bigger than we are. So often I tell people that they will receive strength when they can finally and honestly say “God, this is bigger than I am, but nothing is to big (or small) for You. Please, You take it.”

Walking in Power

Pastor Dean Honnette, Hope Center Covenant Church (Pleasant Hill)

Jesus had just told His disciples He was going to suffer and die. Evidently, James and John couldn’t process that idea because the next thing they do is ask to be the ones to sit on His right and His left in His glory. They wanted the place of power. They were looking for more power.