An Easter Sunday to Remember
Photo by Federico Respini on Unsplash
As we approach Easter, I am thinking about an Easter Sunday morning when I was nine years old in a Southern Baptist church. As I remember it, there was a guest speaker that day, likely an evangelist, who gave the message on the cross and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
I don’t remember the details of the sermon, but what I do remember is a strong drawing by the Holy Spirit to respond to the message. As Jesus said, “And if I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men to Myself.” (John 12:32, MEV) That day, Jesus was lifted up as the crucified and risen Savior, and I was drawn to Him.
Like a magnet, I was drawn to the front of the church for the altar call. I don’t know the substance of the prayer which I was led to pray, but I do know that my experience was real. I was touched by the Lord, and later, I was baptized in water.
But I was not born again at that time. My heart had not changed because I did not surrender to the Lord. I had been drawn by the message of the cross, but my heart was unchanged because I did not allow Jesus to be Lord of my life, nor did I follow Him.
In the days following, sin took me another way. The philosophy of the times latched hold of my mind. In my college days, an atheistic professor almost convinced me that there was no God. But, the seed remained, and the gentle Savior continued to work.
I often think that the altar call which began in that Baptist Church was actually completed 18 years later while I was sitting in an old beat-up pickup truck in front of our tar-paper shack in the woods in southern Minnesota. God spoke to me, “Turn from the things of the world,” and I responded with two words, “Yes, Lord!” Then, it happened. Everything changed. I was born again and filled with the Holy Spirit. The Lord had completed the work that he began in that Baptist Church many years before.
Thank God for that Baptist Church and the Gospel that was preached that day. Thank God for the altar call that was given and for the Holy Spirit who drew me to Jesus. Some may have thought that it was all for nothing when they saw my life and actions after that day. But a seed had been planted. A work had begun. It took a while, but one day I said, “Yes, Lord!” and received a new life. Jesus’ precious blood was shed, not only for the sins of the world, but for me.
So, I just want to encourage you! Enjoy this Resurrection Sunday! Recognize what has been done for you through the cross and resurrection. Jesus died in substitution for your sins. He became sin so you might become righteous.
He did this for you so that He could do something in you. He came to make you different. A new creation. A different person. A person connected to God, a part of His family. A person who is changed, and who continues to be changed by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Just as Jesus came out of the grave, you too can come out of the grave spiritually. You can have the resurrection power of God in your life. If you never have before, I encourage you to invite the Resurrected Lord into your life. You can pray a prayer like this:
Dear Father, Thank you for sending your Son, Jesus, to die for my sins. I believe He died for me and rose again. Because He lives, I can live also. I want to be forgiven. I want to be united with you. I want to be in your Family. I turn from my sins. Today, I receive Jesus Christ as the Lord of my life. Thank you for changing me and making me new, in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Happy Resurrection Day!
Related Posts
Resurrection Power: It Changes Everything!
His Resurrection is Our Resurrection