Praise the Lord, everybody, praise the Lord! Pastor D.M. here, praying that your Good Friday is a blessed one so far. Regardless of our personal circumstances, it is truly a good day, though bittersweet, because it is the day in which our Lord Jesus was crucified for the sins of the whole world. While we rejoice because of the glory that would come three days later, we understand that those who loved Jesus were mourning on this day when He was handed over and crucified on the cross, between two thieves. As I write this, I’m watching a movie about the Life of Jesus, preparing to spend the day listening to Jesus’ teachings and reading about His miracles.

Though this was a sad day for the disciples and those who followed Him and truly loved Him, and though this was the saddest of days for His mother, Mary, we rejoice because we realize that, had Jesus not died on the Cross, He couldn’t rise from the dead for our justification.

The Essential Church is celebrating its Passover Sunday on Sunday, April 1st, what many know as Easter. We celebrate the Passover of our Lord because, it was on Friday that the blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus, was shed for the remission of sins — and it was on Sunday when the Lamb of God, slain, rose from the dead to give eternal life to all who believe.

At our Passover Sunday service, we intend to also commemorate the Passover meal of our Lord. Though He celebrated it on Thursday evening before He was crucified, we celebrate Passover as much as we can until the Lord Jesus returns for His church. Be prepared with your bread and grape juice/grape soda/Dr. Pepper and other resources to represent the Passover meal. As I’ve said in a few sermons this month, we will not have wine present at our service, and we expect all of those in attendance to respect that. Outside of wine and any liquid that could produce forbidden drunkenness, you’re free to bring bread and juice substitutes to remember our Lord’s death and resurrection.

As for the sermon, I intend to preach on skepticism and faith, a message for even the most unbelieving among us. As for exactly what I’ll preach on and the text God has provided, you’ll have to wait until Sunday. For all other audio sermons, visit our church page here.  We’ve been visiting the Gospels and their accounts of our Lord’s teaching, miracles, and good deeds.

Until that time, may your Good Friday be blessed, and may you take this time to remember the great thing that our Lord did for us. Lord willing, we’ll meet again this coming Passover/Resurrection Sunday.

In Him,

Pastor D.M. Richardson

The Essential Church

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