Good day Aspen Grove Church Family,

                I pray this finds you well. It’s hard to believe but April has flown right by. On April5, we preached a message titled, “So now what are you going to do with Jesus?” coming primarily out of the Book of Luke 24:1-12. When we think of Easter, or as I like to call it, “Resurrection Sunday,” we celebrate what is arguably the most important event in all of human history: Jesus rising from the dead. All of Christianity and all eternity hinges on the truth of the resurrection. If Jesus did not rise from the dead, then our faith is lacking in meaning and is just another interesting philosophy. But if the resurrection is true, then it is the clearest proof that Jesus is exactly who he claimed to be – the Son of God and the Savior of the world. All of the evidence points to the truth of the resurrection, and the result is changed lives. The Pharisees and Roman authorities tried to squash the movement that was Jesus by trying Jesus in an unlawful court, finding Him guilty, beat Him severely, made Him carry His cross to Golgotha, and nailed Him to it. What they didn’t realize was that it was all apart of GOD’s plans to redeem mankind through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. While on the Cross, Jesus became sin, all of mankind’s sin. It’s what Jesus did for you, and for me, some 2,000 yrs ago. Jesus, the Cross, and the Empty Tomb are not just a person, or a place, or events… they are eternal realities that demand a response. A Response that carries eternal consequences. So, let’s look at what they mean to us today. The Cross means that our sin was paid in full. Jesus demonstrated that true Faith would overcome all circumstances. By Jesus going to the Cross, it means for us today that our sin debt was canceled, & the Wrath of GOD was satisfied completely. The Empty Tomb means that Death was defeated. If the Cross paid for sin, the Empty Tomb proves the payment was accepted. The Empty Tomb is showing Heaven’s receipt that says: “Payment accepted!” Because our sin-debt has been paid in full, and the wrath of GOD was satisfied  by the proof of the Empty Tomb, means that we start living life and live it more abundantly because you have been paid for in full by the KING of kings, and the LORD of lords! JESUS, THE CROSS, AND TOMB DEMAND A DECISION, and we can’t stay neutral about it! We all will have to answer this question: “What you going to do with Jesus?” Don’t just admire the Cross… run to it. Don’t just celebrate the Empty Tomb… but live in its power. Because the same Jesus who died… is alive!

                On April 12, we preached a message titled, “Time to destroy those idols!” and we came from the Book of Exodus 20:1-6. The opening part of The Ten Commandments and the very first one is clear, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Not beside Him. Not ahead of Him. No other gods… period. But here’s the truth… most people in church today don’t bow to statues, but we still have idols. Idols don’t sit on shelves anymore. No, they sit on thrones in our hearts. The reason for this is simple: Idols Are Deceptive (They Don’t Look Like Idols). Simply put, an idol is anything you love, trust, or prioritize above God. Idols aren’t always obvious. They don’t come labeled as “False gods.” Sometimes they come in the form of success, relationships, money, some sporting events, cell phones, etc.  To be transparent here, the devil doesn’t need to make you worship something evil. In fact, he doesn’t even mind you going to church, or reading your Bible, just as long as you don’t apply it to your life! He just wants you to focus on a false idol… not GOD. You see, our idols are demanding, meaning they take more than they give. They demand your time, your attention, your devotion, and in return… they leave you empty. Here are some Signs Something Has Become an Idol to you: You think about it constantly, You run to it instead of God, You fear losing it more than displeasing God. Idols will always overpromise and underdeliver, which leads us to our last point… Idols Must Be Destroyed, and Not Compromised. God didn’t tell Gideon, in the Book of Judges 6:25, to manage an idol or cover it up. Nor did HE say to keep it “just in case.” No! He said: “Tear it down.” Why So Radical? For one… The Israelites were always trying to make compromises with everything, & two… Because even partial obedience is still disobedience. So, here’s the question: What idol/s are sitting on the throne of your heart? What Idol/s have you put before God? What Idol/s are you unwilling to surrender? You don’t need to manage it… You don’t need to hide it… BUT… You do need to tear it down. Because when the idols fall… the fire of God falls, and it all starts by simply saying, “Lord, I’m done holding onto this. I surrender it. I tear it down. You alone are God in my life.”

                April 19^th, we preached a messaged titled, “Knock Knock,” and we came from the Book of Song of Solomon 5:1-6. This was our “Bring a friend to Church” day and we had a great turn out. Have you ever had someone knock on your door, and you knew who it was, but you just didn’t answer? Maybe you weren’t ready… Maybe you were busy… Maybe you just thought, “I’ll catch them later…” But when you finally went to the door… they were gone. That’s what Chapter 5 is dealing with. King Solomon came to see his bride, his love, but when he got there, she had already done her nightly routine and gone to bed. She basically says to him… “I’m not ready,” “This isn’t a good time,” “I’ll deal with you later.” She didn’t reject him, but she simply delayed him. Can I tell you something? This scene between King Solomon and his bride represents Jesus Christ and the Church. How many times has Jesus knocked on your door, only for to say, “Not right now, but later?” Most people don’t go to hell because they said “no” to GOD. They go because they kept saying, “Not today.” When the bride finally opens the door, she finds her King, her husband has gone away. The moment had passed and she missed an opportunity to be with the king. Listen carefully… There is a window when GOD deals with your heart. Which is why the Prophet Isaiah says, “Seek the Lord while He may be found.” (Isa 55:6). Don’t miss your moment. Don’t let this opportunity to answer Jesus pass you by. Because the greatest tragedy in this passage is not that He knocked, but that she waited too long to answer. Jesus is knocking. Will you answer?

                On April 25^th, Sister Geraldine “Gerry” Cockrell went home to be with our LORD and Savior. She will be remembered for faithful service to GOD, her dedication to her family & to her church. On April 26^th, we celebrated Jesus by honoring Him with Communion, and we had a little devotion talking about all the baggage that we carry around with us all through out our lives. And for each little piece of baggage, I provided a little visual representation by picking up and wearing all different types of luggage and backpacks. Only to show that with all the baggage that we carry, it’s a wonder how we get anything done, but… the moment we surrender it all to Jesus… that baggage just falls off of us! How does that work? Because Jesus tells us so. For scripture, we used Matthew 11:28, “Come unto Me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” It doesn’t mean that we still won’t struggle or put more baggage back on, but that is why Jesus tells us to “Pick up our Cross Daily.”  When we do, we renew ourselves and it’s like we are brand new, with experience.  Afterwards, we had our quarterly Business meeting and we adjourned. Hope you are doing well, and until our next appointed time… Remember, GOD loves you!

 

Pastor Sonny R Willliams, Jr.