As we think about the meaning of Easter, we see from Jesus’s own words “How to Find Easter Life,” and in Luke 9:18-26 we see the call to do three things. First, We Need to Think Like Jesus. Second, We Need to Die Like Jesus. Third, We Need to Live Like Jesus.

In the story of Mark 14:1-11, we see a woman who pours out an extravagant gift of love that receives two different responses, that of the disciples and that of Jesus. This makes us meditate on what it means to have a heart that truly loves Jesus and understands the cross.

As we look at the story of Palm Sunday in Luke 19:28-44, we will see how “The Church Is to Live as God’s City," and we will begin the count down to Easter Sunday by counting down three things this text teaches us about what it means to be God’s people and find true peace. First, we will see three kinds of responses to Jesus. Second, we will see two kinds of cities to live in. Third, we will see the one kind of king we need.

As we examine 1 Corinthians 12:12-28, we unpack one of scripture’s most famous pictures of the church, “The Church Is to Serve as Christ’s Body Here on Earth,” and this texts reminds us of two different ways this truth applies to us. First, We Are All United to Serve as Christ’s Body. And, second, We Are All Diversely Gifted to Serve in Christ’s Body.

As we look at Ephesians 5:21-33 we will see how “The Church Is to Love as Christ’s Bride,” and unpack two ways our commitments to church is meant to change how we live. First, Church Is a Commitment that Frees Us to Receive and Give Love. Second, Church Is a Commitment that Challenges Us to Grow into Our Fullest Beauty.

As we examine Christ’s vision for his church, we will look at one more picture of the church’s calling, “The Church is to Love as God’s New Family,” and we will see this in two realities: First, we, the Church Are Called to Live Not as Strangers but Equally as God’s People. Second, we, the Church, Are Called to Love as God’s Own Family United by Jesus.

In Ephesians 2:19-22 and 2 Timothy 3:14-4:4, we will learn how, “The Church Is to be Built on Jesus and His Word,” and unpack three truths about the scriptures. First, The Nature of the Scriptures: They Are God’s Inspired, Authoritative Word. Second, The Role of the Scriptures: To Give Us the Saving Teaching and Correction of Christ. Third, The Danger of Ignoring the Scriptures: Experiencing Separation from Christ.

Ephesians 2:19-22 gives us three truths about how “The Church Is to be a People Filled with God’s Presence.” 1st) God’s Purpose for Our Church: For God’s Presence to Dwell in Us, 2nd) God’s Process for Building Our Church: Shaping and Joining Us into His Temple, 3rd) God’s Platform for Our Church: To Stand Strong on the Foundation of Christ and His Word.

To kick off our new series, “Christ’s Vision for His Church,” in Matthew 16:13-15, Jesus shows us three keys to understanding and being the church. 1st) The Real Founder and Leader of Our Church, 2nd) The Real Way God Grows a Church, 3rd) The Real Way to Lose or Find Life in Church.

As we wrap up this series, in Philippians 3:1-15 the apostle Paul reminds us that, “Treasuring Christ is the Secret to Finding Christian Life,” and call us to do three things: 1st) Realize that Being Religious Alone Won’t Give Us Life, 2nd) See the Surpassing Worth of Truly Finding Christ, and, 3rd) Seek a Model of Mature, Life-Giving Faith.