When we meet the disciples in today’s scripture, they are behind locked doors on Easter evening. But as the disciples are about to be the first to realize, there is no locked door, no sealed tomb, that can keep our Lord contained. And that same spirit is about to be poured out upon us.

“No matter where you find yourself locked in the darkness, there is nothing that can keep our Lord away from you.”

John 20:19-31

fmhouston.com

When we meet the disciples in today’s story, they are still in the thickness of grief - and they remind Amanda a bit of toddlers being picked up after being preschool.

But the Jesus who comes to them is simply WITH them, in their fear and their disbelief.

Luke 24:36-48

fmhouston.com

As we begin a new series on “living as Easter People,” Eric tells us the story of the road to Emmaus - which, as he pictures it, is a bit like an episode of ‘Undercover Boss.’

Luke 24:13-35

fmhouston.com

We notice different things in different ways. Every time Lance returns to the Easter story, he finds a new perspective.

The world prepares us to expect bad news. But when the women went to the tomb where Jesus was buried on Easter morning… if they had understood what Jesus had told them, they shouldn’t have been.

Sometimes we are the same as the women in this story - we’ve heard the words, but we don’t believe it yet. It calls for a change in perspective.

Luke 24:1-12

fmhouston.com

As Lance reads through the Passion story, he is struck by the mockery that Jesus endures throughout. But as he notes, this was always the plan. Jesus could not save himself, and still save us.

But evil does not have the final word. Love does.

And remember: Sunday’s coming.

Isaiah 52:13-15; 53:1-3, 7-12

fmhouston.com

As Jesus came into Jerusalem, he was hailed as a hero. The problem was that Jesus continued to not be who they had expected him to be. Where was their conquering savior?

Mark 15: 1-39

fmhouston.com

We reach the last tenet of our core values: seek God daily. What does this look like? Maybe not what you think.

Seeking God isn’t just in the inward practices, it’s in the outward practices: justice, healing people, reformation.

Mark 10:35-45

fmhouston.com

One of Lance’s favorite Christmas movies is the Muppet Christmas Carol - and while it’s not an ideal time on the calendar to talk about Christmas movies, it’s an ideal text to illustrate today’s lesson.

Look at the effects Jesus had on people like Matthew, or Zaccheus. His love and generosity led to an overflowing generosity from the people whose lives he changed.

The goal and the vision is that we find a way to be like Jesus. That we find a way to serve, both inside the church and out.

Mark 10:35-45

———

fmhouston.com

Lance wants this place to be the kind of church that hears the message that Jesus spoke and lives that message out. A church known for mercy, for grace, for compassion.

Jesus is still resurrecting the dead, bringing life to those walking around who need to hear the message of grace and forgiveness. Let’s be the church that brings resurrection to the dead.

Luke 7:18-23

fmhouston.com

Jesus told us to love all - and it’s important that, like Jesus, we don’t try to draw demarcations around what “all” means.

This is the hallmark and cornerstone of Jesus’ whole ministry.

Luke 6:27-38

fmhouston.com