In moments like these when the future is a mass of darkness. In moments like these when we you've been deserted and life like the stone in front of the tomb seems immovable. Nothing in our experience, theology, or ritual makes it better. Nothing makes this ok. But a Living Jesus makes a difference.

In moments like these – when the weight of the world is on your shoulders and you feel like you are suffocating in responsibilities that are too big for you. Nothing but a living Jesus makes a difference

Looking at Peter's failure in the courtyard we find that in moments like these when it's all crumbling down around your ears, when the brokenness catches up to you, when you feel useless, ashamed, and alone – nothing but a living Savior makes a difference.

When the dawn breaks nightmares become reality – trial, blood, crucifixion, death. In James heart he knows they are coming for him next. If they can do this to Jesus nothing will stop them from killing him too. And so we find him hiding with the other disciples when Jesus steps into the room. We find again that for James only a lliving Jesus makes a difference.

In moments like these is an Easter series that will explore moments in the lives of the disciples that mirror the moments in our own lives and experiences when the only thing that will make a difference is a living, breathing, Jesus in our lives.

For most of us we want this journey to be easy. We live in a fast food world that demands simple, easy, solutions to problems that don't cost much. I want my life to be better, I want to make better decisions, I want to be blessed but I want it cheap and I want it now. The truth of our lives with Christ is that we want the crown without the cross.

This morning I want to tackle that question. What is holding us back – what keeps us in the boat? What keeps us from experiencing an ever closer walk with Christ? For the answer to that question let's look at Hebrews 12:1-2.

Why is it that for most Christians their walk is either in a state of stagnation or even in decline? If I were to ask the question "are you at present walking with Christ more closely than ever before in your life – the honest answer for most of us would be no. Then there is the obvious question – Why? This series that we embark on today tries to tackle this very question

How do we communicate the Gospel to our children? Is passing on our faith a priority? Listen as Pastor Matt shares his heart for family ministry.

We have been called, in fact, created to shine the light of Jesus into a broader world. The purpose of the church is not merely to touch us but to touch others. Jesus instruction to these first disciples is no different than the charge given to us.