What’s “good” about “Good Friday”?
–Between Friday afternoon and Sunday morning, Jesus was dead for hours. Now He’s alive forever!
–Christ died on “Good Friday” to make a way for us to move beyond our guilt and shame by being reconciled to God and others. Christ lives so that we can allow Him to live His life, in and through us — prompting, animating, and empowering us from within so that we can live joyously, lovingly, purely, and victoriously.

Jesus’ death on “Good Friday graciously paid our debt of sin; tore the vale in the ancient Jewish temple; and opened the way for us to enter God’s holy presence. His resurrection led to the release of the Holy Spirit to live in and through human beings who humbly turn away from their own will and then seek to follow and obey the living, resurrected Jesus.
–Christ’s ekklesia allows people to follow the risen Jesus, not just as individuals, but as a gathered body of believers; demonstrating His power and presence to all who enter.

In the midst of violence, meanness, and evil this world needs a release of the power and presence of the living, resurrected Jesus. It takes more than Sunday messages to do that. It takes ekklesia — the lost word of the Bible. We don’t need just theologically astute church members. We need courageous Christ-followers overflowing with the love and power of the risen Jesus!

Jesus said that He is present with us when we gather in His name.
Religion talks about Jesus like He’s not in the room.
Ekklesia lets ordinary people listen to and obey the living Jesus.

Atheism strives to deny God.
Secularism seeks to ignore God.
Religion tries to control and contain God.
Christ came to release intimacy with God.

“Our common way of seeing the church today contains, conforms and controls God’s people.” –Neil Cole
–Perhaps it is time we go beyond church as usual and into ekklesia!