Pastor Ricky Powell

An Easter Sermon (The Greatest Miracle Yet) from Luke 24:1-8

Download A Factsheet For The Essential Evidence For The Resurrection Of Jesus

Summit Ministries has compiled a factsheet of the essential evidence for the resurrection of Jesus. You can download the pdf. here. The infographic is based on the "Minimal Facts Approach" championed by Dr. Gary Habermas of Liberty University. 

If you would like to learn more, I recommend the book, "The Case For The Resurrection of Jesus," by Gary R. Habermas and Michael R. Licona.

 

Some of the links are affiliate links, which means that if you click on a product link, I may receive compensation. This compensation comes at no additional cost to you, and as always I only recommend products I trust! (Ricky Powell is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.)

Do You Know The Essential Evidence For The Resurrection Of Jesus?

• Has anyone ever asked you why you believe in the resurrection of Jesus?
• Have you ever wanted to examine the evidence for Jesus' resurrection?
• Have you ever struggled with your own doubts about the resurrection of Jesus?

If so, then you will appreciate the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus as presented by Dr. William Lane Craig. Dr. Craig is Research Professor of Philosophy at Talbot School of Theology and Professor of Philosophy at Houston Baptist University. 

Craig presents the "minimal facts approach." The approach uses the evidence that even the most skeptical historians agree to be true. Craig argues that the evidence points to the historical resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

Take a look at the 28-minute video below from the John Ankerberg Show which explains the essential evidence for the resurrection of Jesus.

 

 

To dig deeper into the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus I highly recommend the following books.

 

Some of the links are affiliate links, which means that if you click on a product link, I may receive compensation. This compensation comes at no additional cost to you, and as always I only recommend products I trust! (Ricky Powell is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.)

To The Rescue (A Palm Sunday Sermon from John 12:12-16)

This is the message I preached at Fort Caroline Baptist Church, Jacksonville, Florida yesterday.

5 Important Reasons To Invite Your Friends Now To Easter Services At Fort Caroline Baptist Church

I shared in my sermon yesterday five important reasons you should invite your friends now to Easter services at Fort Caroline Baptist Church. Click the link below to hear my sermon titled, "Everyone's Invited!" I will post the message outline of the five reasons below. Who will you invite?

 

Everyone's Invited

Everyone's Invited!
March 18, 2018

Easter is for everyone because everyone needs Jesus!

“This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:4, ESV)

1. Everyone is loved by God.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, ESV)

2. Everyone has sinned.

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭3:23‬ ‭ESV‬‬

3. Everyone is under sin’s death penalty.

“For the wages of sin is death...” ‭Romans‬ ‭6:23a‬ ‭ESV‬‬

4. Everyone can receive God's gift of eternal life.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭6:23‬ ‭ESV‬‬

5. Everyone who wants to be saved must call on the name of the Lord.

“because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” (Romans 10:9–10, ESV)

“For 'everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'" (Romans 10:13, ESV)

Easter is for everyone because everyone needs Jesus.

Personal Application:

1. Trust and confess Jesus as your Lord and Savior today.
2. Invite people to our Easter service so they can learn the good news that Jesus loves them and wants to save them.

Here Is A Simple Way You Can Push Back The Lostness Of America

Right here and now, we have an opportunity to help push back lostness by supporting missionaries across North America. As we approach the 2018 Annie Armstrong Easter Offering giving season I ask that you pray about how you and your family can help reach our Fort Caroline Baptist Church goal of $5,000 by Easter. Learn more about the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering at anniearmstrong.com

Give through Fort Caroline Baptist Church by visiting our giving page here.

How To Make This Easter An Awesome Easter!

 

Dear Friend,

 

Easter is right around the corner!

 

This year, we’re focusing on something special at Fort Caroline Baptist Church. In fact, we’re asking everyone to do two important things…

 

1. Be a bringer.

2. Be a giver.

 

Jesus brought Himself to the cross so that we could have salvation. We have life because of what He did. Jesus was also a giver. He gave His life for us. When the Bible talks about how Jesus’s blood was a ransom for us, that literally is a monetary term meaning “bought back”.

 

So, we’re asking you to follow His lead this Easter! Simply invite a person or family to come to church with you on April 1, and then be prepared to give to our special Easter Offering for North American Missionaries over and above your regular giving.

 

We have set a church goal of $5,000. This money supports training, sending, and supporting Southern Baptist North American Missionaries. We wanted to let you know in advance so you can get ready to make a huge impact on others this Easter!

 

You also have the option to give through the FCBC app, online at www.givetofcbc.com, or see all the giving options at www.fcbcjax.com.

 

Services Times: 

9:30 & 10:45 a.m.

8:00 a.m. Traditional Worship

 

Thank you so much!

 

Join Me For Easter At Fort Caroline Baptist Church

• 8:00 a.m. Traditional Worship
• 9:30 & 10:45 a.m. Contemporary Worship 

Visit our website for information about exciting child-care and student worship options. 

Fort Caroline Baptist Church

11428 McCormick Road

Jacksonville, FL 32225

(904) 642-2288

#fcbcjax

A Few Important Ways I Need Your Help This Easter

Hey Church Family!

Easter is just a few days away! Can I count on your help in making it the best Resurrection Sunday ever at FCBC?

Be a Bringer. This is an awesome opportunity to invite people to one of our three worship services (8:00, 9:30, or 10:45 a.m.) and to your LifeGroup. When we invite people to our services, we are inviting them to the place where the Gospel of Jesus Christ will be preached, where Christian love and community will be displayed, and where the Bible comes to life. Inviting people to meet Jesus is a biblical thing to do and is a powerful way to reach people for Christ. Someone has said, “You can’t make a person fall in love with Jesus, but you can arrange a date.” Who will you invite to church on Easter? Stop right now and think of three people you can invite. Pray for them now.

Be a Giver. Each year we receive the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering (AAEO) for North American mission efforts. Please use the AAEO envelopes provided in the seat pockets at church or the one mailed to your home in your giving envelope packet. 100% of this offering goes to the missionaries of the Southern Baptist Convention who are helping us reach North America with the Gospel (make checks payable to our church). Of course, I hope this will be in addition to your regular gifts to the church that support our on-going ministries. Your undesignated contributions to the GENERAL BUDGET make our ministries possible. Right now, we have to say “No” to many ministry opportunities because we are not meeting our budget. You can give online right now! It is safe, easy, and fast. Visit www.GiveToFCBC.com.

Here are a few other ways to help make this a record breaking Easter at FCBC.

1. Attend a LifeGroup and learn about the power of the Resurrection. With your help, we can reach a goal of 875 people in groups!
2. Park as far away from the buildings as possible so we can leave the best parking for our guests.
3. Greet the people you meet in the parking lots, hallways, and worship center. A smile and a “Good to see you today!” go a long way to make people feel welcome!
4. Pray for Craig and me as we lead the services and share the Gospel.
5. Let your children enjoy the activities we have prepared for them in BOTH hours in their areas.
6. Be positive and flexible. Our guests are watching and listening. Don’t complain or grumble.
7. Make room on your row for guests. Move to the middle of the row!
8. Get ready for some good news. I have a special announcement to make on Easter!
9. Ask God to save people! This is what it is all about! Amen?

I love you and appreciate all you do to touch people’s lives with the Gospel!

Six Ways To Effectively Invite Your Friends To Church

Last Sunday we gave away “invite” cards for you to use as you reach out to your family and friends with an invitation to one of our three Easter services. Together, we can give people in our community a personal invitation to our church. Here are six ways to make the most out of this simple tool. These tips work, even if you do not have invite cards handy. 

 

1. Be Intentional

 

Use the invite card and say something like, “I would love for you to join me and my family at Fort Caroline Baptist Church for the 10:45 a.m. service on Easter Sunday. I could meet you in front of the worship center. We can sit together and go to lunch after the service, if you want. How does that sound?” 

 

2. Be Personable

 

Relax and be yourself when you invite someone to church. You don’t have to be a salesman with a slick approach. It is especially easy when you are inviting people you already know or have a friendship with. 

 

3. Be Knowledgeable 

 

You don’t have to know everything about our church, but you should know enough to assist someone new. Familiarize yourself with the times of the services, the location of the Welcome Center and preschool/children’s check-in, restrooms, and where the youth group meets.  You can also speak to a Guest Services team member that day if you need some assistance. Most of them will be in grey t-shirts with our church logo and name imprinted on the front. All Guest Service members will wear lanyards and name tags. But remember, we are all responsible for ensuring our guests have a great first experience.

 

4. Be Hospitable

 

On Easter, park as far from the buildings as possible to leave the best spaces for our guests. Don’t park in “Guest Parking”! Introduce your guest to a few people. Point out something about the church that might interest them as you walk them to the service. Be aware of other people around you who may be new. Greet them and introduce yourself to them. If someone looks like they are not sure where to go, say, “Good morning. We are so glad you are here. Is there anything I can help you with?” 

 

5. Be Prayerful

 

Pray for the people you invite to come. Pray for them to have a positive experience at church. Pray that they will be drawn closer to God and come to faith in Jesus as a result of hearing the Gospel.

 

6. Be Faithful

 

Don’t give up on inviting your friends if they don’t come on Easter. Be persistent in your love for them. Find opportunities to speak about the exciting things happening at the church and invite them to attend a service.

 

I’m excited about what the Lord is going to do as we reach out to others in love. Thank you for your partnership!

 

Your friend,

Pastor Ricky