Resurrection Sunday: An Opportunity to Witness

Categories: AACC BLOG

by AACC Staff

We’re in the Easter season again—one time of year when many people are reminded, perhaps for the first time since last Easter, of an empty tomb outside Jerusalem.

At AACC headquarters in Virginia, spring is in the air. Spring is a transitory season that bridges the cold of winter and the warmth of summer. In much the same way, Christ’s death and Resurrection form the bridge from death to life, sin to righteousness, and wrath to peace with God.

Jesus Christ, God’s eternal Son, came to the earth in human flesh, being born of a virgin. He lived the perfect life that none of us could ever live—never sinning, not even once. Then, out of love for us and in obedience to His Father, He willingly died on the Cross—paying the price for our sin, which we could never pay.

Jesus rose from the dead three days later, breaking the power of sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:3–4, 54–57, ESV). Now, everyone who turns from their sin and trusts in Him will be forgiven, made right with God, and given the gift of eternal life (Romans 5:1; John 3:16; Acts 2:38, ESV).

That is the Gospel—and that is what we celebrate every Easter.

It’s common for non-Christians to affirm the moral benefits of Christianity. A common quip is, “If Christianity makes you a better person, I’m all for it.”

And to be fair, Jesus is the highest moral standard. Christ transforms our character (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 5:22–23, ESV). He is committed to finishing the work He began in us, which is making us more like Him (Philippians 1:6, ESV). When we sin, God teaches us about the depths of His forgiveness and helps us be more forgiving people.

But Christ isn’t merely a moral example. He’s far more than that—He is Lord.

Easter has a way of drawing people to church who may not regularly attend—and we give thanks for that! On Easter Sunday, non-Christian church visitors will hear the Gospel, and Lord willing, many will place their faith in Christ. But Christ is not a Seasonal Savior. He is not content to be acknowledged on Easter and Christmas and then ignored the rest of the year.

“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30, ESV).

The repeated word “all” in this verse leaves no room for partial devotion. Jesus demands total, undivided love. Christ demands our complete, undivided affection. Paul echoes this in Romans 12:1:

“I appeal to you… to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” (Romans 12:1, ESV).

When we compartmentalize Jesus by inviting Him to rule only in areas we’re comfortable with, we subtly make ourselves the God of our lives. And friends, we’re not worthy to be on that throne (Proverbs 14:12, ESV). Only Christ is.

Even Christians struggle with idolatry—of self or something else. Still, there’s grace for those who recognize and turn from idolatry. That grace was made possible through Jesus’s atoning work on the Cross, and it’s freely offered to everyone, including your church’s seasonal visitors.

And you, Christian reader, have the opportunity this Easter to share the good news—salvation by grace, through faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV)—with the new faces you see this Sunday.

Faithfully Sharing the Gospel Over Easter

In Romans 10:9-10 Paul offers a brief expression of how one can be saved: by confessing Christ’s Lordship from a heart-level belief.

“. . . 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.”

This, Christian reader, is the joyous news you have the privilege of proclaiming. That salvation comes by grace, through faith—not by works or any human merit (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV). It’s the same joyous news you heard and responded to yourself.

God uses His people to spread the Gospel to others. Whether you heard the Gospel from a stranger, friend, pastor, counselor, or family member, you heard it from somebody. And if you’re a believer, God wants to use you to share the good news with others. Paul explains in verses 14-16:

“How then will they call on him whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him, whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!’” (Romans 10:14–15, ESV).

So, start a conversation with a new visitor this Easter. Ask questions. Listen carefully. Share faithfully. And remember—the Holy Spirit brings the dead to life (John 3:5–8; 1 Corinthians 2:12–14, ESV), not you. You are the messenger, not the Messiah.

If there is a day when the Gospel is preached to more people in a calendar day, it is Resurrection Sunday—and if there’s ever a great opportunity to witness to a non-Christian, it’s Easter. Steward this season well by rejoicing in Christ’s Resurrection and sharing news of it with others.

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Reference

English Standard Version Bible. (2001). The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Crossway Bibles. (Original work published 2001)