Powerful…transforming…healing…beautiful…life-changing. These are just some of the words I heard, as you shared your stories about Easter weekend at Mariners Church. I loved connecting with you on the patio and hearing the emotion, freedom and victory expressed because of the sacrifice of Jesus. Then on Easter weekend, it was a joy watching thousands of you with friends and family scoop up 50,000 eggs within seconds on our lawn, knowing that so many were on our campus experiencing the beauty of The Church (God’s people) for the first time. Many of you brought family and friends to experience the power of Easter and the resurrection with us. It was beautiful to see the smiles and hear your encouraging stories, the powerful message of Easter and the community of Jesus impressed into your souls. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for us!

I’m excited to kick off our new series “Christian?” this weekend, unpacking the label that Christ-followers have worn for years. This is a great series for anyone new to church or investigating who Jesus is and what His Church is all about, as well as those of us that have identified with the “Christian” label for a long time.  All of us will have the opportunity to rediscover the beauty and adventure of walking with Jesus.  Bring your family and friends, and join us for another great weekend together…

Peace…

kyle

Join us to prepare crafts for our sponsored children from Rojo Gomez, during Mexico’s upcoming National Children’s Day. Questions? mexico@marinerschurch.org

Wednesday, Apr 17, 7-8:30p
Worship Center, meet at stage
Irvine Campus

Romans 8:32-39

Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I love the way this passage expresses the heart of God for us, His people…generous, loving, sacrificial. God, the Creator of everything, the Author of life, did all the work in overcoming the distance that exists because of our sin by sending His own Son as a sacrifice. I love the power put on display in conquering death, giving us hope that nothing is truly impossible with God and His power within us. When we are confronted by our own brokenness and failure, we can hold to these truths and remember that God brings dead things to life…nothing is beyond His love and power. Victory is ours in Jesus!

This is the message we live out, and this is the season where we get to invite all the world to hear and be transformed by this profound truth. I can’t wait to remember the victory of Good Friday and the power of Easter together with you all. Bring your family and friends and join us…

peace…

kyle