I thought I'd share a few thoughts on Easter and some photos taken during our five worship services that morning. We had a great service and tried to make much of Jesus and his mission.

I have been at the church for over a year and a half now. And, I really like the folks at First and have greatly enjoyed being there. We are coming up on two years together, but I am thinking that they will have a pastor soon so I am excited for them, but in many ways not looking forward to that day.

As an "interim" pastor, that means I am the "fill in," while they look for a new pastor. This has been a unique experience for me-- I have never been a regular attended at a large traditional megachurch, let alone served one as pastor. My background has been in contemporary churches, church planting, and innovative ministry and mission. But, God is working in all kinds of biblically faithful churches, traditional, contemporary, and emerging, and I have been thrilled and blessed to be there on journey with my friends at First in a well-done blended church setting. And, we just had a great time of worship at Easter. It made me miss being a "real" pastor!

Anyway, these interwebs were buzzing last week as we all talked about their upcoming Easter worship services. Seemed like we were all excited. I know I was. It's not that this one day is more important than any other Sunday, but that many nominal Christians and relatively unchurched individuals show up at our worship on Easter. Some are coming for the right reasons, some for the wrong, but for a variety of cultural and spiritual reasons most of our churches have higher attendance numbers on Easter than most other Sundays. And this is exciting.

But I think we can easily get confused. It's not exciting simply because attendance is higher. And it shouldn't be exciting because we put on a big show (In fact, I'd like us to take a step back from the big show, and instead make a big show of the gospel itself by clearly communicating the good news in ways people can understand). It isn't about the big band, the cool music, great choir, or whatever else we are tempted to exalt for a big show.

It's exciting because worshipping our risen Savior is exciting. It's exciting because as we make much of Christ, many more have the opportunity to hear his story and his words, and by God's grace many will believe! And, it is in many ways just like any other Sunday-- the gospel is preached and people need to live a cross-centered life in the power of the resurrection.

Let's not lose focus of this: no show, stage dressing, egg drop, or speaker should eclipse the one who conquered sin and death. We want people walking out of our worship remembering, talking about, wondering and marveling over Jesus, not a show.

We had a wonderful God-honoring service at First Baptist Church of Hendersonville and, I hope we make that our focus.

Jesus is the point. On Easter, today, and every day.

By the way, if you are interested in listening to my weekly messages, you can do so here. I have been preaching through Ephesians and three of those messages are on the site in addition to a new series I have started this week on Easter called "Lies We Believe." They are all here and you can also subscribe on iTunes. Finally, thanks to David Walley for the pictures.