Newkirk Church of Christ

Scott’s Thoughts

March 29, 2026

 

“But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened.”  (Luke 24:21, ESV)

Easter is upon us again. It can be hard to keep track of the date since it moves around the calendar, but this year it falls on Sunday, April 5. For several years now, we’ve taken advantage of this special day by holding a Sunrise Service at the exact time of sunrise. Most years we’ve braved cool weather; last year we were rained out entirely.

The existence of Jesus of Nazareth—and His execution by the Romans—is not merely a matter of Christian faith; it is a matter of historical record. The Roman historian Tacitus wrote that “Christus, the founder of the name, was put to death by Pontius Pilate, procurator of Judea in the reign of Tiberius” (Annals 15.44). The Jewish historian Josephus likewise records that “upon the accusation of the principal men among us, Pilate had condemned him to a cross” (Antiquities 18.3.3 §63-65).

If you research Easter, you’ll find a wide variety of beliefs and customs surrounding this day that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Most of the Christian world observes Easter, though traditions differ. Many churches make communion a central part of their service on that day. The congregations sponsoring our Sunrise Service are united in teaching the Birth, Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Jesus. We will gather at the Kay County Amphitheater, and this year’s start time will be 7:29 A.M. The service is open to everyone.

Hope can be defined as “desire plus expectation.” I truly believe Jesus was born of a virgin, lived and died as a human being, and never committed a single sin. Because He was sinless, He alone could offer Himself as the perfect sacrifice for our sins.

On Sunday, April 5th, we will celebrate the empty tomb—and the hope it brings to all humanity. The hope mentioned in Luke 24:21 was the hope that Jesus would overthrow the oppressive Roman government and restore national independence to Israel. But Jesus came with a far greater vision: a freedom not from Rome, but from sin—a freedom grounded in the perfection of His sacrifice.

I sincerely hope you will join us as we gather to remember Him and witness a beautiful sunrise that reflects only a tiny fraction of His glorious power. Before the eggs are cooked, colored, and hidden… before the new Easter clothes are tried on… before all the traditions begin… we need to honor Jesus—the One who makes our lives possible and gives us real hope.

“…that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.” (Philippians 3:10–11, ESV)

Thanks for listening and keep on shining.

—Scott

2020 Mission Trip to Kramatorsk, Ukraine

Day 1 & 2 | 10/12/20 | 10/13/20 | 10/14/20 10/16/20 | 10/17/20 | 10/18/20 | 10/18/20 10/19/20 | 10/20/20| 10/21/20 | 10/23/20  | 10/25/20 | Summary Report

 

Previous Issues

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3/15/26 "For who see himself different...

3/8/26 "Knowing that you were...

3/1/26 "For I know the plans I have for...

Pay Attention to Yourself

Today, it is nearly impossible to purchase any consumer good that does not display a warning on the label. The first warning labels appeared in the late 1920’s on hazardous household substances such as lye and acids. Some thirty years later, the widespread requirement for precautionary warning labels was implemented by federal agencies. Now, thousands upon thousands of products from chemical products, industrial machinery to medications and children’s toys display warnings to consumers.

When it comes to warnings, the Bible is not short in providing spiritual cautions for the follower of Christ. The term “take heed” appears some twenty-one times in the New King James translation of the New Testament. Other versions use the phrases “watch out”, “be careful”, and “pay close attention”, all preceding cautionary instructions for the Christian. Why all the warnings? A brief review of just some of the admonitions found in the Scriptures will help us realize the importance of paying close attention to ourselves and our spiritual well-being.

• Beware of Hypocritical Religious Behavior (Matt. 16:6)

• Watch that the Light in You Doesn’t Turn into Darkness (Luke 11:35)

• Beware of Materialism, Life Consist of More than Your Stuff (Luke 12:15)

• Pay Attention to Yourself and Forgive Those that Hurt You (Luke 17:3)

• Don’t Get Weighed Down by Wasteful Living and the Cares of Life (Luke 21:34)

• Be Careful that You Build on the Foundation of Christ (1 Cor. 3:10)

• Pay Close Attention to Your Standing Lest You May Fall (1 Cor. 10:12)

• Take Heed to the Doctrine of Christ that Saves You (1 Tim. 4:16)

“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming” (Matthew 25:13).

—Jay Launius
Maud church of Christ
Maud, TX