Our Spring series is entitled Preppers.
Our definition of prepping is "Making preparations for something or to do something." The intent of our series is to look at the lives of some Bible characters who could be identified by that term and to learn some lessons that will help us to be more like Jesus.

Have you ever been through a really rough day or maybe a week? The kind where everything spiraled downward and then...it's the start of a new day and you feel better, things looked better, and you just knew that life was going to be better.
This idea was captured by a young girl named Annie who sang a song called, The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow.

Our Bible character today is Jesus.
Here's some things we know about Jesus:
-He is God in human form; fully God, fully man
-He lived a sinless life
-He accepted and loved people
-He gathered simple people and created a world-wide movement
-He did numerous miracles
-He came into this world to reconcile sinful people to His Father
-He gave some of the most profound talks known to mankind
-He was hated by many for disturbing their sinful lifestyle and self-righteousness
-He was falsely accused, unjustly tried, and then sentenced to the cruelest of deaths
-He was mocked, beaten, and rejected a week after being hailed as King
-He died on a Roman cross, bearing the sins of humanity
-He was buried on what we know as Good Friday
-He (on Friday) was laid in a tomb for 3 days
-Many of His followers abandoned Him out of fear and shame
But like an old preacher once said, that was Friday, and they didn't know that Sunday was coming!

That Sunday, of the resurrection of Jesus, was a new day of hope!
The darkness, depression, despair, defeat all passed away in an instant when Jesus woke up, sat up, got up, and went up out of the tomb into a new day.
Luke 24:1-6a

Jesus went through all of that to prepare His followers...to prepare you and I to not give up, but to stand up.
The message of Easter is one of hope:
-Look Up to heaven and realize that God loves you and wants you to be reconciled to Him.
-Give Up your sin and selfishness and turn to Jesus as your Lord and Savior - repent and believe.
Grow Up in your faith by connecting with a Bible believing church family and develop the knowledge and skills that honor God.
Line Up as a servant and minister in your church and community, using every opportunity to represent Jesus to others and to tell them about the hope that is found in the resurrection.
1 Peter 1:3-4

The resurrection of Jesus provides 5 resources that will change our Fridays to Sundays. These resources enable us to :
-change our eternal destiny
-bring us into a relationship with deity
-provide a new identity
-give amazing security
-open the door for unlimited sufficiency
-unlock your God-given ability

1. PEACE with God.
Romans 5:1

2. PRESENCE with God.
1 John 4:15

3. PEACE of God.
John 14:27
Philippians 4:6-7
Colossians 3:15
2 Thessalonians 3:16

4. PURPOSE of God.
John 17:18 [MSG]
Luke 19:10
John 20:21
Luke 24:45-49

5. POWER of God.
Acts 1:8
John 14:16-18
Romans 8:11
Ephesians 3:16-17; 5:18

The resurrection of Jesus from the grave has created the possibility of a new day for you.
The pardon of sins, the power to live a different life, and the promise of eternal life.