The Story of Easter is really the story of Jesus Christ. It's a story about God's great love for us, and His plan to deliver us from evil and sin. God looked at the people and realized that there was so much evil in their hearts that He had to do something to clean them up. People needed a real change in their lives. They needed a change in their hearts. And that is why Christ came, He came to fulfill God's plan to redeem us all from our sin.

      So we see here that the Father sent Jesus to Earth from heaven, to make a way for everyone to have eternal life. Jesus had to become a man to undo, or redeem us from the sin Adam and Eve released into the world.
(Luke 1: all - 2: 40, John 6: 37-40, 57-58, 69)

     God's plan, and the only way possible, was for Jesus to defeat sin, Satan, and the flesh. He had to prove and show that the power of God, through His love, was stronger then anything the Devil had. He had to show that the Spirit is stronger then the flesh, and the final battle takes place in the three days between the crucifixion and resurrection.
(Romans 8: 8-18, 1 Corinthians 15: 1-8, Colossians 2: 2-3)

      This is the simplicity of the Easter Story, Christ came and defeated the Devil. He set the captives, you and me, free. He gave His believers everlasting life and a mighty inheritance. What inheritance, you might ask? Well first, He made anyone that believes in Him part of His supernatural family, and gave us His supernatural family name, Jesus. A family and name full of power and authority. (Romans 8:13 - 17)

      About all you can say after that is "WOW" !!!! Not only has God made each of His believers part of His family, He has given us each an opportunity to be filled with the fullness of God Himself. Now have most of us reached that point. No, but with an honest unwavering heart we can. In fact, if you read Ephesians 4: 1-13 He gave us some help. And because we are now part of His family, we have also become heirs of a better covenant then Abraham had. (see our lesson on the Covenant)
      In 1 Corinthians chapters 12, 13, and 14, God lays out a set of twelve supernatural gifts that are available to all believers. These real gifts are designed to help God Himself directly minister to His children (you and me) directly and personally. He can also minister through other believers that yield themselves to Him. As in anything that God does, Satan has counterfeits. But, when you find the real thing you can feel the power and reality of God meeting the needs of His children. To use these gifts correctly requires years of growth and practice, and a very yielded spirit to the direction and leading of God. This is not for untrained beginners, or believers that do not believe in the operation of these gifts. This is not something that anyone can teach you to do with your power. The correct operation of these gifts requires a special relationship between a completely yielded believer and God. The power for these gifts comes from God, not the believer. The important thing to understand is that even if you do not operate in these gifts, they are available to you through people that do. You can be healed. You can receive wisdom, and the benefits of all of the gifts from God through these believers. But make sure they are real believers, living the real Christian life, teaching the full uncompromised Word! So called believers that cuss and run around and only act like Christ went they need to, can not operate in these real gifts. (John 5: 19 - 30; 14:12-14)
     God cares about you everywhere you go. He sent a comforter(the Holy Ghost) to live in you, and be with you all the time.

     Today, Jesus is our advocate with the Father in our behalf, providing us with a real interactive God that cares for us, and actively, daily demonstrates His Grace (His willingness to use His power in our behalf).

     It seems like such an incredible event for such simple words, and yet no one else could have done the job. It took a God that loves us enough to give His own son for us. What Jesus did, He did for everyone, and yet few accept Him into their hearts. Why don't you take a few minutes to clear the slate. Ask God to forgive you of your sins, and then invite Him into your heart.
      Heavenly Father, your word says that "If I will confess with my mouth the Lord Jesus, and will believe in my heart that God has raised him from the dead, I will be saved for with the heart, man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Father, I do believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for my sins and that he was raised the third day. Lord, I pray that you would forgive me of my sin for I forgive all those that have sinned against me. Lord Jesus, I now want you to come into my heart and guide me, fill me with your Holy Spirit, and mold me into what you would have me to be.Father please lead me to a good Church home, I pray in Jesus name, Amen.

More great verses: John 5: 24, Ephesians 5: 1-16, Colossians 2: 6-7, 3: 1-4, 3: 14-17,  Thessalonians 5: 9-10, 5: 15-23