Pearlside Church | Main Campus

Jesus offers forgiveness and freedom to anyone, no matter how shameful our past. The first person to see Jesus resurrected and proclaim the Gospel was a woman named Mary Magdalene, whom Jesus previously cast out seven demons from. Jesus loves to redeem broken lives and exchanges our pain for peace. How do we experience freedom from our past?Another woman with a shame-filled past experienced freedom as she sought after and pursued Jesus despite the obstacles and objections of others. Jesus offers us the same forgiveness and freedom when we do likewise.

Jesus offers forgiveness and freedom to anyone, no matter how shameful our past. The first person to see Jesus resurrected and proclaim the Gospel was a woman named Mary Magdalene, whom Jesus previously cast out seven demons from. Jesus loves to redeem broken lives and exchanges our pain for peace. How do we experience freedom from our past?Another woman with a shame-filled past experienced freedom as she sought after and pursued Jesus despite the obstacles and objections of others. Jesus offers us the same forgiveness and freedom when we do likewise.

In life, we will face opposition even while we walk in God’s purpose. As the young disciple Stephen was preaching and performing miracles, he faced opposition from the religious leaders who rejected Jesus. The opposition was so fierce that the angry mob ended up stoning him to death. Yet, amid their anger and hatred, Stephen was able to endure with faith and even prayed for those who were persecuting him.

In life, we will face opposition even while we walk in God’s purpose. As the young disciple Stephen was preaching and performing miracles, he faced opposition from the religious leaders who rejected Jesus. The opposition was so fierce that the angry mob ended up stoning him to death. Yet, amid their anger and hatred, Stephen was able to endure with faith and even prayed for those who were persecuting him.

Every one experiences failure at some point in their lives. How we respond to our failure will determine our future. The apostle Peter is an example of this. He publicly denied Jesus three times after declaring that he would never betray Jesus. We can learn three important lessons from Jesus' response that will help us over come the shame and defeat of failure.

In Matthew 6:25-33, God's brilliance is revealed as He designed us to work, rest, relate, worship with gratitude, think and feel, and choose to follow Him. Just as God placed Adam in the garden to work and keep it, He has created us for good works. We are also called to rest, build relationships with Him and others, and offer worship with gratitude. Additionally, we are encouraged to engage our minds and emotions, discerning God's will and choosing to follow Him for salvation.

In life, all of us will experience doubts as it relates to our faith. Doubt often arises from unmet expectations such as unanswered questions, seemingly unfair circumstances, or unresolved hurts. Thomas, one of the disciples, expressed doubt about a resurrected Jesus. Thomas stated that he wouldn't believe unless he saw and touched Jesus' wounds. Jesus eventually revealed himself to Thomas, causing Him to believe. Jesus later emphasized that those who believe without seeing are even more blessed.

In life, all of us will experience doubts as it relates to our faith. Doubt often arises from unmet expectations such as unanswered questions, seemingly unfair circumstances, or unresolved hurts. Thomas, one of the disciples, expressed doubt about a resurrected Jesus. Thomas stated that he wouldn't believe unless he saw and touched Jesus' wounds. Jesus eventually revealed himself to Thomas, causing Him to believe. Jesus later emphasized that those who believe without seeing are even more blessed.

After Jesus' death and burial, His disciples were terrified and hid in fear for their lives. They were afraid of facing. the same persecution Jesus endured for being His followers. Jesus understood their fear and appeared to them while they were hiding in the upper room. Just like the disciples, fear can trap us and prevent us from experiencing God's best for our lives. However, their encounter with Jesus gave them what they needed to overcome fear. A personal encounter with Him can do the same for us.

After Jesus' death and burial, His disciples were terrified and hid in fear for their lives. They were afraid of facing. the same persecution Jesus endured for being His followers. Jesus understood their fear and appeared to them while they were hiding in the upper room. Just like the disciples, fear can trap us and prevent us from experiencing God's best for our lives. However, their encounter with Jesus gave them what they needed to overcome fear. A personal encounter with Him can do the same for us.

When we encounter Jesus, our lives begin to be filled with true purpose and hope. One of Jesus’ first encounters after He rose was appearing to two disciples. Initially, His followers were disappointed and confused when Jesus was killed on the cross. These two disciples did not recognize Jesus until He opened their eyes, resulting in their hearts being filled with hope. In life, we will all face disappointments when God doesn’t do things exactly how we want. But when we meet the risen Christ, our eyes open, filling us with hope.

When we encounter Jesus, our lives begin to be filled with true purpose and hope. One of Jesus’ first encounters after He rose was appearing to two disciples. Initially, His followers were disappointed and confused when Jesus was killed on the cross. These two disciples did not recognize Jesus until He opened their eyes, resulting in their hearts being filled with hope. In life, we will all face disappointments when God doesn’t do things exactly how we want. But when we meet the risen Christ, our eyes open, filling us with hope.

Easter is the most significant day in the Christian Worldview, because it was the day that Jesus proved that He was who He said He was. When He rose from the dead there was no doubt that He was God and that He had the power to save humanity from the curse of sin and death. One remarkable moment happened just before His death on the cross. He offered eternal life to one of two criminals who were being executed next to Him.

Easter is the most significant day in the Christian Worldview, because it was the day that Jesus proved that He was who He said He was. When He rose from the dead there was no doubt that He was God and that He had the power to save humanity from the curse of sin and death. One remarkable moment happened just before His death on the cross. He offered eternal life to one of two criminals who were being executed next to Him.

At the cross, Jesus took on the weight of our sins and shame, providing redemption and freedom for those who trust in Him. He not only carried the burden of sin but also offers to assist us in carrying our life’s burdens. While He doesn’t remove our burdens entirely, He helps us bear them. In Christ, we discover the strength and support needed to face life’s challenges.

At the cross, Jesus took on the weight of our sins and shame, providing redemption and freedom for those who trust in Him. He not only carried the burden of sin but also offers to assist us in carrying our life’s burdens. While He doesn’t remove our burdens entirely, He helps us bear them. In Christ, we discover the strength and support needed to face life’s challenges.

Jesus' arrest and trial were entirely unfair and unjust. Despite his innocence, he endured betrayal from one of his closest followers and persecution by both religious and political leaders. In the face of this unjust treatment, Peter responded with violence, but Jesus exemplified meekness and controlled strength. As followers of Christ, we will inevitably face unfair situations where we feel mistreated or persecuted. How we choose to respond in these moments has the power to either reflect or reject God's kingdom.

Jesus' arrest and trial were entirely unfair and unjust. Despite his innocence, he endured betrayal from one of his closest followers and persecution by both religious and political leaders. In the face of this unjust treatment, Peter responded with violence, but Jesus exemplified meekness and controlled strength. As followers of Christ, we will inevitably face unfair situations where we feel mistreated or persecuted. How we choose to respond in these moments has the power to either reflect or reject God's kingdom.

When we face “crossroad” moments in our life we have a choice to either walk in the Spirit (obey the will of God) or to give into the flesh (our human weakness). Walking in the Spirit involves relying on the Holy Spirit (who resides inside of followers of Jesus) and God’s Word. In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus wrestled with the difficult reality of going to the cross to take upon Himself the penalty of our sin and the sins of the world. Jesus navigated this crossroad through prayer and by allowing God’s will to supersede His own fleshly desires.

When we face “crossroad” moments in our life we have a choice to either walk in the Spirit (obey the will of God) or to give into the flesh (our human weakness). Walking in the Spirit involves relying on the Holy Spirit (who resides inside of followers of Jesus) and God’s Word. In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus wrestled with the difficult reality of going to the cross to take upon Himself the penalty of our sin and the sins of the world. Jesus navigated this crossroad through prayer and by allowing God’s will to supersede His own fleshly desires.