Deciding what to preach is almost as difficult as preparing the individual sermons. The good news is that once you have made your decision about a series or a plan you are ready to do the intensive week by week preparation.

I have two series for Easter (one before Easter and one that begins Easter Sunday) that excite me.

I like preaching about the cross. In recent years I have preached from the Gospels in the weeks leading to Easter. Two years ago I preached the sayings of Jesus from the cross while last year I preached what others said about Jesus.

This year I plan to preach five messages from the New Testament concerning the meaning of the cross to you and me. One of the messages will be taken from Galatians 2:20. I see this passage as serving as a theme for the entire series: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

This is the plan for my messages, including dates and major passages of Scripture:

February 26, Matthew 10:38, Jesus calls us to take up the cross and follow Him.

March 4, 1 Corinthians 1:18, The message of the cross is foolishness to the perishing but the power of God to those who are being saved.

March 11, Philippians 2:5-11, Our example for Christian service is Christ Himself who was obedient unto death.

March 18, Ephesians 2:11-22, Hope and reconciliation comes through the cross of Christ.

March 25, Galatians 2:20, Our very life is in Christ.

April 1, Colossians 1 and 2, God’s work on the cross to defeat sin and death.

I hope that you will be blessed as we look at the cross of Christ and consider the implications for the cross on our lives.

I have been planning the series beginning Easter Sunday for two years. I call it “Things To Come” or “What Happens When You Die?” from 1 Corinthians 15.

Paul laid out a detailed argument for our resurrection from the dead based on the resurrection of Jesus. He talks about our resurrection body, the return of Jesus to the earth to gather His own and even raises the question of the practice of some people who were baptized for the dead.

1 Corinthians 15 is a fascinating chapter of Scripture. You’ll find it helpful for your faithful service to God. This series should have a strong appeal to those outside the church. Please invite friends and family to participate with you.

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