#backtolifeseries

EASTER SUNDAY // THE GIFT OF SALVATION Who doesn’t love a good gift? One of the best parts about receiving a gift is that you don’t have to earn it. You can earn awards, rewards, and even praise. But a gift is something someone gives you with no expectation of payment in return. It’s like getting a birthday present from an aunt or grandparent who lives in another state or country. They aren’t even around enough to see whether or not you’ve done something to deserve the gift. They simply gave you the gift because they love you. And that’s exactly what Jesus did. Jesus was beaten, crucified, and killed, but then rose from the dead in order to give the ultimate gift to the world: freedom from sin, which is called salvation (John 3:16). Every Easter Sunday we celebrate what Jesus did for us 2,000 years ago—and that was defeat death, offer hope for the most impossible circumstances, and give life in the situations that feel most dead. We call that salvation. The gift of a life free from sin, free from hopelessness, and free from the chains of a life lived in sin. And like all gifts we didn’t do a thing to earn it. All that’s left for us is to reach out and accept it. Do we believe Jesus is who He says He is? Do we believe God is more powerful than even death itself? Do we believe God has the final word about who we are and who we can be? When we decide to accept God’s free gift by believing that Jesus rose from the dead to save us from our sins, we receive salvation. There are some amazing gifts that we can receive in life, but none will ever compare to the gift of salvation. Salvation provides forgiveness and freedom from all of our sins—past, present, and future (Romans 5:15). What an amazing gift! Have you accepted God’s free gift? If you have, thank God for that gift today. If not, maybe today is the day you accept God’s gift of salvation, which gives you freedom from sin and a fuller life. #MCBC #YLDyouth #mcbctimotheus #mcbckoinonia #DRIVEN #BacktoLifeSeries #xp3students (at Markham Chinese Baptist Church 麥城華人浸信會)

SATURDAY // WHEN THE STORY FEELS OVER Can you imagine what it must have felt like to be a follower of Jesus the day after Jesus’s death on the cross? After all, they had just seen their friend and leader die, the guy they assumed would be a powerful leader. Now, Jesus is dead and His body is in a tomb. Game over, right? No more talking to Jesus, seeing Jesus, or receiving guidance from Him. Maybe you can relate to that feeling. The feeling that God is nowhere to be found. Like you had an expectation for how things would look, and it isn’t happening. Those moments feel like “game over” moments. But that doesn’t mean they are. Believe it or not, even Jesus felt this way. When Jesus was hanging on the cross He cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46 NIV). In actuality, God didn’t leave Jesus during that difficult moment, it just felt like He did. And feelings are powerful. In that moment on the cross, Jesus felt abandoned. And the day after Jesus was killed, the disciples felt the same way. We know the story didn’t end there—but when it comes to the stories in our own lives, it can feel like it has. On the Saturday of our lives—after the death and before the resurrection—it can be hard to know how things can turn out. It’s okay to stay there awhile—in your disappointment, in your worry, in your fear. The disciples felt that way and Jesus did, too. But their feeling that way didn’t make it true. And we can remember the same thing when we face those same feelings. How we feel doesn’t determine what is true. It’s possible the story isn’t over yet. Don’t let your feelings write the ending. Because there may be more to it. Just like for Jesus. Just like for the disciples. Is there a part of your life where it feels like it’s “game over” for you? Ask God to remind you that—with Him—your story is never over. #MCBC #YLDyouth #mcbctimotheus #mcbckoinonia #DRIVEN #BacktoLifeSeries #xp3students (at Markham Chinese Baptist Church 麥城華人浸信會)

DAY 5 HEAR // The key words here are “hear” and “believe.” Salvation is really that easy. If you hear the good news and truly believe, you will be saved! Then, once you’ve been saved, you begin the process of sanctification. Now, sanctification is a crazy word, but it’s really quite simple—it’s the process of looking more like Jesus. You see, Salvation happens in a moment—the moment you put your faith in Jesus. But sanctification is a lifelong journey. Where are you in this process? If you’re a Christian, how are you different today from before you put your faith in Jesus? There’s no right or wrong answer here. Today, take a minute to celebrate the areas of your life you’ve grown thanks to your relationship with Jesus. #MCBC #YLDyouth #mcbctimotheus #mcbckoinonia #DRIVEN #BacktoLifeSeries #xp3students (at Markham Chinese Baptist Church 麥城華人浸信會)

DAY 4 PRAY // We’re constantly thinking about, planning for, and protecting our own lives. But Jesus tells us that the secret to saving our lives . . . is losing it? It’s counterintuitive for sure. But the truth is, we will never grow in our faith and relationship with Christ if we refuse to let Him have control over our lives. If we really want to live full, exciting, meaningful lives, then we must “lose” our life by giving it to God. What things in your life are you holding onto with white knuckles? What areas in your life are you afraid to let go of or lose? Today, ask God to give you the courage to hand over those things—and your life—to Him. #MCBC #YLDyouth #mcbctimotheus #mcbckoinonia #DRIVEN #BacktoLifeSeries #xp3students (at Markham Chinese Baptist Church 麥城華人浸信會)

DAY 3 LIVE // If you’ve ever been to a funeral, you can probably remember the sense of grief and despair that filled the room—it’s heavy. However, if the person had put their faith in Jesus, in the middle of all that grief and despair there’s another feeling: hope. For those who trust in Jesus, death is not the end—it’s just the start of something new called eternal life. If you’re a Christian, in the face of death, you can cling to the hope of eternal life. Without Jesus, life after death is hopeless. But with Jesus, life after death is a real thing and actually something we can look forward to. Is your life characterized by this eternal hope? How can keeping this promise of eternal life in mind give you hope when you’re feeling discouraged this week? #MCBC #YLDyouth. #mcbctimotheus #mcbckoinonia #DRIVEN #BacktoLifeSeries #xp3students (at Markham Chinese Baptist Church 麥城華人浸信會)

DAY 2 HEAR // Jesus said it was for our good that He was going away because another would come. What could Jesus possibly be talking about? The Holy Spirit. When we decide to follow Jesus, we receive the Holy Spirit. The Bible says the Holy Spirit is our advocate and our helper. He teaches us and reminds of what Jesus taught. He empowers us and nudges us to do the work of God. And on top of all that, the Holy Spirit reminds us that we are God’s children—that we belong to God. As you go about your day today, see if you can notice moments the Holy Spirit might be nudging you to do something, say something, or avoid something. Then, ask God to give you the strength to follow the nudging and do what’s right. #MCBC #YLDyouth #mcbctimotheus #mcbckoinonia #DRIVEN #BacktoLifeSeries #xp3students (at Markham Chinese Baptist Church 麥城華人浸信會)

At #DRIVEN, did you choose to believe in Jesus, trust in Jesus, or live for Jesus? #MCBC #YLDyouth #mcbctimotheus #mcbcKoinonia #BacktoLifeSeries #xp3students (at Markham Chinese Baptist Church 麥城華人浸信會)

DAY 1 TALK // In this verse, Jesus is saying that He’s the only way to get into heaven. Now, it’s not popular in our culture to say that there is only one way to God. In fact, many people find it downright offensive and narrow- minded. However, if you think about it, nothing is more accepting and open-minded than Jesus’ statement here. What Jesus is really saying is that EVERYONE can come to the Father through Him—no exceptions, exclusions, or requirements. You don’t have to do a certain thing, look a certain way, or be a certain type of person—the offer is open to everyone. #MCBC #YLDyouth #mcbctimotheus #mcbckoinonia #DRIVEN #BacktoLifeSeries #xp3students (at Markham Chinese Baptist Church 麥城華人浸信會)