Why is Good Friday Good?

April 8, 2009

WINNING THE SECOND BILLION TOGETHER!

The National Pastors & Leaders Conference for the Redeemed Christian Church of God convened last week in Baltimore, Maryland. Matthew Ashimolowo and James O. Davis brought plenary presentations.

 

Dear Visionary Leader,

HE IS RISEN!

Jesus Christ did not die and rise again for a percentage of the world, but for the whole world. Easter is God’s grace for the human race. As we approach Good Friday, consider why Good Friday is good. According to Matthew 27:45-54, when Jesus died on the cross:

 

  • He touched the sun. In Him, we have victory over darkness!
  • He touched the sanctuary and the veil was rent in two. In Him, we have victory over division!
  • He touched the stones with an earthquake. In Him, we have victory over devastation!
  • He touched the sepulchers and the dead came back to life. In Him, we have victory over death!
  • He touched the soldier. In Him, we have victory over doubt.

 

Why is Good Friday good? Because two thousand years ago, mankind nailed the Maker on a cross of wood. One week, the religious crowd said, “Hail him with a crown,” the next they said, “nail him on a cross!”

Mel Gibson said, when I interviewed him in 2004 regarding “The Passion of the Christ” movie, “Jesus was so pure, with one prick of a finger, a drop of His blood could have redeemed the world. Yet, He loved us so much that He went to the cross and died for every person in the world.”

On Good Friday, let us recommit our lives and our leadership to share God’s grace with the human race. We are not the West going to the Rest, but the Best going to the Rest worldwide. As New Zealand’s Paul de Jong said, “The next billion lives next door.”

 

Network News

PRECEPT BY PRECEPT

This week Kay Arthur and James O. Davis met to discuss resources for pastors worldwide. For decades, Dr. Arthur has taught inductive Bible study methods to countless pastors and leaders in 150 nations. She has taught through nearly every book of the Bible. At www.Precept.org you may acquire some of the best Bible teaching resources in the world.

LAGOS BILLION SOUL LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

The West African Billion Soul Leadership Summit convenes at the Sheraton Hotel, in Lagos, Nigeria, on May 28-29, 2009. Key leaders from 17 different nations will synergize their efforts to double the size of the church in their region, to showcase the best church planting methods and models and to multiply leaders at the highest possible rate. Each confirmed participant will receive the Billion Soul Online Leadership Kit (valued more than $500) to help him or her to fulfill the Great Commission. If you are interested in attending please apply for registration here. There is limited space for only 350 key leaders.

SOUTH AMERICAN BILLION SOUL SUMMIT

The South American Billion Soul Leadership Summit will convene on August 18-21, 2009, in Quito, Ecuador; Santiago, Chile; Buenos Aires, Argentina and Sao Paulo, Brazil. In these strategic locations, more than 1,000 leading pastors, overseers, district superintendents, missionaries and college or seminary presidents will synergize strategies and resources to further the Gospel in this world region. Confirmed speakers include David Ramirez, James O. Davis, Ed Silvoso, James Merritt, John Ed Mathison and others.

 

Pastoral Coaching

As Christian leaders, we are to cast understandable vision to the present and future generations. The Redeemed Christian Church of God in Lagos, Nigeria is the fastest-growing denomination in the world. General Overseer Dr. Enoch Adeboye states their big vision in simple terms, “To make heaven; take as many people with us as possible; and, have a member of RCCG in every family in every nation.”

RCCG started a church planting movement in the United States and now has hundreds of churches throughout the US. While some US-based denominations struggle to maintain their membership, RCCG leaders are advancing the gospel throughout North America. Last week, I was privileged to minister at the RCCG National Pastors And Leaders Conference in Baltimore, Maryland. During the conference, Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo, who pastors Kingsway International, one of the strongest churches in London, England, challenged us, “We have not come to America to make noise, but to have a voice!”

Jesus did not die on the cross so we can simply make noise throughout the earth. It is time for God’s people to come together to speak with one voice: “JESUS IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED!”

 

Until The Last Person Has Heard,

James O. Davis
COCHAIR/Global Networking