Following Easter

Following a holiday is usually easy.  Following Christmas we pick up package wrapping and ribbons.  After New Years we sleep in to replace the lost sleep of New Years Eve. After the 4th of July, we shoot left-over fireworks.  After Thanksgiving, we eat leftovers. But what does one do after Easter? We have celebrated the resurrection of our Lord, now what? The history of the early church is an illustration of Easter follow-up. The disciples waited and prayed (Luke 24:48-53).  As difficult as that was, it was the instruction of Jesus.  Following the resurrection of Jesus. they were to wait in Jerusalem.  Ten days (Ascension to Pentecost) of prayer followed, then the birth of the church.   As they waited and prayed, there was an explosion of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:1-2)  “When the day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.”  The new church grew from 120 to 3120 (2500% growth) to 5000 to a “multitude.” After every record of the church growing in the Book of Acts, there follows, a reference to prayer.  Would you like to see your church grow?  May I suggest following the pattern of the New Testament church as they followed the events of Easter.