As we look toward Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026, we are not just preparing for a holiday; we are approaching the "Grand Finale" of God’s redemptive calendar. While the world sees a spring celebration, the student of Scripture sees the fulfillment of an "appointed time" established thousands of years ago: The Feast of First Fruits (Nisan 16).

In the Old Testament, God commanded His people to bring the very first sheaf of the barley harvest to the priest. Before the Israelites could enjoy the rest of the crop, they had to give God the "first and the finest" (Leviticus 23:10). By waving that sheaf before the Lord, they were declaring their trust that the God who provided the first sheaf would surely provide the rest of the harvest.

The Day That Changed Everything

The year was AD 33. As devout Jews gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate the harvest, God was preparing a harvest of His own. On the third day after the Passover—the very day the priest was waving the first fruits in the Temple—the stone was rolled away.

Jesus did not just rise from the dead; He became the First Fruits of the Resurrection. As the Apostle Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 15:20, "But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep."Because Jesus rose as the first, we have a divine guarantee that those who belong to Him will rise too. He is the "firstborn from the dead," the one who broke the power of the grave so that we might walk in eternal life (Colossians 1:18).

An Invitation to a Living Faith

This isn't just a historical coincidence; it is a profound invitation.

• The Passover Lamb redeemed you from slavery.

• The Unleavened Man sanctified you from the power of sin.

• The First Fruits gave you the hope of a resurrection harvest.

Easter is our "memorial day" to celebrate the Cup of Acceptance (Matthew 26:29). It is the promise that we will one day drink the fruit of the vine new with Him in the Father’s kingdom. We don't just invite people to a church event or a family tradition; we invite them to a living faith in the One who conquered death.

As we head into this celebration, let us do so with "staff in hand" and "belt fastened," ready for the move of God. The tomb is empty, the harvest has begun, and one decision made today can change your eternity forever. He is Risen!

Prayer Points

• For Our Pastors: Lord, we pray for the men and women preparing to stand behind the pulpit this Easter. Grant them "Resurrection Power" as they speak. May their words be seasoned with grace and fire, accurately reflecting the beauty of Your appointed times and the power of the Gospel.

• For the Lost: Holy Spirit, we ask that You move through our communities even now. Create a divine restlessness in the hearts of those far from You. Draw them to Your Word and open their ears to hear Your voice calling them out of death and into the light of Your life.

• For the Church's Boldness: Father, help us to be more than just event planners. Give us the boldness to invite our friends and families into a relationship with Jesus. May our invitations be filled with the testimony of what You have done in our own lives, leading many to move from death to life this Sunday.

Are you ready to see what God will do at this year's "Appointed Time"?

Worship Night – Sunday, April 19, 2026
We are bringing together worship leaders and pastors from across SFBA for a night of prayer and worship. Everyone in your church is invited.
If your worship leader would like to participate, please forward this link:
https://sfba.breezechms.com/form/a106f130464154

A Brief SFBA QUARTERLY BUSINESS MEETING will begin at 5pm. Reports and a Motion to Sell the Current Office Property will be on the agenda. 

The SFBA Offices will be closed April 3-6