Deeply Rooted Ministries

By Luke Sills

Easter Sunday is a day of joy, hope, and victory. It is the day Christians around the world gather to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Yet, as we celebrate the empty tomb, we cannot forget the cross that preceded it. In Matthew 16:21–28, Jesus speaks openly to His disciples about the necessity of His suffering, death, and resurrection. It’s a passage that not only points us to the heart of Easter but also calls us to examine our own response to the gospel.

The main truth is simple but life-changing:
We would not have eternal life if Jesus had not died on the cross and risen from the dead. But since He did, we must take up our cross and live for Him.

1. Jesus Had to Be Crucified and Resurrected

When Jesus told His disciples He “must go to Jerusalem” to suffer and die, He wasn’t speaking of a tragic accident or an unfortunate twist in history. He spoke of a divine necessity. The cross was not optional—it was God’s plan from eternity past (Acts 2:23).

From Isaiah’s prophecy (Isaiah 53) to Jesus’ own words (Luke 24:7), Scripture consistently reveals that His suffering and resurrection were central to God’s redemptive work. At the cross, Jesus bore our sins, endured God’s wrath, and satisfied divine justice so that we might be forgiven.

Paul reminds us, “The word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18). Without the cross, there is no forgiveness. Without the resurrection, there is no hope.

2. The Cross Reminds Us That God Knows More Than We Do

Just moments after Peter boldly confessed Jesus as the Christ, he tried to correct Him. “This shall never happen to you,” Peter said when Jesus spoke of His coming death. Peter wanted a Messiah who would conquer Rome, not one who would be crucified.

But Jesus rebuked Peter sharply: “Get behind me, Satan!” Why? Because to avoid the cross would have been to reject the Father’s will.

Like Peter, we sometimes think we know better than God. We want salvation without sacrifice, blessings without obedience, and crowns without crosses. But the cross shows us that God’s wisdom often runs counter to our expectations—and His way is always best.

3. To Live for Christ, You Must Take Up Your Cross

Jesus’ call is not simply to believe in Him but to follow Him—and that means taking up our own cross (Matthew 16:24). In other words, we must deny ourselves, surrender our will, and live in obedience to Him, even when it costs us.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer once wrote, “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” That death is not always literal, but it always involves dying to self.

Colossians 3 paints a vivid picture of what this looks like—putting away sin, clothing ourselves with compassion and humility, forgiving others, and letting the peace of Christ rule in our hearts. It’s not about earning salvation; it’s about living in a way that reflects the One who saved us.

Peter’s Story and Ours

Peter’s journey is a reminder of God’s patience and grace. The same man who rebuked Jesus and later denied Him three times was restored, forgiven, and used mightily in the early church. According to tradition, Peter would one day face his own cross—crucified upside down because he felt unworthy to die in the same way as his Lord.

His story reminds us that even when we stumble, Christ offers forgiveness. The same invitation is open to you: repent of your sins, trust in Jesus, and follow Him.

The Empty Tomb Demands a Response

Easter is not just a celebration of what happened two thousand years ago; it’s a call to action today. If Jesus bore your sin and conquered death, then He is worthy of your life.

Christian, take up your cross. Live for Him. The tomb is empty, the King is alive, and a crown awaits all who follow Him.

By Luke Sills

Every Easter Sunday, believers around the world gather to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. But while the empty tomb is central to our faith, we cannot truly understand Easter without first understanding the cross. Why did Jesus have to die on a cross? Why that specific, brutal form of execution? And what does it mean for both believers and those who have not yet placed their trust in Him?

The Apostle Paul answers these questions in 1 Corinthians 1:18–2:5, reminding us that “the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” Let’s consider five truths about why the cross is essential to the Christian faith.

1. The Cross Destroys the Wisdom of the World

The city of Corinth was filled with people who prided themselves on knowledge, debate, and philosophy. They were convinced that true life and purpose could be found through human wisdom. Our culture is much the same—we often believe we’ve advanced beyond the “old-fashioned” message of the cross.

But Paul confronts that mindset, asking, “Where is the one who is wise? … Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?” (1 Corinthians 1:20). In God’s design, the cross shatters human pride. Salvation did not come through philosophical reasoning, political power, or military might—it came through the suffering and death of God’s Son.

To the Jews, the cross was a stumbling block; to the Greeks, it was foolishness. Yet, for those who believe, it is the wisdom and power of God.

2. The Cross Is for the Lowly

Paul reminds the Corinthians that not many of them were wise, powerful, or of noble birth when they were called by God. In His wisdom, God chooses what the world sees as foolish, weak, and insignificant to shame the proud and powerful.

The cross turns the world’s value system upside down. It’s not about prestige or human achievement. It’s about humility and dependence on God. Those who come to the cross know they have nothing to boast about except Christ Himself.

3. The Cross Shows We Cannot Save Ourselves

Romans 5:12–21 explains that through Adam’s sin, death entered the world—and through Christ’s sacrifice, life is offered to all who believe. We are not “basically good people” who just need a little help; we are sinners who need radical redemption.

If we could save ourselves, the cross would be unnecessary. But the fact that Jesus died in our place—bearing the wrath of God we deserved—proves we cannot earn salvation through our own wisdom, strength, or morality. The cross is our only hope.

4. The Cross Is Where True Wisdom and Power Are Found

Paul didn’t rely on eloquent speech or clever arguments when he preached; he proclaimed “Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2). The gospel is not just helpful advice—it is the life-changing power of God.

The cross is the centerpiece of Christianity. Without it, the resurrection would have no meaning. Through it, God’s wisdom and power are displayed for all to see.

5. The Events After the Cross Are Not Without Witness

The resurrection of Jesus was not a secret event. Paul records in 1 Corinthians 15:3–8 that Jesus appeared to Peter, the twelve apostles, more than 500 others, James, and finally to Paul himself. Many of these witnesses were still alive when Paul wrote, making it possible to verify their testimony.

Former atheist and White House counsel Chuck Colson once said:

“I know the resurrection is a fact, and Watergate proved it to me… 12 men testified they had seen Jesus raised from the dead… they proclaimed that truth for 40 years, never once denying it… Watergate embroiled 12 of the most powerful men in the world—and they couldn’t keep a lie for three weeks. You’re telling me 12 apostles could keep a lie for 40 years? Absolutely impossible.”

The resurrection confirms the truth of the cross—and the cross confirms the depth of God’s love.

Conclusion

The cross may appear foolish to those who do not believe, but for those who have experienced its power, it is the very wisdom of God. It destroys human pride, calls the lowly, reveals our inability to save ourselves, and shows us where true power lies. And through the eyewitness testimony of the resurrection, we know that what happened there changes everything.

The question remains: Do you believe? Do you trust that Jesus’ death and resurrection have the power to save you? For those who do, the cross is not a symbol of defeat—it is the ultimate sign of victory.

“Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” — 1 Corinthians 1:31

By Luke Sills

The final chapters of Matthew’s Gospel reveal a striking picture of Jesus Christ. In His last days before the cross, Jesus does not shrink back from confronting the so-called authorities of His time. Instead, He boldly proclaims truth, dismantling the false authority of religious leaders, and making it clear that His authority extends even over sin and life itself.

In Matthew 21:23–32, we see that true followers of Jesus recognize His authority and respond with obedience. Anything less is mere lip service.

Jesus’ Authority Is Above All

Jesus enters the temple—likely still in the disarray He had caused by driving out the money changers—and begins teaching. The chief priests and elders, irritated and threatened, confront Him:

“By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” (Matthew 21:23)

Rather than answer directly, Jesus responds with a question of His own:

“The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?” (Matthew 21:25)

This was no diversion. John the Baptist’s entire ministry pointed to Jesus as the Messiah—the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). If the leaders admitted John’s authority came from heaven, they would have to acknowledge Jesus’ authority as well. But if they dismissed John as merely human, they would face public outrage, for the people believed John was a prophet.

So, they opted for cowardice: “We do not know.”

Their non-answer revealed more than they realized. They cared more about maintaining their own positions than submitting to God’s true authority. This is the tragedy of misplaced authority—clinging to control that is not truly ours.

Jesus’ Authority Brings Eternal Life

After their refusal to answer, Jesus tells a parable about two sons. One initially refuses his father’s command to work in the vineyard but later obeys. The other agrees politely but never goes.

The first son represents those society viewed as “sinners”—tax collectors and prostitutes—who at first reject God but later repent and obey. The second son represents the religious elite, who claim devotion to God yet refuse to truly follow Him.

Jesus’ point is piercing:

“The tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you.” (Matthew 21:31)

The Pharisees had seen lives transformed by Jesus—people they despised turning from sin to follow Him. Yet they refused to repent themselves.

Scripture overflows with examples of those despised by the world but transformed by Christ’s authority:

• Matthew the tax collector (Matthew 9:9) left his lucrative and dishonest profession to follow Jesus.
• Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1–10) repented publicly, making restitution for his wrongs.
• A sinful woman—likely a prostitute—washed Jesus’ feet with her tears and was forgiven because of her faith (Luke 7:36–50).

The pattern is clear: Jesus came “to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10). His authority not only exposes sin—it redeems sinners.

The Problem with the Pharisees

The Pharisees failed to see their need for grace. John the Baptist’s message was simple: all must repent. But self-righteousness blinded them to their own sin.

One commentator observes: “The gates to God’s kingdom open wide to the bluntly ungodly if they repent, but not a crack for the precisely orthodox if they do not.”

This is the scandal of grace: the kingdom of God is made up of former thieves, addicts, liars, idolaters, and sexual sinners—people who were spiritually dead until they humbled themselves before Christ.

Faith That Obeys

Jesus makes it clear that verbal profession alone is not saving faith. True faith results in obedience. As James writes, “Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works” (James 2:18).

Paul calls it “the obedience of faith” (Romans 1:5). And Ephesians 2:8–10 reminds us that we are saved by grace through faith, not works—yet we are saved for good works, prepared in advance by God.

Obedience does not earn salvation, but it is the evidence of it. To submit to Jesus’ authority is to follow Him, not merely acknowledge Him with words.

Conclusion

Jesus still asks today: “By what authority do you live?” If we truly believe His authority is from heaven, the only right response is repentance and obedience.

No sin is beyond His reach to forgive. No life is too broken for Him to restore. But only those who humbly bow before His authority will enter His kingdom.

The Pharisees clung to power that was never theirs. The repentant sinners clung to the One who had all power—and they found eternal life.

Which son are you?

Abortion is not simply a political talking point—it is the moral crisis of our time. While many evils could claim the title “The Evil Act of This Age,” abortion stands apart for one reason: it directly assaults the image of God in humanity. Tragically, even some within the church have been influenced by a culture that defends it, cloaking rebellion against God in the language of “choice.”

The Bible is unambiguous—God is not for abortion. To take an innocent life is to oppose the One who came to bring life in the flesh, Jesus Christ. As believers, we are called not only to reject abortion ourselves but to equip others with the truth so they may also stand for life.

1. Abortion: An Act of Rebellion Against God

Dr. John MacArthur once described abortion as “the last official stand of the defiant apostate against God”—a declaration that I will determine who lives and dies, not God. This is the core of abortion’s evil: it asserts human sovereignty over life itself, a place reserved for the Creator alone.

Abortion is not a modern invention. Throughout history, societies have sacrificed children—whether to idols, as in ancient Canaan, or to the idols of convenience, wealth, and autonomy today. Behind this destruction, Scripture reveals, are demonic forces seeking to degrade God’s image and destroy His people (Psalm 106:36–39; 1 Corinthians 10:20).

2. We Are Made in the Image of God

Genesis 1:26 tells us that every person is made in the image and likeness of God. This unique identity gives every human life inherent worth from conception. Early Christians understood this well—the Didache, an early church document, plainly forbids abortion and the killing of newborns.

To destroy life in the womb is to destroy a life stamped with God’s image. It is the opposite of the gospel, which celebrates life and redemption through Christ’s incarnation.

3. God Alone Gives the Gift of Life

Scripture repeatedly affirms that life is a gift from God:

• “Children are a heritage from the Lord” (Psalm 127:3).
• “You knitted me together in my mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:13).
• “The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life” (Job 33:4).

Life is not ours to give or take at will. When humans take innocent life, they commit murder (Exodus 20:13), placing themselves in God’s seat of authority.

4. The Reality of Abortion’s Violence

Modern abortion methods are often sanitized in language, but they remain brutal: dismemberment, chemical burning, crushing of the skull, and induced premature labor. Ancient practices were equally horrific, using poisons, crushing the womb, or piercing the unborn child with sharp tools. Whether in antiquity or in modern clinics, the act remains the same—the intentional killing of a defenseless human being.

Globally, more than 50 million abortions occur each year. In the U.S. alone, over 63 million babies have been aborted since 1973. This is not only a tragedy for the unborn but a moral wound to our society.

5. The Church’s Responsibility

Christians must lead the way in defending the unborn—not only through opposing abortion but through offering tangible hope to women in crisis. Adoption is a profoundly biblical answer, mirroring God’s own adoption of believers into His family (Galatians 4:6–7). Even if we cannot all adopt, we can all support those who do.

We must also remember that ending abortion ultimately requires more than laws—it requires transformed hearts. Legislation can restrain evil, but only the gospel can remove it.

6. Forgiveness for the Guilty

For those who have been involved in abortion, there is hope. God’s grace is sufficient to forgive any sin, including this one. As Isaiah 1:18 declares:

“Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.”

Jesus Christ came to save sinners. His death and resurrection offer complete forgiveness and new life to all who repent and trust in Him. Even the child lost through abortion is not lost forever—for believers, there is the sure hope of reunion in God’s presence (2 Samuel 12:23).

By Luke Sills

Expectation: A Fruitful Life

In Matthew 21:18–22, we encounter one of the most curious yet powerful moments in the Gospels. Jesus, hungry on His way from Bethany to Jerusalem, approaches a fig tree covered in leaves. But when He draws near, He finds no fruit. In response, He says, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” Immediately, the tree withers. The disciples are astonished, but Jesus uses this moment to teach a life-changing truth: genuine faith in Him will bear fruit — and that kind of faith can move mountains.

From the very first chapter of the Bible, God makes it clear that His creation is meant to bear fruit (Genesis 1:11–12, 28). This isn’t limited to physical fruit, but spiritual fruit — the kind Paul lists in Galatians 5:22–23: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

The fig tree in Jesus’ path was full of leaves, suggesting that fruit should be present. In fact, in fig trees, fruit appears before the leaves. The tree looked alive, but it was empty — a fitting symbol for the nation of Israel at that time, outwardly religious but spiritually barren. And just as the fig tree faced judgment, so too does any life that refuses to produce the fruit God desires.

Jesus said in John 15:5, “Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” A fruitless Christian life is not just unproductive — it’s dangerous. In Matthew 7:19, Jesus warns, “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

The question is personal: if Jesus passed by your life today, would He find fruit?

Faith That Moves Mountains

When the disciples marveled at the withered tree, Jesus turned their attention to another truth: faith. “If you have faith and do not doubt… even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen.” (Matthew 21:21)

Faith, in Scripture, is more than mental agreement — it’s unwavering trust in God’s character and promises. Hebrews 11:6 says plainly, “Without faith it is impossible to please Him.” This means we must see God as He truly is — faithful, powerful, and trustworthy in all He says and does.

But faith is often tested. Like Abraham waiting decades for God’s promise of a son (Romans 4:20–21), or Peter walking on water until he took his eyes off Jesus (Matthew 14:31), we are challenged to believe in God’s power even when circumstances seem impossible.

Doubt is the enemy of faith. James 1:6–8 warns that the doubter is “like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.” Faith, on the other hand, holds steady — and it expresses itself in prayer. Jesus connects faith to prayer in Matthew 21:22: “Whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” This isn’t a blank check for selfish desires, but a promise that God will act when we ask according to His will, with steadfast trust.

Persistence in Prayer and Fruitfulness

One reason many believers fail to see God’s power is a lack of persistence. We stop praying too soon. True faith grows, like a mustard seed that starts small but becomes large and fruitful. Prayer keeps us connected to the Vine, and without it, fruitfulness withers.

John 15 reminds us that fruit comes only from abiding in Christ. Before we can live a fruitful life, we must first be made alive in Him. That begins with repentance and faith in the gospel — that Jesus died for our sins, rose again, and offers eternal life to all who believe.

The Call to Respond

So, where are you with the Lord today? Are you bearing the fruit of the Spirit? Are your prayers marked by faith, persistence, and trust in God’s will? Or would Jesus find only leaves — outward signs of life but no substance?

Jesus is still calling. Don’t reject Him as Israel once did. Instead, abide in Him, trust Him fully, and let your faith bear fruit — fruit that lasts into eternity.

5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in
The Lord’s Prayer the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread, 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
How to Pray
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When we pray, we pray with sincerity, secretly. and specifically.
When we pray, we pray to God our Father who is in heaven with adoration.
When we pray, we pray to live out the kingdom come in the present age, praying that Satans kingdom is destroyed, that the gospel will reach all the corners of the earth, all while praying for the fullness of the Kingdom of God to come.
When we pray, we are to pray the will of God will be done on earth as it is in heaven, because it is an antidote for our sinful hearts, while keeping our eyes on Jesus with total devotion.
When we pray, we are to pray daily for our physical needs and our spiritual needs.
When we pray, we need to pray to God for a forgiving heart, while asking for our own forgiveness.
When we pray, we need to pray that trials end up not be temptations, and that God will deliver us from Satan.