LIBERTY STUDENT NEWS

Liberty University and the University of Vermont will be debating “Abortion” on  Tuesday April 1^st at 9:00PM EST 

It’ll be a live interactive debate on www.wethestudents.tv

 

 

Previously untold stories about the life and times of the Rev. Jerry Falwell will be the focus of a new book by Macel.

“Jerry Falwell: His Life and Legacy” is set for release May 15, the first anniversary of his death.

The book is being published through Howard Books, the Christian division of Simon and Schuster. According to the publisher’s Web site, the book will include insight into significant events, such as the reaction to Falwell’s comments following Sept. 11, details behind the Moral Majority’s formation, and Falwell’s relationship with Ronald Reagan and Larry Flynt.

The 288-page book is currently available for advance purchase on Amazon.com.

The journey to 25,000 students has been done by LU! Congrats!

Martial artist and Hollywood action star Chuck Norris will appear in Lynchburg May 10th as Liberty University’s commencement speaker.

Chancellor Jerry Falwell Jr. announced the news this morning amidst thousands of cheering students at the school’s convocation service.

Norris is best known for his long-running role on the television series “Walker, Texas Ranger,” as well as movies like “Missing in Action.” Norris is also a conservative Christian. Like Falwell Jr., Norris also endorsed former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee for the Republican nomination for president.

Jonathan Falwell continues his dad’s tradition of sending out a regular e-newsletter. This week, he looks at the unusually full churches on Easter and says it’s a good thing. Here’s a nugget:

Many of those who will gather in these churches will do so out of obligation because it is Easter Sunday — not because of their profound belief or appreciation for what Christ did on that wonderful day thousands of years ago. In some people’s opinions, this fact is discouraging. Many Christians are saddened that there are those who will show up in our houses of worship on Easter, but will not do so for many months afterwards. They feel as if these occasional attendees should be condemned for their lackadaisical approach to worship of the risen Savior.As a pastor, I am actually encouraged by the burgeoning attendance in churches on this special day.

Read his reasoning after the jump.
This Sunday, churches everywhere will celebrate the glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ. Churches will be overflowing with larger-than-normal crowds. Pastors will deliver messages focusing on that great day when Jesus emerged from the tomb to give us victory over death, Satan and sin.

Many of those who will gather in these churches will do so out of obligation because it is Easter Sunday — not because of their profound belief or appreciation for what Christ did on that wonderful day thousands of years ago. In some people’s opinions, this fact is discouraging. Many Christians are saddened that there are those who will show up in our houses of worship on Easter, but will not do so for many months afterwards. They feel as if these occasional attendees should be condemned for their lackadaisical approach to worship of the risen Savior.

As a pastor, I am actually encouraged by the burgeoning attendance in churches on this special day. In my opinion, this is a clear sign that there are still many people in our culture who realize their basic need for a Savior. While they may not give in to that need but a few times a year, they are still recognizing the reality of that need.

Our responsibility as pastors, and Christians, is to proclaim the Gospel to every creature. Years ago, my dad coined the phrase “Saturation Evangelism.” He defined it as “reaching every available person at every available time using every available means.” That desire is why he started using the media (i.e. radio, TV, the Internet) before most ministries were doing so. He wanted to use every means possible to proclaim the Gospel and we carry on that effort today.

Easter Sunday is a very clear reminder that there are many people outside the walls of our churches who need to be reached with the soul-saving message of the Gospel. It is also a reminder that we must use every available opportunity to reach them. This Sunday provides a clear picture to pastors, and more importantly to our church members, that there is a great big world out there that needs to hear the Gospel.

On Sunday, Thomas Road Baptist Church will hold three services in our worship center, as well as three other services in other venues. In those services, there will be upwards of 18,000 in attendance. And, as in every other church, many of those people will not have darkened the doorway of a church in a very long time. I am excited that they will be with us!

Why? Because those people will walk into our church auditorium on Sunday and allow me to preach the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ to them. Usually, we must go out into the community to reach those who don’t attend church. On Sunday, however, they will come to us. My earnest prayer is that many of them will understand the Hope that can only come from the Cross of Christ and they will receive Him as their personal Savior.

We see this happen every year and I am praying fervently that it will happen again this year for many people. So, while many in attendance may not show up again until next Easter, for some it will be a life-changing day. And they will show up the following Sunday and all of the Sundays to follow to praise their Lord and Savior.

That is the great truth of the Gospel. The Bible promises us in Isaiah 55:11: “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth, It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”

The great message of the Cross will always change lives. It will always speak directly to the hearts of those who hear it. This message may not change the lives of everyone who hears it this Sunday, but it will change some! On Monday, following Easter Sunday, the Christians of our world should recommit themselves to continually sharing that message at every available time.

Reaching the world with the Gospel won’t happen simply within the walls of our churches. It must happen within the commitment of our hearts. We must understand and take to heart that command from Christ in Mark 16:15: And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”

May Easter be a reminder to all of us of the great Hope of the Cross, the great sacrifice of our Savior and the great promise for the future that comes only from Him.