Notes: Pastor Sczepanski, April 5 2026

Jn 20:11-17 Mary, the first Christian witness — you qualify! (Rom 5:5-11; 1 Cor 1:26-31)

there’s no other foundation for the life of faith & trust than Jesus Christ Himself — 1 Cor 3:11-18

Luther, Easter Book (91-93 excerpts)

“she did not yet believe” — neither do you, but the Lord is going to do it! Phil 1:6; 2:13; Heb 12:2-15

don’t despise His chastening — He’s making you someone who looks to Him, trusts Him in everything

He’s not after you head, or even your hands, but your heart — your “loves, loyalties, affinities”

D. Wilson, What I Learned in Narnia

153 every character in the story is headed to a meeting with Aslan

145 Aslan is the dividing line…He divides by a relationship

146 modern day “relationship” is a “goo of warm, fuzzy feelings” — no, relationship separates

we are all defined by our relationship with Jesus (which is defined by God’s Word, Mat 12:46-50)

it determines whose side you are on (it reveals what you love & are loyal to)

150 everything comes down to a personal encounter with Aslan — separation takes place

(Peter at breakfast with Jesus…or at Antioch with Paul, Gal 2:11-16)

151 how this separation works — judgment (everything gets judged, now, by His Word, Heb 4:11-13)

152 only two sides — God or His enemies  (faith & trust in Jesus or unbelief >> trust in yourself)

your loves, loyalties & affinities have to be revealed (what do you love? what do you want?)

160 when we look to Jesus & trust Him >>> we become like Him (Lucy’s real beauty; Shasta’s strength)

if you love Jesus you are going to love the brethren (He gave you one another, Jn 13:34-35)

of course there are troubles & difficulties with this! — but you believe in the forgiveness of sins!

and you believe in the “mutual conversation and consolation of the brethren” (Luther)

because Jesus is in it — His body, His church — you can’t lose (except maybe your pride!)

take heart, dear one, because with Jesus — that thing called “talking” won’t always be torture

He is out to relieve you of all your fears, Ps 34:4-6

more & more the Word of God will take over your fearful little heart, Lk 12:32; Isa 40:10-14

Pr Williams: “I am not ever going to leave Psalm 1”

story of the farmer who meditated through the Bible three times (Spurgeon)