Less than 2 days!

Well Coastal, here we are - less than two days before one of the greatest opportunities we have to invite someone to church. Pull out all the stops! Go for it! Make the call! Walk across the street! What are you willing to do for Jesus today? That's the simple question I want you to ask yourself when you think about who you're going to invite and will you do it. What are you willing to do for Jesus? But before you answer the question, don't forget what today is. It's Good Friday.

This day has different names in different cultures. The Greeks called it the Friday of Preparation. The Romans called it the Friday of the Passion and Death of the Lord. In Germany it’s known as the Friday of Mourning. In Norway it’s called Long Friday. In other parts of the world it has been called Great Friday or simply Holy Friday.

We call it Good Friday. Obviously, for Christians this day is "good" because the price was paid for our sins during the six hours Jesus hung on the cross. But so often we gloss over the brutality of that event. We romanticize it. The cross of Christ is nothing more than a piece of jewelry. It certainly isn’t “good” in the sense of what Jesus went through. In fact, it’s probably the “worst” day in the history of the world. Jesus had a bad day so that you and I can have a good day. This cross was ugly. What happened on it was horrendous because real blood spilled all over it, and real nails were pound in it. There’s only one reason why Jesus went to the cross, because my sin and your sin was so serious that it could be paid for in no other way. Jesus went voluntarily to that cross, and he was thinking of you and he was thinking of me.

I'm not sure what your plans are today, but whatever you do, at some point take some time and think about what happened on that cross. Let it sink in. Let it change you. I've seen where some churches around the country are showing the movie, "The Passion of the Christ" tonight. Great idea. I think we might do that next year. Read through the end of the Gospels and take note of the seven last statements of Jesus and their meaning.

I'm going to be putting the finishing touches on my sermon today. By the way, have I told you yet that Sunday is going Rock! Well, it is! Get your unchurched, lost friends there! No matter what you do today, when you think about what Jesus did for you, how could you not reach out to someone and invite them to church. The song that's been on my heart this morning is "Once Again"

Jesus Christ I think upon your sacrifice
You became nothing poured out to death
Many times I've wondered at Your gift of life
And I'm in that place once again
I'm in that place once again

Once again I look upon the cross where You died
I'm humbled by Your mercy and I'm broken inside
Once again I thank You
Once gain I pour out my life

Now you are exalted to the highest place
King of heavens, where one day I'll bow
But for now I marvel at this saving grace
And I'm full of praise once again
And I'm full of praise once again

Once again I look upon the cross where You died
I'm humbled by Your mercy and I'm broken inside
Once again I thank You
Once gain I pour out my life

Thank You for the cross
Thank You for the cross
Thank You for the cross
My Friend.