Sunday Reflections
12/09/07 06:22 PM
Okay Coastal, let me just say it. I'm ready for a
break out Sunday as far as attendance is concerned!
The attendance wasn't bad today, but it wasn't
great either. We did have a few visitors. But guys,
let's press on. Let's never get satisfied. Let's
never coast or shift into neutral. The church does
not drift into growth. We do not drift into
greatness. Good is often the enemy of great.
Last week I issued a 1-1-1 prayer challenge. Every day between now and Christmas, at 1PM let's take 1 minute and pray for 1 person who needs Jesus. 1 person, 1 minute, 1PM. Guys let's go for it! Beth shared how other believers at her office have joined in doing the same. Let's impact this city for Jesus. Intercede - Invest - Invite - Include! Who are you praying for? Who will you bring to church this month?
You might find yourself saying, "Come on Pastor Chris, numbers don't matter. You just want to fill a seat." Well the last time I checked, those seats are filled with real people. Those numbers represent real people. And real people really need Jesus! People are hurting and lost and without hope without Jesus. I believe that. And if you do too, pray, invite, love, share, and reach out like never before. Numbers do matter! And if lost people are on your heart and in your prayers, God will use you in a mighty way. I guarantee it!
Now please don't misunderstand any of that, thinking that I don't enjoy the moment (I do), or that I didn't think that today was great (it was), or that I'm more concerned about who is here than I am about what happens when we're together (actually, I'm concerned about both). I love it all - the whole journey! I just never want us to think that we've arrived!
And today was a great day. The Praise & Worship Team did a great job. The sound and video was on! Junior (our drummer) is finally in the padded room we all knew he would end up in! Jeremiah & Andy did a great job. My message was on the gift of strength. Somebody came up after the service and said that these messages were definitely not the typical "Christmas" messages, but they were just what they needed to hear (music to my ears). In fact one person wrote this on their Connect Card, "I will act on the message I heard today by: 'trusting more and relying less on my own strength. Remembering that I'm not on my own when things get difficult.'" Another person said that they would like to get baptized. Another, "I will act on the message I heard today by: 'acting on a relationship that I know will not help me in my walk with God. Admit my weaknesses and trust God to lead the way.'" Wow! LIFE Change! You see, it was a great day! I just believe that there are more and more people who need what we have. How about you?
Last week I issued a 1-1-1 prayer challenge. Every day between now and Christmas, at 1PM let's take 1 minute and pray for 1 person who needs Jesus. 1 person, 1 minute, 1PM. Guys let's go for it! Beth shared how other believers at her office have joined in doing the same. Let's impact this city for Jesus. Intercede - Invest - Invite - Include! Who are you praying for? Who will you bring to church this month?
You might find yourself saying, "Come on Pastor Chris, numbers don't matter. You just want to fill a seat." Well the last time I checked, those seats are filled with real people. Those numbers represent real people. And real people really need Jesus! People are hurting and lost and without hope without Jesus. I believe that. And if you do too, pray, invite, love, share, and reach out like never before. Numbers do matter! And if lost people are on your heart and in your prayers, God will use you in a mighty way. I guarantee it!
Now please don't misunderstand any of that, thinking that I don't enjoy the moment (I do), or that I didn't think that today was great (it was), or that I'm more concerned about who is here than I am about what happens when we're together (actually, I'm concerned about both). I love it all - the whole journey! I just never want us to think that we've arrived!
And today was a great day. The Praise & Worship Team did a great job. The sound and video was on! Junior (our drummer) is finally in the padded room we all knew he would end up in! Jeremiah & Andy did a great job. My message was on the gift of strength. Somebody came up after the service and said that these messages were definitely not the typical "Christmas" messages, but they were just what they needed to hear (music to my ears). In fact one person wrote this on their Connect Card, "I will act on the message I heard today by: 'trusting more and relying less on my own strength. Remembering that I'm not on my own when things get difficult.'" Another person said that they would like to get baptized. Another, "I will act on the message I heard today by: 'acting on a relationship that I know will not help me in my walk with God. Admit my weaknesses and trust God to lead the way.'" Wow! LIFE Change! You see, it was a great day! I just believe that there are more and more people who need what we have. How about you?
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