So I've been thinking about something that I wanted to share with all of you. Every year in January the National Football League has something called Super Sunday, and it's a huge celebration that I'm told is centered on a particular football game (called the Super Bowl or something like that). Anyway, from what I've been told it's a pretty big deal with a lot of folks. In fact, it's such a big deal that retailers will pay unheard of amounts of money to advertise their products during the television broadcast of the big game. Apparently there's a bigger audience for this one event than for any other broadcast throughout the year.
With that in mind, it hit me this week that Easter Sunday is for the church what Super Sunday is for the football world. Most churches across the country this Sunday will, for whatever reason, experience their largest crowd of the year. And that, my friends, is keeping me up at night thinking about what God has in store for us this weekend at EFBC!
I must admit, though, that it's rather sobering to think of the responsibility that we all have this Sunday to make sure we let people see Jesus in us, not to mention the responsibility that I have to make sure that the Gospel is communicated clearly and passionately. In fact, I've really stressed over the message for this weekend, because if there's ever a Sunday that I don't want to blow it, this is definitely the one! Thankfully, God has put my mind at ease and given me a message that I can hardly wait to deliver! The title is At The End Of Your Rope, and it's about the thief who was saved in his dying moments with hardly any time to spare. Please be praying for me that I'll communicate this message in a clear, creative and passionate way, and that those who've never been truly saved will recognize their lost condition and see their need for a Savior.
Having said all that, let me now take this opportunity to say that I'm more stoked about this Sunday than I've ever been for any worship service I've ever been a part of in my life...ever! And I'm not trying to sound overly dramatic or trying to over-hype anything; I really mean it when I say that I'm PUMPED about what God has in store for us! I hope you are, too. Please be praying for an awesome and unexplainable movement of God this Sunday at EFBC!
For our members who are able to, let me encourage you to park in the lower parking lot to make room for visitors to park in the main parking lot. I'm praying for an overflow crowd, and that means we need to anticipate overflow parking. Let me also encourage all of the men in my class and Donnie's class to bring up a couple of chairs to the sanctuary after Sunday School. I'm praying we'll have to open the vestibule doors and stick some chairs out there, as well!
Finally, let me remind you to do all you can to GET PEOPLE HERE THIS SUNDAY MORNING! Easter Sunday is a day when people who wouldn't ordinarily think about attending a church service are somehow more open to an invitation. This might be the open door you've been waiting for to get that special friend, loved one, co-worker, whoever, to come and join you at EFBC. My promise to you is this: if you'll get them here, they will hear the Gospel!
Keep in mind that our day will begin with a Sunrise Service at 6 a.m. We'll then have our regular Sunday morning schedule with Sunday School at 8:45 and worship at 10. There will be no evening services this Sunday.
Be praying! Be investing and inviting! And be ready for kick-off, because our Super Sunday is almost here...and the best is yet to come!!!
Thursday, April 01, 2010
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
First Impressions
One of the most exciting things that I've been seeing in recent months at EFBC has been the tremendous increase in first time visitors! And as exciting as this is, there's one thing that always goes through my mind when they come: "you never get a second chance to make a first impression." For most of us "regular church attendees," we've forgotten what a scary experience that visiting a church for the first time can be. Visitors walk in not knowing what to expect from us, or what may or may not be expected of them. Hard as it is for us "old-timers" to understand, this can truly be a frightening and intimidating occasion.
With that in mind, let me encourage all of our faithful members to please do everything you can to put our visitors at ease and make them feel at home here at EFBC. This begins with the invitation to come and visit. Let them know ahead of time that we're not going to embarrass them, or single them out, or call on them to pray. Let them know that you'd love to sit with them in Sunday School and during the worship service. Let them know what they can expect when they attend.
I received a call last week from someone who told me they wanted to visit but didn't have any appropriate church clothes to wear. Isn't it sad that the "church culture" has created this idea in so many people's minds that attending a church service without dressing up is an abomination? I'm so thankful that Eulaton isn't that way. I'm glad that people can come here and feel just as comfortable in jeans as they do in a suit. Let's be sure the people we're investing in and inviting to church know that EFBC is not about a fashion show or a beauty contest. We understand that man judges by the outward appearance, but God judges by the heart (1 Samuel 16).
Two years ago I preached a series of messages entitled People Repellent, and it was about all the reasons why people say they don't attend church. The point of this series was to show that sometimes our actions in the church repels people much the same way a can of Off repels insects. Although it is true that the message of the Gospel is offensive, we need to make sure that when we offend folks that we're actually offending them with the Gospel. Most people who've quit attending church have not been offended by the message of the Gospel as much as they've been offended by people in the church who were just real jerks!
Satan's already doing a pretty good job of keeping people from attending church, so let's not go out of our way to aid him in his unholy cause. Let's remember the instruction of Colossians 4:5-6 that says, Be wise in the way you act with people who are not believers, making the most of every opportunity. When you talk, you should always be kind and pleasant so you will be able to answer everyone in the way you should. (NCV)
People are watching us. Many of them are forming their opinions of the church and Jesus based on the things we say and do. They're looking for reasons not to believe. Let's not be that reason! Let's let them see Jesus in us!
With that in mind, let me encourage all of our faithful members to please do everything you can to put our visitors at ease and make them feel at home here at EFBC. This begins with the invitation to come and visit. Let them know ahead of time that we're not going to embarrass them, or single them out, or call on them to pray. Let them know that you'd love to sit with them in Sunday School and during the worship service. Let them know what they can expect when they attend.
I received a call last week from someone who told me they wanted to visit but didn't have any appropriate church clothes to wear. Isn't it sad that the "church culture" has created this idea in so many people's minds that attending a church service without dressing up is an abomination? I'm so thankful that Eulaton isn't that way. I'm glad that people can come here and feel just as comfortable in jeans as they do in a suit. Let's be sure the people we're investing in and inviting to church know that EFBC is not about a fashion show or a beauty contest. We understand that man judges by the outward appearance, but God judges by the heart (1 Samuel 16).
Two years ago I preached a series of messages entitled People Repellent, and it was about all the reasons why people say they don't attend church. The point of this series was to show that sometimes our actions in the church repels people much the same way a can of Off repels insects. Although it is true that the message of the Gospel is offensive, we need to make sure that when we offend folks that we're actually offending them with the Gospel. Most people who've quit attending church have not been offended by the message of the Gospel as much as they've been offended by people in the church who were just real jerks!
Satan's already doing a pretty good job of keeping people from attending church, so let's not go out of our way to aid him in his unholy cause. Let's remember the instruction of Colossians 4:5-6 that says, Be wise in the way you act with people who are not believers, making the most of every opportunity. When you talk, you should always be kind and pleasant so you will be able to answer everyone in the way you should. (NCV)
People are watching us. Many of them are forming their opinions of the church and Jesus based on the things we say and do. They're looking for reasons not to believe. Let's not be that reason! Let's let them see Jesus in us!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Never The Same
Can hardly wait until Sunday at EFBC! Looking forward to preaching my message this week entitled Never The Same. Text will be Matthew 27:50-54, if you wanna get a head start.
After this Sunday comes Easter! All I can say is I'm expecting something OVERWHELMING, more so than we've already been seeing, on that day! I've just got one of those feelings, if you know what I mean.
So, let me go ahead and be encouraging you: Be inviting your friends, family and casual acquaintances. Try to get them here this Sunday. ESPECIALLY try to get them here for Easter! That's a day when people who wouldn't ordinarily set foot in the church will at least think about coming. Let's take advantage of that! I'm praying for such a packed house that the choir can't come down and people will have to sit in the window sills!
Fasten your seat belts, keep your fork and hold on tight, Eulaton, because THE BEST IS YET TO COME!!!
After this Sunday comes Easter! All I can say is I'm expecting something OVERWHELMING, more so than we've already been seeing, on that day! I've just got one of those feelings, if you know what I mean.
So, let me go ahead and be encouraging you: Be inviting your friends, family and casual acquaintances. Try to get them here this Sunday. ESPECIALLY try to get them here for Easter! That's a day when people who wouldn't ordinarily set foot in the church will at least think about coming. Let's take advantage of that! I'm praying for such a packed house that the choir can't come down and people will have to sit in the window sills!
Fasten your seat belts, keep your fork and hold on tight, Eulaton, because THE BEST IS YET TO COME!!!
Friday, March 19, 2010
Overwhelmed!
When I consider all that God is doing here at EFBC and how He has changed this church in the past year, I am overwhelmed!
When I think about how blessed I am to have the greatest job in the world and that I get to do what I love to do right here in the community I grew up in, I am overwhelmed!
When I remember what Jesus did for me on the cross (which we'll be talking about for the next several Sundays), I am overwhlemed!
When I think about what God has in store for us this Sunday at EFBC, I am overwhelmed!
When I ponder the message I'll be preaching this weekend at EFBC, Drinking From A Bitter Cup, I am overwhelmed!
When I realize how much more God has in store for us and that the best is yet to come, I am overwhelmed!
When I think about how blessed I am to have the greatest job in the world and that I get to do what I love to do right here in the community I grew up in, I am overwhelmed!
When I remember what Jesus did for me on the cross (which we'll be talking about for the next several Sundays), I am overwhlemed!
When I think about what God has in store for us this Sunday at EFBC, I am overwhelmed!
When I ponder the message I'll be preaching this weekend at EFBC, Drinking From A Bitter Cup, I am overwhelmed!
When I realize how much more God has in store for us and that the best is yet to come, I am overwhelmed!
Friday, March 12, 2010
Don't Forget...
Several things I don't want you to forget concerning this Sunday at EFBC:
-Don't forget that this Sunday is Youth Sunday, and our youth will be leading us in the worship service. Koy will be preaching a message entitled True Love Waits.
-Don't forget that our Sunday School hour precedes our morning worship service, and I guarantee that you'll receive a tremendous blessing by coming and being part of a small group experience.
-Don't forget that this Sunday is the weekend when we move our clocks ahead one hour. Don't be that person who shows up for Sunday School about the time we're heading to the worship service.
-Don't forget that God keeps blessing us week after week at EFBC. He's been showing up in a BIG way, and I believe we're in for even greater blessings in the coming days (starting this Sunday). We need to keep asking ourselves the question, "What's next?"
-Don't forget the words of Psalm 63:2 that says, I have looked for You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory.
-And finally, don't forget that God is good, Jesus saves, and the best is yet to come!
-Don't forget that this Sunday is Youth Sunday, and our youth will be leading us in the worship service. Koy will be preaching a message entitled True Love Waits.
-Don't forget that our Sunday School hour precedes our morning worship service, and I guarantee that you'll receive a tremendous blessing by coming and being part of a small group experience.
-Don't forget that this Sunday is the weekend when we move our clocks ahead one hour. Don't be that person who shows up for Sunday School about the time we're heading to the worship service.
-Don't forget that God keeps blessing us week after week at EFBC. He's been showing up in a BIG way, and I believe we're in for even greater blessings in the coming days (starting this Sunday). We need to keep asking ourselves the question, "What's next?"
-Don't forget the words of Psalm 63:2 that says, I have looked for You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory.
-And finally, don't forget that God is good, Jesus saves, and the best is yet to come!
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