Easter was incredible gang, INCREDIBLE! Thanks to all of you who were a part of making the day so amazing. We really did feel the power & the presence of God that day. What a taste of the power that defines that day & created it 2000 years ago. During our last series preparing for E.A.C.H we have been clear that found people find people, and you all REALLY took that to heart & made it your mission this last Sunday. Keep it up Paradox!!
Whether you served in the journey, the 411, the security, brought a few friends, played in the band or WHATEVER you did, you were a significant part of making the day what it was. The stories are still coming in but here's what we know so far.
On Easter we saw about a 70% jump in attendance, we saw dozens of new people attending not just Paradox for the first time but any church in a LONG time and many for the first time every. We saw about 30 people make a decision to give their lives to Jesus that morning, we saw many people say they were taking the challenge to explore Christ further than Easter morning. People that have been praying for someone to meet Jesus saw some of those someones do so Sunday morning!!!! We saw Jesus bring dead people to life right in front of our eyes!
2. Don't ever fail to celebrate this.
I have a friend who once told me after hearing that several people gave their life to Christ in one of our services, "well, I guess that's fine but you better disciple them now". OK, certainly we do want to see people grow in their walk with Christ and begin to manifest the presence & the fruit of the Spirit of Christ through their life, but SERIOUSLY!
The "discipleship OR evangelism" debate has done a harm to the church that I don't believe has been intended but it's real none the less. It has created division of an issue that was never supposed to be TWO issues but ONE! In the divided focus it has also divided many churches & believers on the discussion as they argue over which is more important. What the HECK! THEY BOTH ARE PART OF THE SAME PROCESS! It's all a journey BUT it begins with BELIEF! And may I suggest that while we need to offer something intentional to assist people in their spiritual development beyond initial faith; discipleship is no more something we can MAKE HAPPEN than conversion is. I will never apologize for doing BACK FLIPS when someone decides for the first time to trust their life to the living God named Jesus. If that fails to completely excite us then we're missing the heart of God. Remember, He leaves the 99 found to rescue the 1 that is lost, finds the lost & then PARTIES!!! The lost take priority over the found.
Luke 15:7 - "there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!"
3. The best is still yet to come
Sometimes after a big "win" it's easy to sit back, fold our hands, & call it a day. But there is no greater time to press on then after a victory, otherwise we can so easily become complacent.
30 people giving their life to Jesus is incredible & needs to be celebrated, but not to the the neglect of the thousands around us that still need to. Sunday was indeed awesome, but it was small sample of the work that God is still calling us to and a sample of the sweet & beautiful product of that work. I am celebrating Sunday but am already asking God, "what's next, where are you moving now & how do we stay on your heels?" Press on Paradox, we labor & bleed for the greatest dream that has ever dared to be dreamt...
I really do! I am SO grateful for the chance to be your pastor. I'm humbled at the opportunity to be a part of what God is doing here, not because of us but DESPITE US!
I can't wait to see what's next & what our head pastor, Jesus, has in store for this next year to come!
3. The best is still yet to come
Sometimes after a big "win" it's easy to sit back, fold our hands, & call it a day. But there is no greater time to press on then after a victory, otherwise we can so easily become complacent.
There is still so much to do because there are still SO MANY THAT HAVEN'T BELIEVED.
30 people giving their life to Jesus is incredible & needs to be celebrated, but not to the the neglect of the thousands around us that still need to. Sunday was indeed awesome, but it was small sample of the work that God is still calling us to and a sample of the sweet & beautiful product of that work. I am celebrating Sunday but am already asking God, "what's next, where are you moving now & how do we stay on your heels?" Press on Paradox, we labor & bleed for the greatest dream that has ever dared to be dreamt...
..."The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."
4. I love this church 2 Peter 3:9
I really do! I am SO grateful for the chance to be your pastor. I'm humbled at the opportunity to be a part of what God is doing here, not because of us but DESPITE US!
We serve a GREAT and a RISEN God!!
I can't wait to see what's next & what our head pastor, Jesus, has in store for this next year to come!
