I’m not sure what your church service looked like this past Sunday, but this was mine!
At Believers Church, we had service outside underneath a HUGE tent adjacent to the property our church family will soon call home (hopefully within the next 18 months to 2 years). We called it Celebration Sunday!
Yes, we got a little crazy, but isn’t the love of Jesus something to be crazy about!
So what were we celebrating? I am so glad you asked! During this service, we were able to look back and see how far the church has come since the Rescue Project, a former project that allowed the church to build our current worship center. Back then, the church was really no bigger than your average Baptist church is today, and my husband and I weren’t part of the membership! We have, however, benefited from the hard work and strong faith of those who took God at His word and launched out into the unknown “to rescue those who were drowning in their sin.” Darrell and I came to Believers in 2006. Next year, we will have been with the church 10 years! And the growth has been incredible, so much so that we have outgrown our current building and are working toward building a new church that house all the kids, teens, and adults that Jesus sees fit to send us each Sunday (almost 1500 total).
So heading into the final sprint toward breaking ground on our new building, we took some time to celebrate. Funny how in the excitement of so much growth, those of us that have been in the faith for a while start to get that ‘new Christian feel’ again. If only we could bottle it up and keep it with us everyday!
Can’t you see the new Church, springing into action in Acts, having a similar celebration?
All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity — all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47 NLT
In the beginning, the excitement is intoxicating and exhilarating as a Church grows, but what happens after days, weeks, or even months go by? Can the church keep the excitement going?
The answer is YES! How? By remembering what God has done in the past!
Remember the things I have done in the past. For I alone am God! I am God, and there is none like me. Isaiah 46:9 NLT
“Remember” is a verb used throughout the Bible. By reflecting on what God has done for and through us in the past, we can start recognizing what He is doing today and image what He could do in the near future.
So this past Sunday, Believers Church spent a little time remembering the past, recognizing what God is doing in our midst today, and looking forward to what He is going to do in just a few short months! And so, I challenge you to do the same today! Remember the Lord and what He has done, and get that ‘new Christian feel’ back today!!
Blessings,
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.