Review, Reflect, Relax (Sunday, April 18, 2010)

19 Apr Review, Reflect, Relax (Sunday, April 18, 2010)

Whew!  Like I told Pastor Steve at the end of this evening’s service, “I am toast.”  I’m worn out. (Someone once said, “I’d rather burn out, than rust out.”  Of course, I’d rather last out.) After a week of travel, ministering the family of a sweet lady who went to be with Jesus and preaching four sermons today, I am physically tired.

As I look back on the day, I’m pleased with our morning worship attendance and atmosphere.  There were many guests, a responsive spirit, and comments on how the message ministered to them.  We had a precious lady join this morning and one of the folks that I talked with on the phone today wants to make an appointment for a staff member to talk to her grandsons to make sure of their salvation before they all join.  Many of our guests from recent weeks were there again today and one of the first time guests from this morning was back for tonight’s service. (May their tribe increase.)  These are the things that please a a pastor.

This afternoon, Pastor Steve, along with Dr. J.T. Cromer from Holly Ridge Baptist Church and myself led out in the homegoing service of Barbara Matthews. Mrs. Matthews was a sweet, kind lady that often encouraged me, who went to be with her Savior early Friday morning.  I don’t know that I’ve ever felt the overwhelming need to preach the clear, urgent, gospel call at a funeral like I did today.  I kept repeating the fact that “Jesus came, died, was buried and rose from the dead for you.” And that “if you don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus like Mrs. Barbara did, not only will you never see her again, but you won’t spend forever in Heaven with Jesus.” I pray that the family was listening and that they heeded the gospel call.

This evening was a strong message from Ephesians 4:25-32.  I told the church at the end of the message that when we first started our study through Ephesians I really thought that it would be more “pastoral” in nature.  I mean, after all, these are the “Pastor Epistles.”  Well, it was, but Paul was really laying on heavy in our verses from tonight.

I want to encourage everyone who reads this to begin to pray fervently about our revival services that will begin next Sunday night.  I’m really praying that this will be a supernatural time in our church body, that many will come to know Jesus and others will get serious about their walk with Jesus.  Make every effort to attend every service.  Don’t miss the night that Jesus wants to do something in your life or the life of one of your family members.

Like I ended this evening’s service, “There are really only three things, humanly speaking, that we can do to prepare for revival.  We can pray. We can invite. We can trust.”  Please do just that this week.  Pray and ask the Lord to do something that we can’t explain.  Invite your family members and friends.  And then, trust the Lord to do what He wants to do in and through us.

I pray that you have a great week.  Good night.

Pastor Brad