Tough Talk...

Sunday's talk was a rather tough one. Not only did we discuss Hell, in our current series "So You're Dead...Now What?", but I also touched on giving / tithe. How do Hell & tithe go together? Let me explain it this way...

During our talk yesterday I said that "...If I were the devil...my number one priority or strategy would be to convince people that Hell wasn't real...or at the very least...Hell wasn't that big of a deal." By convincing people of that...2 things would happen: 1.) Unbelievers would continue to reject Christ & believers would not fear (be in awe / have respect) for God and ALL His commands. 2.) You wouldn't feel the need to share your faith. - - I'd submit this because of the way that most of us live our lives...we don't fear God (we don't obey ALL his commands) and we don't share our faith...which means we must not fully believe in Hell. That's hard to teach and hard to hear isn't it?!?!

In America we have a "cafeteria" approach to Christianity. It's like we walk through a cafeteria line picking and choosing the things from the Bible that we want to believe and live out in our lives...while leaving the things we don't want to believe or follow sitting on that "cafeteria" counter.

I was VERY CLEAR THAT NOT TITHING WON'T KEEP A BELIEVER OUT OF HEAVEN. However, I pointed out that all to often the tithe is one of the things we decide not to put on our tray as we go through the cafeteria line...and by doing so I was also perfectly clear in stating that "...by not tithing...you may be keeping someone else out of Heaven." Let me explain...

When we are not obedient in EVERYTHING that God calls us to do...which includes the tithe...churches won't be able to function...churches all over America close every week because of the lack of finances. And when churches close...well, that means fewer people are likely to hear about the amazing love and grace of God...thus missing a chance to have a relationship with Christ. Again...it's hard to hear, isn't it?! We've all got to do our part...not just in the easy things (like showing up to a service, giving of our time & energy)...but in the things that we as Americans find so hard...giving of our finances.

Tough talks are hard to teach and hard to hear. But when those tough talks come (and they will)...we have to remember that reaching people who are far from God is what we are called to do. That's what it's all about...LOVE WINS.

Hope to see you Sunday.

Slow & Easy...Is Hard...

After having ACL reconstruction about 5 weeks ago...I'm still on crutches and going to physical therapy once a week. I've been told by doctors to take it slow and easy...and that's hard for me to do. I hate not being mobile, not being able to drive, or even help set-up and tear down on Sunday mornings. I have little to no patience with some things...and apparently recovery from a major surgery is one of those things.

This entire process has me thinking about Lifepoint Church. Studies and experts say "take it slow and easy"...they say "stay the course and growth will come." Here's the thing...my expectancy level for what God can do is sky high...which makes being patient difficult for me. When I look back at the last year of Lifepoint's existance...I'm floored! We started with next to nothing financially, only 15 adults & 10 kids...and today we're seeing services with 100-115 people in them...we've even had services with nearly 150 in attendance.

I fully understand that statistically what has happened at Lifepoint is extraordinary...but it just doesn't seem good enough. I love our people and Sundays are my favorite day of the week...and it's a thrill when the building feels packed. However, even with a packed building...I can't help but think about all the people in our communities who aren't in attendance...those who may still be far from God.

Physical recovery and church growth...experts suggest take it "slow and easy"...but slow and easy is hard. For those of you who call Lifepoint your church home...I need your help. I will continue to challenge you to bring in friends, neighbors, classmates, and co-workers. Let's continue to make difference in our communities!

Hope to see you Sunday.

Another Amazing Day At Lifepoint...

What an amazing day at Lifepoint today...we had an awesome crowd, engaging worship, and a bunch of positive feedback on the teaching!

Today we started a brand new teaching series called "So You're Dead...Now What?" Today we examined death, next week we'll look closely at Hell, in two weeks we'll talk about Heaven, and in the final week of the series we'll have a Q & A session. I was extremely impressed today with our set up team and our stage team...they did a great job transforming the stage between worship and the teaching. The set design looked great and we heard nothing but good things about the props. Way to go Lifepoint Church...what a great win today!

Hope to see you Sunday.

Car Troubles...

So this past weekend, my wife decided that she was going to exit a parking lot by jumping the curb (because there was a truck in her way). We've got a huge Dodge Durango...and going over curbs have never been a problem. However, this attempt left the skid plate, under the truck, looking like an accordion...which is gonna cost over $100 just to straighten out.

If that wasn't frustrating enough...the front passenger window doesn't roll up right (not because of the curb jump...it just broke). Shouldn't be a problem for the dealership to fix, right? Wrong. They said it's not the orginal window and they won't work on it. Which means my wife isn't gonna be getting any fresh air while we're driving...the window will stay rolled up.

So...we're without a car, while it's being repaired, the joys of being a 1 car family. I hope your week is going better than mine so far!

Hope to see you Sunday.

One Ends & Another Begins...

We had another great day at Lifepoint Church today: powerful worship, a great crowd, and a message that touched many hearts!

Today we ended a 7 week journey of talks entitled "Love Wins"...we looked a many different aspects and characteristics of love...ending today with "love is forgiving." This teaching series, in my opinion, was the most powerful and deep cutting series of talks that we've experienced at Lifepoint Church. Week in and week out during the journey...one person after another told me how they were impacted by the weekly talks. I loved studying, preparing, and teaching "Love Wins." Overall, the series was a HUGE win for Lifepoint Church...and even though the series is over..."Love Wins" will continue to be a mantra for Lifepoint Church members and attenders.

As one teaching series ends...another must begin. Starting next Sunday, October 26th, we'll begin a 4 week series called "So You're Dead...Now What?" This is going to be a tremendous group of talks...that will be both informative and life changing. During the course of the next 4 weeks we'll be discussing: death, hell, heaven, and we'll wrap up the series with a Q & A session. I'm really excited and looking forward to teaching some deep and powerful truths.

Hope to see you Sunday.

Another Reminder...

A few weeks back I posted a blog with a very important quote in it. The quote was "pray like it all depends on God and work as if it all depends on you." I just wanted to remind myself and you of that quote...that's all.

Hope to see you Sunday.

Another Great Day...

We had another great day at Lifepoint Church. A bunch of people, great worship, fun kidz stuff, relevant teaching, and a successful blood drive! I want to thank everyone who participated in the blood drive today...you make me proud. In fact, all the Lifepoint staff, volunteers, and attenders / members make me proud...I'm proud to know you and to have you a part of Lifepoint.

Hope to see you Sunday.