John, this is a very powerful message. I too fall...

2011-05-30T21:39:01.945-05:00

John, this is a very powerful message. I too fall into the camp of not appreciating the Easter sermon - sorry. But this message hits home. It is the story of how unworthy we are and how we have all strayed so far from where God wants us to be, yet Jesus suffered all the same for us. A humiliating death, for us all. Then for the one man next to him, to turn and ask Jesus if there is a place for him in heaven. A beautiful and moving story full of hope for all us sinners, wheather we come every week or twice a year. Just saying.

I normally do not answer anonymous comments, espec...

2011-04-28T08:59:15.630-05:00

I normally do not answer anonymous comments, especially when someone is venting, but you touch on a very important reason why we are being deliberate about what we are doing at Bay Harbour. On Easter and Christmas we have our largest crowds (Easter is double our average and Christmas is about 2 1/2 times the average). Every year, for the most part, they hear the Easter and Christmas story, but it does not transform their lives into followers of Jesus Christ. In many ways it does more harm than good. It gives them a false sense that they have done their religious duty when they are far from God and unprepared for eternity. We want to do more than give people warm and fuzzy religious feelings.

I, along with my staff have decided that it is vital to give them something that touches on a real need in their lives so that they will return. We want to help those who are far from God enter into a relationship with Jesus Christ with practical messages about a risen Lord who walks with us on the paths of life. We also hope that shallow followers of the Lord will renew their commitment to Him and get plugged back in to a faith community. Our mission is to grow and help others grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ.

The sad reality is that many are going to enter eternity unprepared. It is a horrible thought to think that some of our children, parents, spouses, friends and neighbors might miss out on heaven. We must regain a burden for people who are far from God. I am praying that God will move my heart and the heart of our members for people who do not know Him. In fact, I hope He breaks our hearts!

Also, someone has said that the church is the only organization that exist for the benefit of its non-members. Clubs exist for the members, but we are here for others. That is why we think the hallmarks of a growing relationship are a love for God, a love for others, and a desire to serve the world. When I say we do not want to play church I mean that we do not want to embrace the idea that many hold that church is not different from any other club. I mean we do not want to embrace a consumer mentality. Instead we want to follow Jesus and embrace His cross Luke 14:26-27).

What is funny is that I received a lot of positive comments about my message. A man in his eighties said it was my best and a young man who is going to be baptized with his two children said it clarified what he was going to do.

It saddens me greatly that you did not get the point and that you did not invited someone to come Sunday.

Comments on Pastor's Time Bind: He is risen!

John, this is a very powerful message. I too fall...

I normally do not answer anonymous comments, espec...