FOTFD - March 23, 2008
March 23, 2008
March is one my favorite times of the year. I am a big college basketball fan and I really enjoy watching the NCAA tournament. I watched an amazing game last night that brought some interesting thoughts to my mind. Yesterday, Belmont University, a school of about 5,000 students in Nashville, just down the road from Lipscomb University, near defeated mighty Duke University, losing by only one point. (Watch the highlights here if you did not see the game.)
I started thinking about what that experience must be like for the Belmont players and how they will remember that for the rest of their lives. I am sure that they saw a “One Shining Moment” possibility, like I did, in the end of that came. I even wonder if some of them thought that game could have been the moment they had been created for; to experience a 15 minutes of fame that would live on forever.
While these basketball moments take place with different kids in different games each and every year, it brought to my mind the question of what we are really made for. In a culture than prizes fame and celebrity at any cost, what should we really try to accomplish with our lives? I think that we should try for an achievement that does truly last forever.
Since Easter is this weekend, it is easy for me to link this question to Jesus. His resurrection really was a moment that lives on forever, one that lasts beyond a history book or a YouTube video. He lives forever as well and He invites us to join Him … for eternity.
Let that be a reminder for you this morning as it has been for me. When you see one of those moments, one that will stick with you for a long time, let it take you back to the ultimate moment. Go back to that empty tomb that Jesus left, never to return. Make the purpose of your life be to join Him and create your moment that will live forever.
What are some of the moments that you have seen in your life that have stayed with you since? How have these moments brought you back to God? I would love to hear back from you. Email me back with your stories or if you are comfortable, add you comments below so that others can benefit from you thoughts as I have.
Early this week, I heard a song on the radio that created my thought about what my purpose should be. I wrote down this song by Toby Mac so I would not forget by before this morning. Let it remind you of your ultimate purpose, to love and by loved by God. Think of these lyrics as you watch the video below.
I was made to love You
I was made to find You
I was made just for You
Made to adore You
I was made to love
And be loved by You
You were here before me
You were waiting on me
And you said you’d keep me
Never would you leave me
I was made to love
and be loved by You
- Made to Love – Toby Mac
You may find the FOTFD online here.
Now join me as we “Focus on the First Day.”
God bless,
Mike
Communion
While we celebrate and remember Jesus on the cross each week, I think Easter Sunday is a very special day. It is the day that our Lord returned from the grave to live forever. At that point, the war with Satan was won. Sin was defeated and the power of death was destroyed. That is what the supper is really about. We recall his death and celebrate in his life. Without it, we would have no hope. With it, we have the ultimate confidence in our future. We will bow before His name, but as a chosen one.
Sermon
“Absence & Atonement” (Bob Chisholm)
1 Peter 3:18-22
Jesus’ final week finishes this Sunday as we look at an end that no one ever could have predicted. We left Jesus in the tomb last week as it appeared that the Jews had defeated him. Fortunately, we know how the story ends, with Jesus conquering death itself. Join us on this special Easter morning as we look at the last 2 days in Bob’s message, “Absence & Atonement.”
Go here for more about this series.
Prayer Time
When I became a Christian, I responded to the invitation that Jesus offers to each of us, to receive the gift of grace. Even today, I can still respond to the gifts that Jesus continues to offer to me. One of those gifts is the invitation to continually surrender my live to Jesus, to please Him with my submission to His will. Thank Him for His gifts and respond in surrender once again this Sunday during prayer time.
Sunday Night
“A New Spirit of Ministry” (Bob Chisholm)
Matthew 5:9-10
Bob completes our trip through the process taught by Jesus. Find out how we apply the lessons we have learned from the Beatitudes as we look at “A New Spirit of Ministry.” Join us this Sunday evening and experience the New Spirit that awaits you.
Go here for more about this series.
We are encouraged to be a family of believers that choose to come together each week in worship. Come this Sunday with a desire to not just come to church, but come to truly be the church.