- Updated: 19 April 2021
… and after a return to our partially opened worship on Sunday, it was wonderful and bitter-sweet at the same time. There were cheers upon the entry of each worshiper (all residents of the Grand Isle) how fun that was… but there was confusion on the zoom end and all who were dialed in did not make it in… how unfortunate that was! I am hoping to iron out those technical difficulties this week so as not to repeat them.
More important than our divided celebration is our united purpose of being the Church, which we happen to be studying together through the book of Acts. The founders of the New Testament Church (the Apostles of Christ) were given the great commission… to go into all the world and make disciples of all the peoples. Jesus’ parting words before ascending to Heaven were for them to wait for the sending of the Holy Spirit to empower them for the mission. That happened 10 days later, on the day of Pentecost… which we will be studying next Sunday.
So, if the mission began with the Twelve and grew to the place where today you and I have heard and believed the gospel, the mission is being accomplished. But, for future generations to know, it requires faithfulness on our part. Every believer is empowered by the Holy Spirit… and every believer is saved by the finished work of Jesus on the cross. We must submit ourselves to Christ, by obeying His Spirit and sharing His message of God’s love and forgiveness to those who are perishing.
If you are a part of a local Church, that is a great place for you to be continually equipped with God’s Word for the mission. If you are away from the local Church, stay engaged with the Lord through prayer and the sharing of His love with the people in your life… I believe that He will lead you to a fellowship (local Church) that is faithfully carrying out His mission and the study of His Word. If you happen to be led to Oak Springs, and you happen to be an expert in zoom technology, then perhaps next week her pastor will have a less bitter… and a more sweet… report!
For His glory,
Pastor Mike