An Open Door - in or out of the church?
I've been working on the sermon for church later today. There is going to be a bit of a tie up between the morning service and Sanctuary First. I've been reflecting upon that great little text in 1 Corinthians 16.9 where Paul says this " a great door of opportunity has opened up for me, but i face many adversaries. I going to be encouraging every one of us to make the most of our life opportunities. We can't live our lives in regret. never can we live our lives in fear. Too many people over the years have held back from the call of God on their lives because they could only see the obstacles rather than the opportunities. So tomorrow will be "Open Door Sunday"
I think the evening service has the potential to be really interesting. One of the themes we will be looking at is the living dead that inhabit the church. Here's a sample of the material we'll be reflecting upon.
A scene of first aid - blue lights flashing emergency noise soundtrack - someone being brought back to life. Paramedics flat on the ground - receiving the breath of life from a passer by. The point is that the church is facing an emergency. The scene depicts the struggle for the Christian who is slipping back into the world. The church is called to be like the rescue ambulance seeking to strengthen Christian life. However the church is dying no longer able to carry out rescue missions.The passion for renewal and revival is now outside the church in the most unexpected places. God is Emerging in the lives of people who would normally pass by.
GET REVIVED OR DIE? - ALBERT BOGLE
(The actor pacing up and down looking at the audience then at the paramedic flat on her back Desperation can be detected from the voice)
They've got to wake up!
You better wake up!
So much to do
It's absolutely ludicrous
I can't believe what I'm doing
I can't believe what I'm saying
I can't believe what I'm seeing
This is a crisis.
Religion is dead
Church is dead But I,-
We need something to believe in
Imagine
Para medics being resuscitated
By the patients
If you where told that
You'd laugh in disbelief
But we're living in an upside down world
How did the church get into this state?
Something happened!
Something terrible is happening
The world has gone crazy
And the Church with it
Oh what ever happened to you?
Why have you stopped talking?
Why have you stopped explaining?
Why have you stopped believing.?
It was your job to bring us back to life
To bring us hope
Salvation
Meaning and purpose
But you lost
Your heart
Your passion
You got side tracked
into alternative programmes
You stopped believing people were sick
You became sick yourself
believing lies
You got caught up in a counterfeit world
You've got to wake up
Start coughing
Breathing
O Please just start
Living again
Loving again
Singing again
Caring again
Healing again
Believing again
I'm the outsider here
I'm not into rescue
I need to be rescued
I've got my own problems
My own plans
But people like me need help
Children need love
Don't look at me like that
You look dead
I'm not like you
I'm the outsider here
I'm not a Church
I can't do it your way
I'm into relationships
I like it minimalist
Not too complicated
O Please wake up
Strengthen the things that remain
Song - Bob Dylan – From the "Slow Train Comin" - When You Gonna Wake Up
