Christians all over the world will be celebrating the death and resurrection of Jesus in a special way this weekend. The family of Grace Baptist Church will be as well.
If you call Grace Baptist Church your home, your mission this weekend is vital. A lot of planning, energy, and resources have been invested in our Good Friday Service, Easter Eggstravaganza, and Easter Sunday Service. We have done this because we know that more than any other time of year, people are open to attending a church event or service. This is an exciting opportunity!
Hundreds of people who are spiritually lost, struggling, skeptical, or straying will have the chance to hear the good news of Jesus Christ. They will also get to interact with people (us) who have experienced the life-changing power of Jesus Christ. This is where your mission is vital. I am asking that you would do several things:
1. Pray Boldly. Pray for those who are spiritually lost and confused. Pray that God will prepare their hearts even now to be ready to respond to the gospel. Pray that their walls will go down and that they would see their desperate condition and turn to Jesus in faith. Pray that many would come out this weekend, even if for “unspiritual” reasons. Pray that the Spirit of God would be so palpable in our midst that it would be undeniable to those who are not Christians. Pray for those who consider themselves Christians but are not connected to the body of Christ. Pray that they would be drawn to commit to the local church.
2. Serve Joyfully. There are so many opportunities to serve this weekend. There is really no excuse. If you are a member of Grace, you should be serving in some capacity this weekend. We still have 25-30 spots shifts to fill for the Eggstravaganza on Saturday. Most of these are 1-1.5 hour shifts. Is the kingdom of God worth serving for a few hours? I can tell you, I have found the words of Jesus true, “It is more blessed (happy) to give than to receive (Acts 20:35).” Let’s serve joyfully and shine the light of Jesus for our community.
3. Welcome Warmly. When you attend a service or event this weekend, keep in mind there will be dozens of new people who don’t know what it means to be a Christian. Your attitude and demeanor will communicate volumes about what Jesus does in our hearts. Go out of your way to welcome someone you don’t know. Introduce yourself to people before and after the service. If someone looks lost, help them find their way. If someone is sitting alone, go sit with them. Let’s show people that as Christians we don’t just preach a message of love, we live out that message.
4. Invite Deliberately. Who have you invited to a service? Have you handed an Easter card to any of your family or friends? Be intentional about inviting people to a church event or service. Not just this week, but every week. This is part of what it looks like to partner together and be on mission. Share our church events, services, and blogs on social media. Talk well of your church family in person and online. Help people see the value of being part of a local church.
Maybe you are saying, “Mark you are asking a lot. I just want to come to church, do my thing, and go home.” I want to remind you, there is no lasting joy in that. We have the opportunity to impact souls for eternity. The death and resurrection of Jesus changes everything for us. Let’s show our community that we are a people who would rather serve than be served. Let’s model humble joy and unshakable hope for people who are desperate for both. And let’s remember the great promise of Jesus, “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself” (John 12:32).
I love you church and am so honored to call Grace home. I love being a part of what God is doing in and through us as we proclaim the gospel in word and deed. To God be the glory!
