Its Time to Come Back!

​Everybody loves a good comeback story.  The underdog blowing everyone’s mind, the triumph of what appears to be a loss turning into a tight race, the story of someone who is facing doom and gloom seeing a glimmer of hope as they battle on.  We know that the powers of Hell cannot defeat the gospel of Jesus! (Matthew 16:18) Looking at the last year there has been much trial and at many times the mind of the believer could easily shift the feeling of defeat.  Church is closed, worship is not allowed, people all seem to be polarized in their opinions of what is appropriate as a church.  It would seem that the Devil was winning as Christians all over the world were living in disunity, isolated, angry, and fearful.  It did not feel like victory was anywhere close.  I believe that through the power of the Holy Spirit we will see a COMEBACK.

The idea of a comeback is two-fold, on the one hand, as the vaccine rolls out, herd immunity is in full effect and churches begin to get back into the swing of things, my hope is not that things would return to “normal”,  my hope is that we create a “new normal”.  The time away has stirred in my heart a sense that how we were doing things before needs to be different as we look at victory in a new light.  I don’t just want to be back in church, I WANT TO BE THE CHURCH!  

As a church we must see our attendance as more than just our opportunity to check the spiritual boxes.  We must see ourselves and people who aim to be used by God in big uncomfortable ways.  Instead of coming to attend church, how about we come to church to live on mission?  Our missions statement as a church is to “Know Christ and Make Him Known.”  You might have just noticed for the first time that attending church does not accomplish the vision of the church.  We must be intentional if we want to see revival in our church and our community.  

My challenge to you is that you look around and see who is missing.  The second part of the two-fold idea of a comeback is that people who have become comfortable at home come back to church for worship, fellowship and service.  Will you invite someone who you see is missing?  Will you invite someone for the first time to attend Grace Church?  

In our series: Rebuilding What is Broken we have asked you to take seriously the questions of what is broken in me?  What is broken in my Church?  On Comeback Sunday (June 13th) we will be talking about putting what is broken in the hands of the healer. 

Will you join us in our services at 9am or 10:45 for a time of celebrating the Comeback of the church?  We will have a celebratory meal following the second service as a time of returned fellowship.  

I love you all and look forward to seeing you on Sunday.

-Pastor Paul