I will sing of the Lord's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. Psalm 89:1
Graduation weekend in Tallahassee is a great reminder to me of why I do what I do as a pastor. In ministry, I live to tell the next generation about God's love and faithfulness. I always have two emotions stirring inside of me during this time. I am happy to celebrate with the students who have graduated, but I am also sad to see many of them leave our wonderful city.
On Sunday, I received a letter from one of our former students who graduated from FSU. Her name is Lisa Johnston and she is a wonderful person. I thought I would share with you her letter in this week's blog because so many people at Every Nation Tallahassee were instrumental in demonstrating God's love to Lisa.
Congratulations Lisa and the rest of our students who graduated, and kudos to Every Nation Tallahassee for making God's faithfulness known through all generations.
Dear Pastor Ron,
I am Lisa Johnston and I have been a member of Every Nation Tallahassee for three years. I have gone on the South Africa mission trip in 2005, I have been baptized in Jesus and in the Holy Spirit. I have seen people in my church follow God like I never have before!
This church was the best thing that happened to me in college. I have a religious background, and even though I went to church every Sunday growing up, I had no idea what was waiting for me at Every Nation! God showed me how to break away from dead religious traditions and follow Him. I have never looked back since.
I am now leaving on Wednesday, May 2nd, for an internship in speech therapy in my graduate program. I am a little scared and nervous since I am going to Knoxville, Tennessee to try to live on my own away from my hometown Tallahassee! I will carry with me the tools I have learned from Every Nation Leadership Institute to Financial Peace University to Foundations and Family class.
I want to thank you, so much, for being a pastor of power, authority, honesty, and God's work for Tallahassee. You have taught me so much, along with the others on the pastoral staff.
Pastor Ron--thank you! I always enjoy shaking your hand before or after service. You are continually joyful, which I strive to be. Your family is the product of your praise. Also, thanks for speaking at the Launch (young adults) meeting last Sunday. It meant so much for a pastor to show himself as any other "normal" human being.
So, as I leave Every Nation Tallahassee and move on to my internship and a future job, hopefully in North Carolina, I pray that I'll keep remembering all God has shown me while at Every Nation Tallahassee.
Thank you once again, Pastor Ron, for your leadership and Godly characteristics enabling me to see God through others. Every Nation Tallahassee is the product of your faithfulness.
Take care and keep fighting the good fight,
Lisa Johnston
Remember--Everybody has a story to tell...what's yours?
It's Miller Time this Sunday at ENT...c ya there!
Monday, April 30, 2007
Monday, April 23, 2007
Getting Right by Admitting Wrong (Part 2)
I was inspired to write this blog after reading an essay in Time Magazine entitled, “The Age of U-Turns”. Bruce Grierson is the author of U-Turn: What If You Woke Up One Morning and Realized You Were Living the Wrong Life? Over the past three years while researching a book on what he calls “secular epiphanies” he found people who had pulled a big U-turn in their lives. He writes, “There was a slaughterhouse worker who became an animal-right activist, a venture capitalist who quit to found a high-minded nonprofit, a death-penalty advocate who became a leading death-penalty opponent. Often the insight came in a forehead-smiting moment in the middle of the night: I’ve got it all wrong.”
The world would be a better place if we would all wake up and recognize we are all wrong.
The biggest U-turn a person can make in their life is called repentance. 2 Corinthians 7:10a says, “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret.” In regards to our relationship with God, we have all missed the mark and sinned against Him. This ultimately means we need to repent by admitting this fact and changing to be more like Christ. According to Grierson, “There are circumstances in which not to reverse course seems almost pathological.” Amen! The fool who does not repent will perish is the folly of their pride, sin and deception.
We become better people when we humble ourselves and admit we are wrong. Some call this moment a u-turn, others call it a flip-flop, but God calls it repentance. The Greek word for repentance is “metanoia.” It means a 180-degree return; you are walking one way, living for yourself and in sin, and you turn and begin to live for Jesus and His desires. Repentance is a complete change of mind, heart, and will. It is commanded of God and involves the turning of one’s entire being away from sin and unto God. Genuine repentance is one of the first steps we take to enter into a right relationship with God.
Finally, Grierson discovered a pattern that emerged in each of the individuals who made a u-turn. He writes, “What these personal turns had in common was the apprehension that, well, we’re all connected. Everything leans on something and is propped up by something.” This “something” is God.
Acts 17:28 says, “In God we live and move and have our being.” Whether we want to acknowledge it or not, we all lean on God and we are all connected to Him. Also, our decisions in life are not lived out in a vacuum. Every decision we make affects people in a positive or negative way. Remember, we can make a favorable impression on the world by admitting when we are wrong.
Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near (Matthew 4:17). Get right by admitting your wrong!
The world would be a better place if we would all wake up and recognize we are all wrong.
The biggest U-turn a person can make in their life is called repentance. 2 Corinthians 7:10a says, “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret.” In regards to our relationship with God, we have all missed the mark and sinned against Him. This ultimately means we need to repent by admitting this fact and changing to be more like Christ. According to Grierson, “There are circumstances in which not to reverse course seems almost pathological.” Amen! The fool who does not repent will perish is the folly of their pride, sin and deception.
We become better people when we humble ourselves and admit we are wrong. Some call this moment a u-turn, others call it a flip-flop, but God calls it repentance. The Greek word for repentance is “metanoia.” It means a 180-degree return; you are walking one way, living for yourself and in sin, and you turn and begin to live for Jesus and His desires. Repentance is a complete change of mind, heart, and will. It is commanded of God and involves the turning of one’s entire being away from sin and unto God. Genuine repentance is one of the first steps we take to enter into a right relationship with God.
Finally, Grierson discovered a pattern that emerged in each of the individuals who made a u-turn. He writes, “What these personal turns had in common was the apprehension that, well, we’re all connected. Everything leans on something and is propped up by something.” This “something” is God.
Acts 17:28 says, “In God we live and move and have our being.” Whether we want to acknowledge it or not, we all lean on God and we are all connected to Him. Also, our decisions in life are not lived out in a vacuum. Every decision we make affects people in a positive or negative way. Remember, we can make a favorable impression on the world by admitting when we are wrong.
Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near (Matthew 4:17). Get right by admitting your wrong!
Monday, April 16, 2007
Getting Right by Admitting Wrong
Ten years ago, like most newly married couples, Cindy and I had many blissful thoughts about what life would be like married to one another. We knew we were the right ones for each other, and therefore, reasoned that married life would be one without contention and conflict. Three years into my marriage, I found myself still getting into major arguments with my wife. Like my six year old Josiah’s shoe laces after he has attempted to tie his sneakers, we would get ourselves stuck in strife unable to untie ourselves from the knots created by our disputes.
Our frustrations with one another grew to a point where we would even argue in front of our friends. One day, a sagacious older friend of mine, who had been married for over twenty years, was listening to us as we were quarreling. Cindy was in the kitchen and my friend and I were sitting in my living room on the couch. After a couple minutes of listening to our dispute, he leaned over to me while looking directly into my eyes and said with all the wisdom in the world, “Just say—‘I’m sorry’.”
Instantly, like a divine revelation from heaven, I knew he was right. I looked at him like a young child looks at their parents when they discover something new and lifted my voice and said, “Honey, I’m sorry”. Immediately, there was a peace in my house that had not been there five minutes earlier.
A few months later, on December 31st, I made a New Years Eve commitment to not always have to be right in my discussions with Cindy. As I examined myself, I realized that in my pride, I was more concerned with being right than changing to be a better husband. My marriage improved as soon as I began to acknowledge the occasions when I was wrong.
Stay tuned for part two of Getting Right by Admitting Wrong.
Our frustrations with one another grew to a point where we would even argue in front of our friends. One day, a sagacious older friend of mine, who had been married for over twenty years, was listening to us as we were quarreling. Cindy was in the kitchen and my friend and I were sitting in my living room on the couch. After a couple minutes of listening to our dispute, he leaned over to me while looking directly into my eyes and said with all the wisdom in the world, “Just say—‘I’m sorry’.”
Instantly, like a divine revelation from heaven, I knew he was right. I looked at him like a young child looks at their parents when they discover something new and lifted my voice and said, “Honey, I’m sorry”. Immediately, there was a peace in my house that had not been there five minutes earlier.
A few months later, on December 31st, I made a New Years Eve commitment to not always have to be right in my discussions with Cindy. As I examined myself, I realized that in my pride, I was more concerned with being right than changing to be a better husband. My marriage improved as soon as I began to acknowledge the occasions when I was wrong.
Stay tuned for part two of Getting Right by Admitting Wrong.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
The Reason I Attend Church
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25
When I was a young boy, going to church was anything but my favorite activity. In fact, going to church was a cruel form of torture. Sitting still for one hour seemed liked an eternity to a boy filled with a ton of energy. I used to sit through the service and daydream about playing sports while wiggling in my seat. My mom would pinch me and whisper intensely in my ear, “Sit still!” Every once in a while I would try to pay attention, but I would quickly become distracted because I had no idea what the man in the robe was saying. I couldn’t wait until communion because it was a chance to get out of my seat if I hadn’t sinned too badly during the week.
I was convinced that my parents would make us go just to lord their authority over us, or get even with us for some bad behavior during the week. Every Sunday morning, my brother and I, would make it as inconvenient as possible to get us to church. Knowing my mom is a very punctual person, we figured making us late would be our only hope of not having to go to church. My mom would literally have to drag us or beat us out of bed. Locking ourselves in the bathroom, we would take forever to get ourselves ready. I would eat my cereal one cheerio at a time as a last futile attempt to do anything to delay the inevitable.
Church became less of a priority in my life once I got confirmed in the eighth grade and started having ball games on the weekends. I would spend the next seven years of life never attending church except on Christmas and Easter.
As I reflect back on my feelings about going to church as a young boy, I am amazed at how I could go to church and miss the reason for attending—Jesus. Church for me was nothing more than a bunch of dead traditions and empty rituals. I would find pleasure in finding out about those once faithful church members who were no longer attending because of a divorce or some other reason. To me, it reaffirmed my belief that going to church was a senseless duty that most people participated in to somehow try to feel better about their life.
Today, you could not pay me all the money in the world to miss a church service. Boy, how things have changed! In fact, since the age of twenty-one, my whole life has been centered on my faith in Christ and my participation in church. What has made the difference? Why is attending church such an important activity to me now? The answer is I have had an encounter with the reason for going to church—Jesus Christ?
Now, every song I sing in the service has deep significance because I know the One we are singing about. The word of God is powerful to me because it is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I consider giving my tithes and offerings a privilege because Christ sacrificed his life for me. And, I am always excited to see such a diverse group of people united together by the Spirit of Christ for the greatest purpose on the planet.
This Sunday at Every Nation Tallahassee we kick off our new sermon series titled "Witness". For the next four weeks, attendees will hear real people testify about their life changing encounter with God. Everybody has a story to tell! I hope to see you at ENT if you are in town.
Remember, Jesus is the reason we attend church.
When I was a young boy, going to church was anything but my favorite activity. In fact, going to church was a cruel form of torture. Sitting still for one hour seemed liked an eternity to a boy filled with a ton of energy. I used to sit through the service and daydream about playing sports while wiggling in my seat. My mom would pinch me and whisper intensely in my ear, “Sit still!” Every once in a while I would try to pay attention, but I would quickly become distracted because I had no idea what the man in the robe was saying. I couldn’t wait until communion because it was a chance to get out of my seat if I hadn’t sinned too badly during the week.
I was convinced that my parents would make us go just to lord their authority over us, or get even with us for some bad behavior during the week. Every Sunday morning, my brother and I, would make it as inconvenient as possible to get us to church. Knowing my mom is a very punctual person, we figured making us late would be our only hope of not having to go to church. My mom would literally have to drag us or beat us out of bed. Locking ourselves in the bathroom, we would take forever to get ourselves ready. I would eat my cereal one cheerio at a time as a last futile attempt to do anything to delay the inevitable.
Church became less of a priority in my life once I got confirmed in the eighth grade and started having ball games on the weekends. I would spend the next seven years of life never attending church except on Christmas and Easter.
As I reflect back on my feelings about going to church as a young boy, I am amazed at how I could go to church and miss the reason for attending—Jesus. Church for me was nothing more than a bunch of dead traditions and empty rituals. I would find pleasure in finding out about those once faithful church members who were no longer attending because of a divorce or some other reason. To me, it reaffirmed my belief that going to church was a senseless duty that most people participated in to somehow try to feel better about their life.
Today, you could not pay me all the money in the world to miss a church service. Boy, how things have changed! In fact, since the age of twenty-one, my whole life has been centered on my faith in Christ and my participation in church. What has made the difference? Why is attending church such an important activity to me now? The answer is I have had an encounter with the reason for going to church—Jesus Christ?
Now, every song I sing in the service has deep significance because I know the One we are singing about. The word of God is powerful to me because it is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I consider giving my tithes and offerings a privilege because Christ sacrificed his life for me. And, I am always excited to see such a diverse group of people united together by the Spirit of Christ for the greatest purpose on the planet.
This Sunday at Every Nation Tallahassee we kick off our new sermon series titled "Witness". For the next four weeks, attendees will hear real people testify about their life changing encounter with God. Everybody has a story to tell! I hope to see you at ENT if you are in town.
Remember, Jesus is the reason we attend church.
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Easter Thoughts About Jesus
JESUS
IN CHEMISTRY, HE TURNED WATER TO WINE.
IN BIOLOGY, HE WAS BORN WITHOUT THE NORMAL CONCEPTION.
IN PHYSICS, HE DISPROVED THE LAW OF GRAVITY WHEN HE ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN.
IN ECONOMICS, HE DISPROVED THE LAW OF DIMINISHING RETURN BY FEEDING 5,000 MEN WITH TWO FISHES & FIVE LOAVES OF BREAD.
IN MEDICINE, HE CURED THE SICK AND THE BLIND, WITHOUT ADMINISTERING A SINGLE DOSE OF DRUGS.
IN HISTORY, HE IS THE BEGINNING AND THE END.
IN GOVERNMENT, HE SAID THAT HE SHALL BE CALLED WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, PRINCE OF PEACE.
IN RELIGION, HE SAID NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH HIM.
JESUS HAD NO SERVANTS, YET THEY CALLED HIM MASTER.
HE HAD NO DEGREE, YET THEY CALLED HIM TEACHER.
HE HAD NO MEDICINES, YET THEY CALLED HIM HEALER.
HE HAD NO ARMIES, YET RULERS FEARED HIM.
HE WON NO MILITARY BATTLES, YET HE CONQUERED THE WORLD.
HE COMMITTED NO CRIME, YET THEY CRUCIFIED HIM.
HE WAS BURIED IN A TOMB, YET HE LIVES TODAY.
I FEEL HONORED TO SERVE SUCH A LEADER WHO LOVES US!
LET'S CELEBRATE HIM; HE IS WORTHY.
REMAIN IN GOD AND SEEK HIS FACE ALWAYS. AMEN!!
"Live this Easter Sunday to the fullest in Jesus Christ ....
because Today is the beginning of the rest of your life!!"
IN CHEMISTRY, HE TURNED WATER TO WINE.
IN BIOLOGY, HE WAS BORN WITHOUT THE NORMAL CONCEPTION.
IN PHYSICS, HE DISPROVED THE LAW OF GRAVITY WHEN HE ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN.
IN ECONOMICS, HE DISPROVED THE LAW OF DIMINISHING RETURN BY FEEDING 5,000 MEN WITH TWO FISHES & FIVE LOAVES OF BREAD.
IN MEDICINE, HE CURED THE SICK AND THE BLIND, WITHOUT ADMINISTERING A SINGLE DOSE OF DRUGS.
IN HISTORY, HE IS THE BEGINNING AND THE END.
IN GOVERNMENT, HE SAID THAT HE SHALL BE CALLED WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, PRINCE OF PEACE.
IN RELIGION, HE SAID NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH HIM.
JESUS HAD NO SERVANTS, YET THEY CALLED HIM MASTER.
HE HAD NO DEGREE, YET THEY CALLED HIM TEACHER.
HE HAD NO MEDICINES, YET THEY CALLED HIM HEALER.
HE HAD NO ARMIES, YET RULERS FEARED HIM.
HE WON NO MILITARY BATTLES, YET HE CONQUERED THE WORLD.
HE COMMITTED NO CRIME, YET THEY CRUCIFIED HIM.
HE WAS BURIED IN A TOMB, YET HE LIVES TODAY.
I FEEL HONORED TO SERVE SUCH A LEADER WHO LOVES US!
LET'S CELEBRATE HIM; HE IS WORTHY.
REMAIN IN GOD AND SEEK HIS FACE ALWAYS. AMEN!!
"Live this Easter Sunday to the fullest in Jesus Christ ....
because Today is the beginning of the rest of your life!!"
Friday, April 06, 2007
I Killed Jesus
In the movie, “The Passion of the Christ, the greatest man who ever lived is brutally executed on a cross. In fact, it was literally beyond words to describe; they had to invent a new word: excruciating. Literally, excruciating means ‘out of the cross.’ Think of that: they needed to create a new word because there was nothing in the language that could describe the intense anguish caused during the crucifixion.
In shock and disbelief, repelled by the brutality and suffering, we witness the gruesome crucifixion of Jesus—and our instinct for justice is stirred. We want to shout, “Who did this?” “Who’s to blame for this atrocity?” The endless flogging, the swollen eye, the shredded flesh—all of the horrific violence compels us to demand, “Who is responsible? Surely the guilty party must pay for this!”
Is Satan behind it all? The betrayer Judas? Pilate? The religious leaders? The Roman soldiers? The screaming mob? For that matter, why didn’t the disciples step in and try to stop the madness? A lot of people were involved, and yet the world still debates about who is primarily responsible.
As we examine the list of characters, where do we point our finger of blame? Suspicion and sensitivity run high as we explore the list of potential perpetrators.
Of course, the depiction of Jesus’ death has always created controversy, whether it is told through medieval passion plays or the latest filmmaker’s interpretation. Amazingly, newspapers and television news stations carried stories about the debate over “The Passion of the Christ” months before the film was released. One concern was that the movie—even unintentionally—would focus blame on Jews collectively, vilifying them and encouraging anti-Semitism.
What is the truth behind the death of Jesus? Who are the real culprits? Our sense of justice requires a verdict. Maybe if we expose who is really to blame, we’ll begin to make some sense out of the apparently senseless horror. (Experiencing the Passion of Jesus by Lee Strobel and Garry Poole)
In Acts 2:36, as a multitude of people listen to his sermon, Peter tells the crowd who crucified Jesus. He says, “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
The most important moment in a person’s life is when they realize it was their sin that crucified Jesus Christ. This moment happened to me in 1989 when I was twenty-one years old at a FCA meeting on the campus of Florida State University. On my knees in tears, I cried out to God in repentance for my sins. For the first time in my life, I understood the significance of Christ on the cross—His blood purchased my salvation (Revelation 5:9).
On this Good Friday, I am asking you to focus on the significance of Christ on the cross. Remember, your sins crucified the Son of God. My prayer is that this thought would stir in you a passionate commitment to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength (Matthew 22:36-40).
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20
See you Easter Sunday!
In shock and disbelief, repelled by the brutality and suffering, we witness the gruesome crucifixion of Jesus—and our instinct for justice is stirred. We want to shout, “Who did this?” “Who’s to blame for this atrocity?” The endless flogging, the swollen eye, the shredded flesh—all of the horrific violence compels us to demand, “Who is responsible? Surely the guilty party must pay for this!”
Is Satan behind it all? The betrayer Judas? Pilate? The religious leaders? The Roman soldiers? The screaming mob? For that matter, why didn’t the disciples step in and try to stop the madness? A lot of people were involved, and yet the world still debates about who is primarily responsible.
As we examine the list of characters, where do we point our finger of blame? Suspicion and sensitivity run high as we explore the list of potential perpetrators.
Of course, the depiction of Jesus’ death has always created controversy, whether it is told through medieval passion plays or the latest filmmaker’s interpretation. Amazingly, newspapers and television news stations carried stories about the debate over “The Passion of the Christ” months before the film was released. One concern was that the movie—even unintentionally—would focus blame on Jews collectively, vilifying them and encouraging anti-Semitism.
What is the truth behind the death of Jesus? Who are the real culprits? Our sense of justice requires a verdict. Maybe if we expose who is really to blame, we’ll begin to make some sense out of the apparently senseless horror. (Experiencing the Passion of Jesus by Lee Strobel and Garry Poole)
In Acts 2:36, as a multitude of people listen to his sermon, Peter tells the crowd who crucified Jesus. He says, “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
The most important moment in a person’s life is when they realize it was their sin that crucified Jesus Christ. This moment happened to me in 1989 when I was twenty-one years old at a FCA meeting on the campus of Florida State University. On my knees in tears, I cried out to God in repentance for my sins. For the first time in my life, I understood the significance of Christ on the cross—His blood purchased my salvation (Revelation 5:9).
On this Good Friday, I am asking you to focus on the significance of Christ on the cross. Remember, your sins crucified the Son of God. My prayer is that this thought would stir in you a passionate commitment to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength (Matthew 22:36-40).
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20
See you Easter Sunday!
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Live as Light in the Lord
Light exposes that which is hidden.
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10and find out what pleases the Lord. 11Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13But everything exposed by the light becomes visible. Ephesians 5:8-13
The following story is a great illustration of how light exposes things hidden in the darkness.
In our family carpet cleaning business we offered a special service for removing pet urine odors. To show potential customers their need for the service, I would darken the room and then turn on a powerful black light. The black light caused urine crystals to glow brightly.
To the horror of the homeowner every drop and dribble could be seen, not only on the carpet, but usually on walls, drapes, furniture, and even on lamp shades. One homeowner begged me to shut off the light: "I can't bear to see anymore. I don't care what it costs. Please clean it up!" Another woman said, "I'll never be comfortable in my home again."
The offense was there all the time, but it was invisible until the right light exposed it. It would have been cruel to show customers the extent of their problem and then say, "Too bad for you" and walk away. I brought the light so that they might desperately want my cleaning services.
In the same way, God shines the light of his commandments not just to make us feel guilty and leave us that way. After His light exposes our sin, Jesus has a cleaning service to offer—salvation through Jesus Christ.
This Sunday, April 8th, we will be concluding our Vintage Jesus series on Easter Sunday. I will speaking about what it means for Jesus to refer to himself as the "resurrection and the life." I look forward to seeing you at Every Nation Tallahassee.
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10and find out what pleases the Lord. 11Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13But everything exposed by the light becomes visible. Ephesians 5:8-13
The following story is a great illustration of how light exposes things hidden in the darkness.
In our family carpet cleaning business we offered a special service for removing pet urine odors. To show potential customers their need for the service, I would darken the room and then turn on a powerful black light. The black light caused urine crystals to glow brightly.
To the horror of the homeowner every drop and dribble could be seen, not only on the carpet, but usually on walls, drapes, furniture, and even on lamp shades. One homeowner begged me to shut off the light: "I can't bear to see anymore. I don't care what it costs. Please clean it up!" Another woman said, "I'll never be comfortable in my home again."
The offense was there all the time, but it was invisible until the right light exposed it. It would have been cruel to show customers the extent of their problem and then say, "Too bad for you" and walk away. I brought the light so that they might desperately want my cleaning services.
In the same way, God shines the light of his commandments not just to make us feel guilty and leave us that way. After His light exposes our sin, Jesus has a cleaning service to offer—salvation through Jesus Christ.
This Sunday, April 8th, we will be concluding our Vintage Jesus series on Easter Sunday. I will speaking about what it means for Jesus to refer to himself as the "resurrection and the life." I look forward to seeing you at Every Nation Tallahassee.
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