This is what the new Worship Center looked like just before 7 a.m. on Sunday morning. About a dozen prayer warriors gathered to seek God's face before the doors opened on the very first day. God's House was filled with prayer.
Before the First Day...
...More than 200 people read God's Word from Genesis to Revelation over a span of 87 consecutive hours. God's House was filled with God's Word.
...The Praise Team and Choir gathered to lift up praises to God. God's House was filled with Praise.
...More than fifty men and women gathered to unstack and unpack and set up and arrange 800 new chairs in the auditorium. God's House was filled with chairs.
...and then the worshipers came. God's House was filled with worshipers.
On the First Day...
...for the first time since 1992, the entire Ironbridge family gathered together in one place at one time to glorify God in worship and praise...ALL TOGETHER in our church, on our turf in a combined worship celebration.
...one of the charter members said, "I just want to fall on my knees and cry I'm so happy to see what God has done."
...the very first thing that happened in the very first worship celebration was a presentation of the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions.
...the very first person baptized is a twenty-something who will be going to the PacRim to serve for two months this summer.
...the first sermon was on John 3:16, "For God so Loved the World..."
...two adults joined the IBC family, and two came on profession of faith in Christ.
...the service began ten minutes EARLY.
...the service did not end at twelve noon.
...more than 950 people gathered for worship.
...extra chairs had to be brought in from the old auditorium.
...and for the second time in twenty-two years, Ironbridge has built an auditorium--too small. Oops, we did it again.
On the very first day, we affirmed the fact that this beautiful facility is a starting gate and not a finish line. It's a launching pad, not a lounging place. We're here to equip an army, not just attract an audience. This facility is a powerful reminder from God that "to whom much is given...much is required."
We've come to an important mile-marker in our journey of faith together. It's time to press on for the cause of Christ. We're not done. We're just getting started. It's going to be incredible. Come along with us. It's just the first day.
Live the Red,
Mark
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
The First Day
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3 comments:
First - what a wonderful word. I looked it up in Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary and the "first" definition reads: preceding all others in time, order, or importance. That's Jesus - He was before time and the order of creation and God has made His name above all other names - the most important name in all the earth. When I think of first, I think "Seek ye First the kingdom..."
First reminds me of new. Webster says of new: different from one of the same category that has existed previously. Can you say sanctify? I can be "new" in Christ as I renew my life and my commitment to Him every day.
God thought of it all - FIRST! There is nothing "new" under the sun (which, "under the sun" refers to life before accepting Christ; hence all things are new in Christ).
As I put Him first, He makes me new and gives new meaning to everything.
Once again, I'm thankful and praising God for a church that keeps the main thing - the main thing! Even when given such an amazing Christmas gift as a beautiful, big, dumb, church-box! I could feel His presence in there - not because the place is holy, but because His people are filled with His Spirit. What an amazing day! What an amazing God!
Pastor Mark,
The building looks great! I know that Ironbridge will use it in many ways to glorify God. Thanks also for you blog as it is one of a few ways I can keep up with the Body of Christ at IBC. I now have an African ADSL broadband and I can receive pictures. Are you guys going back to posting the sermons? All is well here in Lesotho. God has shown us were he is working and we have put the plow to the ground. The soil may be heard but God can turn it to a soft, rich and fruitful. Blessings to you, your family and the family of Ironbridge.
Tom
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