Are YOU Available?

A few weeks ago I was out of town preaching a Youth Conference in Pueblo, Co and had something happen to me on the plane that I won't to share with you.

My friend who booked my tickets for me had put me sitting in the middle of both flights, which proved to be very interesting coming and going. Since technology has introduced us to "XM Radio," I've appreciated being able to listen to music and sometimes talk radio (you know you're getting old when you start listening to talk radio) when I'm flying to take my mind off of the reality that I'm 40,000 feet IN THE AIR!

Anyway, so I'm excited about flying home. I've gotten to my assigned seat, sat down with my book and my headphones and just about to put my headphones on and get into my own little world when the Holy Ghost speaks to me and says, "don't put your headphones on." Well, of course I'm like, "God are you sure? My flight is like 3 hours long, and listening to the radio helps me not think about DYING!" Again, the Spirit prompts me to leave my headphones off. So, I roll my headphones back up and sit them in the pocket in front of me with my book.

Just a few minutes later, the lady to my left strikes up a conversation with me. To make a long conversation short, she asks me what I do. I reply with the whole I'm a Pastor, blah, blah, blah. But come to find out, she lives in Ohio. So, I mention that I have a friend who pastors a great church in East Liverpool, and she about falls out of her seat. She LIVES 10 MINUTES away from my friends' church. Come to find out, she passes his church a lot and knew exactly where it was.

I've told you all of that to say this, how many conversation have we missed with hungry people who NEED GOD all because we were in our own little world? In a day where people either have iPod ear buds, wireless Bluetooth receivers, or a cell phone attached to their ear, how many Eternal Opportunities have we missed? How many conversations could we have had with people in our city, in Starbucks, in Wal-Mart, at the grocery store but instead we were busy listening to iPods or talking on the phone.

The bottom line is this, ask any marketing firm what the greatest advertisement is and they'll tell you "WORD OF MOUTH!" That means that the greatest advertisement GOD has is our MOUTH! The greatest advertisement for the Apostolic church is our MOUTH! The most effective way to reach the LOST in your city is to simply start TALKING!

I was glad that I listened and obeyed that day on the plane, but it also convicted me at the same time. As the plane landed we said our goodbyes and I'll never forget her thanking me for talking to her. She said it always bothers her when she sits beside someone on a plane and they never talk. She ended up "thanking" me for something I should have done anyway.

Let's give our iPods a break. Make that phone call later. Instead, ask the Barista what their name is. Buy the person behind you a cup of coffee and hand them a "church card" inviting them to church (I just recently did that too)! Ask questions. Listen. TALK! You might just win a soul!

Are YOU available?

A World In Trouble NEEDS A CHURCH IN REVIVAL

I think we could all agree today that the world is in trouble! And because the world is in trouble, it doesn’t NEED just another “church” to entertain, or become a safe place to socially interact. Lord knows we have PLENTY of them around! With that in mind, I’ll tell you what the world NEEDS …“A World in Trouble NEEDS a CHURCH in REVIVAL!”

When Jesus ministered on earth, he did NOT operate under the idea that REVIVAL was an option. Jesus was driven with a sense of URGENCY that was demonstrated over and over again in scripture. He not only understood that the world was in trouble and that He was their ONLY HOPE; He understood that His time on earth was limited. Therefore, there was NO time to waste. IF the world’s needs were going to be met, it was going to be because He met them.

The Church needs a fresh understanding of the reality that this world is in trouble and its ONLY HOPE is for a REVIVAL CHURCH to represent Jesus Christ before it’s too late! Jesus IS COMING BACK and our time on earth IS limited! Therefore, we MUST get aggressive in our efforts to WIN THE LOST and give a world in trouble a CHURCH IN REVIVAL!

The Mission of Jesus Christ did NOT end at Calvary or even at His ascension! Jesus promised to continue His mission through the CHURCH! Jesus transferred His mission; His passion; His divine obligation and His sense of URGENCY to the CHURCH!

What was promised and prophesied in (Luke 24) and (Acts 1) came to pass in (Acts 2) when the CHURCH was BORN!

(Acts 2:1-4/ KJV) says, “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

These newly filled believers were accused of being drunk, but Peter preached a message declaring among other things that they were not drunk with wine, like they had been of accused of, but it was the promised power of the Holy Ghost that had been poured out. As he preached the first Apostolic message, the Bible says that everyone who heard him preach “were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”

A world in trouble now had a CHURCH in REVIVAL! A CHURCH with a mission—a CHURCH with passion—a CHURCH with a message—a REVIVAL CHURCH!

The CHURCH would now represent REVIVAL to a world in need, and represent they did. They made such an IMPACT everywhere they went that they were referred to in (Acts 17:6/ KJV) as “These that have turned the world upside down!”

The CHURCH that was born on the Day of Pentecost was a church that understood there was a world in need and their ONLY HOPE was a CHURCH IN REVIVAL!

The world is in trouble. The Cities that we live in are in trouble. Therefore, the churches that we attend faithfully MUST be CHURCHES IN REVIVAL IF we’re going to win the lost and see NEEDS met in the Last Days!

We’ve got to FILL our Sanctuaries with PRAYER—with FAITH—with PRAISE—with WORSHIP—with TITHES—with OFFERINGS—with PREACHING—with EXPECTATION!

“A World In Trouble Needs A CHURCH In REVIVAL!”