We prayed. We filled out “red cards” and shared that “We Got Hope!” We prayed. We invited. We prayed some more … and God moved!!!! Easter 2019 is
now past us on the calendar, but the opportunity is ahead of us to embody our
mission and “connect people from all
walks of life to life in Christ.” While our team is still processing the
“Easter” cards, the number of people indicating a next step is simply
staggering … in fact, the numbers are inexplicable apart from God!! Because each of
these numbers represents a name, a person, and their story, we need your help
to ensure they connect and take a next step. 1) PRAY: specifically, for people to
follow through with their best next step, whether that be GROW, CONNECT,
baptism, or coming back to church next week. 2) BE A TOUR GUIDE (not a delivery
person): a delivery person’s job is finished once they drop off the package or
deliver the message. Our co-laboring with God is not finished just because some
attended a church service and heard the Gospel; God never called us to set
attendance records but rather to make disciples. So if you invited
someone who came to church or saw someone you know at church for the first time
(or the first time in a while), then please reach out to them this week. Thank
them for coming, answer their questions, take them to coffee or share a meal
with them, and help them get connected or take their next step. 3) KEEP YOUR EYES & HEARTS OPEN … for the guest or someone you do not know. So many people can come to a worship service and long for connection, but they leave feeling painfully disconnected. Why? Perhaps because we assumed they were known or already connected or not interested. Thank God that we can expect to see guests and new people each week at Rock Bridge, and this could especially be true during the post-Easter season. So let’s keep our
eyes open and our hearts willing to have conversations with people who we don’t
know. Let those type of conversations linger
… share names, learn stories, extend invitations to your home or to share a
meal. 4) PAUSE … and THANK GOD! But keep yearning for more … more of His
Spirit, His grace, His favor … for more of
His glory to be known in NW Georgia and the Tennessee Valley. Lord Jesus, we at Rock Bridge Community Church stand in awe of You every day because You died in our place and rose again in victory! Now, we have Your Holy Spirit to live in victory, not defeat, and to live boldly for You and Your Kingdom. Give us a holy discontentment and a holy thirst. Don’t let us settle for less than You have purchased with Your Son’s blood, promised in Your Word, and provided by Your Spirit’s power. Please give us more of Yourself and Your favor. We want Your Name exalted higher in our hearts, in our communities, and in the world!! AMEN!
About Matt Evans
Matt Evans is the Founding and Lead Pastor of Rock Bridge Community Church in Dalton, Georgia. Matt and his wife, Beth, grew up in the Dalton area and saw the need for a church that would reach the lost, broken, de-churched, and spiritually wounded.
Matt, your Sermons are always inspiring and have so much detail about the Bible. You pull out details that I have never thought about. I will be 70 in July and I am so excited every week to be at Church. I just want you to know that I really appreciate you for your hard work. I attend the Ringgold Campus.