Today was one of those AWESOME services at OOTBWC as they all are. However, today was different. Today we did cardboard testimonies. This is where I preached on the Spiritual Discipline of Confession and then we had several people who walked across the stage confessing publicly some of the things that had tormented them for many years of their lives.
My favorite Bible teacher, Dr. Steve Brown says we all should go to church each Sunday morning with a sign hung around our neck listing our three greatest sins. I don’t know about you but I’m not getting in line to participate in this. However, Steve says we wouldn’t have to be concerned about anyone seeing our sign because others would be too busy trying to cover their own and I know this is true. All of us have things that sometimes keep us awake at night. Those things where we cringe every time we are reminded that we actually did such things.
The Bible teaches us there is great value in confession and we can participate in confession in two ways. Confession to God is number one and confession to others is number two. There is freedom in confession. We find freedom when we learn that we are not the only one who has had the struggle that we wrestle with. There is freedom when we feel and experience the Grace and forgiveness of God.
Today there were people who gave testimony of being addicted to drugs and then their deliverance from that addiction. There were people who made the choice to have an abortion and have struggled with their decision for years and finally found Gods grace and forgiveness. There were those who had struggled in marriage relationships and found victory. There was one young lady who was adopted at birth and she was thankful for parents who love her and take great care of her. There were so many, I wish I could share them all. But that is why I was so moved, I get to share in all of these, I get to be with these folks and be their pastor. I get to see the victories in their lives and I get to share in their struggles.
These are the most awesome people in the world.
Helping to start a new work like Out of the Box is hard and at times it seems overwhelming but days like today make it all worth it. We are watching lives that are being changed by God. I have never seen anything like this in my life. It is real and you can feel it when you walk through the door. I am just thankful to be part of such a MIGHTY work of God.
I want to say thank you to the band, to sound techs, the greeters, the ushers, the child care workers, the hospitality crew and to every person who comes to the services. You are making history and changing lives. You are on God’s team and what you are doing will count for Eternity.
Thank you Out of the Box Worship Center. You are awesome, thank you Jesus, you are MOST Awesome.
Ronnie
I dont think I have ever been so moved in church before today. God is sooo awesome. I am blessed to see His mercies abound.
It was amazing be a part of this service – as one of those who participated in sharing testimonies, it gave us the opportunity to see how the congregation was affected. There were many tears in the service today – and not just from us women who tend to be more emotional (LOL) – there were several men in tears as well. It was very rewarding to be able to do this and put it out there that we’re all sinners, no one is better than anyone else, we all sin and come short of the glory of God. Praying that we’ll all continue to “real” and grow in our fellowship with each other and encourage each other in our relationship with our Father.