One Lifer’s, it’s a very cool privilege to be able to take on a place as big as the Victory for our second Easter service.

Here are a few tips on how to have a great day. 

1.   Show up at the Victory Theatre Downtown Evansville – not Eastgate in Henderson.  It’s obvious, but, hey, I think there are people out there who haven’t quite let it sink in.

2.   Arrive early.  Plan on parking your car at 9:30.  There’s plenty of parking but it may take a little while to orient to the downtown area if you’re not used to being there.  It will give you ample time to take care of the kids, settle down, enjoy the pre-service stuff and enjoy a little time with friends.  In short, you will be more relaxed.  

3.   The morning of, read over one of the Bible resurrection stories.  They are at the end of Matthew, Mark , Luke and John.  Then pray over it.  It will make Easter more meaningful and help you arrive ready to truly celebrate the single greatest event in history. 

4.   Read Acts chapters 1 and 2  in the days leading up to the service.  This is the text for the morning and our focus.  You will enjoy having a little more biblical background behind the message.

5.   Invite someone. It borders on cliché but it’s true – many people who would not go to church any other time will agree to go on Easter.  If an unchurched friend comes I promise you, you will enjoy the whole experience more.  

6.   Come prepared to give.  The offering that day will go towards church planting – especially the west side plant. Giving is one of life’s greatest joys and how we can actively connect to the mission.  Don’t wait until the offering time to think about your gift.  Decide now while you’re more thoughtful and prayerful.  

7.   Plan on acting not just hearing.  There will be clear action steps to take coming out of Easter.  Plan to make it more than just a service.  Plan to make it a call to action. 

It’s a blast worshiping with all of you. We’re going to have a great time.  Praise Jesus because He is ALIVE! 

A “Because” Answered Prayer

This past Saturday One Lifer’s descended on the Victory Theater in Evansville to devote an evening to worship. Leading up to it I asked people to pray a very specific prayer taken from the Bible:

“I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

Ephesians 3:17-21

Our most consistent and specific prayer for the night was that people would know and experience the love of Jesus. We wanted chains to be broken and lives to be healed by His love. We wanted Jesus’ love to go from abstract to tangible, real, living and surpassing knowledge.

I know for a fact that happened in at least one life. It happened in an amazing way that was a direct answer to the prayer many of you prayed.

I’m confident to tell the story because it happened to. . . my son.
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During this week I want to give us 3 Key ways we can arrive at “Because” ready. . .

#1.  Pray

Don’t treat this as a cliche.  I want to challenge all of us to take specific time this week and pray a specific prayer as we lead up to the night.

Here’s a prayer I’m praying for the night and I’ve challenged the worship / production team to pray as well.  It is a prayer lifted right out of the Bible – a prayer Paul prayed for the church at Ephesus.  Rich and powerful stuff:

I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.  Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Remember, “Because” is not just a night to come and sing.  It is a night to seek God as we pursue the mission of planting in the Evansville community.  And, this passage reflects the heart of what we are called to bring to people in this area:  the experience of Jesus, especially his amazing, wide, long, high, deep love.

Most people in our traditionally post “Bible Belt” culture know Jesus as vague historical, religious cartoonish figure.  There is an image in their minds that can bring a mix of guilt and an eye-rolling skepticism.   Our call, to–-to help people far from God experience Him is expressed beautifully in the line “this love that surpasses knowledge”.  This implies something deeply personal and life changing.

“Experience Jesus” is rooted in this prayer.

One Lifer’s: Pray that people will know Jesus truly, personally and confidently. . . in the reality of their everyday lives.

Pray confidently, boldly and expectantly, fueled by the last part:

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Stay tuned for more preparations coming this week. . .

I will give thanks to the Lord because of His righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most High”.

Psalm 7:17

As we lead up to our night of worship we call: “Because”, I’d like to give a little background on the name and ask everyone to take an action step that will help you arrive fully prepared.

I did a read through of the Psalms a few years back. I wanted to understand more about worship from the bible. It was one of the most gratifying and helpful bible studies I’ve ever done.
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