Today we saw a number of “firsts” at NewSpring…
- It was the first time I ever was carried into a church service in a closed coffin! (For those who were not there I actually preached the first few minutes from inside the coffin!!!)
- It was the first time the band ever played “Hells Bells” in a worship service!
- It was the first time we were able to use pyrotechnics—and watching everyone when the fire went off was awesome!
- It was the first time I ever preached an entire message at NewSpring on the subject of hell. (So much for us being a feel good church!)
- It was the first time I was ever WAY UNCOMFORTABLE before doing a worship service because I was WAY out of my comfort zone.
What were the results of today?
- We saw over 110 people receive Christ!!! THIS NEVER GETS OLD!!! YEAH GOD!!!
- We had over 1,000 people show up for our 4:15 service—an increase from last week.
- We had over 1,700 people show up for our 6:00 service—a HUGE increase from last week!
- (Thanks to everyone who made the switch from AM to PM!)
- People were fired up at the end of the service…excited about the fact that because of Jesus, hell is not necessary!
A few more things…
- Today took me WAY out of my comfort zone—but—I knew it was what the Lord wanted…and so instead of fearing what the religious wing nuts might say about us we just went for it—and it made a difference in at least 110 people’s lives for eternity!
- No, I didn’t try to “scare the hell” out of anyone! I merely presented the truth of Scripture in regards to what Jesus Himself said about hell.
- I am realizing more and more that God is calling us here at NewSpring to continue to push the edge when it comes to creativity in the presentation of the Gospel. I am also realizing that in doing so the religious will be offended—AND I LOVE IT! I will always choose reaching people for Christ and offending the religious rather than doing vice versa.
- This coming Sunday will probably be more tense than the one we just had—I will be addressing a subject that many pastors are afraid to touch because they might offend someone who has been in church for a long time.
That’s about it—I am tired—BED TIME!!!