CenterPoint Church

     On Sunday, CenterPoint had it's soft launch. It was a very encouraging day for all those who came. We could feel God's presence and blessing throughout the morning. Many have commented on the unity and love they could feel during the service. This was an answer to prayer!
     As I've been thinking back on Sunday's service, I've thought of the great Christian church in Antioch. What was the secret of its wonderful birth? Jim Cymbala, in his book The Church God Blesses, believes that one very simple phrase seems to say it all: "The Lord's hand was with them." With no New Testament to read, surrounded by hostile Jews and Romans, with no benefit from a formal church building, no apparent source of income, no power point or sound system or seminary training, unknown and unnamed believers started one of the most dynamic congregations of the Christian era.
     No where in the Bible is there an explanation about the methods used by the church in Antioch. All we know is that "the Lord's hand was with them".  Because of God's blessings, this church led many, many people to Christ in repentance and faith. It didn't matter what was against the believers because God's grace and blessings were for them in a remarkable way.
     It is said that Barnabas was sent to Antioch to see if the reports were true. Acts 11:23 says, "When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts".  Barnabas "saw the evidence" that God was blessing and at work. There was no publicity department or newspaper to announce how well it was doing. It didn't need those things. When unbelievers are repenting of sin and turning to the Lord, when there is a strong prayer effort, when there is a spirit of unity and love among believers, that is when we experience a small taste of heaven right here on earth.
     The impact of the believers and the church they founded revolves around the fact that "the Lord's hand was with them." What happened in Antioch two thousand years ago can happen to us today. It doesn't matter where we meet, we can experience God's blessings to the extent that His hand of power is with us. As we care about the lost and find places to serve in CenterPoint Church, we can all accomplish more for God's kingdom than we ever dreamed if we learn the secret of asking God to stretch out His hand and do what only He can do in our midst. Our main calling is to live in fellowship with Christ and to labor with him in extending His kingdom. To miss out on this is to lose the deep sense of fulfillment and joy that comes only when we are partnering with Jesus. If we enjoy the blessings of God and labor for the cause of Christ, we experience significance both now and for all eternity. Let's continue to pray and serve as we press on in obedience to this effort we are calling CenterPoint Church!
Laboring with you,
Pastor Dick