As I was driving by the mall this morning at about 10 AM, I noticed that there was quite the line of people camped outside the movie theater. At first, I thought “Oh, man! The ‘Occupy’ movement is going after the theaters now!” Then, after a moment of admiring my stupidity, I realized they were all lined up for the midnight release of the latest film in the Twilight saga.
Now, I don’t want to rush to judgment on anyone who has lined up in the wee hours for a shot at the first showing of a movie, or for concert tickets, or the insane people camping out at the stores on Thanksgiving night waiting for Black Friday. But, I have yet to find something that I am so excited about that I have to line up dozens of hours, or even days, early to make sure I get a good seat or deal.
In kind of a crazy way, I admire those people. They are really excited about something. They are dedicated to their cause. They can’t wait to experience something new, tantalizing, or dramatic.
Then, it hit me, why aren’t we this excited about our churches, or evangelism events? What are the odds that people would do this for the Metamorphosis Conference? Will people be lining up the night before to make sure they get great seats? Will they be so excited that they can’t stand the fact that they have to wait until 7 PM on May 18, 2012 to finally experience this event? Why don’t people show up the night before church starts to make sure they get the good seats in the front (instead, we show up a little early so we can sit in the back)?
I believe it is because we are in the twilight of the Acts church. OK, I went all literary on you there; but stick with me. Check out this passage that Dr. Luke penned in Acts, chapter 2:44-47:
And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
These people were excited about their church! They were excited about hanging out together and learning more about Jesus. In fact, they met every day because they were overjoyed with the miraculous things God was doing.
In our day and age, the Acts church has begun to fade. But, it’s not to late to bring it back.
We need to reclaim that excitement for our God! We need to get pumped up with fellowship, and blown away by the teachings of the Bible! We need to get passionate about THE CAUSE (AKA – the Great Commission)!
How cool would it be to see people camped out at your church early this weekend, eager to get inside? How awesome would it be to see people lined up a day early to experience God? Only you can make it happen. Spread the word!
ChadReisig.org 